By the Be v. Canon J. E. Jackson, F.S.A. 151 



Somerset intended to build in this his native county. I was more 

 particularly struck by the circumstance of the conduit for water 

 1600 feet long and 15 feet deep, as a rather important work, not 

 likely to be easily obliterated, and one of which some traces might 

 still be recoverable. So I went over some little time ago on an ex- 

 ploring expedition to Wulfhall, and with Mr. Stallard, walked about 

 the hills and fairly identified the outline of the proposed park. 



A day or two afterwards, I had the pleasure of hearing that he 

 had been again to the woods, had discovered the remains of the 

 conduit for water, had measured it and found it 1598 feet long (see 

 the Plan, a little above the letter S) . 



The conduit-digging and other preparations took place, according 

 to these letters, in 1548 and 1549, the beginning of Edward VI. 

 and of the Protector Somerset's reign. A few months afterwards, 

 the wheel of fortune gave a violent turn. The Protector was de- 

 posed from power, and in January 1552, sinking under the assault 

 of his rivals, was beheaded on Tower Hill. So the great house was 

 never finished on Bedwyn Brail. 



I come now to the next owner of Wulf hall : 



Edward Seymour, Earl oe Hertford, Son of Protector Somerset. 



The Protector had been twice married ; but through the influence 

 of his second wife Anne Stanhope, the children of the first marriage 

 were set aside, and the title and larger part of the estate entailed 

 upon the children of the second. The eldest of these, Edward, was 

 only about 12 or 13 years old at the time of his father's execution, 

 and being wholly deprived (not by his Father's attainder, which was for 

 felony only, not treason, but by a special Act of Parliament procured 

 by enemies,) of all dignities and lands, found himself reduced to 

 plain, and penniless, Edward Seymour. Sir John Thynne having 

 been for so many years intimately acquainted with his father's affairs, 

 was the person immediately applied to and consulted with, about 

 measures to be taken for his benefit. (Appendix, No. ix.) Queen 

 Mary (though opposed to him in religion) wished to create him Earl 

 of Hertford, and restore to him such lands as the Protector had been 

 possessed of at the death of King Henry VIII., 1547. (Appendix, 



