PANSHANGER, MOSTLY THE OAK
Jean Riddell
The illustration of the Panshanger Oak in 1822 shows a tree in fine form. By 1893 Alexander McKenzie was describing a “magnificent tree” and that “the stem is as round as a circle can be drawn.” He also quoted Mr. M. Pallett’s 1855 estimate of the tree’s height as 52 feet. Mr. McKenzie calculated, from previous measurements, its age to be 374 years in 1893. On 10th July 2005 the Society paid a visit to Panshanger and saw this remarkable tree, which is shown in the photograph.
In Hertford Castle there is a large wooden key carved from the Panshanger Oak, reputed to have been made as the symbol of victory when the Hon. W.F. Cowper gained a Parliamentary seat for the Borough in 1835. The ‘Key to the· Borough’ was paraded through Hertford, held high by a rider on horseback preceding the victor.
The Cowper family leased the Castle as their summer residence during the second half of the 17th century and early 18th century. The eldest son, William, later the Lord Chancellor, purchased ‘Fitzjohns’ at Cole Green, in 1694. This ‘capital messuage’ was demolished in 1704 and Cole Green House built as the Cowpers’ Hertfordshire estate. Starting with William’s additional purchase of Panshanger land in 1719, successive earls continued to extend it and in 1799 Humphrey Repton began landscaping a park to grace a large new mansion. Cole Green House was demolished in 1801 and the materials contributed to some of the fabric of the new Panshanger House, started in 1806, finished in 1811 although inhabited from 1809.
The new building was the idea of the fifth earl, Peter Leopold Francis, to whom John Carrington refers in his poem. The bride was Emily Lamb, daughter of the 1st Viscount Melbourne. This mansion survived until 1953 when it was sold and demolished. Its footprint can be seen today, a disturbed nettle-covered patch of earth, with traces of foundations.
From the Memoirs of Charles Greville
Prince Lieven, a German exile and relative of the Prince Albert was living at Panshanger in 1829. At Christmas ” ….. the Princess Lieven got up a little fete such as is customary all over Germany. Three trees in great pots were put upon a long table covered with pink linen; each tree was illuminated by three circular tiers of coloured wax candles – blue, green, red and white, before each tree was displayed quantity of toys, gloves, pocket handkerchiefs, workboxes, books and various articles – presents made to the owner of the tree. Here it was only for the children; in Germany the custom extends to people of all ages.”
On Frances Earl Cowper Going a6road to Roome 1801
Our No6le Don is from us gon
And away from us is flown
Hel Rant & Roor & come Back no more
And kickup a Dust at Rome
O, wat a loss to the poor & us
As he was Charitable and good I declare
And theirs Noble Cole green no more to be seen
‘Were hundreds beene fed in a year
. 2
But who can tell if he holds well
As all things for the best
But fie may f{y from <RJ)me).and amongst us come
With a Starr upon his Brest*
3
Then weel rant & Roar, as we have done before
Cutt Capers drink & Smoak
And then shall be seen, more Noble than Colegreen
A pallis Near the great Oak*
4
Then wel drink and sing long life to him
And all such noble fellows
And in his new house weel have Brawn d Souse
And be merry when we git in his sellow
5
Upon my life, hes taken a wife
And happy may they be
Shes all complete and a Rose so sweet
And a Branch of the Melbourne Tree
6
Now as they are great no less be good
To all their Tennants Every Whear
And at Rent Day, wel Hallow Huzza
Their Helths in a bumper I Declare.
*His father came over with a starr on his Brest as being a prince of the Holey Roman Empire.
* A large oak tree now standing at Panshanger and this year
1805 arms & Body 13 Load of Tim6er.
His great House Called Cole Green House Built By his Great Grandfather about the year 1719 Begun to be taken down in the Year 1801, September the 9th. And was all down in about 6 weeks while his Lordship was in Italy & Rome a Very famos Large Strong Bricked House.
John Carrington of Bramfield
John Carrington of Bramfield
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