Life of Lady Maud, the “delinquent” cyclist and other tales…

Today’s tale from Watnall Hall focuses on Sir Lancelot's remarkable wife Lady Maud.

When they married in 1882 Colonel Rolleston’s finances were not in a good state and it's been suggested that her wedding dowry helped bail the Watnall estate out of difficulties.

Like Sir Lancelot, Lady Maud was also very keen on public service and village affairs. Apart from being County Commissioner of the Girl Guides, her interest in the children of the village also showed in her trying to educate them on to the "straight and narrow path" with her locally famous Sunday School at Watnall Hall. She had a weekly attendance of over 40 and it was rare indeed for another teacher to be needed to help her in her class. Sadly, Sir Lancelot and Lady Maud never had any children of their own¹.

Following her husband's example she also became a magistrate in 1921, and remained so until 1936. She was a magistrate of some character and a sense of humour. Joe Wilcox, 86 years old when interviewed in 2000, tells the story of how he came up before her when he was 10 years old. The local “bobby”, P.C. Bill Chessham, had been getting pressure from his superiors about not getting enough people fined, so when he saw young Joe cycling on the pavement, he took him to court, hoping for a 5/- fine to boost his results. Lady Maud was on the bench that day and she eyed the young culprit, who was there with his father.

“Don’t I know you?”, she said.

“Yes, Lady Maud, I live at Nuthall,” replied Joe.

“You are in the church choir, aren’t you,” continued the Magistrate.

“Yes Lady Maud” said the young “criminal”.

“Case dismissed” said Lady Maud abruptly, and young Joe left somewhat astonished.

Lady Maud was also President of the National Council for Women, for which she was awarded the CBE, Founder President of Watnall Women's Institute from 1927 and was a keen social worker, always travelling round Watnall keeping an eye on things. In this latter role she is remembered by Tom Hobbs as "a bit of an old autocrat, but she wasn't too bad" driving round the village in a pony cart.

In 1900 while running a convalescent home in South Africa during the Boer War, she became as well known as she had been in Watnall for robustly putting herself about, with her ever faithful assistant Nurse Nan at her side. She was also a dab hand at drawing and painting.  She engineered a dinner date with enemy general, Commandant Piet De Wet, and did a fine drawing of him. She says "He arrived about seven o'clock, a tall large-made man, with, by a long way, the best countenance I ever saw on any Boer. He had only a small beard, and was really a fine-looking man."  

She achieved respect and some small fame after returning home when her diary of her adventures was published as “Yeoman Service : Being the Diary of the Wife of an Imperial Yeomanry Officer during the Boer War”.

When Colonel Rolleston was seriously injured in battle she helped him recuperate and nursed him back from death's door.

In the First World War she helped start the "Women's Patrols". The Army had decided to billet soldiers in local towns and villages around the country. Some people became concerned about the soldiers corrupting local girls. The Headmistresses' Association and the Federation of University Women suggested the formation of Woman's Patrols to stop local woman from becoming too friendly with the soldiers. The War Office gave permission for these patrols to take place outside military camps. They were also very active in public parks and cinemas. After visiting 300 cinemas in three weeks, the Women's Patrol Committee recommended that lights were not dimmed between films! I can imagine Lady Maud being in her element.

Public and patriotic duty were always foremost but even on a personal level they liked to "do the right thing". When Sir Lancelot died in 1941 (Lady Maud always called him "Lance") in his will he left "the use of a cottage each to his chauffeur, Frederick Justice and his housekeeper, Jane Peat, for life;£2 for each year of service to his servants"

Showing her more romantic side, she loved a good wedding and was even a bit of a closet wedding planner. On at least 2 occasions, she arranged the weddings of members of her household staff and even provided the brides' wedding dresses. See the attached article from the Retford and Worksop Herald from April 1895.

Lady Maud loved the artwork of budding local painter Ephraim Buckley and paid for him to have advanced art lessons. He went on to do many beautiful paintings. Even dedicated socialist (and mentor of DH Lawrence) Eastwood's Willie Hopkin, had a soft spot for Lady Maud and wrote poems dedicated to her - "... For on a warm midsummer eve, Such revels are, you'd scarce believe. The fairies, headed by their Queen, Dance on the strip of mossy green; But unbelievers only see Perhaps a frog or bumble bee..."

