D'Arcy *, privately one morning, 1688, upon Whittington Moor, as a middle place between Chatsworth, Kniveton, and Aston, their respective residences, to consult about the Revolution, then in agitation +; but a shower of rain happening to fall, they removed to the village for shelter, and finished their conversation at a public-house there, the sign of The Cock and Pynot ‡, The part assigned to the Earl of Danby was, to surprize York; in which he succeeded: after which, the Earl of Devonshire was to take measures at Nottingham, where the Declaration for a free Parliament, which he, at the head of a number of Gentlemen of Derbyshire, had signed Nov. 28, 1688 §, was adopted by the Nohility, Gentry, and Commonalty of the Northern Counties, assembled there for the defence of the Laws, Religion, and Properties . The success of these measures is well known; and to the concurrence of these Patriots with the proceedings in favour of the Prince of Orange in the West, is this Nation indebted for the establishment of her rights and liberties at the glorious Revolution. The cottage here represented stands at the point where the road from Chesterfield divides into two branches, to Sheffield and Rotherham. The room where the Noblemen sat is 15 feet by 12 feet 10, and is to this day called The Plotting Parlour. The old armed chair, still remaining in it, is shewn by the landlord with particular satisfaction, as that in which it is said the Earl of Devonshire sat; and he tells with equal pleasure, how it was visited by his descendants, and the descendants of his associates, in the year 1788. Some new rooms, for the better accommodation of customers, were added about 20 years ago. * It appears, from traditional accounts, that Lord Delamere, ali ancestor of the present Earl of Stamford and Warrington, was also at this meeting. H. ROOKE. + Kennett. § Rapin, XV. 199. A Provincial name for a Magpye. |