] In 1790-something, the owners of the big house were the Rodney family- of naval fame, as some of you will be aware. The new rector was one Francis North, and he was quite a character. He was given the living by the Bishop of Winchester, who just happened to be his father . . . Like Mr Austen, he kept a carriage, only Revd North's had a livery on it, because he inherited an Earldom as well.