Bibliography - Cowdray, near Midhurst, West Sussex
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An Account of some English Historical Paintings at Cowdry in Sussex, by Sir Joseph Ayloffe, V.P.A.S., F.R.S., published 1774 (36 pp., London) accessible at: British Library & West Sussex Libraries   View Online

An Account of some ancient English Historical Paintings at Cowdry, in Sussex, by Sir Joseph Ayloffe, V.P.A.S., F.R.S., published 1775 in Archaeologia; or Miscellaneous Tracts relating to Antiquity (vol. 3, article, pp.239-272)   View Online

In a Memoir which I formerly laid before the Society, touching the royal picture of the interview between King Henry VIII. and the French King Francis the First, I took notice of the advantages which might result to the historian and antiquary from a careful inspection of such remaining historic paintings and sculptures, as, being executed with accuracy and fidelity, are coaeval with the transactions they are intended to record.

A Catalogue of the Pictures at Cowdray-House, the seat of The Right Honourable Lord Viscount Montague, near Midhurst, Sussex, published 1777 (R. Carr at Milton's Head)   View Online

An Historical Description of an Ancient Painting at Cowdry, in Sussex, etc., by Sir Joseph Ayloffe, V.P.A.S., F.R.S., published 1778 (20 pp., London) accessible at: British Library

An historical and descriptive account of the ancient Painting preserved at Cowdray in Sussex, the seat of Lord Viscount Montague; representing the Procession of King Edward VI from the Tower of London to Westminster, February 19th, A.D. 1547, previous to his Coronation, by John Topham, F.R.A.S., published 1787 in Archaeologia; or Miscellaneous Tracts relating to Antiquity (vol. 8, article, pp.406-422)   View Online

The drawing now exhibited is made from one of those curious historical paintings which have been long since introduced to the notice of this Society by our late learned Vice President Sir Joseph Ayloffe, Baronet, in an account of some ancient historical paintings at Cowdray in Sussex, published in the Transactions of this Society, Archaeologia, vol. III. p. 239-272. In that memoir may be seen a minute description of many of those valuable representations which preserve several interesting parts of our national events, and exhibit to our view the state of the arts, and the dresses, manners, and usages, which prevailed amongst our ancestors about the middle of the sixteenth century.

A Description of Some Ancient Historical Paintings at Cowdray, published 1788 (pamphlet) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 7725]

Report on Destruction by Fire of Cowdray House, by Richard Gough, published 1796 accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 5548]

Cowdray Park, by Thomas Walker Horsfield, published 1835 in The History, Antiquities and Topography of the County of Sussex (vol. II, rape of Chichester, pp.99-100) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 2397][Lib 3212] & The Keep [LIB/507380][Lib/500088] & West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries

Cowdray House and its Possessors, by Sir Sibbald David Scott, published 1852 in Sussex Archæological Collections (vol. 5, article, pp.176-189) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 2090] & The Keep [LIB/500224] & S.A.S. library   View Online

"A Booke of Orders and Rules" of Anthony Viscount Montague in 1595. Edited from the Original MS., by Sir Sibbald David Scott, published 1854 in Sussex Archæological Collections (vol. 7, article, pp.173-212) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 2092] & The Keep [LIB/500226] & S.A.S. library   View Online

Description of Midhurst, Cowdray, Woolbeding, etc, The House, The Park, The Town, The Fortunes of the Montague Family, The Health and the Scenery of the Locality , by Charles Fleet, published 1861 accessible at: West Sussex Libraries

On some old Papers found in a Tower of Cowdray House, by Sir Sibbald David Scott, F.S.A., published 1863 in Sussex Archæological Collections (vol. 15, article, pp.67-73) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 2100] & The Keep [LIB/500234] & S.A.S. library   View Online

An illustrated guide book to Midhurst and neighbourhood. Giving a full account of the ruins at Cowdray, the priory at Easebourne, Woolbeding, Trotton, the Roman remains at Bignor, and all the points of interest in the neighbourhood, by G. D. Wolferstan, published 1868 (107 pp.)

