] 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.

Any relation to Francis, Lord North and second Earl of Guilford, who, as Prime Minister, was the Man Who Lost America? That would explain a lot.