Open Writing

Almost September, 1903. May and Muriel had not yet recommenced their studies at the Victoria Institute, which, since the launch of the Workers Educational Association, now offered a variety of new courses and activitites. Both girls thought they should learn to type.

May asked Muriel how her quest was going to find a family ring and to discover whether or not she had noble ancestors.

Muriel had written about these matters to a girl she had met at a dance given by the Walker family. "I rather felt she was not at all interested,'' said Muriel. "That she was pushing me off onto other people named Paulet. I wrote to some of these, but nothing came of it. Then, out of the blue, the woman wrote again, suggesting that I should consult Burke's Peerage.

"Worcester library did not have a copy of the book. However, I thought of the Beauchamp family, They would be sure to have a copy. You recall that Earl Beauchamp, before assuming the title he was William Lygon, was the governor of New South Wales. He did not much care for that position and returned to England. He was Mayor of Worcester in 1895. I wrote a letter to the Earl and his wife. They invited me to their home, Madresfield Court, and I went there last Wednesday. I went by train. Their house is a short walk from the station. It's a wonderful place., The Earl's wife Lettice...''

Noticing May's startled expession, Muriel chuckled. "She told me to call her that. She and the Earl have only been married since July. Lettice told me something of the house. It was built in 1593 and remodelled in the 1800s in the Elizabethan style. It has around 100 rooms. There's a moat, and Lettice said that in spring there's a wonderful display of daffodils.

"She showed me into the library where they have the most recent edition of Burke's Peerage. It traces lineages back to the 13th Century. I was searching for references to the Marquis of Winchester, but Lettice informed me that the Winchesters also held the title of Earls of Winchester.''

"So are you related to monarchy?'' May asked, tiring of the suspense. "Charles I or Henry VIII?''

"Well...if we are descended from Peter Paulet, and I have no reason to doubt that we are, his ancestry can be traced back to 1472. And Ann Boleyn was one of our ancestors, so we are linked to Henry VIII. Lettice took pleasure in pointing out that the Beauchamp family can be traced back to the 14th Century. Thomas de Beauchamp was one of the founding members of the Knights and Ladies of the Garter.''

"And are you related to the Beauchamps?'' May inquired.

"Oh no, but since Lettice was being kind to me I had to show interest in the history of her husband's family.''

"And were any of your other forebears famous, besides Ann Boleyn?''

"Infamous rather than famous,'' said Muriel with a wry smile. She took a notebook from a desk. "Listen to this...''

She read the following:

Marquis of Winchester to be attached.
Ordered, That the Gentleman Usher attending this House shall bring the Marquis of Winchester to this House presently, to acknowledge his Offence committed against this House, he being taken in Arms at Basing House; and then this House will take into Consideration how to dispose of him further; and the Gentleman Usher to take him into Custody wheresoever he shall find him.

Marquis of Winchester committed to The Tower.
This Day the Marquis of Winchester was brought to this Bar, as a Delinquent. And the Speaker, by the Direction of the House, told him, 'That, for his High Offence, in deserting the Parliament, and for taking up Arms against the Parliament and Kingdom contrary to his Duty, this House for the present doth commit his Lordship to The Tower of London, there to be kept in safe Custody, during the Pleasure of this House.

Marquis of Winchester, a Servant to attend him.
Ordered, That the Marquis of Winchester shall have One of his Servants to attend him, in The Tower of London.

"And what happened to him?'' May asked.

"I don't know. That is as far as I read. That information came from the Proceedings in the House of Lords, October 20th, 1645. The Beauchamps have quite a library.''

"What else did you find out?"

"Well the name Paulet was spelled in different ways down the years. Paulet, Paulett, Poulet, Poulett, and Powlett, all members of the same family.''

"So the fancy Miss Poulett probably was a relative of yours after all."

"I dare say she and I share some ancestors."

"Any other famous names in the family?''

"Well, the 2nd Marquis was the son of Sir William Capel, the Lord Mayor of London in 1503.''

May was impressed. "I think if they would let us, we should go together to Madresfield Court to do more research. We could even write a book about your family.''

"What a wonderful idea,'' said Muriel enthusiastically. Even if I never find Peter Paulet's ring we would have something to treasure.''

So Muriel again wrote to the Beauchamps, requesting that she and a friend spend a day in their library. In reply Lettice said she would be delighted to welcome them on October 14th. They could work in the library, and stay to lunch.

When the appointed day arrived, the girls, laden with notebooks and pencils, arrived at Madresfield Court. A butler conduced them to Lettice, and she in turn led them to the library. Muriel thought that Lettice wa looking plumper than she was on her first visit, but she was far too polite to ask the obvious question.

The girls worked diligently, taking copious notes. At 1 pm they were conducted by a maid to a small dining room, there to enjoy game soup, homemade bread, a salad with cheese and fresh fruit salad. May thought that the fruit must have been imported, as she had not seen its like in the local shops or market. Everything was beautifully presented on fine china. The girls were almost afraid of drinking out of the splendid crystal water glasses.

As they contentedly made their way home in late afternoon the girls agreed to meet next day to compare the notes they had made during their researches.