The numerals would be in black
letter.- J. B.]
In the chancel at Milsham is an inscription of Isaac Self, a wealthy
cloathiers of that place, who died in the 92nd yeare of his age,
leaving behind him a numerous offspring; viz. eighty and three in
number.
Ella, Countesse of Salisbury, daughter to [William] Longespe, was
foundress of Lacock Abbey; where she ended her days, being above a
hundred yeares old; she outlived her understanding. This I found in an
old MS. called Chronicon de Lacock in Bibliotheca Cottoniana. [The
chronicle referred to was destroyed by the fire which so seriously
injured the Cotton MSS. in 1731. The extracts preserved from it do not
confirm Aubrey's statements, but place the Countess Ela's death on the
ix kal. Sept. 1261, in the 74th year of her age. See Bowles's History
of Lacock, Appendix, p. v. - J. B.]
Dame Olave, a daughter and coheire of Sir [Henry] Sharington of
Lacock, being in love with [John] Talbot, a younger brother of the
Earle of Shrewsbury, and her father not consenting that she should
marry him; discoursing with him one night from the battlements of the
Abbey Church, said shee, "I will leap downe to you:" her sweet heart
replied he would catch her then; but he did not believe she would have
done it. She leap't downe, and the wind, which was then high, came
under her coates and did something breake the fall. Mr. Talbot caught
her in his armes, but she struck him dead: she cried out for help, and
he was with great difficulty brought to life again.
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