Ashton, Cold (Holy Trinity)

ASHTON, COLD (Holy Trinity), a parish, in the union of Chipping, hundred of Puckle-Church, W. division of the county of Gloucester, 5½ miles (N.) from Bath; containing 414 inhabitants. In the memorable battle of Lansdown, the parliamentarians, who had marched from Bath to attack the royalist forces intrenched on Furze hill, were defeated, after a severe conflict, and driven up the valley of Ashton Lodge, where, in the hour of victory, the gallant Sir Beville Granville, who commanded the royalists, received a mortal wound, of which he expired in the rectory-house of this place. The parish is situated on the road from Bath to Gloucester, and contains by measurement 2400 acres. The living is a rectory, valued in the king's books at £17. 1. 8.; net income, £492; patrons, the family of Batchellor. The glebe consists of 88 acres. The church was erected in 1406, by Thomas Key; and to perpetuate the memory of the founder, keys of a durable material are carved over every window and door, and on many parts of the interior of the building. The venerable Bishop Latimer was incumbent of the parish prior to his advancement to the episcopal dignity, and in the church is an ancient stone pulpit, in which he preached. The descendants of Sir Richard Whittington, lord mayor of London in the years 1397, 1406, and 1419, reside here, in an old mansion bearing date 1664.