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in  2011  with  funding  from 

Research  Library,  The  Getty  Research  Institute 


http://www.archive.org/details/viewsofmostinter01neal 


Drawn  tyJ  P  Neale . 


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■  .iiJXf.XaiS.AshjuarJ-\arHh.a»i.  Surry. 


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VIEWS 

OF  THE  MOST  INTERESTING 

Collegiate  anti  $atocl)ial  Cl)urel)es 


IN 


GREAT  BRITAIN 


INCLUDING 


SCREENS,  FONTS,  MONUMENTS, 


BY 

JOHN  PRESTON  NEALE, 

AND 

JOHN  LE  KEUX. 


WITH 

HISTORICAL  AND  ARCHITECTURAL  DESCRIPTIONS. 

VOL.  I. 


LONDON: 

PUBLISHED    FOR    THE    PROPRIETORS; 
BY     LONGMAN,    HURST,    REES,    ORME,    BROWN,    AND    GREEN,    PATERNOSTER- 
ROW;    AND    G.    AND    W.    B.    WHITTAKER,    AVE-MARIA    LANE. 

1824. 


J.  M'Creery,  Printer, 
Tooks-Coutt,  ChauceryLane. 


TO 


HIS  MOST  EXCELLENT  MAJESTY, 
GEORGE  THE  FOURTH. 


Sire, 

The  encouragement  of  Science,  when  derived 
from  the  Throne,  demands  the  gratitude  of  a  Nation 
whose  best  interests  are  advanced  by  its  effects ;  Your 
Majesty's  most  gracious  condescension,  in  permitting  Your 
august  name  to  be  affixed  to  our  humble  labours,  is  a 
most  flattering  testimony  of  Your  Majesty's  liberal  sen- 
timents respecting  Works  of  Art. 

The  attempt  we  have  here  made  to  illustrate  the 
characteristic  beauties  of  the  Ecclesiastical  Buildings  of 
this  Kingdom,  in  a  more  extensive  and  popular  manner 
than  has  yet  been  proceeded  with,  contributing  mate- 
rially, at  the  same  time,  towards  the  History  of  this  at- 
tractive branch  of  our  National  Architecture,  is,  we  trust, 
an  undertaking  of  sufficient  importance  to  secure  to  us, 
not  only  the  favor  of  every  admirer  of  the  Fine  Arts,  but 
of  all  those  who  regard  with  feelings  of  interest  or  pride, 
whatever  is  connected  with  a  gratifying  retrospection  of 
the  gradual  elevation  of  their  country. 


11 

It  is  particularly  in  this  point  of  view  that  we  are 
emboldened  to  hope  that  our  anxious  endeavour  towards 
so  noble  an  object,  will  not  be  found  altogether  unworthy 
of  the  august  Patronage  it  has  experienced. 

Should  any  apology  be  necessary  to  contempo- 
raries, for  our  ambitious  views  in  this  respect,  it  will  be 
found  in  Your  Majesty's  gracious  acceptance  of  "  The 
History  of  Westminster  Abbey,"  a  former  Work,  by 
one  of  the  individuals  Avho  have  now  the  honor  of  sub- 
scribing themselves,  with  all  deference  to  Your  Ma- 
jesty, 

Your  Majesty's 

Most  dutiful  and  loyal  subjects, 

JOHN  PRESTON  NEALE, 

AND 

JOHN  LE  KEUX. 


CONTENTS  OF  THE  FIRST  VOLUME 

OF 

VIEWS   OF   CHURCHES. 

CONTAINING  FORTY-EIGHT  ENGRAVINGS,  AND  TWO  VIGNETTES. 


BUCKINGILV3ISHIRE  STOKE  POGIS ST.  GILES,  North-East. 

CAMBRIDGESHIRE  .  CAJNIBRIDGE GREAT  ST.  MARY'S,  Pl.  1,  The  Tower. 

2,  Interior. 

THE  HOLY  TRINITY  ...  1,  East  End. 

2,  Interior. 

GLOUCESTERSHIRE.  CAJMPDEN ST.  JAJMES'S,  South-East  View. 

HEREFORDSHIRE...  LEDBURY View  of  the  West  End. 

LEOmNSTER ST.  PETER  AND  ST.  PAUL,  Pl.  1,  West  End. 

2,  North  Aisle. 

HERTFORDSHIRE .. .  ST.  ALBANS.. ABBEY  CHLTICH,  Pl.  1,  The  South  Side. 

2,  The  Nave,  West  End. 

3,  Ditto,  East  End. 

4,  The  Choir. 

5,  The  Altar  Screen. 

6,  MoN.  OF  Humphrey,  Duke  of  Gloucester. 

7,  South-East  View. 

Vignette,  The  Piscina  in  South  Aisle. 

SABRIDGEWORTH  ST.  aiARY'S,  Pl.  1,  Sodth-East  View. 

2,  South  Aisle. 

NORFOLK INGHAai THE  HOLY  TRINITY,  Pl.  1 ,  South-East  View. 

i 2,  MoN.  of  Sir  Oliver  Ingham. 

3,  Ditto  of  Sir  Rogir  De  Boys,  &c. 

SOUTH  LOPH.\.M...  ST.  NICHOLAS,  The  Tower. 

NORTH  WALSH.\M Pl.  1,  The  South  Porch. 

2,  The  Font. 

WORSTEAD ST.  JIARY'S,  Pl.  1,  The  Tower. 

2,  The  Font  and  Gallery  at  West  End. 

NORFOLK YARMOUTH ST.  NICHOLAS,  Pl.  1,  Soutb-West  View. 

2,  The  Choir. 

3,  The  Chancel. 

4,  The  North  Aisle. 


NORTHAJVrPTONSfflRE.  Bt'LWICK ST.  NICHOL.\S,  Socth  Sidi. 

KETTERING ST.  PETER  AND  ST.  PAUL,  Tower  akd  Spire. 

OXFORDSHIRE WITNEV ST.  JURY'S,  North  Side. 

SUFFOLK LOWESTOFFE ST.  MARGARET'S,  Sodth-East  View. 

SURREY CROYDON ST.  JOHN'S,  Pl.  1,  Tbe  North  Side. 

2,  TuE  Nave  AND  Chancel. 

3,  Mos.  OF  Wbitoift,  &.  &c. 

WARWICKSHIRE STRATFORD TRINITY,  Pi..  1,  North-West  View. 

2,  South  Side. 

3,  North  Aisle. 

4,  Chancel  akd  Mon.  of  Suakspeare. 

ViGN.  The  Old  Font. 

WORCESTERSHIRE....  EVESH.\iI ALL  SAINTS,  Sooth  Side. 

GREAT  JI.\LVERN .  ST.  RLARY'S,  Pl.  1,  The  North  Side. 

2,  Jesi'3  Chapel. 

3,  The  Choir. 

LITTLE  JIALVERN  ST.  GILES'S,  Pl.  1,  South-East  View. 

2,  Interior.  East  End. 

THE  TITLE,  A  Composition  or  CnrKCH  Firnitirf,  &c. 


g»t.  (Giles's  C{)urcf), 

STOKE-POGIS,  BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. 

VICAR, 
THE  REV.  ARTHUR  BOLD. 


The  Parish  of  Stoke-Pogis,  which  is  in  the  Diocese  of  Lincoln,  and 
Deanery  of  Burnham,  is  situated  in  the  Hundred  of  Stoke,  about  two 
miles  north-north-east  from  Slough. 

The  Church  is  a  small  structure,  in  the  Pointed  style  of  architecture, 
having  a  wooden  spire  :  the  accompanying  Plate  gives  a  north-east 
view  of  it,  shewing  the  porch  ;  and,  in  the  back-ground,  the  monument 
erected  by  Mr.  Penn  in  commemoration  of  the  poet  Gray. 

In  the  north  wall  of  the  chancel  of  this  Church,  under  a  rudely  executed 
arch,  ornamented  with  pinnacles  and  foliage,  is  an  ancient  tomb,  supposed 
to  have  been  erected  in  memory  of  Sir  John  Molyns,  Knight  Banneret, 
and  Treasurer  of  the  Chamber  to  King  Edward  IIL  :  he  had  obtained  the 
Manor  of  Stoke  by  marriage  with  Egidia,  the  grand-daughter  and  heiress 
of  Robert  Pogis.  Near  the  Altar,  on  the  north  side,  are  the  engraved 
brass  figures  of  Sir  William  Molyns,  Knight,  and  Margaret  his  Lady. 
The  knight  is  represented  in  a  pointed  helmet,  with  sword  and  dag- 
ger, and  has  a  lion  at  his  feet;  it  appears,  from  the  inscription,  that 
he  died  on  the  0th  of  June,  142-5.  Lady  Margaret  is  habited  in  a  boddice, 
mantle,  and  veil.  On  the  south  side  of  the  altar  is  a  brass  figure  of  a 
lady  in  a  shroud,  in  commemoration  of  Eleanot,  daughter  and  heiress 
of  William,  Lord  Molyns,  slain  at  the  celebrated  siege  of  Orleans,  in 
1429,  son  of  the  above  Sir  William ;  and  wife  of  Robert,  Lord  Hunger- 
ford,  who  being  an  active  adherent  to  Henry  VI.,  was  taken  prisoner 
at  the  battle  of  Hexham,  and  shortly  afterwards  beheaded  at  New- 
castle :  she  was  subsequently  married  to  Sir  Oliver  Manyngham,  Knt. 
George,  third  Lord  Hastings,  who  attended  Henry  VIII.  at  the  sieges 
of  Therouenne  and  Touniay,  and  who  died  in  1544,  after  being  created 
Earl  of  Huntingdon,  was  also  buried  here,  but  there  is  no  monument 
to  his  memory.  The  Font  is  a  large  plain  vessel,  supported  by  a  shaft 
with  niches. 

Sir  Edward  Hastings,  Baron  Loughborough,  erected  the  Chapel 
which  adjoins  this  church,  as  a  place  of  interment  for  his  family,  and 
directed  by  his  will  that  tombs  should  be  raised  for  such  of  his  relations 
as  had  been  buried  here,  and  that  on  his  own  tomb  should  be  placed 
his  effigies  in  copper,  gilt.  There  are  not,  however,  any  sepulchral 
memorials  in  this  place  for  the  family  of  Hastings,  so  that  either  the 
testator's  injunctions  were  not  complied  with,  or  the  monuments  muil 
1 


ST.  Giles's  church,  stoke-pogis,  Buckinghamshire. 

have  been  removed.  In  the  east  window  is  a  figure  of  Lord  Loughbo- 
rough, in  painted  glass ;  he  is  represented  kneeling  at  a  desk,  on  which 
is  an  open  book,  and  as  habited  in  armour,  with  a  surcoat,  and  the 
George  suspended  at  his  breast ;  his  surcoat  is  charged  with  the  arms 
of  the  Hastings'  family  and  their  alliances ;  and  on  each  side  of  his 
head  is  a  shield,  one  inscribed  with  the  initials  E.  H.,  and  the  other 
charged  with  his  crest,  a  buftalo's  head  erased,  sab.  gorged  with  a  ducal 
coronet,  and  armed,  or;  a  mullet  for  difference.  This  Chapel  contains 
a  monument  for  Dr.  Gregory  Hascard,  Dean  of  Windsor,  who  died  in 
1708 ;  he  was  one  of  the  most  celebrated  preachers  of  his  time. 

The  Church-yard  was  the  scene  of  the  well-known  Elegy  by  Gray ; 
the  following  fine  stanza,  expressive  of  the  thoughts  arising  from  con- 
templation in  this  spot,  is  among  those,  with  which,  as  Mr.  Mason  has 
recorded,  that  exquisite  poem  was  originally  intended  to  conclude ; 
before  the  happy  ideas  of  the  "  hoary-headed  swain,"  and  his  artless 
narrative,  had  suggested  themselves  to  the  accomplished  Lyrist. 

"  Hatk  !  how  the  sacred  calm,  that  breathes  around. 
Bids  every  fierce,  tumultuous  passion  cease  : 
In  still  small  accents  whispering  from  the  ground, 
A  grateful  earnest  of  eternal  peace." 

The  remains  of  Gray,  in  pursuance  of  his  particular  directions,  were 
interred  in  a  vault  near  the  chancel-door,  where  those  of  his  aunt  and 
beloved  mother  had  previously  been  deposited  :  the  following  inscription 
on  the  tombstone,  or  at  least  the  latter  part  of  it,  was  written  by  the 
Poet. 

*'  In  the  vault  beneath  are  deposited,  In  hope  of  a  joyful  resurrection,  the  remains  of 
Mary  Antrobus.  She  died,  unmarried,  Nov.  v.  mdccxlix.  Aged  i.xvt.  In  the 
same  pious  confidence,  beside  her  friend  and  sister,  here  sleep  the  remains  of 
Dorothy  Gray,  widow,  the  careful  tender  Mother  of  many  children,  one  of  whom 
alone  had  the  misfortune  to  survive  her.     She  died,  March  x:.  mdccliii.     Aged 

LXVII." 

