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NORTHIAM 53
Northiam, he will still see Queen Elizabeth's Oak in decay and upheld by chains. It was here the Queen was waited upon at a banquet by the best blood of Sussex—the Frewens, Courthopes, Fullers and Husseys.. And the little green shoes (ah! those awfully tiny things! so reminiscent of the vanity and capriciousness of good Queen Bess!) are still preserved in a glass case at the Frewens' house at Brickwall. They are of green damask silk, with heels two and a half inches high and pointed toes. It will be remembered that Dan tells Gloriana that they are " as little as doll's shoes " in Kipling's story.
For a description of Northiam, I cannot do better than refer the reader to A. L. Frewen's " History of Brickwall, Northiam and Brede " (1909). Northiam is a charming village, and is just on the borders of Kent:
" O rare Norgen, thou dost far exceed Beckley, Peasmarsh, Udimore and Brede."
The mansion of the Frewens, called Brickwall, is a fine timbered Elizabethan house, with some additions made under Charles II. Here the pilgrim can inspect portraits of "Archbishop Accepted Frewen," by Loest; " Stephen, the Alderman," Loest; " Lady Guildford," Holbein '» |
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