Houghton Conquest, Bedfordshire

Description
Houghton Conquest, a village and a parish in Beds. The village stands 3 miles NNE from Ampthill station on the M.R., and has another at Millbrook on the L. & N.W.R., and a post office under Ampthill; money order and telegraph office, Ampthill. Acreage of parish, 3431; population, 579. Houghton Park estate belonged anciently to the Conquests, passed in 1615 to the celebrated Countess of Pembroke, sister of Sir Philip Sidney, went afterwards through several hands to the Duke of Bedford, was sold soon after 1794 to Lord Ossory, has returned to the Duke of Bedford, and is now a farm. The mansion on it was built by the Countess of Pembroke, is said to have been a handsome edifice, was reduced to a shell in 1794, and is now a ruin. Ampthill Park belongs to the Duke of Bedford. James I. was entertained in 1605 by Sir Richard Conquest at Conquest Bury, the remains of which were taken down many years ago, and the grounds are now converted into a farm. The living is a rectory, united with the rectory of Houghton Gildable, in the diocese of Ely; net value, £376 with residence. Patron, St John's College, Cambridge. The church is a large and elegant building in the Perpendicular and Decorated styles, containing some interesting monuments and imperfect brasses. A beautiful E window was placed in the church by the late Dean Bargon, in memory of three lady benefactors of the church. There are Wesleyan and Primitive Methodist chapels, six endowed almshouses, and some charities. The duke of Bedford is lord of the manor. Dr. Archer, chaplain to James I., and Dr. Zachary Grey, editor of Butler's "Hudibras," were rectors.