Described as the finest house in Tenby, then or now. Sion House - once straddling both the Norton and Croft - was indeed unique. Designed by John Nash and built in the period of growing tension with Revolutionary France it lasted until it burned down in 1938. When Croft Court was built in 1960 my father told me, “there is the site of a former wonderful house!” The house is also linked to one of the last duels in history.

Duels became seriously popular in the 18th and early 19th century - to defend Honour - and it was with this in mind that the 1842 duel was fought in Tenby - over the use of a carriageway to Sion House and other things - but primarily over a lovely woman!

Mayor of Tenby, Charles Cook Wells, who unsuccess-fully tried to demolish the Five Arches, seemed to like promoting carriages. He had served in the East India Company’s private Navy and was a Commander but had a chequered history! He had no money but inherited property and bonds from Hugh Cook of Tenby who died in London in 1834. He got a lot! He had a amicable young wife and property and money from a distant relative who was a Tenby boy who served as a Captain in key naval battles in the Napoleonic Wars and could have possibly known Nelson well!

At a ball in Tenby it is understood that a Captain Sir Francis Freeling made a pass at Charles’ lovely wife! Freeling lived in Green Hill Villa which was later a private then grammar school. He was an Army officer who had moved to Tenby from Ilfracombe and attended the ball without his wife, unusally.

The Times even reported the duel: Here was a newly enriched Mayor in a pistol fight with a Knight of the realm but the report omitted the title ‘Sir’. Two shots went off in an unnamed field near Tenby and no one got hurt. Few actually died in duels.

Welsh local newspapers had coverered the event of the ball with attendant company in rank of importance and likewise reported the duel.

The famous Fanny Gwynn was present, and various local gentry. Honour was assumed defended! Who knows what else went on! Tenby was right there as a society town of the elite. It was all supposed to be rather gentlemanly!