Note 49a — Chapter III · ROYAL CHASE OF SHIRLOT.

There is a legend that Major Smallman, a staunch royalist, surprised by some of Cromwell’s troopers, hotly pursued over Presthope, turned from the road, spurred his horse at full gallop to the edge of the precipice, and went over. The horse is said to have been killed on the trees, whilst the Major escaped, and secreted himself in the woods. Facts and local circumstances concur in giving a colouring to the tradition, and deeds extant show that the family resided here from the reign of Henry III. to the time mentioned. See Appendix C.