John  Penn,  Esq.,  the  present  possessor  of  the  Manor  of  Stoke-Pogis, 
feeling  that  some  tribute  was  due  to  the  memory  of  Gray,  the  place  of 
his  sepulture  even  being  undistinguished  by  any  memorial,  caused  a 
classic  monument  to  be  erected  to  the  Poet's  honour  in  1799,  and  under 
the  direction  of  the  late  James  Wyatt,  Esq.,  in  a  lawn  opposite  to  his 
mansion,  and  nearly  adjacent  to  the  road  side.  This  monument,  as 
mentioned  above,  is  shewn  in  the  Plate. 

This  Parish  is  a  discharged  vicarage,  valued  in  the  king's  books  at 
7/.  17s. ;  Lord  Francis  Osborn,  brother  to  the  Duke  of  Leeds,  is  the 
patron.  The  vicar  is  usually  also  the  master  of  an  hospital,  which  was 
originally  founded  near  the  Church-yard  in  1557,  by  the  above-named 
Lord  Loughborough,  for  a  chantry-priest  and  four  beadsmen  ;  after  the 
Reformation,  it  was  appropriated  to  the  support  of  a  master  and  poor 
brethren ;  and,  in  1765,  the  edifice  was  rebuilt  in  a  more  convenient 
situation  by  the  late  Mr.  Penn. 
2 


I  !Pl.  t^'"= 


rav<?diyJ.LeJtinix . 


i'JRCH  , 


■ii.Tu-ir  FatTthtf/:,-" 


<3xtnt  ^t.  iHarp'0  Cftutdj, 

CAMBRIDGESHIRE; 

PERPETUAL    CURATE, 
THE  REV.  W.  G.  JUDGSON. 


Great  Saint  Mary's,  or  the  University  Church,  was  rebuilt  in  the 
Reign  of  Henry  VII.,  and  towards  its  completion  that  monarch  was 
a  great  benefactor.  It  was  commenced  in  1478,  under  the  auspices  of 
Alcock,  Bishop  of  Ely,  to  whom  the  merit  of  the  design  is  usually  at- 
tributed. The  Church  was  so  far  completed  in  1488,  that  the  Bishop  is 
then  stated  to  have  preached  a  sermon  in  it,  which  lasted  from  one 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon  till  past  three.  He  was  not  only  a  prelate  of 
singular  learning  and  piety,  but,  possessing  great  skill  in  architecture,  he 
was  made  comptroller  of  the  royal  buildings.  This  Church,  but  more 
particularly  his  very  curious  sepulchral  Chapel  in  the  Cathedral  at  Ely, 
proves  his  ability  and  judgment.  The  body  of  the  Church,  which  alone 
bears  the  mark  of  his  hand,  was  completed  in  1519,  but  the  Tower  is 
more  modern,  not  having  been  erected  till  1608.  John  Warren  was  the 
architect,  who  died  the  same  year  it  was  finished,  as  appears  by  a 
tablet  to  his  memory,  against  the  east  wall  of  the  Chancel. 

The  west  end  of  this  Church,  which  is  commonly  called  Great  St, 
Mary's  or  St.  Mary  Magna,  to  distinguish  it  from  another  Church,  si- 
milarly dedicated,  forms  the  east  side  of  a  most  noble  quadrangle,  vide 
Plate  I.;  King's  College  Chapel,  the  University  Library,  and  the  Senate 
House,  on  the  other  sides,  without  the  intervention  of  private  edifices,  give 
an  air  of  peculiar  grandeur  to  its  site.  The  Tower  is  lofty  and  well  pro- 
portioned, the  embattled  parapet  has  octangular  turrets,  surmounted  by 
balls.  It  contains  a  musical  peal  of  ten  bells,  and  a  clock  :  the  entrance 
porch  is  adorned  with  the  royal  arms  boldly  sculptured,  and  some  remains 
of  painting  nearly  defaced.  The  interior  of  the  Church  is  both  light 
and  beautiful ;  our  View,  Plate  II.,  is  taken  from  the  east  end,  so  as 
best  to  display  its  elegant  proportions,  and  admirable  uniformity  of  de- 
sign ;  the  groining  of  the  roof  is  at  once  a  specimen  of  the  architect's 
taste  and  skill;  ten  clerestory  windows  on  each  side,  above  the  arches 
of  the  nave,  give  ample  light  to  every  part  of  this  really  noble  building, 
i 


GREAT  ST.    MARY  S    CHURCH,   CAMBRIDGESHIRE. 

Academical  exercises  were  formerly  performed,  and  public  orations 
were  made  in  this  Church ;  Queen  Elizabeth,  while  at  Cambridge,  in 
1564,  attended  the  disputations  here.  The  University  Sermons  are  still 
preached  in  this  Church,  except  on  a  few  particular  occasions.  The 
Vice  Chancellor,  Heads  of  Colleges,  Noblemen,  and  Doctors,  sit  in  a 
gallery,  which  occupies  the  place  of  the  ancient  Rood  Loft.  The  Mas- 
ters of  Arts  and  Fellow  Commoners  in  the  area  of  the  nave ;  Bache- 
lors of  Arts  and  Under  Graduates  have  galleries  in  the  Aisles,  which 
were  built  pursuant  to  the  directions  in  the  will  of  William  Worts,  Esq. 
who  died  in  1709,  and  left  a  sum  of  money  for  that  purpose.  In  vari- 
ous parts  of  the  Church  are  memorials  for  Aldermen  of  the  Corporation. 
On  the  south  wall  of  the  Chancel,  is  a  mural  monument  to  William 
Butler,  D.  D.  who  died  Jan.  29,  1617;  he  is  represented  by  a  half- 
length  figure,  under  an  arch,  executed  with  much  spirit;  one  hand  rests 
upon  a  skull,  the  other  holds  a  book ;  on  the  sides  of  the  monument, 
are  statues  of  Labour  and  Rest.  Arms,  sable,  a  fcss  lozengy,  between 
three  covered  cups,  or.  There  is  also  a  memorial  of  John  Crane,  Esq. 
who  died  in  1652 ;  and  a  slab  in  the  north  aisle,  to  Russel  Plumptree, 
M.  D.  who  died  in  1793.  On  the  south  side  of  the  Church  is  a  Vestry, 
and  a  Chapel,  adjoining  the  Chancel.  The  corresponding  Chapel  on 
the  north  side  is  dedicated  to  St.  Andrew,  in  it  is  a  monument  to  the 
memory  of  Thomas  Lorkin,  Esq.  born  at  Frendsbury  in  Kent,  who  died 
May  1,  1591. 

Martin  Bucer,  the  celebrated  Reformer,  was  invited  to  England  by 
Archbishop  Cranmer,  and  was  received  at  Cambridge  as  a  Teacher  of 
Theology  in  1549;  he  died  here  in  1551,  and  was  buried  in  this  Church 
with  great  funeral  pomp.  In  the  reign  of  Queen  Mary  his  body  was  dug 
up  and  publicly  burnt,  and  his  tomb  demolished,  but  it  was  afterwards 
set  up  again  by  order  of  Queen  Elizabeth  :  several  manuscripts  respect- 
ing him  are  preserved  in  the  Library  of  Caius  College. 


Ci)tircfj  of  t!)e  H^ol^  %xinit^, 

CAMBRIDGE. 

PERPETUAL    CURATE, 
THE  REV.  CHARLES  SIMEON,  M.  A. 


The  town  of  Cambridge  is  divided  into  fourteen  Parishes,  of  which 
that  of  the  Holy  Trinity  is  the  largest.  The  Parochial  Church  stands 
at  the  south  end  of  Bridge-Street,  and  is  built  in  the  form  of  a  cross, 
with  the  principal  entrance  at  the  north.  The  view  of  the  exterior  given 
in  plate  1,  is  taken  from  the  east;  the  west  front,  upon  which  the  skill 
of  the  architect  in  many  instances  was  exerted,  and  his  taste  employed 
to  devise  ornaments,  being  here  concealed  by  the  contiguous  houses. 
The  Chancel  and  body  of  the  Church  are  of  small  extent  when  com- 
pared with  the  noble  Transepts  or  Chapels,  which  rise  considerably 
above  the  roof  of  the  Chancel,  and  admit  of  a  series  of  clerestory  win- 
dows. The  architecture  of  this  part  of  the  Church  is  of  a  more  florid 
character.  Laving  been  erected  at  a  later  period.  The  east  window  of 
the  Church,  which  is  a  prominent  feature  of  our  exterior  view,  is  divided 
by  its  mullions  into  four  bays.  The  Tower,  which  has  been  recently 
re-erected  at  the  expense  of  the  Parishioners,  is  at  the  west  end ;  and 
contains  a  peal  of  five  bells;  each  angle  of  the  parapet  surrounding 
the  Tower  is  ornamented  with  a  small  turret,  terminating  in  a  pinnacle, 
and,  above  the  whole,  rises  a  small,  but  well  proportioned  Spire. 

This  Church  was  formerly  appropriated  to  the  Abbey  of  West 
Dereham,  in  Norfolk,  a  Monastery  founded  by  Hubert  Walter,  who 
became  Archbishop  of  Canterbury  in  1193,  and  continued  at  the  head 
of  the  ecclesiastical  power  in  the  reigns  of  Richard  I.  and  John,  till 
1207.  When  the  present  edifice  was  erected,  cannot  be  discovered  :  it 
appears  from  Lysons's  Magna  Britannia,  under  Cambridgeshire,  that  it 
was  destroyed  by  fire  in  the  year  1174,  in  the  time  of  Henry  II.,  and 
that  it  was  afterwards  rebuilt;  but  no  part  of  the  architecture  of  this 
building  can  be  referred  to  within  a  century  of  that  early  period. 

At  the  dissolution  of  Monasteries,  which  preceded  the  Reformation, 
this  living  was  annexed  to  the  Episcopal  See  of  Ely,  the  Bishop 
of  which  Diocese  appoints  a  sequestrator  or  Vicar.  The  Rev.  Charles 
Simeon,  M.  A.,  and  Fellow  of  King's  College,  the  present  incumbent, 
has  distinguished  himself  both  by  his  eloquence  and  his  writings. 
1 


CHURCH    OF   THE    HOLY   TRINITY,   CAMBRIDGE. 

Plate  2,  represents  the  very  noble  interior  of  this  Church,  taken  from 
the  west  end,  with  a  full  view  of  the  remarkably  fine  Transepts,  which 
are  built  in  the  richest  style  of  ecclesiastical  architecture,  and  may  be 
attributed  to  the  time  of  Henry  VI.*  In  each,  the  florid  character 
of  the  ornaments,  as  well  as  the  disposition  of  the  windows,  is  some- 
what varied,  but  both  the  Cross  Aisles  tuay  still  be  assigned  to  the 
same  architectural  jera,  and  are  equally  admirable  for  the  purity  of  taste 
displayed  in  the  sculptural  decorations ;  the  groining  of  the  ceilings  is 
peculiarly  elegant.  In  the  south  Transept,  beneath  the  clerestory  win- 
dows, is  a  very  richly  carved  moulding  or  string  course,  composed  of 
Strawberry  leaves,  in  the  manner  of  the  ducal  coronet;  this  Aisle  con- 
tains a  marble  slab  to  the  memory  of  William  Spekes,  who  died  Decem- 
ber 1, 1666,  and  to  Elizabeth  Spekes,  his  wife,  who  died  on  the  24th  of 
January,  1693. 

In  the  North  Aisle,  against  the  east  wall,  is  an  elegant  altar  tomb, 
enclosed  with  rails,  erected  to  commemorate  Sir  Robert  Tabor,  Knight, 
an  eminent  physician  in  the  reign  of  Charles  II.,  who  first  administered 
the  bark  with  success  in  intermittent  fevers,  and  who  was  buried  here 
on  the  seventeenth  of  Nov.  1681 ;  the  monument  bears  his  armorial 
achievement,  viz.  Azure,  on  a  chevron  engrailed,  between  three  lions' 
heads  erased,  or ;  three  leopards'  faces  of  the  first:  over  it  is  the  crest,  a 
lion's  head,  or ;  and,  beneath  the  shield,  the  motto,  soles  occidere  et  re- 
dire  possint. 