The Buck Hall at Cowdray, and the Death-Place of Viscount Montague, by Sir Sibbald David Scott, F.S.A., published 1868 in Sussex Archæological Collections (vol. 20, article, pp.203-211) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 2105] & The Keep [LIB/507132] & S.A.S. library   View Online

The Burning of Cowdray House, by F. H. Arnold, published 1872 in Sussex Archæological Collections (vol. 24, notes & queries, pp.294-295) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 2109] & The Keep [LIB/500242] & S.A.S. library   View Online

Cowdray: the history of a great English house with illustrations, from drawings in the British museum, and from sketches by the late Anthony Salvin. , by Mrs. Charles Roundell, published 1884 (178 pp., London: Bickers & Son) accessible at: R.I.B.A. Library & West Sussex Libraries

Relics of Old Cowdray, by F. H. Arnold, F.S.A., published 1900 in Sussex Archæological Collections (vol. 43, notes & queries, p.281) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 2128] & The Keep [LIB/500261] & S.A.S. library   View Online

The Porch at Cowdray, with some Account of its Builder, by W. V. Crake, published 1911 in Sussex Archæological Collections (vol. 54, article, pp.113-129) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 2139] & The Keep [LIB/500272] & S.A.S. library   View Online

Cowdray and Easebourne Priory in the County of Sussex, by W. H. St John Hope, published 1919 (xiv + 144 pp., London: Country Life) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 2850] & R.I.B.A. Library & West Sussex Libraries

Cowdray, Its Early History, by Torrens Trotter, published 1922 (Cowdrat Estate) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 12548] & West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries

History of an old Catholic Mission: Cowdray - Easebourne - Midhurst, by Henry M. Willaert, published 1928 (London: Burns Oates and Washbourne) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 2804] & West Sussex Libraries

Sussex Hunts No 6. The Cowdray, by S.C.M. Contributor(s), published 1928 in Sussex County Magazine (vol. II no. 12, article, pp.572-575) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 9327] & The Keep [LIB/500138]

The Cowdray Hunt, by William Scarth-Dixon, published 1929 (pamphlet) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 4028] & West Sussex Libraries

Cowdray in the parish of Eastbourne, near Midhurst, Sussex: a short history, architectural and biographical, together with a detailed guide to the ruins and museum, and some account of the ancient domain, by Torrens Trotter, published 1932 (2nd edition, 69 pp. & illus.) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 15724] & R.I.B.A. Library & West Sussex Libraries

Cowdray in the parish of Eastbourne, near Midhurst, Sussex: a short history, architectural and biographical, together with a detailed guide to the ruins and museum, and some account of the ancient domain, by Torrens Trotter, published 1948 (3rd edition, 70 pp. & 4 leaves of plates, Letchworth, Herts.: Printed by Loxley Brothers) accessible at: British Library & West Sussex Libraries

The Cowdray Archives, Vol 1, by A. A. Dibben and Anthony Joseph Browne (Viscount Montagu), published 1960 (xxxviii + 187 pp., West Sussex County Council, Chichester) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 5606] & The Keep [LIB/501839] & West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries

Annual Rally Programme, Moor Farm, Cowdray Estate, published 1963 (West Sussex Fereration of Young Farmers' Clubs) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 4352]

The Cowdray Archives, Vol 2, by A. A. Dibben and Anthony Joseph Browne (Viscount Montagu), published 1964 (West Sussex County Council, Chichester) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 5607] & West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries

A Cowdray Inventory of 1682, by Francis W. Steer, published 1967 in Sussex Archæological Collections (vol. 105, article, pp.84-102) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 2190] & The Keep [LIB/500324] & S.A.S. library

Cowdray Ruins, by David Ray, published 1970 (6th edition, The Cowdray Estate Office) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 11734]

Cowdray and the Viscount Montague, by A. A. Dibben, published September 1975 in Sussex Family Historian (vol. 2 no. 2, article, pp.57-60) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 7966] & The Keep [LIB/501254] & CD SFH40 from S.F.H.G.

