n was the
originator of the _Rye House Plot_.

[Footnote 6: _Hist. Antiq. of Hertfordshire_, etc., vol. i., p. 383, ed.
1826.]

The story of that plot may be recapitulated in few words. In the spring
of 1683 Charles II. and James Duke of York were at Newmarket. Rumbold
and some of his ultra-Republican friends heard that the Royal party
would return to London by way of Rye House. They met together and
arranged to secrete some men in the house, to create a disturbance as
the King passed and to kill him in the confusion which would follow. The
King escaped--probably, as most writers agree, because he left Newmarket
earlier than was expected. The plot soon became known, the Rye House was
searched and many persons were charged with High Treason. Two
illustrious men became implicated, through the allegations of Howard of
Escrick and others--Algernon Sidney and Lord Russell. Both were
certainly innocent, but both were beheaded, and Russell was buried at
Chenies in Bucks (almost on the Herts border). Rumbold fled to Holland,
joined the expedition which Argyle headed in Scotland, and was hanged in
Edinburgh in 1685. Visitors to the neighbourhood of the Rye House will
perhaps be assured that Rumbold suffered on a tree near by, but such was
not the case.

SACOMBE (4 miles N.W. from Ware) lies scattered over a considerable
district. It was long ago called Suevecamp (_i.e._, Suaviscampus)
because of its pleasant situation. The small Dec. church stands on the
hill, at the N. end of the Park; it is of ancient foundation, but was
entirely restored about fifty years ago. There are two sedilia and a
piscina in the chancel, and two brasses, to John Dodyngton and Eleanor
his wife (d. 1544 and 1550 respectively). Sacombe Park is beautifully
timbered; the present house of red brick dates from about 1800.

ST. ALBANS is one of the most ancient and interesting places in England;
it became a city on the foundation of the Bishopric of St. Albans in
1877. It may be approached by road from London, (1) by way of Barnet and
London Colney, the G.N.R. Station (branch from Hatfield) being passed on
the left nearly a mile from the old clock tower and market-place; (2) by
way of Edgware, Elstree and Radlett, by which route, after passing St.
Stephens, the L.&N.W.R. Station (branch from Watford) is on the right
and the steep Holywell Hill leading to High Street is straight before.
The river Ver skirts the entire S. limits of the city itself; the field