The  Chancel,  which  is  the  most  ancient  part  of  the  present  building, 
is  comparatively  low  :  over  the  communion  table,  and  under  the  east 
window,  is  a  scriptural  painting,  within  a  frame,  of  Jesus  Christ  ap- 
pearing to  Mary  Magdalen,  as  an  altar-piece.  Against  the  north  wall 
of  the  Chancel  is  a  handsome  monument  to  the  memory  of  Elizabeth 
Peyton,  the  eldest  daughter  of  Richard  Anderson,  Esq.,  of  Hertford- 
shire, and  widow  of  Robert  Peyton,  Esq.  ;  she  died  on  the  26th  of 
April,  1659,  at  the  age  of  53  ;  upon  the  tomb  is  the  arms  of  Peyton,  viz. 
sable,  a  cross  ingrailed  or,  in  the  dexter  canton  a  mullet  argent,  impaling 
those  of  Anderson,  viz. :  argent,  a  chevron  between  three  cross  crosslets 
flory,  sable.  Another  monument  records  the  death  of  Susan,  the 
daughter  of  Samuel  Gatward,  Esq.,  and  Elizabeth,  his  wife,  on  the 
19th  of  December,  1707,  and  of  Samuel,  their  son,  who  died  on  the  9th 
of  May,  17 12.  Arms  sculptured,  a  chevron  ermine  between  three  herons, 
impaling  a  bend  heticeen  two  mullets.  There  is  also  a  memorial  of  Ed- 
ward Lawe,    Gent.   Irenarcha  ac  Senator,  qui   obiit.   May  30,  1675, 

•  It  is  a  singular  fact,  that  during  the  commotions  between  the  houses  of  York  and  Lan- 
caster, and  their  adherents,  so  prejudicial  to  the  progress  of  the  arts  of  civilization,  archi- 
tecture in  England  flourished  in  a  greater  degree,  vide  Callaway's  Anecdotes  of  the  Ai1s 
in  England,  p.  27. 


CHURCH    OF   THE   HOLY   TRINITY,   CAMBRIDGE. 

with  his  arms,  viz.,  on  a  cross,  Jive  crosslets formy;   the  latter  is  partly 
concealed  by  the  rails  which  enclose  the  Communion  Table. 

The  Tower  is  raised  on  lofty  pointed  arches;  those  opening  upon 
the  Transepts  are  curiously  ornamented  in  their  mouldings,  with  a  tre- 
foil headed  panelling  of  a  bold  character.  Against  the  east  wall  of 
the  Nave,  on  the  north  side  of  the  arch,  opening  upon  the  Chancel,  is  a 
large  and  handsome  sepulchral  memorial  to  Francis  Percy,  Esq.,  Al- 
derman of  Cambridge,  and  also  a  Captain  in  the  Militia,  who  died  May 
6,  1711,  aet.  67,  and  to  Margaret,  his  wife,  who  died  on  the  20th  of 
September  the  same  year:  by  her  he  had  issue,  six  sons  and  six  daugh- 
ters. Two  of  his  sons,  Algernon  and  Henry,  are  also  buried  here.  His 
eldest  son,  Francis  Percy,  was  a  Captain  in  the  Navy.  It  is  recorded 
upon  the  monument,  that  this  family  was  a  branch  of  the  ancient  and 
noble  House  of  Percy,  whose  chief  seat  is  at  Alnwick  Castle,  in  Nor- 
thumberland. Arms,  or,  a  lion  rampart,  azure,  impaling,  argent,  on 
a  cross,  sable,  Jice  lions  rampant,  or. 

On  the  south  wall  is  a  mural  monument  to  the  memory  of  the  Rev.  H. 
Martyn,  Fellow  of  St.  John's  College,  who  died  at  Tokal,  Oct.  16, 
1812,  in  his  way  from  Shiraz  to  Constantinople.  He  had  been  Curate 
of  this  Parish  for  about  two  years  ;  and  went  from  thence,  as  Chaplain 
to  the  East  India  Company  to  Bengal,  where  he  translated  the  New  Tes- 
tament into  the  Hindoostanee  language,  as  he  did  also  afterwards  at 
Shiraz  into  the  Persian  language.  The  memoir  of  his  life,  in  a  single 
volume,  is  inferior  in  interest  to  no  book  in  the  English  language. 
And  under  it,  another  to  Mr.  Charles  Wagstaff.  Against  a  pillar, 
near  the  end  of  the  Nave,  is  a  memorial  of  Samuel  Conant,  A.  M.,  of 
Magdalen  College,  Oxford.  Arms,  gules,  ten  billets,  or.  There  is  also  a 
marble  slab  in  the  Nave,  commemorating  Dorothy  Folkes,  who  died 
October  1,  1710:  she  was  the  posthumous  daughter  of  Martin  Folkes, 
Esq.,  of  Hiliington,  in  Norfolk,  and  of  Dorothy,  his  wife.  The  font 
at  the  west  end  of  the  Church  is  of  an  octagonal  form,  of  stone,  with 
a  wooden  cover  ;  the  organ  is  also  at  the  west  end. 

The  Church-yard,  as  may  be  seen  in  our  view  of  the  exterior,  is 
crowded  with  monumental  records;  amongst  which  are  tombs  of  Joseph 
Purchas,  who  died  1721,  a;t.  48  ;  AVilliam  CoUis,  Gent. ;  John,  the  son 
of  John  and  Abigail  Alders,  ob.  1702,  aet.  15.  Another  for  John 
Wardall,  who  died  Nov.  23,  1723,  Kt.  88. 

The  table  of  benefactors  to  the  Parish  of  the  Holy  Trinity  hangs  up 
against  the  south  wall  of  the  Church.  Henry  Wray,  of  this  Parish, 
Stationer,  in  1628,  gave  an  Alms-house  for  eight  widows,  to  receive  a 
weekly  allowance. 


i 


Y^^-jr 


4 


ik^m^LM 


Dravm  toyj.i.i<eiu& 


^  Zngi  HVEd.  iy  J.  Xin^e . 

OK]LET     CHURCBE, 

SSSF.X. 


Botle^  C{)urcj), 

ESSEX; 

RECTOR, 
REV.  JOHN  HERUINGHAM,  M.A. 


This  Church  is  situated  upon  an  eminence,  on  the  southern  bank  of  the 
river  Stour,  and  is  in  the  hundred  of  Hinckford  :  the  Church-yard  com- 
mands an  extensive  prospect ;  the  two  churches  of  Sudbury,  those  of 
Long  Melford  and  Lavenhani,  are  distinctly  recognised,  with  several 
others  in  Sufiolk.  Both  the  body  of  the  Church  and  Chancel  are  of  one 
pace,  tiled,  and  at  the  western  extremity  is  a  square  tower,  wherem  are 
three  bells. 

The  following  inscription  is  upon  a  plate  of  brass,  inlaid  in  black 
marble,  in  the  chancel : 

Hie  in  Domino  requiescit  Johannes  Durhame,  filius  tertius  Thorns  Durhame  de 
West  Durhame  in  com.  Nurf.  Armigeri.  Qui  cum  sexaginta  et  septem  annos  vixisset 
vicessimo  nono  die  mensis  Julii;  anno  verb!  incarnati,  1601,  morte  prareptus  est. 

Against  the  north  wall  of  the  chancel  is  a  tablet  inscribed  as  follows  : 

The  Rev.  William  Heirlngham,  A.M.  late  rector  of  this  palish  and  Chadwell  St. 

Blary's,  in  this  county,  Prebendary  of  Jlora,   St.  Paul's,  ob.  22  Febry.  1819. 

"  Multis  ille  bonis  flebilis  occidit." 

And  on  the  southern  side,  near  to  the  altar,  another  tablet : 

Sacred  to  the  memory  of  the  three  daughters  of  the  Rev.  William  Herringham, 
rector  of  this  parish  ;  Anna  Maria,  the  2nd  daughter,  who  died  5th  February, 
1796,  aged  9  years,  was  bnried  at  Chipping  Ongar  in  this  county  ;  Catharine,  the 
eldest  daughter,  who  died  22nd  June,  1811,  aged  25  years;  and  Elizabeth  Mary 
Althea,  the  third  daughter,  who  died  1st  January,  1812;  are  interred  in  a  vault 
on  the  outside  of  this  chancel. 
There  is  also  in  the  chancel  an   ancient  marble  monument.     The 
effigy  of  the  person  to  whose  memory  it  is  erected,  is  placed  between 
two  pillars  supporting  an  elegant  cornice.     She  is  represented  as  in  the 
act  of  devotion,  kneeling  upon  a  cushion,  hev  hands  clasped,  and  before 
her  is  a  book  opened.     Above  the  entablature  is  the  representation  of  a 
glory,  encircled  by  cherubim,  and  beneath,  on  a  neat  tablet  of  black 
marble,  this  inscription : 

Pulvis  in  hoc  tumulo  Waldegravi  JIagdala  proles 

Unaque  Southcotti  sponsa  sepulta  jacet. 
Virgo  pudica.  Parens  foecunda,  Piissiraa  sponsi, 

Sponsa,  tenax  fidei  libera  vixit  opum. 
Mortem  vita  dedit,  A'itara  quam  Vita  negavit 
Mors  dedit,  O  adsis  ilors,  fera  Vita  vale. 
Obiit  octavo  die  Septembris,  1598. 

The  family  arms  are  curiously  wrought  and  affixed  to  several  parts  of 
the  monument. 

The  most  conspicuous  ornament  of  this  Church,  is  a  superb  monu- 
ment in  memory  of  Sir  Edward  Waldegrave,  Kut.,  the  lady  Frances  his 


f 


BORLEY    CHURCH,    ESSEX. 

wife,  and  tlieir  five  children,  as  represented  in  the  plate  ;  it  is  ahout 
fourteen  feet  in  height,  nine  feet  in  length,  and  five  in  breadth, 
erected  in  the  body  of  the  chnrch  against  the  north  and  eastern  walls ;  the 
richly  finished  entablature  at  the  summit,  is  supported  by  six  pillars  of 
beautiful  marble,  of  the  Corinthian  order ;  underneath,  at  their  base, 
are  placed  two  recumbent  figures,  at  full  length,  of  Sir  Edward  Walde- 
grave,  and  Lady  Frances  Waldegrave,  executed  in  marble,  and  of  supe- 
rior workmanship  ;  their  hands  are  uplifted,  as  in  prayer;  the  head  of  Sir 
Edward  reclines  on  his  helmet,  that  of  his  wife  on  a  pillow ;  at  his  feet 
is  placed  an  urn  ;  at  those  of  Lady  Frances  a  squirrel.  M'ithin  five  com- 
partments, of  which  three  are  on  the  south  side,  and  two  at  the  head 
of  the  tomb,  are  the  eiBgies  of  their  five  children,  the  name  of  each 
affixed  above,  with  their  marriages,  as  follows  : 

Charles  Waldegrave  married  Jerouima,  daughter  of  Sir  Henry  Jerningham,  Knt. ; 
Nicholas  Waldegrave  married  Katherine,  daughter  of  Wistan  Browne,  Esq. ;  alary 
Waldegrave  married  Sir  John  Petre,  Knt.;  Katherine  Waldegrave  married 
Thomas  Gavren,  Etq. ;  Alagdalen  Waldegrave  married  John  Southcote. 

Upon  two  tablets  of  black  marble,  which  are  placed  round  the  edge 
of  the  cornice,  is  this  inscription  : 

Edvardus  obiit  ab  incamatione  Domini  millesimo  quingentesirao  sexagesimo  primo ; 
anno  aetatis  suk  quadragesimo  quarto ;  primo  die  mensis  Septembris. 
Francisea  obiit  ab  incarnatione  Domini  millesimo  quingentesimo  nonogesimo  nono ;  auno 
aitatis  suEE  septuagesimo  ;  decimo  octavo  die  mensis  Octobris. 

En  jacet  Edvardus  tumulo  Waldegravus  in  isto, 
Et  comes  ante  tori  comes  est  Francisea  sepulchri 
Nudos  fata  genus  relevavit,  transiit,  auxit 

Conjux,  Vir,  Proles  alimento  carcere  vita 
En  homo  quid  tituli,  quid  prosit  stemma  vel  aurum. 

Si  taa  vitalis  deserat  ossa  calor. 
Nil  superesse  vides,  homini  compage  soluta 
Terra,  suum  repetit,  sidera  jusque  secum. 

At  the  summit  of  the  entablature  the  arms  of  this  family  are  curiously 
wrought  in  freestone,  with  the  intermarriages  of  the  sons  and  daughters 
underneath  ;  the  whole  is  richly  ornamented,  painted,  and  gilt,  and  pro- 
tected by  iron  palisades. 

