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Tales of war

6:45am Friday 7th April 2006

The English Civil War of the 17th century was a traumatic period. Family members and friends often found themselves on opposing sides, and there was much unhappiness, distress and fear. Perhaps because of this there are many tales connected with this time.

Mysterious Minster Lovell

2:41pm Friday 17th March 2006

Several legends are attached to the picturesque medieval ruins of the manor house at Minster Lovell. Francis, Lord Lovell was a close friend of Richard III, who awarded him the post of Constable of the Royal Castle of Wallingford and Chamberlain of the Royal Household when he was in his twenties. Others became jealous, leading to the rhyme: The catte, the ratte and Lovel our dogge Rule all England under the hogge.' Lovell's nickname came from his badge, a Talbot hound; the rat was Sir Richard Ratcliffe, the cat Sir William Catesby, and Richard III was named after his badge, the boar. Lovell fled to Flanders after Richard's death at the battle of Bosworth, returning to England to support Lambert Simnel's revolt, and was last seen in 1487 swimming his horse across the River Trent after the battle of Stoke.