A fine prospect is gained from this ancient and sequestered
abode: the pretty village of Walton-le-dale, delightfully situate in a
valley, the improving town of Preston, and the single-coned Nase Point
presenting itself majestically in the distance. The gentle river Darwen
pursues its placid course among the enclosures at the base of the hill."
The above description, extracted from Nichols's _Royal Progresses of
James the First_, and likewise the particulars scattered through the
following tale, will, we hope, convey to the reader a pretty accurate
idea of this noble but deserted mansion.
A petition, which was presented here (some say at Meyerscough) to King
James, by a great number of Lancashire peasants, tradesmen, and
servants, requesting that they might be allowed to take their diversions
(as of old accustomed) after divine service on Sundays, is said to have
been the origin of the _Book of Sports_, soon after promulgated by royal
authority. James being persuaded those were Puritans who forbade such
diversions, and that they were Jewishly inclined, because they affected
to call Sunday the Sabbath, recommended that diverting exercises should
be used after evening prayer, and ordered the book to be read publicly
in all churches; and such ministers as refused to obey the injunction
were threatened with severe punishment in the High Commission Court.
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