Sir  Edward  Waldegrave  was  master  of  the  great  wardrobe  to  Queen 
Mary,  her  chancellor  of  the  Duchy  of  Lancaster,  and  one  of  her  privy 
council ;  also  M.  P.  for  Essex,  in  the  Parliament  which  assembled  on 
January  20th,  1557,  and  sat  until  that  Queen's  demise.  His  family, 
originally  from  Waldegrave,  in  Northamptonshire,  were  many  genera- 
tions resident  on  the  banks  of  the  Stour,  in  this  quarter,  at  Smallbridge, 
in  Buers  St.  Mary's,  Suft'olk,  within  which  church  several  are  interred 
with  monuments,  and  at  Borley  and  Lawford,  in  this  county  :  they  were 
afterwards  seated  at  Navestock,  in  the  hundred  of  Ongar,  which  is  still 
the  burial  place  of  the  family. 
3 


LAMBOURNE,  ESSEX; 

RECTOR, 
REV.  ROBERT  SUTLEFFE,   B.  D. 


This  Church  was  given  by  Robert  de  Lambourue  to  the  Canons  of 
Waltham  Holy  Cross,  in  the  reign  of  Henry  III.;  it  afterwards  became 
a  Rectory,  and  continued  in  their  gift  till  the  dissolution,  when  it  came 
successively  into  the  hands  of  Sir  Anthony  Cook,  Nicholas  Bacon,  Ca- 
tharine Barefoot,  &c. 

Dr.  Thomas  Tooke  purchased  the  advowson  of  Nich.  Staphurst,  of 
Billericay,  in  1712,  and  bequeathed  it  to  Corpus  Christi  College,  at 
Cambridge,  of  which  he  had  been  a  fellow. 

The  building  is  small,  being  not  more  than  seventy  feet  in  length  by 
twenty-one  in  breadth,  and  is  not  an  object  of  any  particular  interest, 
excepting  for  its  interior  beauty  and  the  very  fine  Monuments  it  con- 
tains, of  which  we  have  given  a  view.  The  Chancel,  however,  is  orna- 
mented with  three  windows  of  stained  glass,  and  a  fourth,  containing  five 
pieces  of  curious  old  painting,  viz.  a  representation  of  the  Smooth  Ways 
of  Sin  and  the  Rugged  Paths  of  Virtue;  the  Nativity;  the  Adoration  of 
the  Magi;  Christ  walking  on  the  Sea;  and  the  Crucifixion:  these  were 
brought  from  Basle  in  1817,  and  bear  a  German  inscription. 

At  the  East  end,  upon  the  north  side  of  the  Altar,  is  a  marble  monu- 
ment to  the  memory  of  Dr.  Thomas  Wynnyff,  Bishop  of  Lincoln,  Dean  of 
St.  Paul's,  and  Rector  of  this  Parish,  ob.  19th  Sept.  1G54,  set.  78.  The 
father  of  the  Bishop  was  also  buried  here,  John  Wynnyft",  of  Sherbourne, 
Dorset,  Gent.,  ob.  27th  Sept.  1630,  aet.  92.  Opposite  to  the  Bishop's 
Monument  is  one  of  white  and  grey  marble,  to  the  memory  of  Dr.  Tho- 
mas Tooke,  ob.  24th  May,  1721,  a;t.  54. 

Outside  the  rails  of  the  Altar,  in  the  centre,  is  buried  the  body  of  the 
Rev.  Michael  Tyson,  B.D.  F.  R.S.,  a  celebrated  antiquary  and  Rector 
of  this  Parish,  who  died  in  1780,  but  no  inscription  records  his  inter- 
ment. 

1 


ST.  MARY    AND    ALL  SAINTS,   LAMBOURNE,   ESSEX. 

A  monument  in  the  Chancel,  and  over  the  Communion  Table  eon- 
tains  the  figure  of  Faith,  after  the  design  of  Sir  Joshua  Reynolds,  for  the 
window  of  New  College  Chapel,  at  Oxford  ;  and  upon  a  marble  tablet  is 
this  inscription  : 

Within  tlie  walls  of  this  Church  rests  the  body  of  Judith,  Dowager  Lady  Rous, 
the  daughter  and  heiress  of  John  Bedingfeld,  Esq.,  of  Beeston,  in  Norfolk,  and 
wife  of  the  Rev.  Edward  Lockwood,  of  Dews  Hall,  in  this  Parish  and  County. 

In  1749'  she  married,  1st,  to  Sir  John  Rous,  Bart.,  of  Henham  Hall,  Suffolk, 
and,  by  him,  was  the  mother  of  John,  the  present  Lord  Rous :  2ndly,  of  Frances, 
the  late  wife  of  Sir  Henry  Peyton,  Bart.  ;  and  3rdly,  of  Louisa,  wife  of  John 
Birch,  Esq.  By  her  second  husband  she  left  no  issue,  and  died  in  Portman 
Square,  London,  September  10th,  1794. 

Near  unto  her  are  likewise  deposited  the  remains  of  the  Rev.  Edward  Lockwood, 
third  son  of  Richard  Lockwood  and  of  Matilda  A'ernon,  Rector  of  Hanwell,  in 
Oxfordshire,  and  of  Kingsthorp,  in  the  county  of  Northampton,  wlio  died,  January 
22nd,  1802,  aged  82  years. 

His  second  son,  Edward  Lockwood  Percival,  Esq.,  having  sustained  with  the 
resignation  and  fortitude  which  became  him,  as  a  Christian  and  as  a  man,  the 
protracted  sufferings  of  a  severe  and  painful  illness,  departed  this  life,  July  6th, 
1804.  June  15,  1790,  he  married  Louisa,  the  second  daughter  of  the  late  Lord 
George  Manners  Sutton,  of  Kelham,  in  the  county  of  Nottingham,  youngest  son 
of  John,  the  third  Duke  of  Rutland,  and  by  her,  who  died  February  5th,  1800, 
left  four  surviving  children,  viz.  Edward,  George  Hervey,  Louisa  Elizabeth,  and 
Frances  Lucy : 

Whereof  George  Hervey,  born  February  1st,  1793,  Captain  in  His  Majesty's 
Coldstream  Regiment  of  Foot  Guards,  followed  his  excellent  parents,  November 
11th,  1815.  He  was  not  more  respected  in  the  public  duties  of  his  profession 
than  respectable  and  beloved  in  the  endearing  intercourse  of  domestic  life.  Those 
who  knew  him  best  will  bear  the  readiest  testimony  to  the  merits  of  his  cha- 
racter, and  will  join  with  his  sorrowing  relations  in  deploring  their  early  and 
untimely  loss. 
Against  the  South  wall  is  a  Monument  of  white  marble  to  the  memory 

of  the  Rev.  John  Tooke,  A.  M.  ob.  Nov.  6,  1745,  at.  07,  and  of  his 

family  :  in  height  it  is  about  nine  feet,  and  of  a  pyramidal  shape  ;  on  the 

basement  is  a  long  Latin  inscription  : 

On  the  floor  adjacent  to  the  North  wall  of  the  Church  is  a  slab,  inlaid 

with  brass,  thus  inscribed  : 

<Df  pour  djarptc  jrap  for  tlje  ^oulcji  of 

^Robert  2?nrefoor,  €>itc?)in  anD  .JRcrcer  of 

HoiiDon,  fliiD  iiatljcrpnc  Ijy?'  '-Pi'ff ;  toljyrlje 

iRofacrt  Dccc?"!;i!.iO  i])c  xxv  oay  of  3iunc,  i54(j,  on  toljOiSe 

^a\ilH  I'c  31  oro  3i'lju  Ijatic  mcrci,i. 

Between  the  two  windows  of  the  Chancel,  on  the  north  side,  is  a  mural 
monument,  six  feet  in  length,  and  upon  a  pyramid  of  white  and  veined 
marble  this  inscription  : 
2 


ST.  MARY    AND    ALL   SAINTS,    LAMBOURNE,    ESSEX. 

Near  this  place  lye  the  remains  of  Mrs.  Matilda  Lockwood,  daughter  of  George 
Vernon,  Esq.,  of  Sudbury,  in  Derbyshire,  by  Catherine,  daughter  of  Sir  Thomas 
Vernon,  Knt.,  and  wife  of  Richard  Lockwood,  Esq.,  of  Dews  Hall,  in  this 
parish,  with  whom  she  lived  in  all  conjugal  affection  31  years,  and  had  a  nume- 
rous offspring,  of  which  £ve  sons  and  two  daughters  are  now  living.  To  her 
husband  she  endeared  herself  by  every  act  of  kindness  and  condescension— to 
her  children  by  an  attentive  and  impartial  care  of  them,  with  a  prudent,  not  in- 
dulgent tenderness — to  her  relations  she  was  respectful — with  her  friends  re- 
markably cheerful,  open,  and  sincere — to  all  mankind  affable — to  her  inferiors 
very  obliging  ;  and  by  all  who  knew  her,  whether  near  or  at  a  distance,  she  was 
esteemed  one  of  the  most  amiable  and  best  of  women ;  for  she  had  all  the  ad- 
vantages of  a  natural  charming  temper,  accomplished  behaviour,  and  good  un- 
derstanding, that  could  adorn  this  life  ;  and  all  the  inward  blessings  of  Christian 
virtue  and  piety  which  might  entitle  her  to  a  better.  She  died  November  25th, 
in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1743,  and  54th  of  her  age.  To  whose  memory  her  loving 
and  mournful  husband  put  up  this  marble  as  the  last  tribute  of  his  esteem. 

Be  it  sacred  likewise  to  the  memory  of  Richard  Lockwood,  Esq.,  second  son  of 
Richard  Lockwood,  Esq.,  of  Gayton,  in  Northamptonshire,  by  Susannah,  daugh- 
ter and  sole  heiress  of  Edward  Cutts,  Esq.  Early  in  life  he  went  to  Turkey  to 
improve  his  fortune,  but  his  elder  brother  dying,  to  whose  estate  he  was  heir,  he 
returned  to  England,  and  being  of  an  active  disposition,  not  only  czirried  on  an 
extensive  traffic  for  some  years,  but  being  chosen  into  several  parliaments,  gave 
a  constant  attendance,  serving  his  country  and  constituents  with  an  untainted  in- 
tegrity, and  unshaken  firmness.  In  the  decline  of  life,  thinking  himself  incapable 
of  doing  his  country  any  farther  public  service,  he  retired  from  the  fatigues  of  bu- 
siness to  his  seat  at  Dews  Hall,  and  passed  the  last  scene  of  his  life  in  a  cheeifiil 
enjoyment  of  his  family  and  friends,  and  a  truly  religious  service  of  his  God. 
Thus  prepared,  he  arrived  at  that  period  of  life,  which  at  best  is  but  labour  and 
sorrow,  and  by  a  gradual  decay,  expired  on  the  31st  day  of  August,  1756,  in  the 
78th  year  of  his  age. 

On  the  other  side  of  the  north  window  of  the  Chancel  is  an  elegant 
monument  of  white  marble,  by  the  late  Joseph  Wilton,  R.  A.,  bearing 
a  figure  of  Hope  reclining  upon  an  urn,  in  alto  relievo :  upon  the  urn  are 
the  arms  of  Lockwood,  impaling  Conyers,  and  this  inscription  on  the 
base — 

Near  this  place  are  interred  the  remains  of  John  Lockwood,  Esq.,  second  son  of 
Richard  Lockwood,  of  Dews  Hall,  in  this  county.  He  married  JMatilda,  second 
daughter  of  Edward  Conyers,  Esq.,  of  Copt  Hall,  in  Essex,  by  whom  he  had  a 
daughter,  Matilda,  born  April  8th,  1763,  now  living.  This  memorial  was  erected 
by  his  afflicted  widow  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1778.  In  the  same  vault,  are  since 
deposited,  the  remains  of  the  above-mentioned  Matilda  Lockwood,  widow,  who 
surviving  her  husband  upwards  of  sixteen  years,  died  June  3rd,  1793,  in  the 
sixty-seventh  year  of  her  age. 

Opposite  to  this  last  is  a  monument  of  a  pyramidal  form,  bearing  the 
arms  of  Lockwood,  impaling  Vernon,  and  this  inscription  : 

Sacred  to  the  memory  of  Anna  Catharina,  wife  of  Richard  Lockwood,  Esq.,  of 
Dews  Hall,  in  this  parish.     She  died  on  May  31st,  1757,  aged  47  years.     In  the 
same  vault  are  interred  the  remains  of  the  aforesaid  Richard  Lockwood,  Esq.,  who 
died  on  Blarch  25th,  1797,  aged  84  years. 
3 


ST.    MARY    AND    ALL   SAINTS,    LAMBOURNE,    ESSEX, 

In  the  large  window,  on  the  right  hand,  and  which  adjoins  the  Chan- 
cel, is  a  marble  tablet,  with  this  inscription  : 

To  the  affectionately  beloved,  and  truly  honoiired  raemor)-  of  Matilda  Lockwood 
Maydwell,  who,  in  the  bloom  of  youth,  resigned  herself  to  her  God,  on  the 
22nd  of  March,  A.  D.  1800,  and  to  her  infant  daughter,  aged  three  weeks  and 
two  days,  the  much  afHicted  husband  and  father  erects  this  small  token  of  his 
sincerest  regard.  The  Lord  gave,  and  the  Lord  hath  taken  away,  but  blessed  be 
the  name  of  the  Lord. 

