VBCW Herefordshire Country Houses

A hitherto overlooked aspect of the Herefordshire VBCW has been the importance of the County's country houses. While roads, rivers and railways are of obvious strategic importance, the possession (or loss) of these pre-VBCW seats of political influence acts as a barometer of the various factions growing (or waning) power, as well as having a powerful effect on morale. Areas within the control of the various Landowner Protection Associations are almost always centred on their respective country houses. The Royalists and Anglicans equally value the historical position of country houses within County affairs, often using them as hospitals or headquarters. Others, controlled by the BUF, have been turned into interrogation or re-education centres.

Here is a list of all the historic "Principal Seats" in the County of Herefordshire (extracted from “Littlebury’s Directory & Gazeteer of Herefordshire 1876/77) broken down by parish and then resident:

001. Abbey Dore Court (Abbey Dore) Captain Thomas Freke Lewis, J.P., D.L.

002. Allensmore Court (Allensmore) Evan Pateshall, Esq., M.P., J.P., D.L.

003. Aramstone (Kings Caple) Robert Wyndham Smith, Esq.

004. Ashley Moor (Orleton) Joseph Rogers, Esq.

005. Athelstan Hall (Hereford) Josiah Wm. Smith, Esq., Q.C., B.C.L.

006. Baches House (Upton Bishop) Captain A.R.F. Onslow

007. Barnamore House (Withington) John Charles Aston, Esq.

008. Barton Court (Colwall) Major Thomas Griffith Peyton, J.P., D.L.

009. Beechwood (Hope Mansell) Thomas Gee, Esq.

010. Belmont (Clehonger) Francis Richard Wegg-Prosser, Esq., B.A., J.P., D.L.

011. Berrington Hall (Eye) The Right Hon. Lord Rodney.

012. Birch House (Much Birch) George Vernon Bankes, Esq.

013. Bircher Hall (Yarpole) Thomas Dunne, Esq., J.P., D.L.

014. Birchwood (Cradley) Thomas Henry Little, Esq., J.P.

015. Birchy Field (Avenbury) Henry Howorth, Esq.

016. Bishopswood House (Walford) Thomas Chivers, Esq.

017. Blairmont (Lugwardine) James Cowpar, Esq., M.D.

018. Bosbury House (Bosbury) Rev. Edward Higgins, M.A., J.P., D.L.

019. Brampton Brian (Brampton Brian) Robert William Daker Harley, Esq., J.P., D.L.

020. Brampton Brian Hall (Brampton Brian), Lieut.-General George Staunton, C.B.

021. Brampton (Great), (Madley) Rev. John Crugar Murray Aynsley, M.A., J.P.

022. Bredenbury Court, (Bredenbury) W. Henry Barneby, Esq., J.P., D.L.

023. Brimfield Hall, (Brimfield) Captain E. Salwey

024. Broadfield Court, (Bodenham) Mrs. Helms

025. Brockhampton, (Bromyard) John Habington Barneby Lutley, Esq., M.A., J.P., D.L.

026. Brockhampton House, (Brockhampton) Sir Christopher Robert Lighton, Bart., J.P.

027. Broomy Close House, (Llandinabo/Llanwarne)Rev. George Henry Bosanquet, M.A.

028. Broxwood Court, (Pembridge) Major Richard Snead Cog, J.P., D.L.

029. Bryngwyn, (Much Dewchurch) James Rankin, Esq., M.A., J.P., D.L.

030. Buckenhill House, (Bromyard) The Dowager Lady Shakerley

031. Buckland, (Docklow) Captain Edward Nicholas Heygate, R.E., J.P, D.L.

032. Burcott (The), (Holmer) Charles Croose, Esq.

033. Burghill House, (Burghill) J.C. Woodhouse, Esq:

034. Burton Court, (Eardisland) John Clowes, Esq., J.P., D.L.

035. Byletts (The), (Pembridge) John Bowles Evans, Esq., J.P., D.L.

036. Cagebrook House (Eaton Bishop) Mrs. Yorke

