Thrale history
NOMANSLAND, SANDRIDGE, HERTFORDSHIRE, ENGLAND
Tree: UK Thrale family
Notes:
- Thomas Thrale (d.1603)
- son Ralph Thrale (1564–c.1648)
- son William Thrale (d.1656)
- son Ralph Thrale (d.1683)
- son Ralph Thrale (d.1705)
- son Ralph Thrale (1689–c.1722)
- son Ralph Thrale (d.1755)
- son Ralph Thrale (c.1735–1786)
- son Ralph Thrale (1778–1852)
- son Ralph Norman Thrale (1803–1876)
- brother William Thrale (1805–1883)
Nomansland Common
Sporting events
In the 1952 book 'Historic Sandridge', author Richard William Thrale (1931-2007) wrote:
Village life was enhanced by various sports on No Man’s Land, where the gallows had been erected in the fifteenth century. Watford beat Hertfordshire in a cricket match by 104 runs in August 1824.
In 1829 a race meeting was promoted by Thomas Coleman, a well-known trainer of horses, who lived at the Chequers Inn, St Albans. The King’s horse won the Gorhambury Stakes, but the meeting was not a financial success. A two-day steeplechase meeting was held in mid-May 1833.
Also in May 1833, a dreadful fight took place in which Deaf Burke knocked out Simon Byrne, the champion of Ireland, in the ninety-ninth round. They were fighting for three hours and sixteen minutes. Mr. Byrne died four days later, so Mr. Burke and his seconds were tried for manslaughter, but they avoided any penalty as it could not be proved that death was caused by the injuries sustained in the fight.
In the 1973 book 'A New Thraliana', author Richard William Thrale (1931-2007) wrote:
The Earl of Salisbury attended the daily meetings of Harriers kept by Ralph Thrale at his residence at No Mans Land; part of the meadow there still retaining the name of Dog Kennel Orchard, where the pack was kennelled. Many of the surrounding gentry supported and joined the Hunt especially a gentleman, a friend of the Earl, named Twadel of Welwyn, to whose memory a tablet is erected in the parish church of that town. 'The Thrales of this period possessed much property and held a good position in the County. The No Mans Land estate had been, almost from time immemorial in the family, as the tablets in Sandridge church testify. There is a record which shows the friendly intercourse existing between the Earl and the then owner of No Mans Land. On one occasion of the meet, his Lordship, in the house, said 'these rooms, Ralph, are not sufficient for our accommodation and they must be enlarged'. These alterations were shortly commenced, but at the time of completion death terminated the life of the Earl and from thence the pack of Harriers declined in support and was finally broken up. In one of the rooms is a painting of the Earl on horseback at the unkennelling of the Harriers for the hunt; and the rooms that were kept for the reception of the aristocracy are now filled by what is known as Thrale's Collection.' Such is the newspaper account pasted into J.E. Cussan's own copy of his fistory of Hertfordshire.35 The Earl of Salisbury mentioned was almost certainly the 5th Earl (1691 - 1728) who lived the life of an ordinary country gentleman and died fairly young.
Nomansland Farm & Farmhouse
In the 1952 publication 'Historic Sandridge', author Richard William Thrale (1931-2007) wrote:
For some reason, the two brothers Ralph Norman and William Thrale, did not show any desire to marry, and these two bachelor brothers lived at No Mans Land as country gentlemen and with their death, the No Mans Land succession came to an end. Other people at the current time can still remember their parents speaking of them, and some of their activities have almost passed into legend.
One brother, for instance, is reported to have been extremely accurate with a catapult, and the other with a bow and arrow: both were crack shots with the rifle.
The Thrale Collection
They were also very keen collectors, and another hearsay legend is that one of the exhibits in their museum was a preserved lady's hand in a black glove! The museum was housed in the large rooms built for the old No Mans Land Harriers, as already related. There is preserved at the County Muniment Room the title page and catalogue of 'Thrales Collection'. A description of 1880 tells of a visit to the museum, there being at that time only one remaining Thrale (William) who was then eighty years old. The collection consisted in the first place of animals and birds killed on the farm and stuffed by the brothers. 'Every sort of indigenous vermin from the field mouse up to the big dog fox: and at the head of the wild beasts ending their days on the farm, a Bengal Tiger! The second part consisted of every kind of flower and grass that the farm grew'.
