TALBOT2021

Lacock
12^th July 1830

My Dear Mother

Strong ¹ is here today, & says there will be no difficulty in making the alterations proposed, but that they will be more expensive than the other would have been.

I have been hunting thro’ old Manuscripts, & found a few notices respecting Lacock in former days – such as the following Mem^s –

23^d Sept^r 1645 Lacock House surrendered by Co^l Bevil. ² Fairfax & Cromwell ³ came from Bath to see the garrison march out.

Oct^r 19^th Sir Gilbert Talbot ⁴ governor of Tiverton resolved to defend the place.

Fairfax made dispositions to storm it, when by the chain of the drawbridge being broke by a cannon shot the soldiers got in & took the place by surprise. Sir Gilbert shut himself up in the Castle, but had quarter given him.

I have found an account of the birth of Tho^s Mansel Talbot ⁵ on 20 July 1747 & various other things relating to the family –

Your aff^te
H.T.

Lady Elisabeth Feilding
31 Sackville Street
London