14 AUGUST 1915, Page 25

Mrs. Fortesone's History of Calwich Abbey (privately printed, Simpkin and

Co.) is a good example of the careful writing of local and family history which deserves so much encourage. meat and imitation. The Calwich estates in Staffordshire have had an eventful history and have passed through many hands, while the original buildings have been destroyed and their successors more than once rebuilt. The monastery was founded in 1149, and was euppressed by Henry 7111. iu 1532. Shortly afterwards it passed into the possession of the Fleet- wood family, who owned it until well into the eighteenth century. For the next hundred years it belonged to the Grenvilles, descendants of the famous Sir Richard Grenville of the ` Revenge '; and finally, in 1844, it was purchased by the Duncombes, who are its present owners.