. In the old paths: memories of literary pilgrimages . lmcote. Even afterShakespeares time this particular corner of Warwick-shire continued to be identified with sport, for herelived and died William Somervile, the sportsman-poetof England. The coach road from London to Bir-mingham passes close to the parish church of WoottonWawen, where he rests, and the milestone at the bridgeof Wootton informs us that we are exactly one hundredmiles from London, two miles from Henley-in-Arden,and six miles from Stratford-on-Avon. Thus the verymilestones are reminiscent of Shakespeare, and we passEngHsh lan
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. In the old paths: memories of literary pilgrimages . lmcote. Even afterShakespeares time this particular corner of Warwick-shire continued to be identified with sport, for herelived and died William Somervile, the sportsman-poetof England. The coach road from London to Bir-mingham passes close to the parish church of WoottonWawen, where he rests, and the milestone at the bridgeof Wootton informs us that we are exactly one hundredmiles from London, two miles from Henley-in-Arden, and six miles from Stratford-on-Avon. Thus the verymilestones are reminiscent of Shakespeare, and we passEngHsh lanes with finger-posts inviting us to Warwick, Hampton Lucy, and Wilmcote, the early home ofMary Arden, Shakespeares mother. But though weare in the heart of Arden, our present pilgrimage isnot to the great shrine at Stratford-on-Avon. AnI 113 114 WITH SOMERVILE IN ARDEN interesting minor poet of Arden claims the tribute ofa more than passing reference. William Somervile of Edstone was a fine old countrygentleman all of the olden time—something of the. ^ScSzilS^^ MARY ARDENS COTTAGE, WILMCOTE. school of Sir Roger de Coverley, with a strong dash ofSquire Western. But whereas Addison and Fieldinggave us types, Somervile gave us himself. Born atEdstone Grange, near Wootton, in 1677, and educatedat Winchester, and New College, Oxford, Somervilecombined with his fox-hunting instincts the literaryculture of the reign of Queen Anne. Dr. Johnsonwrote of him that he was distinguished as a poet, agentleman, and a skilful and useful justice of the WITH SOMERVILE IN ARDEN 115 peace. This country squire gathered about him asmall coterie of local literary friends—Shenstone, andLord Bolingbrokes sister, Lady Luxborough, amongthe number. When Joseph Addison purchased anestate in Warwickshire, Somervile wrote a poem con-gratulating him on his choice of a district Distinguishd by th immortal Shakespeares birth ; and now Ardennas groves shall boast an Addison. He also wrote eulogies on Pope and