037. Callow Hills, (Welsh Newton) George Wichurch, Esq.

038. Canon Froome Court (Canon Froome) John Hopton, Esq., M.A., J.P., D.L.

039. Caradoc [Court], (Sellack) Elisha Caddick, Esq.

040. Castle Weir, (Lyonshall) Colonel Robert Price, M.F.H.

041. Chase (The), (Ross) (no information)

042. Cheyney Court, (Bishop’s Froome) James Moilliet, Esq., J.P.

043. Clater Park, (Bromyard) (no information)

044. Clifford Priory, (Clifford) Benjamin Haigh Allen, Esq., J.P., D.L.

045. Coddington House, (Coddington) Captain Henry Edward Vale

046. Combs House, (Combe) Edward Coates, Esq., J.P.

047. Copelands, (Holmer) Henry Jones Jenkins, Esq.

048. Corton House, (Rodd Nash & Littlehampton) Mrs. Evelyn

049. Courtfeld, (Welsh Bicknor) Colonel John Francis Vaughan, J.P., D.L.

050. Credenhill Park, (Credenhill) Francis William Herbert, Esq.

051. Croft Castle, (Croft) Rev. William Trevelyan Kevill Davies, J.P.

052. Cubberley House, (Ross) William Hutcheson Collins, Esq.

053. Cwm (The), (Llanrothall) Henry Wynn Pride, Esq.

054. Dadnor House, (Bridstow) Arthur Armitage, Esq., J.P., D.L.

055. Deanery (The), (Hereford) Hon. and Very Rev. the Dean of Hereford

056. Dineterwood, (Ewyas Harold) Edmund Thomas Husbands, Esq.

057. Donnington Hall, (Donnington) James Wickens, Esq., J.P.

058. Doward House, (Ganarew) Captain C. Wilkinson

059. Downfield House, (Lower Harpton) Miss Miles

060. Downton Castle, (Downton) Andrew Johnes Rouse Boughton Knight, Esq., B.A., J.P., D.L.

061. Dulas Court, (Dulas) Mrs. Feilden

062. Eastnor Castle, (Eastnor) The Right Hon. Earl Somers, R.A., J.P., D.L.

063. Easton Court, (Little Hereford) Edward Otto Partridge, Esq., J.P.

064. Eaton Hill, (Leominster) Thomas Burlton, Esq., J.P., F.R.C.S.

065. Elms (The), (Hereford) Charles Anthony, Esq., J.P.

066. Elton Hall, (Elton) Mrs. Salwey

067. Euroclydon, (Hope Mansell) Thomas Bennett Brain, Esq.

068. Eyton Hall, (Eyton) Richard Weaver Evans, Esq., J.P.

069. Eywood, (Titley) Lady Charlotte Bacon and Edward Bacon, Esq.

070. Fairfield, (Marstow) Arthur Annesley Hancocks, Esq.

071. Fownhope Court, (Fownhope) Thomas Lechmere, Esq., J.P.

072. Foxley, (Yazor) Rev. George Horatio Davenport, M.A., J.P.

073. Freen's Court, (Sutton St. Michael) William Henry Jones, Esq.

074. Frogmore House (Weston under Penyard)

075. Gaines, (Whitebourne) Mrs. Bagot and Colonel Bagot

076. Garnons (Mansell Gamage) Sir Henry Geers Cotterell, Bart., J.P., D.L.

077. Garnstone Castle (Weobley) Major Daniel Peploe Peploe, M.P., J.P., D.L.

078. Gayton Hall, (Upton Bishop) The Misses Lawson

079. Glewstone Court (Goodrich) Lieut.-Colonel P.A. Roberton

080. Goodrich Court (Goodrich) George Moffatt, Esq., J.P., D.L.

081. Goodrich House (Goodrich) Mrs. M. Peel

082. Graftonbury, (Grafton) Captain Robert Henry De Winton, J.P., D.L.

083. Great House (Canon Pyon) Gordon Graham, Esq.

084. Greenfield House (Rodd, Nash & Little Brampton) Mrs. Corbett

085. Grendon Court (Upton Bishop) Mrs. Chellingworth

086. Haffield (Ledbury) William Charles Henry, Esq., M.D., J.P.

087. Hagley Park (Lugwardine) Arthur Hutchinson, Esq., J.P., D.L.

088. Halesend (Cradley) G.B. Yapp, Esq.

089. Hall Court (Bishop’s Froome) Major John Michael Browne, J.P., D.L.

090. Hampton Court (Hope-under-Dinmore) John Hungerford Arkwright, Esq., M.A., J.P., D.L.

