LIFE OF LORD SCUDAMORE. 
6 7 
all doubt entered into matters of rural industry for the improvement of his estate, with all the intelli¬ 
gence and practical energy which distinguished him. It was about this time tradition tells—and 
history can scarcely be expected to notice the small matters of rural economy—that he met with the 
seedling apple, which was named the “ Redstreak,” or “ Red-strake.” He grafted it extensively 
himself, and encouraged its propagation with all his influence, until, as Evelyn states in his “ Pomona ” 
the famous “ Redstrake ” of Herefordshire obtained the pre-eminence of all other “ Cider Fruit.” 
He speaks of it, as “ a pure Wilding, and within the memory of some now living, surnamed the 
Scudamore Crab.” Later on Philips in his poem on “ Cider ” takes up the subject and after 
speaking of the virtues of the “ Musk ” apple says : 
“ Yet let her to the Redstreak yield, that once 
Was of the Sylvan kind, unciviliz’d, 
Of no regard, till Scudamore's skilful hand 
Improv’d her, and by courtly discipline 
Taught her the savage nature to forget: 
Hence call’d the Scudamorean plant, whose wine 
Whoever tastes, let him with grateful heart 
Respect that Ancient , Loyal House.” 1 
Tradition also states, that Lord Scudamore introduced several of the varieties of the Norman 
Cider-apples, which are at this day so popular in our orchards, though it is nowhere supported by any 
written authority. These varieties are found to succeed so well in Herefordshire ; they are so hardy 
in character ; so prolific in bearing; and some of them possess such excellent characteristics for 
cider making ; that they have become more and more appreciated as time has passed on. It is said 
that there has scarcely ever been a complete failure of the apple crop since they have been intro¬ 
duced; and so it has come to pass, that in all fresh plantations in the orchards, a full allowance is always 
made for Norman apples. 
In the short first and third Parliaments of Charles I, (1627-1628) Lord Scudamore was 
Member for the City of Hereford, and this political connection with the City rendered him still more 
intimate with the citizens. He was appointed High Steward of the City (1631) and took the most 
active interest in everything relating to its welfare—and more especially in all matters relating to 
the Cathedral or the Clergy. In later life he was appointed (Aug. 29, 1660) High Steward of the 
Lordships and Manors of the Dean and Chapter of Hereford. 
After the death of Rowland Scudamore, his great uncle, which took place on January 8th, 
1630-1, the Mansion and Estate of Cradock passed to Lord Scudamore, and he seems to have kept 
that house in his own hands, and gone there for change from time to time. One of his sons was 
baptized in Sellack Church. The entry in the Parish Register is as follows : 
“ Rowland, the sonn of John Viscount Scudamore and Madam Elizabeth his wife, was baptized 
the 22nd of May, 1631.” This child died the following year. 
The same Register also bears curious testimony to the delicacy of the family health : 
“ 1632, ye 16th of November. 
M dum> that upon the day and year above written, a license was granted by Richard Pritchard, 
1 It may be observed that the Poet makes “ Scudamore ” a word of two syllables, as if spelt “ Scudemore,” or “Skydmore,” 
and there is reason to believe, that this was the original form of the word. 
