Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Hartshorne, Charles Henry

by Albert Hartshorne

HARTSHORNE, CHARLES HENRY (1802–1865), antiquary, born at Broseley, Shropshire, 17 March 1802, was the only child of John Hartshorne, ironmaster, and came from a family long settled at Broseley and Benthall. He was educated at Shrewsbury School, and entered as a pensioner at St. John's College, Cambridge, in 1821. He graduated B.A. in 1825, and M.A. in 1828, and in 1825 was invited by his friend the Earl of Guilford, who had been appointed 'archon' over the university of Corfu, to accompany him to that island. He travelled through Italy and made a tour in the Levant. In 1826 he returned to England, and in the following year was ordained. Hartshorne was curate at Benthall, Shropshire, from 1825 to 1828, and from 1828 to 1836 at Little Wenlock in the same county. After passing two years at Leamington he took charge of the parish of Cogenhoe, Northamptonshire, from 1838 till 1850, when he was presented by the crown to the rectory of Holdenby in the same county. He was honorary chaplain to Francis and William Russell, seventh and eighth dukes of Bedford respectively, fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, and a member of the Roxburghe Club. He died suddenly at Holdenby on 11 March 1865. In 1828 he married Frances Margaretta, younger daughter of the Rev. Thomas Kerrich [q. v.], principal librarian of the university of Cambridge.

Hartshorne published:

1. 'A Geyfte ffor the Newe Yere, or a playne, plesaunte, and profytable Pathewaie to the Black Letter Paradyse. Emprinted over the grete Gatewaie off Saincte Jhonnes College,' 1825, a bibliographical jeu d'esprit, of which only ten copies were printed.
2. 'The Book Rarities of the University of Cambridge,' 1829.
3. 'Ancient Metrical Tales,' 1829, praised by Scott, who refers to it in the 'Introduction' to 'Ivanhoe.'
4. 'Sepulchral Remains in Northamptonshire,' 1840.
5. 'Salopia Antiqua; or an Enquiry into the Early Remains in Shropshire and the North Welsh Borders,' including a 'Glossary of the Provincial Dialect of Shropshire,' 1841.
6. 'Historical Memorials of Northampton,' 1848.
7. 'Memoirs illustrative of the History and Antiquities of Northumberland,' 1858, a valuable contribution to the history of the borders.

He contributed an article upon 'The Latin Plays acted before the University of Cambridge' to the 'Retrospective Review;' and was a frequent writer in the 'Archæological Journal.' His archæological papers deal with the architectural history of mediæval towns and castles; various mediæval parliaments; the royal councils of Worcester; the obsequies of Catherine of Arragon; early remains in the great isle of Arran; the itineraries of Edwards I and II; and domestic manners in the reign of Edward I. He was also author of papers on the drainage of the New Valley, and subjects connected with social science.

[Private information.]

A. H.-e.