Arms  of  Lockwood,  impaling  Maydwell  and  Lockwood. 

In  the  Churchyard  is  the  tomb  of  Admiral  Sir  Edward  Hughes,  K.  B. 
late  ofChigwell,  in  this  county,  ob.  17th  January,  1794,  xt.  77.  Lady 
Ruth  Hughes,  his  wife,  ob.  30th  Sept.  1800,  set.  69.  David  Ball, 
Esq.,  late  of  Bishops  Hall,  in  this  parish,  ob.  17th  Aug.  1798,  at.  38. 
Captain  Henry  Ball,  R.  N.  ob.  6th  Aug.  1792,  aet.  38;  her  sons  by 
her  first  husband. 


ESSEX; 

VICAR, 
REV.  THOMAS  JEE,  M.  A. 


Thaxted  is  situated  on  the  river  Chelmer,  near  its  source,  in  the 
Hundred  of  Dunmovv.  On  comparing  the  stately  Church  with  the 
Town  in  which  it  stands,  one  can  scarcely  forbear  wishing  to  know  by 
what  means  so  fair  and  costly  a  structure  arose.  It  is  true  the  Town 
was  formerly  of  more  consequence  than  it  is  at  present,  but  the  abilities 
of  the  inhabitants,  even  in  its  most  flourishing  state,  would  appear 
greatly  inadequate  to  an  undertaking,  which  in  the  present  period  would 
require  more  than  ten  years'  rents  of  the  whole  parish,  and  when  lands 
were  less  improved,  must  have  cost  double  that  sum  to  complete  it. 

None  of  the  rates,  or  other  accounts  respecting  the  first  rise  of  the 
building  are  extant,  but  during  the  whole  time  in  which  it  was  carrying 
on,  wherever  the  churchwardens  are  mentioned,  we  always  find  four  of 
them.     AVithin  the  same  period,  in  one  small  part  of  the  Parish,  many 
donations  of  land  occur,  which  were  immediately  sold,  and  it  is  pre. 
sumed,  were  given  to  raise  money  for  promoting  the  work  at  the  Church. 
If  the  donations  in  other  parts  of  the  Parish  were  equally  liberal,  the 
sums  supplied  by  them  must  have  been  very  considerable,  and  will  suf- 
ficiently account  for  the  display  of  many  armorial  bearings  on  the  ceiling 
of  the  Church,  which  are  known  to  have  belonged  to  the  inhabitants,  it 
being  usual  to  place  the  arms  of  benefactors  in  a  conspicuous  situation. 
Archbishop  Parker,  in  a  letter  to  the  Lord  Treasurer  and  Queen  Eli- 
zabeth, thus  writes,  "  I  am  requested  to  signifie  at  whose  charges  the 
reparations  of  the  Chaunsell  of  Thaxted,  appropriated  to  the  Priory  of 
Stoke,  whereof  I  was  the  late  Dean,  ought  to  be  done.  Your  Honours 
shall    understand,  that  the  College   did  use  to  bear  the  Charges,  ex- 
cepting that  for  the  glazing,  the  College  bore  two  parts,  and  the  Vicar 
the  third;  and  thus  pray  1  your  good  Honours  to  extend  your  favour 
for  convenient  allowance  in  the  maintayning  of  such  fair  edifices,  builded 
of  good  zeal  and  devotion  of  our  predecessors,  to  God's  Glory,  and  the 
comfort  of  the  people,  which  in  that  Parish  are  very  great.     Thus,  I 
commit  your  Honours,  &c.     Lambeth,  12<A  September."     The  year  is 
not  mentioned,  but  on  25th  February,  1562,  a  warrant  was  issued  from 
the  Marquess  of  Winchester,  Lord  Treasurer,  for  the  repairs  of  this 
Church.     It  is  certain,  however,  that  the  parishioners  of  Thaxted  were 
1 


THAXTEH    CHURCH,    ESSEX. 

greatly  assisted  in  finishing  the  structure  by  several  noble  personages 
connected  with  the  Church  and  the  college  at  Stoke,  in  Suffolk. 

Eluric,  a  noble  Saxon,  founded  seven  prebends  in  the  Church  of 
Clare,  in  Suffolk,  temp.  Edward  the  Confessor,  of  which  the  Church  of 
Thaxted  and  the  tithes  of  the  domain  of  Clare  made  one. 

Gilbert  de  Clare  annexed  that  Church  to  the  Abbey  of  Bee,  in  Nor- 
mandy, in  the  year  1090.  Richard,  his  son,  upon  rebuilding  his  Castle  at 
Clare,  removed  this  eudowment  to  the  neighbouring  Parish  of  Stoke, 
iu  11-24. 

Richard  II.,  in  the  year  1395,  discharged  them  from  their  dependence 
on  the  Norman  Abbey  of  Bee.  This  Monastery,  at  Stoke,  was  by 
King  Edward  IV.,  converted  into  a  College,  consisting  of  a  dean  and 
six  canons,  under  the  patronage  of  the  House  of  York,  iu  whom  it 
remained  till  the  time  of  Edward  VI.,  but  in  the  first  year  of  his  reign  it 
was  dissolved. 

The  dimensions  of  the  Church  at  Thaxted,  withinside,  exclusive  of 
the  thickness  of  the  walls,  and  the  projection  of  the  buttresses,  is  183 
feet  in  length,  and  87  feet  in  breadth.  It  is  built  Cathedral  wise,  with 
a  transept  between  the  body  and  Chancel,  and  a  noble  Tower  and 
Spire  ;  the  latter  of  which  having  been  greatly  damaged  by  lightning  in 
the  year  1814,  was  wholly  rebuilt  about  182'2,  by  ]\Ir.  Chesshyre,  of 
Over  M'hitaker,  near  Coleshill,  Warwickshire  ;  the  repairs  to  the  Tower, 
including  all  expenses  of  carrying  the  stone.  Sec.  amounted  to  about  1,100/. 

As  the  architecture  throughout  is  of  the  pointed  kind,  no  part  is  pre- 
sumed to  be  older  than  the  reign  of  Henry  III.,  at  which  time  indeed 
the  benefactions  of  the  inhabitants  of  Thaxted,  to  the  neighbouring 
Abbey  of  Tiltey,  were  more  frequent  than  is  consistent  with  the  de- 
mands of  so  great  an  object  for  the  exercise  of  their  piety  at  home. 

This  Church  was  most  probably  commenced  in  the  reign  of  Edward 
III.,  but  its  several  parts  have  been  evidently  erected  at  different  times, 
as  appears  from  the  variety  of  style  in  the  architecture,  and  from  other 
circumstances. 

PLATE  I.— SOUTH-EAST  VIEW. 

The  South  Aisle  and  South  Transept  are  unquestionably  the  oldest 
parts  of  the  Church,  butitisdiiScult  to  assign  a  priority  to  either  ;  the  lat- 
ter indeed  bears  upon  it  the  greatest  marks  of  decay,  but  the  former  has 
undergone  the  most  repairs.  The  South  Aisle  is  the  most  plain,  having 
no  pilasters  for  its  ornament  on  the  interior,  and  had  originally  no  but- 
tresses for  its  support;  the  mullions  of  its  windows  are  of  a  more  sim- 
ple, and  consequently  cheaper  form  than  any  others  in  the  whole 
Church,  and  the  glass  first  placed  in  them  appears  to  have  been  plain  ; 
the  painted  windows,  which  have  since  adorned  this  Aisle,  being  cer- 
tainly of  a  more  recent  date  than  the  fabric  itself. 
2 


THAXTED    CHURCH,   ESSEX. 

The  South  Transept  presents  a  dift'erent  appearance,  and  no  expense 
seems  to  have  been  spared ;  from  some  circumstances  it  is  supposed 
this  portion  of  the  building  was  erected  by  the  munificence  of  a  lady. 
The  twelve  smaller  lights  in  the  great  window  seem  to  have  been  origi- 
nally filled  with  representations  of  female  saints ;  of  these,  four  are  still 
known  by  their  attributes  to  be  St.  Mary,  St.  Affra,  St.  Catharine,  and 
St.  Petronilla. 

Elizabeth  de  Clare  was  at  this  time  patroness  of  the  monastery  of 
Stoke,  and  it  is  not  unlikely,  that  from  her  encouragement,  this  building 
was  proceeded  with.  The  arras  of  AViliiam  de  Burgh,  Earl  of  Ulster, 
son  to  Lady  Clare,  occur,  upon  the  entrance  into  the  nave,  in  four  of  its 
windows,  which  part  is  supposed  to  have  been  built  before  his  death, 
about  1340.  The  Font  is  of  very  particular  structure,  and  the  resem- 
blance in  style  between  it  and  the  monument  which  Edward  III.  erected 
for  his  father,  shews  it  to  be  nearly  coeval  with  the  nave  in  which  it 
stands. 

The  South  Porch  was  evidently  erected  after  the  Aisle,  and  most 
probably  subsequent  to  the  nave  of  the  Church  :  a  coronet  over  the  arch 
of  entrance  denotes  it  to  have  been  the  benefaction  of  a  noble  person. 
It  is  therefore  concluded,  that  Lionel,  Duke  of  Clarence,  was  the 
founder,  from  his  family  connexion  with  the  House  of  Clare.  The 
North  Aisle  and  North  Transept  are  attributed  to  Edmund  Morti- 
mer, Earl  of  March  and  Ulster,  to  whom  three-fourths  of  the  Manor  of 
Thaxted  belonged.  In  the  principal  window  of  the  north  Transept  is  re- 
presented a  knight  in  armour,  bearing  on  his  shield  the  arms  of  Mortimer. 
The  Earl  died  in  1381,  before  the  windows,  on  this  side,  are  presumed 
to  have  been  completed ;  for  amongst  the  badges,  the  rose,  en  soleil,  the 
cognizance  of  Edward  IV.  was  conspicuous,  as  well  as  a  dragon  wreath- 
ed round  a  stump,  or  ragged  staff.  This  part  of  the  Church  was  greatly 
damaged  by  a  storm,  December  2, 1763,  when  the  painted  windows  were 
nearly  destroyed,  but  the  figure  of  the  Earl  of  Mortimer  was  most  fortu- 
nately preserved,  and  replaced  at  the  re-erection  of  the  north  window  in 
1765. 

The  arms  of  3Iarch  and  Ulster,  in  the  groined  roof  of  the  tower  of  the 
church,  seem  to  indicate  the  hand  of  a  Mortimer  engaged  in  its  founda- 
tion. 

The  Tower  of  the  Church,  containing  eight  bells,  is  of  very  fine  pro- 
portion, and  the  spire  uncommonly  elegantt  it  is  embellished  with  large 
crockets  on  the  angles,  and  for  its  needle-like  appearance,  so  much  ad- 
mired in  structures  of  this  kind,  few  parish  spires  will  fall  under  our 
notice,  which  exceed  that  we  are  here  treating  of. 

The  whole  fabric,  excepting  the  north  porch,  may  be  considered  as 
having  been  completed  about  the  year  1465.  It  has,  however,  been  sug- 
gested, that  the  old  church  was  not  taken  down,  until  the  present  one  was 
3 


THAXTED   CHURCH,    ESSEX. 

nearly  completed,  as  there  are  vestiges  of  the  old  foundation  on  the 
south  and  east  sides,  and  this  in  some  measure  accounts  for  the  Chancel 
being  of  later  construction  than  the  aisles  and  other  parts  of  the  church. 

PLATE  II.— VIEW  OF  THE  NORTH  PORCH. 

The  North  Porch  was  undoubtedly  constructed  by  the  munificence 
of  King  Edward  IV.,  but  at  a  subsequent  period  of  his  reign.  In  two 
large  compartments  are  seen  the  Royal  Arms,  and  in  the  arches  of 
the  two  windows,  over  these  arms,  are  sculptured,  two  crowns,  sup- 
ported each  of  them  by  a  hand,  and  below,  upon  the  jambs  of  each 
window,  are  heads  of  men  and  women.  Between  the  windows  is  a  very 
rich  canopied  niche,  formerly  containing  a  statue  of  the  Virgin  Mary, 
and  having  at  its  base  the  emblems  of  the  Holy  Trinity. 

