This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1840 Excerpt: ...the west, as well as the east, far and wide. The rising ground situated between the Oxford and the Bath roads is already marked out for future streets, the sites of some having even now received their appellation. This appears a most eligible situation for the erection of neat villas and terraces, overlooking, as it ...
Read More
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1840 Excerpt: ...the west, as well as the east, far and wide. The rising ground situated between the Oxford and the Bath roads is already marked out for future streets, the sites of some having even now received their appellation. This appears a most eligible situation for the erection of neat villas and terraces, overlooking, as it does, some of the most delightful scenery of which the environs of the town can boast. COLEV HOUSE. Our next trip is through the villages of Tilehurst, Sulham, Tidmarsh, Englefield, Bradfield, and Theale. Ascending to the top of Castle Hill, we turn to the left, and although scarcely without the limits of the town, find ourselves walking beneath a noble grove of elms, conducting to Coley House, the seat of J. B. Monck, Esu. This spot is supposed by some antiquarians to have been the site of the Roman station Calleva, mentioned in the Itinerary of Antoninus. Camden, however, fixes the site at Wallingford, and others at Silchester. The manor of Coley belonged for many generations to the Vachells, an influential family, who possessed a chapel, (appropriated as a burial place) in St. Mary's Church. Several successive members of the Vachells were returned to parliament for the town of Reading, during the period between the reigns of Henry Vlllth. and Queen Anne. A tradition long prevailed in Reading respecting one of that family. It appears the Abbot was accustomed to have hay brought through Vachell's yard, which was considered a thoroughfare for the servants of so mighty a lord. Upon being refused that privilege however, he sent to Vachell, and that several times, without receiving any answer. At last he ordered a Monk to go to him, whom Vachell in his fury killed, and was compelled in consequence to make his escape. His family after this took as a...
Read Less