Besides these items there were pieces of armour, and cannon balls weighing anything from two to fourteen pounds which had been dug up in the neighbourhood. Although local tradition supposed the latter to be relics from the Civil War, they were no doubt used during the second battle of St. Albans which occurred in 1461 and was fought on Bernards Heath. During the battle, Henry VI was reputedly sent to Sandridge and then to the Common.
The 'Bengal Tiger' was described in the catalogue as being in Case No.1. labelled a panther or Ceylon leopard. A short description of its history was given, but the fullest information is given by a delightful piece of journalese which appeared in the Herts Reformer of 7th June 1836. The account is given full length for it is a piece most evocative of that time and also mentions the Lattimores, a family well-known in the locality during the second half of the nineteenth century. The debate as to whether it was a Thrale or a Mardall who really should have the credit for the kill continued in the family for decades!
Herbert and Sons, workers excursion 1870
On 9 July 1870 was the annual workers' excursion for Messrs. Herbert and Sons, scale-makers and gas fitters, of St. George-street, E., King's Cross, and 7, West Smithfield, E.C. London, to Nomansland Farm and the King William pub. The published account of the excursion.
Wheathampstead Anniversary Fete 1876
Two weeks before Ralph Norman Thrale's death, the Wheathampstead Anniversary Fete was held at Nomansland Farm. It was reported on by the Herts Advertiser & St Albans Times on 29 July 1876, page 8.
The brothers' deaths and 1884 sale of Nomansland Farm
The first of the old bachelors to go was Ralph Norman on 27 July 1876, his will proved by his brother William, who in turn died on 8 December 1884, his will and administration being annexed to Henry Mardall of Harpenden, brewer, the great nephew.45 This will also specifically requested that the Thrale Collection should not be dispersed but kept preserved as a collection. It was given to Daniel Mardall for safekeeping. Because of the latter's earlier death, a codicil was added to the will bequeathing the Collection to Henry Mardall on the same terms, but alas, the Collection was not preserved and the land, farm, farmhouse and contents - including the Thrale Collection were sold in 1884.
1973
In the 1973 book 'A New Thraliana', author Richard William Thrale (1931-2007) wrote:No Mans Land Farmhouse is still there, little changed, although in 1965 it became a sheep research station and then the home of the West family. Many of the hedges have been removed, giving the countryside an unusual aspect to those accustomed to the normal patchwork quilt look of the ever eroding countryside. Much of No Mans Land Common was ploughed during the second World War, and the many acres of heath and scrub disappeared. It still remains a fine open space however in spite of the incomprehensible decisions of contemporary bureaucratic planners, and were the old brothers to return, they would still see much they knew.
Location : Latitude: 51.808037350699, Longitude: -0.32510038270186| Photos |  | Village shield Sandridge village shield |
 | Wicked Lady public house, Sandridge |
| Documents |  | Thomas Thrale's will (d.1600) Will dated 8 September 1600 |
 | 'Mark' of Thomas Thrale In this period, most people were illiterate, and used an "X" to mark their name on documents. However Thomas used the mark of the broad arrow to sign his agreement to his own will on 8 September 1600. This mark has since been adopted as the logo for this website - Thrale.com. | |
 | Nomansland Farm excursion - newspaper account Messrs. Herbert and Sons, scale-makers and gas fitters, of St. George-street, E., King's Cross, and 7, West Smithfield. 9 Jul 1870 | |
 | Nomansland Farm excursion - newspaper receipt | |
 | Enthralling tales of Thrale family's colourful past Tribute to Richard W Thrale in local paper after his death | |