Badges  of  Henry  VIII.  and  Catharine  of  Arragon,  appear  in  the 
south  aisle,  as  the  portcullis,  pomegranates,  a  rose  charged  with  a  bend, 
&c.  At  the  spring  of  the  arch,  at  the  east  end  of  the  aisle,  are  a  Jleur 
de  lis,  heads  of  lions,  roses,  &c.  opposite  to  which  is  the  Martyrdom  of 
St.  Catharine.  In  one  of  the  windows  also,  over  the  arms  of  Plantage- 
net,  is  the  figure  of  St.  Catharine,  with  her  right  hand  on  a  wheel,  and 
her  left  resting  on  a  naked  sword.  Of  the  arms  in  the  roof  of  this  aisle, 
one  belonged  to  the  Heggs,  a  family  which  flourished  here  as  early  as 
Edward  III.,  another  to  the  Yaldyns  of  the  same  period. 

The  Benefaction  of  Henry  and  his  Queen  was  probably  made  about 
1521,  when  they  passed  through  Thaxted,  on  their  way  to  Easton  Lodge, 
or  Horeham  Hall.  On  the  roof  of  the  south  aisle  are  seen  the  water 
bougets,  and  bourchier  knot,  the  well  known  cognizances  of  Henry,  Earl 
of  Essex,  temp.  Henry  VIII. 

The  Nave,  or  Body  of  this  Church,  appears  not  to  have  sufficient 
width  in  proportion  to  its  length,  when  compared  with  the  aisles.  The 
pillars  also  which  support  it  are  plain,  and  the  arches  heavy ;  but  the 
beautiful  windows  in  the  clerestory  amply  recompense  these  defects. 

PLATE  III.— VIEW  OF  THE  EAST  END,  INTERIOR. 

The  period  of  the  erection  of  the  Chancel  may  be  ascertained  by  an 
examination  of  the  armorial  bearings  in  the  various  parts.  Besides  many 
of  the  badges  of  the  House  of  York,  in  the  windows  of  the  north  aisle 
are  the  royal  arras  of  Edward  IV.  almost  entire,  with  the  remains  of 
other  shields,  containing  the  arms  and  quarterings  of  Plantagenet, 
March,  Ulster,  and  Geneville,  fragments  of  a  male,  and  a  female  figure, 
&c.  The  carvings  on  the  reading  desks  represent  heads  and  paws  of 
lions,  dragons,  pelicans,  roses,  falcons,  and  swans,  together  with  a  con- 
tinued series  of  griffins  and  lions  placed  near  the  basement.  The  East 
window  is  now  filled  with  modern  painted  glass,  containing  the  arms  and 
cognizances  from  the  roof  of  the  church. 
4 


THAXSTEB)     CBLlTmCH 

If  OBTH     y  ORC  H 


:e.££raitS  STSl^alffria^^  ^-■. 


THAXTED   CHURCH,   ESSEX. 

Niches  and  piscias,  still  remaining  iu  the  transepts,  and  at  the  east 
ends  of  the  aisles  of  the  chancel,  belonged  to  distinct  chapels.  Two 
of  these  were  called  The  Chapel  of  the  Holy  Trinity,  and  St.  Anne's 
Chapel ;  a  third,  from  the  ornaments  upon  the  roof,  made,  it  appears,  at 
the  expense  of  Thomas  Drought,  and  Agnes  his  wife,  may  have  been  a 
Chapel  of  our  Lady,  and  the  fourth  probably  belonged  to  St.  John  the 
Baptist,  whose  Guild,  and  that  of  the  Holy  Rood,  were  the  principal. 
According  to  some  authorities  the  Church  was  originally  dedicated  to 
St.  John  the  Baptist,  though  others  mention  the  Virgin  Mary  and  St. 
Lawrence  for  its  patrons.  Besides  the  High  Altar,  with  the  lights  be- 
fore the  Crucifix  in  the  Rood  Loft,  there  were  iu  this  Church  the  Altar 
of  St.  Lawrence,  with  Our  Lady's  light  there ;  the  Altars  of  St.  Mar- 
garet and  St.  Thomas,  of  Canterbury ;  and  the  lights  of  St.  James,  St. 
Catharine,  The  Holy  Virgin,  St.  George  the  Martyr,  and  St.  Peter. 
The  best  piece  of  painted  glass  in  the  Church  has  been  at  the  east  end 
of  the  north  aisle  of  the  Chancel ;  the  subject  is  Abraham  going  to  oflFer 
his  Son,  and  enough  of  it  is  left  to  make  us  wish  the  whole  was  re- 
maining. 

The  tradition  of  a  miracle  that  was  wrought  here,  is  said  to  be  com- 
memorated by  the  following  inscription  : 

psi  t])t  .JEiraficn  of  our 

;|)})CiijpDe  bp  anc^  ©Enttnortl). 

The  painting  to  which  this  served  as  a  title  is  defaced,  but  the  person 
who  gave  it  a  place  in  the  Church,  was  of  the  family  of  Wentworth,  to 
whom,  from  the  18th  year  of  Edward  IV.,  a  fourth  part  of  the  Manor  of 
Thaxtcd  belonged. 

The  following  Inventory  occurs  amongst  the  parish  papers,  and  seems 
to  have  been  taken  on  the  Guild  day  of  the  Saints  mentioned  in  it,  by 
the  fraternity  who  had  the  superintendence  of  their  altar. 

Memorandum  that  theis  be  the  Rudiments '  perteyning  to  Our  Lady,  and 

Our  Lady  Anny. 

Imprimis :  A  Book  and  Chalice. 

Item  :  A  Vestment  of  red,  and  anodyr  of  purpull,  and  the  third  of  murreyn,  with  all  the 

thyngs  perteyning  to  theym  except  Gyrdill. 
One  Garment  of  blew  Vellvey t ;  a  crown,  with  stones  sett  in  silver ;  a  pair  of  Beids  of 

Curall,  with  Gawds  *  of  silver  with  silver  Tangs, '  six  Perils,  two  Walsyngham  Bruches.  ■* 
A  Garment  of  Black  Velvett,  with  one  pair  of  Beids  of  Jeitts,^  with  Gauds  of  silver  ;  two 

Stons  of  Cristal;  a  Tang  of  silver;  a  Walslngham  Broch. 
A  Pax  Brodd ;  two  Avytts  j^  a  Pelow  of  silk  ;  a  Covercloth  ;  a  Corprax ;'  two  Candilstyks 

with  Pyills,»  and  the  third  without  Pyills  ;  eight  Awtur  Clothes ;  three  Towels. 
Four  Suytts  of  Hangyngs  about  the  Auter ;  three  painted  Cloths. 

'  Roodments.  ®  Ornaments,  3  Taggs.  *  Broches,  sucli  as  our  Lady 

of  ^Valsingham  wore.  *  .Tett.  '  Books  containing  the  Ave  Bfary,  or  service  to 

the  Virgin.  '  A  paten  for  the  Holy  AVafers.  '  The  stem  between  the  socket 

and  foot  of  the  candlestick. 


THAXTED    CHURCH,    ESSEX. 

Tbe  Monks  of  Stoke  supplied  this  Church  with  chaplains,  until  Roger 
Niger,  Bishop  of  London,  caused  a  Vicarage  to  be  endowed  here  in 
the  reign  of  Henry  III.  There  was  a  Chantry  here  under  the  direction 
of  the  Guild  of  St.  John  the  Baptist,  from  the  time  of  Edward  III.  or 
sooner,  the  clear  value  of  which  at  the  suppression  was  9/.  lis.  l|d.,  of 
this  C/.  6s.  Sd.  was  paid  yearly  to  the  Chaplain. 

Besides  this  Chantry,  there  was  a  multitude  of  Obits,  of  which  the 
Vicar  had  the  celebration. 

There  was  formerly  an  Organ  in  this  Church,  which  appears  by  an 
entry,  10th  June,  3d  Edward  VI.  John  Aburforthe,  the  Churchwarden, 
charges  in  his  accounts,  1/.  6s.  8d.  for  a  year's  salary  paid  to  the  Organ 
player.  It  does  not  appear  when  this  Organ  was  erected,  but  most  pro- 
bably it  was  in  the  reign  of  Edward  IV.,  soon  after  the  completion  of 
the  Churcli.  In  1481,  Robert  AVedow,  Bachelor  in  Music,  was  made 
Vicar  here.  From  the  paintings  and  sculptures  in  and  about  the  great 
window  of  the  North  Transept,  many  of  which  have  allusion  to  music, 
that  part  of  the  Church  seems  to  have  been  intended  for  the  Organ,  and 
the  situation  of  the  pew  belonging  to  the  singers,  which  until  within  these 
few  years  adjoined  the  North  Transept,  makes  it  likely  that  this  was  the 
place  of  it. 

William  Humfrey,  by  his  will  dated  1498,  and  several  other  persons 
by  theirs,  direct  the  Dirge  and  Requiem  to  be  performed  according  to 
the  laudable  use  of  the  Town  of  Thaxted. 

In  1757,  and  the  following  year,  near  600  pounds  were  expended  in 
the  repair  of  the  Tower  and  Spire  of  this  Church;  on  which  occasion, 
for  the  aid  of  their  tenants  and  other  parishioners. 

The  Right  Honorable  Lord  Maynard  gave         .  .    £100 

Charles  Smyth,  Esq.  of  Hill  Hall         ...         25 
The  Governors  of  Guy's  Hospital  .  .  .20 

John  Wale,  Esq.  of  Colne  Priory         .  .  .10 

In  gratitude  for  which  donations  the  arras  of  these  benefactors  were 
erected  over  the  west  door,  by  a  voluntary  contribution  amongst  the 
principal  inhabitants  of  the  place.  Lord  Maynard  was  a  farther  bene- 
factor to  the  Church  in  the  year  17C5,  by  rebuilding  the  windows,  and 
otherwise  repairing  the  east  side  of  the  North  Porch. 

We  have  been  much  indebted  to  Mr.  A.  Clarence,  Surgeon,  Thaxted, 
for  the  loan  of  a  very  curious  Manuscript,  from  which  many  copious  ex- 
tracts have  been  made  for  this  Account. 

Charles  Lord  V^iscount  Maynard  is  the  patron,  and  the  Rev.  William 
Biggs,  A.  M.  is  the  present  curate. 


THEYDON  MOUNT,  ESSEX ; 

RECTOR, 
REV.  RICHARD  SMYTH,  A.M. 


Theydon  Mount  is  a  small  parish  distant  from  Epping  about  three 
miles,  it  received  its  name  from  standing  on  high  ground,  and  is  a  rec- 
tory appendant  to  the  manor.  The  Church  was  burnt  by  lightning,  and 
was  rebuilt  by  the  first  Sir  William  Smyth,  of  Hill  Hall.  In  the  Chan- 
cel, of  which  we  have  given  the  view  of  the  North  Side,  are  several 
costly  monuments  of  the  ancient  family  of  Smyth;  the  tomb  nearest  to 
the  altar,  on  the  right  hand  side  of  our  plate,  bears  the  following  in- 
scription, at  the  back  of  the  arch,  immediately  over  the  cumbent  figure. 

Thomas  Smithus  Eques  Auratus,  Hujus  Manerii  D'n's,  cum  Regis  Edvardi  sexti ; 
turn  Elizabetha;  Reginas  Consiliarius ;  ac  primi  nominis  secretarius,  eorundemque, 
Principum  ad  Maximos  Reges  legatus,  Nobilis  ordinis  Garterii  Cancellarius,  Arda;, 
Australisque  Claneboy  ia  Hibernia  Colonellus,  Juris  Civilis  supremo  titulo  etiam 
cum  adolescens  insignitus,  Orator,  Mathematicus,  Philosophus  excellentissimus, 
linguarum  Latinae,  Gra^ca;,  Hebraica?,  Gallica!  etiam  et  Italicae  calentissimus.  Pro- 
borum  et  ingeniosorum  homiuum  fautor  eximius  plurimus  commodans,  neminl  no- 
cens,  ab  injuriis  ulciscendis  alienissimus.  Deniq ;  sapientia,  pietate,  iijtegritate 
insignis,  et  in  orani  vita  seu  ager  seu  valens  intrepidus  mori,  cum  statis  sua;  65 
annum  complevisset  in  adibus  suis  Montaulensibus  12°  die  Augusti,  anno  salu- 
tis,  1577,  pie  et  suaviter  in  Domino  obdormivit. 

Beneath  the  effigies  of  the  knight,  is  the  following  words : 

Gloria  vitae  contractsE  celebrem  facit  in  terrae  visceribus  sepultum. 
Innocuus  vixi ;  si  me  post  funera  Ixdas 
Ccelesti  Domino  facta,  sceleste,  lues. 

Around  the  arch  of  the  canopy  of  the  monument  is  inscribed, 

What  yearth  or  sea  or  skies  contayne,  what  creatures  in  them  be. 
My  mind  did  seeke  to  know  the  Heavens  continually. 