091. Hampton House (Hampton Bishop) Mrs. Weare

092. Harewood House (Harewood) Chandos Wren Hoskyns, Esq., B.A., J.P., D.L.

093. Hatfield Court (Hatfield), Howarth Ashton, Esq.

094. Hazelhurst (Walford) Miss M.B. Philips and Miss H. Cockshott

095. Heath House (Leintwardine) Charles Clarke, Esq.

096. Hennor House, Captain Charles Benjamin Stevenson, J.P.

097. Hephill (Lugwardine) Mrs. Mynors Baskerville

098. Hermitage (The) (Burghill and Tillington) William Lovejoy, Esq.

099. High House (Upper Sapey) J. Chamberlain, Esq.

100. Highwood (The) (Yarpole), Hon. Humphrey de Bohun Devereux, J.P., D.L.

101. Hill Court (Ross) Kingsmill Manley Power, Esq., J.P., D.L.

102. Hinton Court, (Hereford) Rev. William Frederick Powell, M.A.

103. Holme Lacy House (Holme Lacy) Sir Henry Edwyn Chandos Scudamore-Stanhope, Bart., B.A., J.P., D.L.

104. Holmer Park, (Holmer) Captain John Alexander Forbes Suter

105. Homend (Stretton Grandison) [no registered occupant]

106. Homme House (Much Marcle) Lieut.-Colonel John Ernle Money-Kyrle, J.P., D.L.

107. Hope End, Charles Archibald Hewitt, Esq., J.P., D.L.

108. Huntington Court (Holmer) John Lloyd, Esq., J.P.

109. Huntington Court (Huntington)

110. Huntington Park (Huntington) Henry Romilly, Esq.

111. Kentchurch Court (Kentchurch) Edward Scudamore Lucas, Esq., J.P., D.L.

112. King's Pyon House, (King’s Pyon) Rev. Hanmer William Webb-Peploe, B.A.

113. Kinnersley Castle (Kinnersley) Thomas Reavely, Esq., J.P., D.L.

114. Kinsham Court (Upper Kinsham) R. Ramsay, Esq.

115. Knill Court (Knill) Lieut.-Colonel Dallas

116. Kynaston House (Hentland) Edwin Charles Scobell, Esq

117. Langstone Court (Llangarren) John Jones, Esq., M.D.; J.P.

118. The Laurels (Holmer), Daniel G. Secretan James Woodhouse, Esq.

119. Leintwardine House (Leintwardine), Mrs. Colvin

120. Lemore (Eardisley), Major-General John Coke, C.B., J.P., D.L.

121. Letton Court (Letton), Rev. Henry Blisset, M.A., J.P., and John Freeman Blisset, Esq., J.P., D.L.

123. Lewson (Whitchurch), William Brown, Esq.

124. Lincoln Hill House (Ross), Miss Beeston

125. Litley Court (Hereford [Tupsley]), James Jay, Esq., J.P.

126. Llancillo Hall (Llancillo), James Gilbert Price, Esq.

127. Longworth (Lugwardine, Edward Smalley Hutchinson, Esq., J.P., D.L.

128. Lower Eaton (Eaton Bishop), Joseph Pulley, Esq., J.P., D.L.

129. Lower Weston (Weston-Under-Penyard), Major-General Stubbs

130. Lower Weston House (Weston-Under-Penyard), Henry Minett, Esq.

131. Ludford Park (Ludford), James Lechmere Merrick Parkinson, Esq., J.P.

132. Lugwardine Court, (Lugwardine) Sir Herbert George Denman Croft, Bart., M.A., J.P., D.L. 

133. Lynch, The (Eardisland), John Harding, Esq. [High Sheriff], J.P., D.L.

134. Lynhales, (Lyonshall) Stephen Robinson, Esq., J.P., D.L.

135. Lyston Court (Llanwarne) The Right Hon. Viscount Harberton, J.P.

136. Mainstone Court, (Pixley) Miss M. Pyndar

137. Manor House, (Bullinghope) Right Rev. Thomas Joseph Brown, D.D.

138. Manor House, (Upton Bishop) Captain E. Mynde Allen

139. Marden Court, (enter) Edward Hodges, Esq.

140. Marlow Lodge, (Leintwardine) Joseph Beddard Green, Esq., and George Smythies, Esq., J.P. 

141. Michaelchurch Court, (Michaelchurch Eskley) Charles Guy Trafford, Esq., J.P- D.L.
        [note - as featured in this subsequent post]