The local newspapers are full of stories about her "rousing" good works especially her support for women's movements. This is typical... "18 November 1927 Women's Meeting at Heanor.  A rousing public meeting under the auspices of this association was held in the Empire Theatre, Heanor, on Wednesday afternoon. Lady Maud Rolleston, of Watnall Hall, presided, and was supported by Mrs. Frederic Cattle (president of the Division), Mrs. Stanhope (secretary), etc ... Lady Rolleston in a vigorous speech said that the Ilkeston Division was like the Broxtowe one - it needed rousing. Women today had a tremendous work to do. They had to influence the girls who were to be given votes. ...Mr. V. Raikes also addressed the gathering. Mrs. F. Cattle proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the speakers, and Mrs. Stanhope proposed thanks to Lady Rolleston for her attendance. Mrs. T. Marshall seconded. Both votes were carried with enthusiasm. Miss Goden sang "Land of hope and Glory.""

When Lady Maud died in 1949 her obituary in the Nottingham Evening Post captured the love and respect felt for her  :

LIFETIME OF GOOD WORK

Watnall Mourns Its 'Fairy Godmother'

Lady Maud Rolleston, C.B.E., widow of Col. Sir Lancelot Rolleston, of Watnall Hall, died at her home yesterday. She was 90. 

By her death Notts. has lost a woman whose work for the public good earned for her the praise and thanks of the many she helped. At one time county secretary of the Soldiers and Sailors Families Association, a magistrate, a trustee of the Collin Charity, the original chairman of the Women's Patrol, a member of the National Union of Women Workers, and an officer of many other organisations, she yet found time to write magazine articles and publish the diary of her experiences during the South African War. She organised and was commandant of a hospital at Kimberley, Cape Colony, where she nursed back to health Sir Lancelot, who commanded the South Notts. Hussars and had been dangerously wounded. 

They were married in 1882 and Sir Lancelot died in 1941. 

Born Lady Charlotte Emma Maud Dalzell in 1859 in Bruges, she travelled extensively with her parents while a child. She was a member of an old Scots family, and a sister of the 13th Earl of Carnwath, who also died in 1941.

HELP TO VILLAGE - Sir Lancelot and Lady Maud were known as “the fairy godparents" of Watnall village, because of the help they gave to all who needed it. Lady Maud helped in her husband's work on the County Council and in other spheres, while her own activities included the village church Sunday school at Watnall Hall, and helping with the Women's Institute. Appointed a magistrate in 1921, she retired from the bench in 1936 having taken a keen interest in prisons and their reform, and Borstal institutions.

A member of staff gets married at Watnall Hall

"Red Sails in the Sunset" by Ephraim Buckley

More amusing tales about Sir Lancelot and Lady Maud's Golden wedding party are here... https://watnallhall.blogspot.com/2021/08/mr-levi-jackson-and-golden-wedding.html

All of the "Tales From Watnall Hall" series are available here... https://watnallhall.blogspot.com/

Main sources : "Watnall Hall and the Rollestons" RA Horton 2000; Lady Maud's book https://archive.org/details/yeomanservicebei00rollrich/page/n9/mode/2up

Notes

1 - Lady Maud is described as "dangerously ill" in the Notts Evening Post of  20th June 1894. No reason is given but it is possible (pure speculation) that this may have affected her child bearing prospects. She would have been aged 35 and 14 years into their marriage. She'd arrived at 82 Eaton Place on May 31st (Source the Notts Evening Post "Gossip" section)

In 1895 she is listed in the principal residents of Ryde on the Isle of Wight residing at Stratford House. Source: Isle of Wight Observer 31 Aug 1895, Sat · Page 2

2 - Lady Maud, wedding planner - Everyone loves a good wedding, eh? And Lady Maud Rolleston of Watnall Hall was certainly no exception. When any of her staff announced wedding plans, she's on record enthusiastically getting involved with the planning of the happy event, providing wedding dresses, gifts, flowers, use of the hall, catering, etc for the bride and groom. Several of her staff benefitted from her generosity, from the hall's butler to the lowly kitchen maid. The Peat sisters too, daughters of one of Watnall Hall's gardeners, benefited from Lady Maud's help as described below. Look out too for "Mr. G. Chatterley of Eastwood" acting as best man, soon to inspire local author DH Lawrence. Seems from the wedding picture that even Sir Lancelot's white horse got a wedding invite!

