That great, though somewhat bombastic, historian, Lord Clarendon, tells us that Falkland was “a person of such prodigious parts of learning and knowledge, of that inimitable sweetness and delight in conversation, of so flowing and obliging a humanity and goodness to mankind, and of that primitive simplicity and integrity of life, that if there were no other brand upon this odious and accursed Civil War than that single loss, it must be most infamous and execrable to all posterity.”  From the same authority we learn that although he was ever anxious for peace, yet he was the bravest of the brave.  At the battle of Newbury he put himself in the first rank of Lord Byron’s regiment, when he met his end through a musket shot.  “Thus,” says Clarendon, “fell that incomparable young man, in the four-and-thirtieth year of his age, having so much despatched the true business of life that the eldest rarely attain to that immense knowledge, and the youngest enter not into the world with more innocency.”

When it is remembered that Falkland was not a soldier at all, but a learned scholar, whose natural proclivities were literature and the arts of peace, his self-sacrifice and bravery cannot fail to call forth admiration for the man, and we cannot but regret his untimely end.

King Charles was several times at Burford, for it was the scene of much fighting in the Civil Wars.

It was in the year 1636 that Speaker Lenthall purchased Burford Priory.  He was a man of note in those troublous times, and even Cromwell seems to have respected him; for, although the latter came down to the House one day with a troop of musketeers, with the express intention of turning the gallant Speaker out of his chair, and effected his object amid the proverbial cries of “Make way for honester men!” yet we find that within twelve months the crafty old gentleman had once more got back again into the chair, and remained Speaker during the Protectorate of Richard Cromwell.  He declared on his deathbed that, although, like Saul, he held the clothes of the murderers, yet that he never consented to the death of the king, but was deceived by Cromwell and his agents.

The priory remained in the Lenthall family up to the year 1821.  At the present time it belongs to the Hurst family.

We have now briefly traced the history of the manor from the time of the Conquest, and, doubtless, all the men whose names occur have spent a good deal of time on this beautiful spot.

Alas that the garden should be but a wilderness!  The carriage drive consists of rich green turf.  In a summer-house in the grounds John Prior, Speaker Lenthall’s faithful servant, was murdered in the year 1697.  The Earl of Abercorn was accused of the murder, but was acquitted.

In addition to King Charles I., many other royal personages have visited this place.  Queen Elizabeth once visited the town, and came with great pomp.

The Burgesses’ Book has a note to the effect that in 1663 twenty-one pounds was paid for three saddles presented to Charles II. and his brother the Duke of York.  Burford was celebrated for its saddles in those days.  It was a great racing centre, and both here and at Bibury (ten miles off) flat racing was constantly attracting people from all parts.  Bibury was a sort of Newmarket in old days.  Charles II. was at Burford on three occasions at least.