142. Middlewood (Clifford) Colonel Balmain

143. Moccas Court (Moccas) Rev. Sir George Henry Cornewall, Bart., M.A., J.P., D.L,

144. Moor Abbey (Middleton on the Hill) John George and Thomas Edmunds, Esqs.

145. Moorcourt (Pembridge) Rev. James Davies, M.A., J.P.

146. Moor Park (Richards Castle) Major Jonas Foster

147. Moor (The) (Richards Castle) Alfred Salwey, Esq., J.P.

148. Moor (The) (Clifford) Thomas James Stallard-Penoyre, Esq., J.P.

149. Moraston House (Bridstow) George H. Hadfield, Esq.

150. Moreton Court (Moreton-on-Lugg) Mrs. Harriett Evans

151. Mount Craig (Goodrich) Edmund Jones, Esq., M.D., J.P.

152. Munderfield Harold (Bromyard) Hon. Beauchamp Mowbray St. John, J.P.

153. Munstone House (Holmer) Captain Thomas William James Downes, J.P.

154. Mynde Park (Much Dewchurch) Mrs. Hudson Lutwyche

155. Newcourt (Lugwardine) Edward Griffiths, Esq., J.P., D.L.& Captain Richard John Griffiths, J.P. D.L.

156. New House, (Ledbury) Mrs. Biddulph and Michael Biddulpb, Esq., M.P., J.P., D.L.

157. Newport House,(Almeley) William Taylor, Esq.

158. Newton, (Kinnersley) Colonel Bridgford, J.P.

159. New Weir (The), (Kenchester) Major John Harward Griffiths, J.P., D.L.

160. Northgate House, (St. Weonard’s) Samuel Cannock, Esq.

161. Oaklands, (Docklow) Robert Henry John Heygate, Esq.

162. Ode Court, (Ocle-Pychard) Lieut.-Colonel Thomas Heywood, J.P., D.L.

163. Old Colwall, (Colwall) William Edmund East, Esq.

164. Old Hill (The), (Ross/Walford) Captain Martin Budd Lewin

165. Orleton Court, (Orleton) Mrs. Hill

166. Over Court, (Sutton St. Michael) Stephen Pitt, Esq.

167. Over Ross House, (Ross) Miss Baker and Miss Bernard

168. Overton House, (Richard’s Castle) Richard Betton, Esq., J.P.

169. Palace (The), (Hereford) Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of Hereford

170. Pencraig Court, (Goodrich) Rev. William Holt Beever, M.A.

171. Pengethley (Sellack) Lieut.-Colonel Thomas Powell Symonds, J.P., D.L.

172. Pennoxtone Court, (Kings Caple) Sir Edward Cludde Cockburn, Bart., M.A., J.P., D.L.

173. Perrystone House,(Foy) George Clive, Esq., M.P., J.P., D.L.

174. Perrystone Towers, (Yatton) William Gibson Ward, Esq.

175. Poulstone Court, (Kings Caple) Richard Jones, Esq.

176. Pudleston Court, (Pudlestone) Harry Chadwick, Esq.

177. Putley Court, (Putley) John Riley, Esq., J.P.

178. Ridgebourne, (Kington) Richard William Banks, Esq., J.P.

179. Ridgway House, (Cradley) John Yapp, Esq.

180. Ripplewood, (Collington) Thomas Philip Payne Wight, Esq.

181. Rocklands, (Goodrich) John Maurice Herbert, Esq., J.P.

182. Rock (The), (Lugwardine) Mrs. Mary Ann Freeman

183. Rosedale (Laysters) H.J. Bailey, Esq.

184. Rotherwas, (Dinedor) Charles de-la-Barre Bodenham, Esq., J.P., D.L.  

