Note 75 — Chapter VI

New Hall originally belonged to Waltham Abbey, but in the reign of Edward III. passed by exchange into the possession of Sir John Shardelowe. During the wars of the Roses it was bestowed upon Bortello, Earl of Ormond, a zealous Lancastrian, who was taken prisoner at Towton, and beheaded. The Manor House was fortified by his brother, by permission of Henry VII. It was obtained, by exchange, by Henry VIII., who erected it into an Honour, gave it the name of Beaulieu, and frequently resided there. After various vicissitudes, New Hall was sold to Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, who was assassinated by Felton. At a later period it was purchased by Oliver Cromwell for five shillings, though yielding a rental of 1300l. a year. Soon afterwards, however, he gave New Hall, together with a considerable sum of money, in exchange for Hampton Court. Some years later it was the residence of Monk, Duke of Albemarle, after whose time the glories of the place gradually faded away, until the house, fast falling to decay, was converted into a convent for English nuns of good family.