ON THE MANOR HOUSE OF SOUTH WINFIELD. 69 



1584, to Sir Francis Walsyngham, Sir Ralph Sadler, who was to 

 be responsible for her safety during Shrewsbury's absence at Court, 

 states that he has entreated the Earl not to remove the Queen to 

 Winfield till they hear again from Her Majesty, adding that he 

 had " rather keep her there (Sheffield) with 60 men than at Win- 

 field with 300." 



It may here be remarked that Leland, writing in the time of 

 Henry VIII., of the seats of the Earls of Shrewsbury, says — 

 " Winfeld or Wenfeld in Darbyshire is but a maner place, but yt 

 far passith Sheffield Castle." 



It was not until early in September, 1584, that Mary's removal 

 to Winfield was actually effected. What with her own household 

 and domestic attendants, and the officers and soldiers considered 

 necessary to guard her. the retinue that then took up their 

 residence within these walls must have tolerably exhausted its 

 extensive accommodation, for they actually numbered over 250 

 persons 



The company at Winfield Manor House at this date com- 

 prised 120 of Lord Shrewsbury's gentlemen, yeomen, and servants; 

 50 pertaining immediately to Sir Ralph Sadler, the Queen's new 

 custodian ; and also 40 soldiers who were continually armed with 

 sword and pistol. In addition to these, the Queen had as her 

 attendants, 5 gentlemen, 14 servitors, 3 cooks, 4 boys, 3 gentle- 

 men's men, 6 gentlewomen, 2 wives, 10 wenches and children. 

 The Queen herself occupied two chambers, and her maids three, 

 two married women two other chambers, and eight for her 

 gentlemen, officers, and men servants. Sadler was most careful 

 in guarding her during her sojourn in this extensive gaol. The 

 inner gateway was guarded by a gentleman porter, with four or 

 five of his company ; whilst the outer ward was in charge of the 

 soldiery. At nightfall a watch of eight soldiers was appointed, 

 four of whom patrolled outside the walls immediately below the 

 Queen's lodgings, which were on the west side of the inner 

 quadrangle ; and this, in addition to two other soldiers, who kept 

 watch and ward night and day within the entrance from the 

 courtyard that led to her apartments. 