185. Rudhall, (Ross; see also Upton Bishop & Weston-under-Penyard) Miss Julia F. Mortimer

186. Ryelands (The), (Leominster) Theophilus William Lane, Esq., M.A., J.P., D.L.

187. Saltmarshe Castle, (Bromyard) William Barneby, Esq., J.P., D.L.

188. Sarnesfield Court, (Sarnesfield) Major Worswick

189. Seedley House, (Leintwardine) George Mason, Esq.

190. Sellarsbrooke, (Ganarew/Whitchurch) Mrs. Marriott

191. Shobdon Court (Shobdon) The Rt. Hon. Lord Bateman, M.A., Lord Lt.,“Custos Rotulorum” of the County

192. Springfield, (Ross) [no information]

193 Stanage Park (Brampton Brian), Rev. John Rogers, M.A., J.P.

194. Stanton Park, (Stanton-upon-Arrow) James King King, Esq., M.A., J.P., D.L.

195. Stoke Edith Park (Stoke Edith), The Right Hon. Lady Emily Foley

196/ Stormer Hall (Leintwardine), Herbert Crawshay, Esq.

197. Street Court (Kingsland) Benjamin Lawrence Sanders, Esq., LL.B., J.P., D.L.

198. Sufton Court, (enter) Richard Hereford, Esq., J,P., D.L. & Captain Richard James Hereford, J.P., D.L.

199. Sugwas Court, (Eaton Bishop) Frederick Platt; Esq., M.F.H.

200. Sutton Court, (Sutton St Nicholas) Mrs. Bradney

201. Tedstone Court, (Tedstone Delamere) James Lane Wight, Esq., J.P.

202. The Lodge, (Richards Castle) Tbomas Charles Bridges, Esq.

203. Thing-hill, (Withington) Henry Higgins, Esq., J.P., D.L.

204. Thornbury Court, (Thornbury) John Lycett, Esq.

205. Tillington Court, (Burghill) Miss Griffiths and Henry Noel Courtney, Esq.

206. Titley Court, (Titley) Charles Williams Greenly, Esq., J.P., D.L.

207. Titley House, (Titley) Edward Howorth Greenly, Esq., J.P., D.L.

208. Treago, (St. Weonard’s) Mrs. Mynors

209. Trebandy House, (Marstow) Thomas Mountjoy Fisher, Esq.

210. Trecilla House, (Llangarren) Rev. Henry John Potts, B.A.

211 Tyberton Court, (Tyberton) Robert Henry Lee-Warner, Esq., J.P., D.L.

212 Underdown House, (Ledbury) Mrs. Murray Aynsley

213 Upper Hall, (Ledbury) John Martin, Esq., J.P.

214 Venwood, (Bodenham) Mrs Forrest and Hugh Jenner, Esq., J.P.

215 Walford House (Walford) William Allaway, Esq.

216  Westhide Court (Westhide) (no occupant registered)

217. Westonbury (Pembridge) William Child, Esq.

218. Weston Lodge (Weston-under-Penyard) Henry Forster Burmester, Esq.

219. Wharton Lodge (Weston-under-Penyard), Mrs. Nicholas

220. Whitbourne Court (Whitbourne) Richard Harington, Esq., M.A., B.C.L., J.P., &c.

221. Whitbourne Hall (Whitbourne) Edward Bickerton Evans, Esq., J.P., D.L.

222. White House (Vowchurch) Herbert Howorth Wood, Esq., M.A., J.P., D.L.

223. Whitfield (Treville) Rev. Archer Clive, M.A., JP, D.L & Major Charles Meysey Bolton Clive, JP, D.L. [note - as featured in this subsequent blogpost]

