The Hawarden Visitors Hand-Book | Page 8

They were then valued at 13 pounds 6s. 8d. At the Reformation they were estimated at 66 pounds 6s. 5.5d.
The Rectory was greatly enlarged by the Hon. George Neville Grenville, Rector from 1814 to 1834, and afterwards Dean of Windsor. The garden comprises nearly six acres and is charmingly laid out.
A list of Rectors of Hawarden is appended. Up to the middle of the 15th century exchanges were very frequent.
1180. William de Montalt
1209. Ralph de Montalt
1216. Hugh William
1272. Roger Richard de Osgodly
1315. William de Melton
1317. John Walewayn
1331. Thomas de Boynton
1333. Roger de Gildesburgh
1344. John de Baddeley
1350. James de Audlegh
1353. John Bexsyn
1357. Robert de Coningham
1368. William Pectoo
1391. Roger de Davenport Henry Merston
1423. Marmaduke Lumley
1425. John Millyngton
1466. James Stanley
1478. Matthew Fowler
1487. James Stanley
1505. Randolph Pool
1557. Arthur Swift
1561. Thomas Jackson
1605. John Phillips D.D.
1633. Thomas Draycott
1636. Robert Browne
1638. Christopher Pasley D.D.
1640. Edward Bold
1655. Lawrence Fogge D.D.
1664. Orlando Fogge
1666. John Price D.D.
1685. Beaumont Percival D.D.
1714. B. Gardiner
1726. Francis Glynne
1728. John Fletcher
1742. Richard Williams
1770. Stephen Glynne
1780. Randolph Crewe
1814. George Neville-Grenville
1834. Henry Glynne
1872. Stephen E. Gladstone
{Interior of Church: p26.jpg}

The Modern Residence and Park.
The modern Residence was built in 1752 upon the site of Broadlane Hall, the seat of the Ravenscrofts, an old house of wood and plaster, which came into Sir John Glynne's possession by his marriage with Honora Conway, daughter of Henry Conway and Honora Ravenscroft. Originally a square brick house, it was afterwards in 1809 extended by the addition of the Library on the West side and of the Kitchen and other offices on the East; the whole being cased in stone {27} and castellated. The entrance was now turned from the S. to the N. front--the turnpike road, which passed in front of the house and along the Moat to the Village, having been diverted in 1804--and the present Flower-garden constructed with the old Thorn-tree in the centre. Quite recently has been added the block at the N.W. angle of the house, containing Mr. Gladstone's Study, or, as he calls it, the 'Temple of Peace.'
{House and Flower Garden: p27.jpg}
The most striking feature about this room is that (to use the phrase of a writer in Harper's Magazine) it is built about with bookcases. Instead of being ranged along the wall in the usual way, they stand out into the room at right angles, each wide enough to hold a double row facing either way. Intervals are left sufficient to give access to the books, and Mr. Gladstone prides himself upon the economy of space obtained by this arrangement. His Library numbers near 20,000 volumes, many of which have overflowed into adjoining rooms, where they are similarly stored. Of this number Theology claims a large proportion; Homer, Dante, {28a} and Shakespeare also have their respective departments, and any resident visitor is at liberty, on entering his or her name in a book kept for the purpose, to borrow any volume at pleasure. Three writing-tables are seen. At one Mr. Gladstone sits when busy in political work and correspondence; the second is reserved for literary and especially, Homeric studies; the third is Mrs. Gladstone's. "It is," remarked Mr. Gladstone to the writer above mentioned, with a wistful glance at the table where 'Vaticanism' and 'Juventus Mundi' were written, "A long time since I sat there." About the room are to be seen busts and photographs of old friends and colleagues--Sidney Herbert, the Duke of Newcastle, Canning, Tennyson, Lord Richard Cavendish, and others, while in the corners lurk numerous walking sticks and axes.
Adjoining Mr. Gladstone's room is the Library of the house--a well-proportioned and comfortable room, well stored with books, prominent among which topography and ecclesiology testify to the predelictions of the late owner, Sir Stephen Glynne. {28b} There are some good family portraits and other pictures, among which are specimens of Sir Peter Lely, Snyders, and a very fine likeness of Sir Kenelm Digby by Vandyke. There is a fine picture by Millais of Mr. Gladstone and his grandson, {29a} painted in 1889, and another good portrait of him by the late F. Holl; also a much-admired likeness of Mrs. Gladstone by Herkomer.
Shading the windows of Mr. Gladstone's Study is a singular circle of limes of some 20 feet in diameter, which goes by the name of Sir John Glynne's Dressing-Room. Mounting the slope towards the old castle is the Broad Walk, terminating in an artificial amphitheatre at the top, made by Sir John Glynne to give employment in a time of distress. The grounds abound in fine trees, {29b} and in rhododendrons which in spring form masses of bloom.
In 1819, Prince Leopold, the late King of the Belgians, visited the Castle; and the small wooden door on the south side of the Ruins is still called after him. The Visitors' Book at the Lodge also records, in autograph, the names of Her Gracious Majesty, as