Great House
House Ashcombe
Also called Ashcombe · the Green Boughs · Ashcombe interests
A ducal house whose interest in the western Weald and timber country is older in rank and broader in woodland than the Pikes'. It works through foresters, woodwards, leases, timber contracts and long estate policy rather than presence.
Kent's Great House, whose strength lies in managed woodland, coppice, timber rights, game and estate improvement in the western Weald. Its officers deal in timber sales, charcoal licences, road maintenance and naval contracts. Regional interests that pay companies for timber theft, unlawful cutting, game offences, hedge-road violence and discreet escort across estate ground.
Named with it
- Duke Robert Ashcombe
- Sir William Ashcombe
- Duke Robert
- Sir William Ashcombe (the duke's younger brother
- public negotiator)
Ties
- friend of House Hartfell
- supplies timber to Archcliffe Yard
- contrasted with the Pikes of Wye
- opposes the Pikes of Wye on three county petitions but sits with them at every emergency subscription
- dealings with Crown timber and naval demand
At the table
Courted whenever naval timber, charcoal or woodland rights become matters of state; the Duke has little affection for London seasons. Not London's subordinate simply because a company came from London. Named only in passing in the alignments of the four Great Houses; its rank is not stated in this part.