224. Whitney Court (Whitney) Tomkyns Dew, Esq., J.P., D.L.

225. Whittern (The), (Lyonshall) Richard Green, Esq.

226. Wigmore Hall, (Wigmore)   Major-General Charles Trigance Franklin, C.B., J.P.

227. Wilcroft (Lugwardine), Miss James

228. Wilton Castle, (Bridstow) Captain L.P. Walsh, R.A.

229. Wilton Hall (Bridstow), Price Hamilton, Esq.

230. Winforton Court (Winforton), Miss Caroline Louisa Domvile

231. Wisteston Court (Marden), Charles Watkins, Esq.

232. Woodfield House (Weston-Beggard), William Henry Yates, Esq., J.P.

233. Woodfield House, (Weston-under-Penyard) Jacob Chivers, Esq.

234. Woolhope Court, (Woolhope) Josiah Booker, Esq.

235. Wyastone Leys, (Ganarew) James Murray Bannerman, Esq.

236. Wye Cliffe House, (Breinton) Edmund James Lewis, Esq.

237. Wyelands (The), (Walford) William Partridge, Esq., B.A., J.P., D.L.

238. Wyeville, (Bridstow) Captain Richard Edward Browne

239. Wythall, (Walford) John Stratford Collins, Esq., B.A., J.P., D.L.

240. Yatton Court, (Aymestrey) John George Rodney Ward, Esq., J.P. 

The Bishop and the Green Dragon

From the diary of the Rev. Standish, Junior Chaplain to the 1st Loyal Ludlow Infantry Battalion, Ludlow Expeditionary Force (bivouacked somewhere around Brimfield):

"God be praised! The Bishop of Hereford is alive and safe - but only just! Reports confirm that he was being detained in the "Green Dragon" Hotel in Broad Street as recently as last week : the only news we have had of him since the Battle of Foy, the very first engagement of the Expeditionary Force in the VBCW.

And the manner in which this information came to light! But for an attempt to murder the Bishop himself, we should never have known! It appears that Lord de Braose had the Bishop under lock and key within the "Green Dragon", two burly guards at attention on the door, the corridor leading to his room covered by a fixed machine gun and crew, Broad Street and the grounds of the Hotel crawling with BUF undercover men. They couldn't afford to let the Bishop escape, and were taking no chances. And yet amidst all this tight security, Royalist Radio is suggesting that an unnamed fanatic - a "crazed anarchist" escapee from Burghill Asylum - somehow "broke into" the Bishop's room and "lunged" at the Bishop "with a kitchen knife" - before being wrestled to the ground by the Royalist guard. Poppycock! The only people who could have got through that kind of security without the alarm being raised (or being riddled by machine gun bullets) were none other than the senior Royalist officers in charge  - and who more senior than de Braose himself?

The Green Dragon Hotel, Broad Street.
Scene of the attack on the Bishop of Hereford.

I have the true story from the EIS Liaison Officer here with the Battalion. It appears that de Braose, driven to distraction by "L'Affaire Mustard", visited the Bishop in his hotel room, accompanied by Lord Grover, with the demand that the Bishop pronounce an immediate annulment of the marriage. There were no grounds for such an annulment demand, of course; not even a proposal that an Ecclesiastical Court be convened to consider the issue.

The Bishop refused. Seeing no way out of his political dilemma, de Braose lost both his reason and temper, and immediately attacked the Bishop with his ceremonial BUF dagger! Papers scattering, a chair overturned and broken, glassed smashed - the Bishop put up his best defence before intervention by none other than Lord Grover himself, who pulled de Braose roughly away, shouting that he'd never agreed to murder!

All this explains, of course, de Braose's comical media strategy, the subsequent denial of his own marriage, and the disappearance of those poor little de Braose boys. And the cover up - why, the cover up tied up a few loose ends. Someone had attacked the Bishop, obviously. But it couldn't be de Braose himself. Why not place the blame on an unnamed "anarchist", then - and have Sergeant Ellis play the role? The general factotum in charge of the de Braose boys at the time of their disappearance, and the man who knew de Braose's most guilty secret? No trial of course, no opportunity to tell his story, or even prove his actual identity - just off to Burghill Asylum with him!