The Peat sisters' weddings

Derby Mercury - Wednesday 01 May 1889 

MARRIAGE AT WATNALL The wedding of Mr. J. H. L. Bostock, of the firm of Messrs. Radford and Bostock. wholesale merchants. Carlton-road. Nottingham, and Miss M. Peat, daughter of Mr. Alfred Peat, gardener. Watnall Hall, and formerly of Kilburn. Derbyshire, took place at Greasley Chnrch. Notts. on Sunday, the 21st inst., the service was conducted by the Rev. R. Baron Von Hube, vicar. The bride was given away by her brother-in-law, Mr. W. H. Attenborough, Mr, G. Chatterley Eastwood acted as best man. The bridesmaids were two sisters of the bride. Miss Eleanor and Miss Jane Peat and Miss Langley. The wedding breakfast was given by Mr. and Lady Maud Rolleston at Watnall Hall. Amongst the numerous presents were a large table lamp from Lady Rolleston ; Madam Rolleston, London [this would be Sir Lancelot's mother Eleanor who died in 1894], silver butter cooler ; Mrs. Allcock, The Hollies, fish bowl and silver fork ; and silver spoons and tongs from the Rev. K. Baron Von Hube. Mr. and Mrs. Bostock left Watnall for their borne at Nottingham early in the evening.

One of the Peat sister's weddings but is this the 1889 or 1903 wedding?
Nice to see Sir Lancelot's horse got an invite too!

Long Eaton Advertiser - Friday 05 June 1903 

WATNALL Celebrations at AT WATNALL HALL.— Miss E. Peat, after serving Lady Maud Rolleston for 17 years., was married on Monday from the Hall. the wedding breakfast being given by the Colonel and Lady Maud Rolleston. Mr. J. A. Calvert, of Rauceby, Grantham, was the bridegroom. The service was held in Greasley Church. and conducted by the Rev. Hayman, of Edwinstowe. A large number of residents and friends were present at the church and a most interesting Address was given by the Rev. H. T. Hayman. At the close of the service breakfast was served at the Hall and nearly 60 guests were entertained. The colonel proposed the health of the bride .and bridegroom  in a happy little speech. In replying to thanks from the bride's family, the speaker alluded to the fact that June the 1st was the 3rd anniversary of the accident he met with in the Transvaal war. Mr. And Mrs Calvert. left Watnall at  4 p.m. for Bridlington. where the honeymoon will be spent,. Lady Maud Rolleston  lending her private carriage to take them to Kimberley Station. The bridesmaids were Miss. J. E. Peat (Sister of the bride) Miss Langley (of Ollerton) and Miss Jubb (of Sheffield) Mr Boston, of Osmanston acted as best man  and Mr Bostock of Beeston ( Brother in law of the bride) gave her away. The guests included Colonel and Lady Maud Rolleston, the Honorable Mrs Dalzel, the Rev TH and Mrs Hayman.  The presents were numerous and valuable, including a full set of silver from the Colonel and Lady Maud, a dinner service from the Hon. Lady Dalzell, a marble clock from captain and Mrs Rolleston, while the Rev and Mrs Hayman gave a beautiful set of Indian gold embroidered dress front and cuffs.

I wonder if the third Peat sister, Miss E Peat's sister and bridesmaid Jane Peat, took over as Lady's Maud's maid? This was from an interview in 2000... "[After WW2] In spite of the shortage of money, she [Lady Maud] was looked after by the four servants she could still afford. Mrs Cassie Harrison, daughter of the Royal Oak's proprietor (1912-18), remembers some of these people. Lady Maud's staff consisted of her housekeeper, Frances Morley, her cook, Mrs Evelyn Clements, who was assisted by kitchen maid Charlotte Harpin, and her Lady's Maid, Miss Jane Peat - "she was very ladylike, but you know, you had to think twice before you spoke to her' (Mrs Harrison)."