Above  the  entablature,  on  the  top  of  the  monument,  is  the  arms  of  the 
family,  within  a  circular  compartment,  viz.  Sable,  a  fess  dancctte  argent 
billeti  of  the  first,  between  three  lions  rampant  gardant  of  the  second,  each 
suppmting  an  altar  or,  flaming  proper.  Over  the  arras  is  the  crest.  A 
salamander  in  flames  proper.  Around  the  coat  is  this  motto,  seemingly 
allusive  of  the  crest, 

TabiScus  quam  vis  serpens  oppressarit  ignem 
Qua  ta'.ntn  erumpendi  sit  data  copia  lucet. 


ST.  MICHAELS  CHURCH,  THEYDON  MOUNT,  ESSEX. 

On  the  south  side  of  the  Chancel,  opposite  to  the  monument  above  de- 
scribed, is  another  very  superb,  and  probably  the  most  expensive  in  the 
Church,  to  the  memory  of  Sir  MlUiam  Smyth,  Knt.,  of  Hill  Hall,  who 
rebuilt  this  Church,  and  died  12th  December,  1626,  at.  76.  Both  the 
knight  and  his  lady  are  represented  by  cumbent  figures,  as  well  as  their 
three  sons  and  four  daughters,  who  are  all  placed  beneath  in  the  atti- 
tude of  devotion. 

The  altar-tomb,  seen  in  our  view  on  the  left  hand  side  of  the  plate, 
bears  the  following  inscription  in  the  centre  panel  of  the  front. 

Here  lieth  the  body  of  Sir  William  Smyth,  Knt.,  sonne  of  Sir  William  Smyth,  of 
Theydon  Jlount,  in  the  county  of  Essex  :  where,  after  many  sweet  expressions  of 
his  confidence  ia  the  mercies  of  his  Saviour,  in  the  two  and  thirtieth  year  of  his 
age,  he  peaceably  slept  in  our  Lord  Jesus. 

He  had  two  wives,  the  first,  Helegenwagh,  the  daughter  of  the  Right  Hon.  Ed- 
ward Viscount  Conway  ;  by  her  he  had  one  only  sonne  and  heir,  Edward,  and  two 
daughters.  The  second,  Anne,  descended  of  the  ancient  family  of  Crofts,  in  Hert- 
fordshire, is  yet  living,  who  as  a  testimony  of  her  loyall  affection,  erected  this 
to  the  memory  of  her  dear  consort  deceased,  on  the  5th  March,  1631. 

His  effigy,  with  those  of  his  two  wives,  are  placed  upon  the  tomb ;  the 
latter  represented  kneeling  in  attitudes  of  devotion. 

The  mural  monument  over  the  last-mentioned,  is  thus  inscribed : 

Sir  Edward  Smyth,  of  Hill  Hall,  in  the  county  of  Essex,  BarL,  son  of  Sir  Thomas 
Smyth,  of  tlie  same  place,  BarL,  who  married  Jane,  the  only  daughter  of  Peter 
Vandeput,  Esq.,  late  of  the  city  of  London,  merchant.  He  had  by  her  several 
children,  who  all  died  young,  except  his  son  Sir  Edward  Smyth,  who  erected  this 
monument  to  the  pious  memory  of  his  most  dear  father,  who  departed  this  life 
the  24th  day  of  June,  1713,  aged  76.  Daihe  Jane  departed  this  life,  Jan.  28, 
1720,  aged  67. 

Nearer  to  the  altar  of  the  Church,  against  the  same  wall,  is  another 
monument,  belonging  to  the  same  family,  with  this  inscription  : 

Here  lies  the  body  of  Sir  Edward  Smyth,  Bart.,  of  Hill  Hall,  in  this  parish,  son  of 
Sir  Edward  Smyth,  and  Jane,  daughter  of  Peter  Vandeput,  Esq.,  whom  his  com- 
panions well  knew  to  be  a  man  of  integrity,  strict  justice,  and  good  morals.  He 
had  two  wives,  the  first  Anne,  daughter  of  the  Right  Hon.  Sir  Charles  Hedges, 
Secretary  of  State,  by  whom  he  had  five  sons  and  one  daughter.  And  Elizabeth, 
daughter  of  John  Wood,  of  London,  Esq. 

The  estate  was  formerly  in  the  possession  of  the  family  of  Hampden. 
Sir  John  Hampden  married  Philippa,  daughter  of  John  Wilford,  of  Lou- 
don, by  whom  he  left  no  issue.  After  his  decease,  she  became  the  se- 
cond wife  of  Sir  Thomas  Smythe,  Secretary  of  State  to  Queen  Eliza- 
beth, and  in  his  descendants  the  living  now  remains.  The  present  Rector 
is  brother  of  the  late  patron,  Sir  William  Smyth,  Bart,  many  years 
Colonel  of  the  West  Essex  Militia,  who  departed  this  life  1st  May, 
1823,  OBt.  77.  There  is  a  monument  erected  to  his  memory  in  the  south 
aisle,  corresponding  with  that  of  his  father  and  mother  in  the  north  aisle. 
2 


I 


Bt  fames'  C!)utc!j, 

CAMPDEN,  GLOUCESTERSHIRE. 

VICARAGE,    VACANT. 


Campden  is  celebrated  in  the  early  period  of  history  as  the  traditional 
place  of  Congress  of  all  the  kings  of  the  Saxon  Heptarchy,  where  they 
deliberated  upon  the  best  mode  of  carrying  on  the  war  with  the  Britons ; 
the  town  is  situated  in  a  fertile  and  well  cultivated  valley,  twenty-eight 
miles  north-east  from  the  city  of  Gloucester. 

The  Church  is  a  magnificent  structure,  worthy  of  the  period  in  which 
it  was  erected,  which,  from  the  style  of  the  architecture,  tradition,  and 
other  circumstances,  is  supposed  to  have  been  about  the  beginning  of 
the  reign  of  Richard  II.  The  massive  and  ornamented  Tower,  its  grand 
feature,  rises  in  very  fine  proportion,  the  height  of  105  feet  to  the  upper 
mouldings,  exclusive  of  the  open  embattled  parapet,  enriched  with  pin- 
nacles, twelve  in  number,  which  give  an  aerial  lightness  to  the  structure: 
this  Tower  contains  a  very  fine  peal  of  eight  bells.  The  whole  length  of 
the  Church,  from  the  west  to  the  east  end,  is  130  feet,  and  the  width  of 
the  Nave  and  side  Aisles  is  57  feet ;  the  height  of  the  Nave  is  60  feet. 
The  Chancel  is  spacious,  and  underwent  a  considerable  repair  in  the 
reign  of  Charles  I.,  at  the  expense  of  Sir  Baptist  Hicks,  the  first 
Lord  Campden.  He  also  built  the  wall  round  the  Church-yard,  presented 
the  Communion  plate,  gave  the  decorations  for  the  Pulpit,  and  a  large 
brass  eagle,  which  stands  in  the  middle  of  the  Church,  and  holds  a 
Bible.  Lord  Campden  also  endowed  the  Vicarage  with  ^art  of  the 
great  tythes  of  Winfrith  and  West  Lulworth,  in  Dorsetshire. 

On  the  north  side  of  the  Chancel  is  a  curious  monument  of  stone, 
very  finely  sculptured,  to  the  memory  of  Thomas  Smith,  Esq.,  to  whom 
the  Manor  of  Campden  was  granted  by  Queen  Elizabeth ;  he  died  in 
1593. 

In  the  middle  of  a  Chapel  on  the  south  side  stands  a  most  magnificent 
monument,  bearing  the  effigies  of  Viscount  Campden  and  his  Lady.  On 
the  north  side  of  the  tomb  is  the  following  : 

To  the  memorie  of  her  deaie  and  deceased  Husband,  Baptist  Lord  Hicks,  Viscount 
Campden,  borne  of  a  worthy  family  in  the  Citie  of  London ;  who,  by  the  blessing 
of  God  on  his  ingenious  endeavors,  arose  to  an  ample  estate,  and  to  the  foresaid 
degrees  of  honour :  and,  out  of  those  blessings,  disposed  to  Charitable  uses,  in  his 
lifetime,  a  large  portion  to  the  value  of  10,000i.,  who  lived  religiously,  vertuously, 
and  generously,  to  the  age  of  78  yeares,  and  died  Octo.  18,  1629. 
1 


ST.   JAMES'   CHURCH,    CAMPDEN. 

ELIZABETH,   VISCOUNTESSE   CAMPDEN, 

His  deare  Consort,  borne  of  the  family  of  the  Rlays ;  lived  his  Wife  in  all  peace  and 
contentment,  the  space  of  45  years ;  leaving  issue  by  her  said  Lord  and  Husband 
two  daughters,  Juliana,  married  to  Edward  Lord  Noel,  now  Viscount  Campden, 
and  Mary,  married  to  Sir  Charles  Morison,  Kut.,  and  Baronett,  hath  piously  and 
carefully  caused  this  monument  to  be  erected  as  a  testimonie  of  their  mutuall  love, 
where  both  their  bodies  may  rest  together  in  expectation  of  a  joyfuU  resurrection. 

On  the  south  side  the  monument  is  an  inscription  reciting  the  benefits 
he  conferred  upon  this  town,  addressed,  "Ad  Terrain  Campdenicam." 

In  the  same  Chapel,  upon  the  south  side,  is  a  monument,  with  the  effi- 
gies of  Lord  and  Lady  Campden  :  upon  two  folding  doors,  on  each  side 
of  them,  are  the  following  inscriptions  : 

This  monument  is  erected  to  preserve  the  memory  and  po>irtrai(  of  the  Right  Honor- 
able Sir  Edward  Noel,  \'icount  Campden.  Baron  Noel  of  Ridlington  and  Hicks  of 
Ilmington,  a  Lord  of  heroic  high  parts  and  presence.  He  was  Knight  Banneret  in 
the  wars  of  Ireland,  being  young,  and  then  created  Baronet,  anno  lOH.  He  was 
afterwards  made  Baron  of  Ridlington.  The  other  titles  came  unto  him  by  right  of 
Dame  Juliana,  his  wife,  who  stands  collaterall  to  him  in  this  monument ;  a  lady  of 
extraordinary  great  endowments,  both  of  virtue  and  fortune.  This  goodly  Lord 
died  at  Oxford  at  the  beginning  of  the  late  fatal  Civil  Wars,  whither  he  went  to 
serve  and  assist  his  Souverain  Prince,  Charles  the  First.  And  so  was  exalted  to 
the  kingdome  of  glory,  8"  Martii,  1642. 

The  Lady  Juliana,  eldest  daughter  and  ro-heir  of  that  mirror  of  his  time.  Sir 
Baptist  Hicks,  Viscount  Campden  ;  she  was  married  to  that  noble  Lord,  who  is 
here  engraven  by  her ;  by  whom  she  had  Baptist,  Lord  \'iscount  Campden,  now 
living,  who  is  blessed  with  a  numerous  and  gallant  issue  ;  Henry,  her  second  son, 
died  a  prisoner,  for  his  loyalty  to  his  Prince.  Her  eldest  daughter,  Elizabeth,  was 
married  to  John,  Viscount  Chaworth.  Mary,  her  second  daughter,  to  the  very 
noble  Knight,  Sir  Erasmus  de  la  Fontaine  ;  Penelope,  her  youngest  daughter,  died 
a  maid.  This  excellent  Lady,  for  the  pious  and  unparalleled  affections  she  re- 
tained to  the  memory  of  her  deceased  Lord,  caused  this  stately  monument  to  be 
erected  in  her  lifetime,  in  September,  Anno  Dom.  1664. 

A  beautiful  monument  fixed  to  the  wall  at  the  east  end  of  this  Chapel, 
commemorates  Penelope  Noel,  their  daughter,  who  died  May  17,  1633. 

At  the  east  end  of  the  north  Aisle  is  a  large  altar-tomb  for  Mr.  Robert 
Lilly,  uncle  to  the  celebrated  astrologer  of  that  name  ;  he  died  21st  of 
October,  1036,  aet.  54 ;  there  is  also  a  neat  monument  to  AViliiam  Bar- 
tholomew, A.  M.,  Vicar  of  this  Church,  who  died  11th  October,  1600, 

■Ml.  J6. 

lu  the  middle  Aisle  is  a  marble  slab  inlaid  with  brass,  and  with  the 
effigies  of  "  Wilelmus  Grevel*  de  Campedeni  quondam  Civis  Londini  et 
tlos  m'cator.  lanar.  totius  Anglie,  qui  ob.  1401,"  and  of  "  Mariona  uxor 
predict!  Wilelmi,  qui  ob.  1386." 

We  are  much  indebted  to  the  Rev.  W.  Spooner,  the  late  Vicar  of 
this  Church,  and  to  the  Rev.  R.  O.  Wilson,  the  resident  Curate,  for 
their  corrections  in  this  account. 

*  Tradition  relates,  that  he  built  the  tower  and  a  considerable  part  of  the  Church  at  his 
own  expense.    A  curious  old  house  in  the  town  is  still  shewn  as  the  habitation  of  Lis  family. 