"I'm Ellis! I'm no anarchist!!" yelled de Braose's batman as was being hauled away by the BUF."Call me bad - but I'm not mad! I'm just a patsy!" It is most unlikely that anyone shall see any more of him - at least, not until the LEF take Burghill itself - deo volente - and release all the political prisoners de Braose has stashed away there...

Hereford City and County Lunatic Asyltum, Burghill.
De Braose's holding area for "special" political prisoners.

Breaking News - That De Braose Statement in Full !

Lord De Braose, appointed "Lord Warden of the Marches" by Edward VIII at the outbreak of the VBCW, and nominally leader of the Royalist Forces in Herefordshire, had not been seen in public since the start of "L'Affaire Mustard" (cf. "Le Figaro"), otherwise known as "Mustardgate" (cf. "The Washington Post"). To the general astonishment of all, and much hilarity (at least initially) across Herefordshire, he recently broke his silence. The "Ludlow Leader", as ever, was first with the story:

DE BRAOSE DISAVOWS WIFE!

"IT NEVER HAPPENED" CLAIMS TEARFUL ROYALIST

DISAPPEARANCE OF REGISTRAR

FLIGHT OF CAKE-MAKER TO LUDLOW

FEARS FOR SONS OF THE MARRIAGE

In a tear stained - and whisky sodden - written statement delivered to the international Press from the steps of the Shire Hall last night, the Lord Warden of the Marches sensationally broke his silence upon the story that has gripped the County in recent days. As yet further scandalous photographs of an under-dressed Lady Cynthia Da Braose canoodling with the late Colonel "Sir Pat" Mustard circulated amongst the populace, Lord Da Braose delivered these supposedly magisterial words:

"What utter rot! It just goes to show how desperate these fellows are, to cast aspersion on a man's wife - especially when that man is not actually married! Silly b*s..."

With a stumble and erratic sweep of the arm (which may or may not have been an attempt at a Fascist salute), Lord de Braose thus delivered his first fusillade in a desperate attempt (aka "media strategy") not to divorce Lady Cynthia in the wake of the scandal, but to re-write and deny his entire marital history. Following her own flight to Paris, Lady Cynthia is rumoured to be authoring her rebuttal of Lord Braose's bizarre statement (provisionally entitled "The Wife who Never Was!").

Lord de Braose's statement was preceded by a new wave of arrests and "disappearances" within the occupied City of Hereford. Mr Wilkins, the local Registrar of Births, Marriages and Deaths, was removed from his office in the course of the same afternoon by armed men - who conspicuously refused to identify themselves - together with all his relevant records. Neither have been seen since. BUF Stormtroopers threw a cordon around the Public Library in Broad Street ("official - closed until further notice") as others marched on the offices of the "Hereford Times" to seize both its presses and archive ("by order - all the news that isn't going to be printed"). Only one resident escaped the general sweep - Mrs Miggins, society confectioner of 17, Church Street and provider of the de Braose wedding cake. In a hair raising tale of derring do and a triumph for the Ecclesiastical Intelligence Service, Mrs Miggins was successfully spirited away from Herefordshire and into exile within the calm and peaceful episcopal enclave of Ludlow.

Oppression in "Royalist" Hereford. BUF Stormtroopers with billy clubs undertake De Braose's bidding.
But the truth is already out!

Such arrests and "disappearances" have been, sadly, an all too common feature of Hereford life since the start of the VBCW. Few, however, considered that de Braose would apply the same foul tactics to his own sons. Suddenly de-legitimised by the de Braose statement and a constant reminder of their own father's bizarre campaign of public untruths, neither little Horatio de Braose, nor his sweet natured brother Rodney, have been seen since the afternoon of the wave of arrests. 

Castle Green, with the River Wye in the background. It was here that Horatio and Rodney de Braose were last seen, in the charge of de Braose's batman and general factotum, Sgt. Ellis.

Hereford itself is awash with rumours as to the boy's fate. Some say they have been consigned to an as yet unidentified "Tower". Others claim to have seen both boys, pale faced and tousle haired, in the back of a BUF truck heading for Herefordshire Racecourse. Yet more fear the very worst, as the huge chalk letters on the side of the Shire Hall the following morning attested :

"DROWNDED !" "DROWNED BY DE BRAOSE!"