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Correspondent Lytton Jarman has an active interest in the history of Leintwardine, the village in Herefordshire to which Banastre and Susan retired. He was kind enough to send along some photos of the area around Leintwardine House, and landmarks which survive unchanged from the period of their residence. Many of the factoids given on this page come from him, too.
In October, 2004, I was in the UK on vacation and paid a visit to Leintwardine, so I'm now able to add a bit more material of my own. I'd also like to thank Sue Adams, who currently lives in Ban and Susan's old home, for both hospitality and information.
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Lytton says that local tradition places it here, beneath this large, concrete and cast iron marker in Saint Mary Magdalene's churchyard. (He adds, "Locals said he had been buried with his horse and that was why it was such a large grave and local children were frightened to go near it as he rode his horse there after dark!") But there is no inscription anywhere on it, and Doc M's opinion is that this is more likely the covering for a family burial vault. Pending further evidence, we all lean towards the most likely burial location being within the church itself, somewhere near his monument in the north transept (which is now in use as the vestry.) |
| The photo above was provided by Lytton, and this is one I took of the same marker in October 2004, showing the churchyard in a considerably more overgrown state. It is no longer being used for burials, and is intentionally being allowed to "naturalize." |  |
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One of the cover panels is missing from the marker, and the interior, unfortunately, has accumulated quite a collection of detritus. |
| Leintwardine House as it looks today. A search back through the land deeds for the property produced the information that Banastre and Susan rented it from a man named William Edwards rather than owning it. |
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| The Teme River, a few hundred yards from Leintwardine House. Bass records Banastre's fondness for fishing, and his habit of sending prize catches to his friends in London. I'm told that the river is still a good source of trout and grayling. |
| And finally, the Lion Inn in Leintwardine. Lytton's description: "The entrance to Leintwardine House is on the other side of the road. Ban must have done some drinking here. Today you can get an excellent lunch here and the accommodation is extremely cheap. The rooms are quaint and tiny." Again, things have changed a little between Lytton's photographs and 2004. The Lion has undergone interior renovations. Its partial coating of vines have been cleared, and it has new, more modern signs. |
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The parish burial index provides the following entry:
Name: Sir Banastre Tarleton Baronet Knight Grand Cross
of the Most Noble Order of the Bath, a General in the Army, Colonel of the
Eighth Hussars and Governor of Berwick-upon-Tweed.
Abode: Leintwardine House
When Buried: 25th January 1833
Age: 78
By whom the ceremony was performed: John Bissell, vicar
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