The Known Style of a Dedication is Flattery': Anthony Browne, 2nd Viscount Montague of Cowdray and his Sussex flatterers, by Timothy J. McCann, published 1989 in Recusant History (vol. 19, n. 4, article, pp.396-410)

Caressing the Great. Viscount Montague's Entertainment of Elizabeth at Cowdray, 1591, by Curtis Charles Breight, published 1989 in Sussex Archæological Collections (vol. 127, article, pp.147-166) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 10604] & The Keep [LIB/500302] & S.A.S. library

Reflections on the Celebrations that marked the 400th Anniversary of the visit by Queen Elizabeth 1 to Cowdray. 1591-1991, by F J-D [Mrs D.V.F Johnson-Davies], published December 1991 in Midhurst Magazine (Volume 4 Number 2, article, pp.18-35, Winter 1991) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 15967]

An account of the various events held in 1991 to celebrate the visit of Queen Elizabeth I to Cowdray

Cobbett at Cowdray, published October 1992 in Midhurst Magazine (Volume 5 Number 1, article, pp.35-37, Autumn 1992) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 15968]

Extract from Cobbett's Rural Rides Volume 2 dated 1825. Relates to Cobbett's impressions of his visit to Cowdray in November of that year.

On the Alleged Murder of his Chaplain by Henry Browne, 5th Viscount Montague of Cowdray, by Timothy J. McCann, published 1993 in Sussex Archæological Collections (vol. 131, article, pp.126-128) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 12210] & The Keep [LIB/500300] & S.A.S. library

The Prisoner of Cowdray, by Thea Valentine, published April 1993 in Midhurst Magazine (Volume 5 Number 3, article, pp.14-23, Spring 1993) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 15968]

The rise and fall of Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury, during the reign of Henry VIII. She was imprisoned at Cowdray in 1538/39 and executed in 1541.

Cowdray and the Mary Rose, by J. S., published July 1993 in Midhurst Magazine (Volume 5 Number 4, article, pp.18-22, Summer 1993) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 15968]

Relates to the painting from the School of Holbein, representing King Henry VIII riding to Southsea Castle and showing the sinking of the Mary Rose in 1545. included in the painting is Sir Anthony Browne, owner of Cowdray. The original painting was destroyed in the 1793 fire.

Lord Cowdray Dies (19 January 1995), by F J-D [Mrs D.V.F Johnson-Davies], published April 1995 in Midhurst Magazine (Volume 7 Number 3, article, pp.10-11, Spring 1995) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 15968]

Obituary following the death of The Third Viscount Cowdray on 19 January 1995. Lord Cowdray was President of the celebrations to mark the 400th anniversary of the visit of Queen Elizabeth I to Cowdray in 1591. The celebrations were initiation by The Midhurst Society.

An Early Protest, by F J-D [Mrs D.V.F Johnson-Davies], published December 1996 in Midhurst Magazine (Volume 9 Number 2, article, pp.7-9, Winter 1996) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 15969]

Details strong local opposition in 1900 to a proposal to install sewage tanks at the Close Walks in Cowdray. The tanks were never installed, and only 2 yew trees (replanted in the 1970s, the originals having died) remained in 1996.

A National Rejoicing (Tuesday 22 June 1897), by F J-D [Mrs D.V.F Johnson-Davies], published October 1997 in Midhurst Magazine (Volume 10 Number 1, article, pp.22-26, Autumn 1997) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 15969]

Celebrations of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897, held in Cowdray Park. Includes copies of the programme of events.

