Wareside Charles Lamb (1775 - 1834)
After Francis Bacon, Charles Lamb is probably the most famous English essayist. His work ranges from literary criticism, such as 'On the Tragedies of Shakespeare' which examined characters in their own right apart from their dramatic function, to humorous fantasies such as 'On the Origins of Roast Pork'. He also wrote some poetry and two plays but these were not as successful. As children Lamb and his sister Mary spent time visiting relatives in Hertfordshire and recalled their experiences in their writing. They often stayed at Blakesware Mansion (demolished 1830), near Wareside, where their grandmother Mary Field, was housekeeper to the Plumer family. Lamb recounts these visits in his essays 'Blakesmoor in H----' and ' Dream Children'. Charles and Mary also visited their Great Aunt Gladman at Mackery End, Wheathampstead, and their adventures there are described by Mary in Mrs Leicester's School (1808) and by Charles in ' Mackery End' (1820). Mary Field is buried at Widford and the pub here contains some Lamb memorabilia. Although he never lived there, Charles also owned a cottage which he inherited in 1812 called 'Buttonsnap' at Cherry Green. This was acquired by the Charles Lamb Society from the Royal Society of Arts in 1949 but was sold in the 1980s and is now a private residence. Two plaques on the cottage commemorate the association with Lamb and in 1965 a medallion portrait, which had originally come from a bank in Chancery Lane, was re-erected in the garden. We want to make these literary maps as comprehensive as possible. If you know of any other literary associations, please let us know. We will add them in and of course tell everybody who told us! 
| Stephen Young, Stevenage | Thursday, 06-Mar-2003 17:40:01 GMT |  | | Rooks Nest House Rectory Lane, Stevenage Rooks Nest House is best known as the childhood home of novelist E.M Forster and inspiration for his novel Howards End. Some years later the house became the home of the Poston family. Elizabeth Poston was a celebrated musician and composer. Rooks Nest is now a private residence. |
| Margery Phair, Gloucester NSW Australia | Tuesday, 22-Apr-2003 03:05:38 GMT | | | Am researching my family history and was delighted to read about Gorhambury House where my great-aunt Clara Moores, was cook sometime early in the 1900's. I remember my mother telling me of stories about visiting her aunt and being impressed with the big house and the fact that her aunt didn't have to do any washing-up! I have only just discovered from a distant cousin that it was Gorhambury House! My great-aunt married the game-keeper, James Deuchar. Thank you for an interesting site. Margery Phair |
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