2-888-021 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Funeral Procession (of Sir Robert Peel) passing Drayton Manor, 1850. 'A strong cold wind came sighing and roaring through the trees, speedily bearing before it a drenching fall of rain...Upon the crowd, however, the wet made singularly little impression...the great majority were not to be driven from the occupation of their 'vantage ground by the pelting of the storm, and stood it out...around the Manor gates...The day having partially cleared...the coffin was lifted by twelve of Sir Robert's oldest tenants...The procession defiled slowly through the park, the noise of the wheels on the wet gravel and the trampling of the horses forming the only sounds...The attendant crowd...in reverent silence accompanied the cortege...The hearse was covered with a rich pall, having the armorial bearings of the illustrious deceased wrought upon it...'. From "Illustrated London News", 1850.