Edward VI - A Visitor to Cowdray (27 July 1552), by Thea Valentine, published July 2000 in Midhurst Magazine (Volume 12 Number 4, article, pp.27-29, Summer 2000) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 15969]

Brief account of Edward VI visit to Cowdray (then owned by the Browne family) in 1552, and of his 6 year reign; he died in 1553.

Queen Elizabeth Oak Trees, published September 2002 in Midhurst Society Newsletter (Issue No 5, article, pp.4-4, September 2002, Midhurst Society) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16356]

Two oak trees in Cowdray Park - one allegedly 1000 years old, the second planted in 1991 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth 1 visit to Cowdray in 1591.

Tour of Bepton Organics, by Sue Whitehead, published December 2002 in Midhurst Society Newsletter (Issue No 6, article, pp.2-3, December 2002, Midhurst Society) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16356]

Midhurst Society members' visit to Lord Cowdray's new venture into organic farming, Bepton Organics, started in 2002, which is situated within the new South Downs National Park.

Benbow Pond, Cowdray Park - Provenance, by Richard Smith, published December 2002 in Midhurst Society Newsletter (Issue No 6, article, pp.4-4, December 2002, Midhurst Society) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16356]

Speculation on how the name 'Benbow' came about - in the 1680s the Pond in Cowdray Park was known as Benber Pond.

Cowdray Heritage Trust, by Robert Windle, published October 2004 in Midhurst Heritage (No 2, article, pp.12-12, Autumn 2004, Midhurst Society & printed at Kerry Type Ltd) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16354]

Update on the work of the Cowdray Heritage Trust.

Midhurst and the Cowdray Heritage Project, by Dennis Geal, published December 2005 in Midhurst Society Newsletter (Issue No 12, article, pp.4-4, September 2005, Midhurst Society) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16356]

Update on the project, with particular emphasis on car parking at the Cowdray ruins.

Fire at Cowdray!, by Bridget Howard, published April 2006 in Midhurst Heritage (No 5, article, pp.4-5, Spring 2006, Midhurst Society & printed at Kerry Type Ltd) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16354]

The dramatic tale of the devastating fire at Cowdray in 1793 , and its tragic aftermath.

Lost - One Moat. Where is the Coudreye Moat?, by Bridget Howard, published October 2006 in Midhurst Heritage (No 6, article, pp.7-7, Autumn 2006, Midhurst Society & printed at Kerry Type Ltd) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16354]

Research into whether or not there was a moat at medieval Coudreye. All the evidence appears to suggest that there was not!

Benbow Pond, by Bridget Howard, published October 2006 in Midhurst Heritage (No 6, article, pp.11-11, Autumn 2006, Midhurst Society & printed at Kerry Type Ltd) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16354]

Update on the origins of the name of Benbow Pond - possibly from George Benbowe, a tenant of Sir William Fitzwilliam of Cowdray in the mid 16th century.

Cowdray and Easebourne, by Andrew Guyatt and Vic Mitchell, published 1 February 2007 (144 pp. + 80 photos, Midhurst: Middleton Press, ISBN-10: 1904474969 & ISBN-13: 9781904474968) accessible at: West Sussex Libraries

Not part of Midhurst, Easebourne is more than six times its area and is the location of Cowdray House, Cowdray Park, Cowdray Ruins and Cowdray Polo Grounds. This is the first ever book on this fascinating parish and the topics range from the much-loved King Edward VII Hospital to the Budgenor Lodge Workhouse and from community activities to the modern television mast. Often mentioned is the Es Bourne, which gave rise to a district mentioned in the Domesday Book and which still flows beside The Street.

The Building of Coudreye, published April 2007 in Midhurst Heritage (No 7, article, pp.11-12, Spring 2007, Midhurst Society & printed at Kerry Type Ltd) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16354]

The story of Coudreye, which was built in the 13th century by Sir Frank Bohun. It was replaced in the 1530s/40s by the Tudor Palace of Cowdray.