Around 1890 just after they'd moved from Watnall Hall to Edwinstowe House there's another marriage... "EDWINSTOWE - MARRIAGE OF MR. PERCY MORLEY. - Considerable interest was manifested by many of the inhabitants of this picturesque village last week on the occasion of the marriage of Mr. Percy Williams Morley, a well-known resident, and Miss Emma Wardall, who for the last six years has been in the service of Colonel and Lady Maud Rolleston, of Edwinstowe House. The latter showed their esteem for and regret at losing the bride in a very handsome and generous manner. Lady Maud undertook the whole of the arrangements for the wedding. The Rev. H. T. Hayman gave a most impressive address at the close of the service, which was choral, ably conducted by Mr. T. Thomson (organist) and his choir. The bride, looking very pretty in a white dress with wreath and orange blossoms (the gift of Lady Maud), was attended by six bridesmaids, one being Miss Sarah Wardall (sister of the bride), Miss Williams, Miss Peat, Miss Langley, occupying various positions in the household, and two little daughters of Mr. F. Morley, of Ashby-de-la-Zouch, eldest brother of the bridegroom, and Mr. Richards, butler to Colonel Rolleston. The church, beautifully decorated, was filled by spectators representing many influential and respected families in Edwinstowe. Those holding invitations issued by Mr. Rolleston and Lady Maud, numbering between sixty and seventy, at the conclusion of the ceremony repaired to Edwinstowe House to view the presents- numbering over eighty-which were tastefully displayed in the dining room, and to partake of the breakfast, which was liberally provided and heartily enjoyed. Colonel Rolleston in very cordial terms proposed the "Health of the Bride and Bridegroom," expressing the regret of Lady Maud and himself at losing losing the services of the bride. This was responded to by Mr. Morley, who expressed the thanks of all concerned, and gave the "Health of Colonel and Lady Maud," which was drank with musical honours. After various other toasts, the company was photographed in front of the house, and the bride and bridegroom took their departure en route for Warwick. The church bells rang out merry peals during the day, and the ringers and choristers were afterwards entertained to a meat tea supplied by Mr. Else."

Emma Smith, the Watnall Hall butler's wedding

Another servant at the Hall was Mrs. Leaper, who was interviewed in her old age in May 1980 at 9, Cloverlands, Watnall. Before her marriage she was Emma Smith, born at Owthorpe in 1893. Her father was a farm labourer and her mother was in service, so it was natural, one supposes, that she was inclined in that direction. A sickly child, she was very anaemic and spent some time in a sanatorium. She and her mother came to Watnall, perhaps on the death of her father. She lived in a cottage with her mother and got a job as a light gardener two or three days a week at Watnall Hall. 

About the time of the Great War, her luck changed when the butler "got into trouble with a parlour maid" and they were sacked so Emma Smith applied for the job as joint butler and house parlour-maid and got it. She trained for a month before starting her new duties, but it surely was unusual for outside staff to become inside staff, and with such an important job too.

She was married at the age of 40, on July 15th, 1933, to Ernest Leaper. They had the reception at Watnall Hall, and Lady Maud supplied the wedding dress. Ham was served as part of the wedding breakfast - two slices to each guest. She remained at the Hall after her marriage and served at least until the end of World War 2.

The kitchen maid's wedding

Mrs Cassie Harrison, daughter of the Royal Oak's proprietor (1912-18), particularly remembers Charlotte the kitchen maid. Lady Maud, as part of her charitable work, used to visit an orphanage on Woodborough Road, Nottingham. During some of her visits, she met Charlotte and eventually took her on as a maid. "She looked after Charlotte for the rest of her life And Charlotte was, "Yes me Lady, Yes me Lady". You know she wasn't educated, but she was a good person." Slim and active, Charlotte was liable to go to the "Royal Oak" on the evenings of her day off and show off a bit. 

"They'd say "Do us a split then Charlotte". "Right" she'd say. “I don't know if I would be playing the piano too. I can't remember. But Charlotte could do the splits like they did on the boards. She was ever so popular”. On her marriage to a local postman (Mr. Harpin), Lady Maud installed the new Charlotte Harpin in one of the Chain Cottages, right opposite the back gates of the Hall. The young couple eventually had a daughter, but Charlotte continued to work at the Hall.

The Welbeck Abbey underground ballroom

Not only a weddings but grand high society events were another of Lady Maud's organizational talents. She was the first person to use the famous underground ballroom at Welbeck Abbey for a ball, 1891 Rufford Hunt Ball. The previous Duke, a reclusive eccentric who loved great construction projects had built it around 10 years before but used as an art gallery... 

A SUBTERRANEAN BALL AT WELBECK ABBEY - The Hampshire Advertiser - Sat 28 Nov 1891 

When some two years ago Mr. Lancelot Rolleston, of Watnall, became Master of the Rufford Hounds, he and his wife, Lady Maud Rolleston, were anxious to bring the members of the hunt and their friends together at that pleasantest of all reunions, a hunt ball. Lady Maud mentioning the subject to the Duke of Portland he at once coincided with the idea, and added, "Why not have it at Welbeck ?" Why not, indeed! It would be an entertainment unique and unparalleled. It is needless to say the generous offer was accepted, and ever since great has been the excitement in the district round about the "Dukeries." To have a hunt ball was a great thing; but to have one at Welbeck, in the famous subterranean apartments, was to attain a height, or rather a depth never dreamt of. 

Read all about that here... https://watnallhall.blogspot.com/2023/09/the-first-subterranean-ball-at-welbeck.html