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Winestead, Yorkshire, England. Further historical information.

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WINESTEAD

WINESTEAD, a parish in the wapentake and liberty of Holderness; 1½ mile NW. of Patrington, a small pleasant village surrounded by a variety of beautiful picturesque scenery. There are two elegant halls, which may rank, for pleasantness and neatness of structure, with many or the noble villas in England. The church (see Churches for photograph) is a low Gothic structure, surrounded by lofty trees, that give it an air of deep solemnity, there is in the interior a stone monument, representing the late Sir Robert Hildyard, laying in armour, the monument stands in an unusual part of the church, being placed immediately before the pulpit.

This edifice is dedicated to St. German, Thomas Thoroton Hildyard, Esq. is the patron. The famous Andrew Marvel, M. P. for Hull, son of the rector of this place, was born here, on the 31st of March, 1621, as appears from the parish register. The manor of Winestead came into the possession of the Hildyard family about the reign of Richard II. Sir Robert D'Arcy Hildyard, the last baronet, dying in Nov. 1814, without issue, bequeathed his estate to his niece, Anne Catharine Whyte, who married in 1815, Thomas Thoroton of Flintham house, in the county of Nottingham, who, in compliance with Sir Robert's will, assumed the name and arms of Hildyard. Pop. 129.

The following is the entire data from Langdale's Topographical Yorkshire Dictionary:

The Manor at Winestead has been in the family of the Hildyards ever since the reign of Edward III. Mrs. Hildyard, niece and heiress of the late Sir Robert, is the present owner, who founded a charity school here in 1812.

This place gave birth to the patriotic and political writer, Andrew Marvel, which took place on the 5th of April, 1621. --Parish register. He was the son of the Rev. A. Marvel, rector of this parish. His abilities being very great, his progress in letters was proportionable; so that at 13 or 15 he was admitted of Trinity College, Cambridge, where he took a Bachelor of Arts Degree, in 1639; and about 1642, commenced his travels through Holland, France, and Italy. In the last of those countries, he obtained the acquaintance and friendship of the illustrious Milton, during their residence at Rome; and had afterwards the honour of having him for a coadjutor in the office of Latin Secretary to the Protector.

In 1658, he was elected one of the Representatives for Hull; and again returned in the two successive Parliaments. In this station he acquitted himself so much to the satisfaction of his constituents, that they allowed him a handsome pension all the time he continued to represent them, which was to the time of his death. This was probably the last borough in England that paid a representative.

In Parliament he distinguished himself by his integrity as a senator, and by his wit as a writer against the corruptions of the court. Charles II. delighted in his conversation, but could never prevail on him to support his measures. To effect this, he one day sent Lord Danby to wait upon him, with a particular message from himself. His Lordship with some difficulty found his elevated retreat, which was a second floor in an obscure court in the Strand. Lord Danby, from the darkness of the stair case, and the narrowness thereof, abruptly burst open the door, and suddenly entered the room, wherein he found Mr. Marvel writing. Astonished at the sight at so noble, and so unexpected a visitor, he asked his Lordship with a smile, if he had not mistook his way, "no," replied His Lordship, with a bow, "not since I have found Mr. Marvel;" continuing, that he came from the king, who wished to do him same signal service, to testify his high opinion of his merits. He replied, with his usual pleasantry, that kings had it not in their power to serve him; he had no void left aching in his heart: his Lordship, after some other discourse, offered him any place at court he should choose. Marvel answered, "that to take a place at the hands of His Majesty, would be proving him guilty of the first sin, ingratitude, if he voted against him; and if he went in the smooth stream of his interest, it might be doing injustice to his country and his conscience. These royal offers proving vain, Lord Danby began to assure him, that the King had ordered him a thousand guineas, which he hoped he would be pleased to receive, till he could bring his mind to accept something better, and more durable. At this, Mr. Marvel renewed his usual smile, and said, "surely my good Lord, you do not mean to treat me ludicrously by these munificent offers, which seem to interpret a poverty on my part. Pray my Lord Treasurer, do these apartments wear in the least the air of need? and as for my living, that is plentiful and good, which you shall have from the mouth of the servant":-

"Pray what had I to dinner yesterday?"
"A shoulder of mutton, sir."
"And what do you allow me today?"
"The remainder hashed."

"and tomorrow, my Lord Danby, I shall have the sweet blade bone broiled and when your Lordship makes honourable mention of my cook and my diet, I am sure his Majesty will be too tender in future, to attempt to bribe a man with golden apples, who lives so well on the viands of his country." The Lord Treasurer, unable to withstand this, withdrew with smiles, and Mr. Marvel sent to his bookseller for the loan of one guinea. No Roman virtue ever surpassed this temperance, nor can gold bribe any man that is not bribed with luxury. He died in 1678, not without the strongest suspicions of being poisoned, and was buried in the church of St. Giles in the Fields. Ten years after, the town of Kingston-upon-Hull erected an epitaph at once expressive of their "grief and gratitude." The corporation ordered 50L. to be issued for the purpose of burying him.

He wrote some pieces against Parker, Bishop of Oxford, and miscellaneous Poems and Tracts; all of which have been published in 3 vols. 4to. A poetical piece of his, which, with one from Dr. Borrow, was the means of rescuing the poem in Paradise Lost" from unmerited obscurity, is usually prefixed to his works. --Biog. Dict. Oldfield on Boroughs.

[Description(s) edited mainly from various 19th century sources by Colin Hinson. ©2010]