The Book of Orders and Rules. The management of the Tudor household at Cowdray, by Bridget Howard, published May 2008 in Midhurst Heritage (No 9, article, pp.7-7, Spring 2008, Midhurst Society & printed at Kerry Type Ltd) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16354]

Detailed instructions for the management of his household, written in 1595 by the second Viscount Montague.

Midhurst - Mecca for Polo, by Marie Merritt, published May 2008 in Midhurst Heritage (No 9, article, pp.10-10, Spring 2008, Midhurst Society & printed at Kerry Type Ltd) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16354]

Polo at Cowdray in the 1950s, as recalled by Marie Merritt, one of the grooms at the stables.

The Gunpowder Plot and Viscount Montague, by Bridget Howard, published November 2008 in Midhurst Heritage (No 10, article, pp.6-7, Autumn 2008, Midhurst Society & printed at Kerry Type Ltd) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16354]

The link between Cowdray, the 1st Viscount Montague and the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.

Cowdray Chronicles, published May 2009 in Cowdray Chronicles (No 11, article, pp.3-14, Autumn 2008, Midhurst Society & printed at Kerry Type Ltd) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16354]

Special edition of Midhurst Heritage, devoted exclusively to the history of Cowdray.

The rescue of a romantic ruin: Cowdray House, West Sussex, by John Goodall, published 17 June 2009 in Country Life (vol. 203 no. 24, article, pp.82-85)

Cowdray and the iconography of Henry VIII, by Bridget Howard, published 2011 in Sussex Archæological Collections (vol. 149, article, pp.173-184) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 18614] & The Keep [LIB/500367] & S.A.S. library   View Online

The early Tudor mansion of Cowdray (at Midhurst) was devastated by fire in 1793 and, conserved by a Lottery Grant, it is now open to the public. At first sight it appears to have been typical of the houses built by members of Henry VIII's Court, but recent research is showing a property that was very different from the other mansions of the day. They displayed their possessors' importance; Cowdray, by contrast very much smaller, barely acknowledged its owner and was filled with symbolic references to the king. This article attempts to interpret the iconography and explain a unique house.

The Sherwin Brothers' Copy of the Lost Mary Rose Wall Painting at Cowdray House, by Bernard Nurse, published September 2012 in The Antiquaries Journal (vol. 92, article, pp.371-384)   View Online

The publication by the Society between 1778 and 1788 of reduced black-and-white engravings of the celebrated wall paintings at Cowdray House, Sussex, was highly controversial at the time; now the engravings, one of which shows the sinking of the Mary Rose, serve as an important record of the sixteenth-century originals, lost to a fire of 1793. No contemporary colour copies of this particular wall painting were thought to have survived until the discovery in 2010 of a watercolour (since acquired by the British Library) depicting some of the central figures, including a remarkable image of Henry viii in the last months of his life. Further sketches of details by the same artists, the Sherwin brothers, found in the Mitford archives, help to throw new light on the original Tudor painting.

The Walled Garden at Cowdray: From Personal vision to delightful reality, by Jan Howard, published April 2017 in Midhurst Magazine (No 25, article, pp.12-13, Spring 2017, Midhurst Society & printed at Kerry Type Ltd) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16355]

The restoration of the neglected Walled Garden at Cowdray, which was opened in May 2005.

The Ruins in April., by Graham Tite, published September 2017 in Midhurst Magazine (No 26, article, pp.3-5, Autumn 2017, Midhurst Society & printed at Kerry Type Ltd) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16355]

Aerial photo taken of Cowdray Ruins in April 1951, illustrating past and present features of the layout and buildings.

The Cowdray Estate: past, present and looking to the future., by Sue Edwards, published September 2017 in Midhurst Magazine (No 26, article, pp.6-17, Autumn 2017, Midhurst Society & printed at Kerry Type Ltd) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16355]

Current and future events and plans for the Cowdray Estate.