 | William THRALE probate Probate index. Administration (with the Will and Codicil) of the Personal Estate of William Thrale late of No Man's Land Sandridge in the County of Hertford who died 8 December 1883 at No Man's Land was granted at the Principal Registry to Henry Mardall of Harpenden in the said the said County Brewer the Great Nephew one of the Residuary Legatees. Personal Estate: £746 13s 6d. | |
 | Thrale's Collection, sale catalogue title page The title page of the sale catalogue of Thrale's Collection which was previously displayed at No Mans Land Farm, Sandridge, Hertfordshire, England. | |
 | Thrale's Collection, sale catalogue Sale catalogue of Thrale's Collection which was previously displayed at No Mans Land Farm, Sandridge, Hertfordshire, England. |
| Histories | | Nomansland farm. |
 | At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld. | |
| Nomansland Farm excursion Account of the 9 Jul 1870 annual workers excursion for Messrs. Herbert and Sons, scale-makers and gas fitters, of St. George-street, E., King's Cross, and 7, West Smithfield, E.C., to Nomansland Farm and the King William pub. | |
 | The Hertfordshire Descent of Henry Thrale J.H. Busby. Notes and Queries, p.495-498. 13 November 1948. | |
| Right Name, Wrong Body. Chris Reynolds. May 2020. | |
 | Broad Arrow Princess Elizabeth thanked the Thrale family securing her escape from Queen Mary between 1556 and 1558, by hiding her up a tree on their farm at Nomansland - which was just 6 miles from Hatfield House. When Elizabeth became Queen she repaid the Thrale family by giving them family arms and a Broad Arrow. | |
| Wheathampstead 1876 anniversary fete Held at Nomansland Farm, Sandridge. | |
 | Historic Sandridge. The story of a Hertfordshire parish (1952). The first substantial chronicle of Thrale history, written by Richard Thrale (1931-2007) & E. Giles. Reproduced in full with consent of the author. | |
| At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld. |
Matches 1 to 1 of 1
Last Name, Given Name(s)  |
Birth  |
Person ID | Tree | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  THRALE, Ralph | Bef 30 May 1712 | I64 | UK Thrale family |
Matches 1 to 4 of 4
| Last Name, Given Name(s) |
Death |
Person ID | Tree | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CROUCH, Mary | 1743 | I182 | UK Thrale family |
| 2 | THRALE, Ralph | Between 1 Jan 1705 and 30 Apr 1705 | I359 | UK Thrale family |
| 3 | THRALE, Ralph Norman | 27 Jul 1876 | I161 | UK Thrale family |
| 4 | THRALE, William | 8 Dec 1883 | I162 | UK Thrale family |
Matches 1 to 1 of 1
| Last Name, Given Name(s) |
Census |
Person ID | Tree | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | THRALE, William | 1881 | I162 | UK Thrale family |
Matches 1 to 3 of 3
| Last Name, Given Name(s) |
Occupation |
Person ID | Tree | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PARSONS, Ann | 1786 to 1799 | I44 | UK Thrale family |
| 2 | THRALE, Richard | I328 | UK Thrale family | |
| 3 | THRALE, William | 1786 to 1799 | I187 | UK Thrale family |
Matches 1 to 11 of 11
| Last Name, Given Name(s) |
Property |
Person ID | Tree | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | THRALE, Ralph | 1630 | I104 | UK Thrale family |
| 2 | THRALE, Ralph | 1656 | I355 | UK Thrale family |
| 3 | THRALE, Ralph | 1683 | I359 | UK Thrale family |
| 4 | THRALE, Ralph | 1705 | I179 | UK Thrale family |
| 5 | THRALE, Ralph | Abt 1733 | I64 | UK Thrale family |
| 6 | THRALE, Ralph | 1755 | I154 | UK Thrale family |
| 7 | THRALE, Ralph | Abt 1799 | I155 | UK Thrale family |
| 8 | THRALE, Ralph Norman | 1852 | I161 | UK Thrale family |
| 9 | THRALE, Thomas | Abt 1556 | I332 | UK Thrale family |
| 10 | THRALE, William | Abt 1648 | I352 | UK Thrale family |
| 11 | THRALE, William | 1881 | I162 | UK Thrale family |
Matches 1 to 1 of 1
| Last Name, Given Name(s) |
Residence |
Person ID | Tree | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CROUCH, Mary | I182 | UK Thrale family |
Matches 1 to 2 of 2
| Last Name, Given Name(s) |
Will |
Person ID | Tree | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CROUCH, Mary | 20 Dec 1725 | I182 | UK Thrale family |
| 2 | THRALE, Ralph | 1852 | I155 | UK Thrale family |