• 
# 


%i)t  Cf)urt})  of  ^t.  Jofin  tije  Baptist, 

CIRENCESTER,  GLOUCESTERSHIRE ; 

VICAR, 
THE  REV.  HENRY  ANTHONY  PYE. 


The  Town  of  Cirencester  was  accounted  the  metropolis  of  the  large 
province  of  the  Dobuni  amongst  the  ancient  Britons,  and  was  called 
Corinium  Dobunoriim  by  the  Romans.  It  was  an  eminent  station  for 
the  Roman  armies,  and  it  is  even  said  that  the  Emperor  Constantine 
was  crowned  King  of  the  Britons  here.  Canute,  after  his  return  from 
Denmark  in  the  year  1020,  held  a  general  council  of  the  kingdom,  at 
Easter,  in  this  town,  wherein  Ethelwold  was  outlawed.  Cirencester  was 
also  remarkable  in  ancient  times  for  its  ecclesiastical  history,  a  college 
having  been  founded  here  in  the  period  of  the  Anglo-Saxons,  of  which 
Rumbald,  Chancellor  of  England,  was  Dean  in  the  reign  of  Edward  the 
Confessor.  King  Henry  I.  repaired  the  College,  and  built  a  Monastery  for 
Black  Canons  of  the  order  of  St.  Augustine  in  the  year  1117,  which  was 
dedicated  to  St.  Mary  and  St.  James,  and  endowed  with  a  large  revenue. 
This  was  a  Mitred  Abbey,  and  had  place  in  Parliament:  twenty-nine 
abbots  in  succession  governed  this  monastery,  which  at  the  dissolution 
was  valued  at  1,0.57/.  7s.  lid.  per  annum. 

The  Church  of  St.  John  the  Baptist,  of  which  we  have  given  three 
Views,  is  considered  to  be  one  of  the  most  magnificent  parochial  edi- 
fices in  the  kingdom  ;  there  were  formerly  two  other  churches  in  this 
town,  St.  Cecilia  and  St.  Lawrence,  situated  in  the  streets  still  called  by 
those  names.  The  former  is  now  a  private  dwelling,  and  the  latter  was 
converted  into  an  hospital,  the  mastership  of  which  had  been  granted  by 
privy  seal  for  life,  and  tlie  family  of  the  Georges  were  long  masters 
thereof. — Atkyns's  Hist.  p.  180. 

St.  John's  Church  consists  of  a  large  Body,  or  Nave,  seventy-seven 
feet  in  length  by  seventy-four  feet  in  breadth,  including  its  lateral  aisles ; 
a  Chancel,  fifty  feet  long,  and  twenty-four  broad  ;  a  lofty,  well  propor- 
tioned Tower,  crowned  with  enriched  battlements,  and  surmounted  by 
pinnacles  at  the  angles,  rises  at  the  west  end^  and  handsome  Porches  on 
the  north  and  south  sides ;  adjoining  to  the  Body  and  Chancel  are  five 
chapels,  dedicated  to  Jesus,  St.  John,  St.  Catharine,  St.  Mary,  and  the 
Holy  Trinity. 

The  South  Porch,  Plate  I.,  is  very  large  and  lofty,  having  its  front 
towards  the  Market  Place.    It  was  erected  in  the  early  part  of  the  reign 
of  Henry  VIII.,  when  Aveline,  the  aunt  of  Thomas  Ruthall,  Bishop  of 
1 


f 


ST.  JOHN'S   CHURCH,    CIRENCESTER,   GLOUCESTERSHIRE. 

Durham,  a  native  ofthis  town,  gave  a  hundred  marks  towards  the  building. 
His  mother  also  and  the  parishioners  contributed  largely  to  its  completion. 
Over  the  entrance  to  the  Church  is  the  Town  Hall,  where  the  General 
Sessions  are  often  held.  Anciently  the  Porches  of  our  Churches  were,  it 
is  known,  occasionally  used  for  holding  temporal  courts,  but  more  fre- 
quently a  priest  was  accustomed  to  educate  the  children  of  the  parish  in 
the  Porch,  whence  it  was  sometimes  called  the  Parvise,  a  Purvis  pueris 
ibi  edoctis.     Chaucer,  Prol.  9,  alluding  to  both  customs,  speaks  of 

a  Serjeant  at  Hain,  toare  an&  toi.sic, 
arijat  i)aD  often  been  at  tfie  g»prVii^e. 

The  Acolites  in  ancient  times  addressed  the  congregation  from  the  Porch 
previous  to  their  entering  the  Church,  and  Marriages  were  partly  per- 
formed in  the  Porch,  whence  the  bride's  dower  was  denominated  Dos 
ad  ostiu77i  Ecclesice. 

On  each  side  of  the  entrance  are  large  chambers,  now  converted  into 
mean  dwellings ;  the  ceiling  of  the  entrance  is  groined  with  pendents 
and  fan  tracery,  very  rich. 

Plate  II.  is  a  view  of  the  East  end  of  the  Church  from  the  Church- 
yard, and  which  shews  the  various  forms  of  the  east  windows  of  the 
Chancel,  Jesus  Chapel,  and  the  Chapel  of  St.  Mary,  erected  at  different 
periods;  over  these  are  seen  the  rich  battlements  of  the  body  of  the  Church, 
and  its  noble  Tower.  Near  the  door,  in  the  South  Aisle,  is  the  ancient 
Font,  a  modern  Font  has  been  placed  at  the  west  end  of  the  Centre 
Aisle.  The  Organ  is  at  the  east  end,  occupying,  as  is  usual  in  Ca- 
thedrals, the  place  over  the  screen.  The  Body  of  the  Church  is  so 
crowded  with  pews  and  partitions  of  modern  erection,  as  to  destroy 
much  of  the  beautiful  effect  of  the  building  when  in  its  less  encumbered 
state;  much,  however,  is  to  be  admired  in  the  bold  moulding  of  the  arches 
of  the  Nave  and  the  groining  of  the  ceiling.  A  large  and  richly  mullioned 
window  at  the  west  end  contains  some  very  fine  specimens  of  ancient 
painted  glass  ;  there  is  also  another  window,  so  adorned,  at  tlie  east  end 
over  the  altar.  On  one  window  are  delineated  the  full  length  effigies  of 
Peter,  King  of  Castile;  of  Richard,  Duke  of  York;  of  Thomas,  Duke  of 
Surrey;  of  Richard,  Earl  of  Salisbury;  and  of  Sir  John  Jenevill;  the 
latter  of  whom  was  buried  in  this  Church.  In  an  east  window  of  the 
North  Aisle  is  a  large  full  length  representation  of  Richard,  Duke  of 
York,  Earl  of  Cambridge,  &c.  Ac.  in  his  paternal  coat  armour,  having 
upon  the  pommel  of  his  sword  the  arms  of  Mortimer,  Earl  of  JMarch. 

One  Window  so  decorated  is  esteemed  a  great  curiosity ;  it  contains 
figures  of  all  the  ecclesiastical  orders  of  the  Church  of  Rome,  from  the 
Pope  to  the  Mendicant  Friar. 

In  the  Chancel  is  a  monumental  inscription,  exhibiting  the  very  essence 
of  true  poetry  ; 
3 


ST.  JOHN'S   CHURCH,   CIRENCESTER,   GLOUCESTERSHIRE. 

M.  S. 

Egregii  Juvenis 

RADULPH    WILLET   SELFE. 

Vultu  honesto, 

Pectore  Generoso, 

IMoribus  placidissimis. 

Annum  agens  decimum  sextum  : 

Caras  parentibus, 

Cams  preceptoribus, 

Virtute  quam  annis  maturior. 

Diem  obiit  supremum  xi  Kal.  Feb.  mdcclviii. 

Vale  Anima  dulcissima ! 

Against  one  of  the  pillars  on  the  north  side  of  the  Church  near  the 
Altar  is  the  Pulpit,  of  stone,  with  sculptured  mouldings  and  panels. 

Jesus  Chapel,  at  the  east  end  of  the  south  aisle,  is  small,  being  not 
more  than  twelve  feet  long,  and  nine  feet  broad  ;  near  this  is  the  Cha- 
pel dedicated  to  St.  John,  which  is  thirty-four  feet  by  twenty-four,  and 
contains,  on  the  north  side,  a  large  and  handsome  Monument  to  the  me- 
mory of  George  Monox,  Esq.,  a  native  of  this  town,  to  which  he  was 
also  a  great  benefactor.  He  was  an  eminent  merchant,  and  Sheriff  of 
London,  and  died  in  the  year  1638. 

St.  Catharine's  Chapel,  on  the  north  side  of  the  Chancel,  was  founded 
by  Thomas  Ruthall,  Bishop  of  Durham,  in  the  reign  of  Henry  VIII., 
and  the  immediate  predecessor  of  Cardinal  Wolsey  in  that  See.  He 
was  a  person  remarkable  for  his  learning  and  prudence,  and  was  exe- 
cutor to  Henry  VII.,  and  afterwards  privy-counsellor  to  Henry  VIII. ; 
he  died  at  his  palace  in  London,  in  the  year  1522,  and  lies  buried  in 
the  Chapel  of  St.  John  the  Baptist,  in  Westminster  Abbey.*  This  Cha- 
pel is  fifty-four  feet  long,  and  only  thirteen  feet  wide;  the  roof  is  most 
beautifully  groined  with  fan  tracery  sculptured  in  stone.  St.  Mary's 
Chapel,  longer  than  any  of  the  before-mentioned,  is  upon  the  north-east, 
having  St.  Catharine's  Chapel  on  the  south  side  of  it.  It  was  anciently 
endowed  with  great  revenues  ;  the  Chapel  is  forty-seven  feet  long,  and 
twenty-one  feet  broad,  and  contains  a  large  monument  to  the  memory 
of  Humphrey  Brydges  and  his  wife,  both  great  benefactors  to  the  town 
of  Cirencester :  he  died  in  the  year  1598. 

There  is  also,  in  the  same  Chapel,  a  very  handsome  monument  of  Sir 
William  Master,  Knt.,  of  Cirencester,  and  Alice  his  wife,  the  daughter 
of  Edward  Estcourt,  Esq.,  of  Salisbury.  Sir  William  was  High  Sheriff 
of  Gloucestershire,  in  1627,  and  was  distinguished  for  his  piety,  pru- 
dence, and  loyalty,  throughout  the  great  rebellion,  in  which  he  was 
sequestered,  and  compounded  for  1,483Z.  He  served  in  parliament  for 
this  borough,  and  died  in  1661. 

Under  the  above  is  an  alabaster  figure  of  the  eldest  son  of  Sir  Wil- 
liam.    Thomas  Master,  Esq.,  who  married  Elizabeth,  sister  of  Sir  Tho- 

*  His  Monument  is  engraved  in  Neale's  History  of  Westminster  Abbey,  vol.  ii. 
3 


ST.   JOHN'S    CHURCH,    CIRENCESTER,    GLOUCESTERSHIRE. 

mas  Dyke,  Bart.,  of  Horsham  in  Sussex,  and  also  served  in  parliament 
for  Cirencester  :  he  died  in  tlie  year  1C80. 

Trinity  Chapel,  of  which  we  have  given  a  View,  looking  east,  in 
Plate  III.,  is  a  fine  specimen  of  pointed  architecture,  with  windows  of 
painted  glass,  and  a  beautifully  carved  oak  ceiling  supported  by  brackets 
springing  from  figures  of  angels  holding  shields.  The  Staircase  and  Gal- 
lery, represented  on  the  right  of  the  View,  lead  to  the  Pew  belonging 
to  Earl  Bathurst's  family,  many  of  the  ancestors  of  whom  lie  buried  in 
the  vault  underneath  this  Chapel. 

Upon  a  very  handsome  ftlonunient,  against  the  east  wall,  erected  to 
the  memory  of  Allen,  Earl  Bathurst,  who  died  after  only  a  few  days' 
illness,  at  his  seat  near  tliis  town,  is  the  following  inscription : — 

Near  this  are  deposited  the  remains  of 

Allen,  Earl  Bathuist,  and  Catherine,  Lady  Bathurst. 

In  the  Legislative  and  Judicial  Department 

of  the  Great  Council  of  the  Nation,  he  served 

Hia  cotintry  69  j'ears,  with  Honour,  Ability,  and  Diligence. 

Judgment  and  Taste  directed  his  Learning, 

Humanity  tempered  his  \\'it. 

Benevolence  guided  sdl  his  Actions. 

He  died  regretted  by  most,  and  praised  by  all, 

the  16th  day  of  Sept.  1775,  aged  91. 

Catherine,  his  Consort,  by  her  milder 

Virtues,  added  lustre  to  his  Great  Qualities ; 

Her  Domestic  OLConomy  extended 

His  Liberality ; 

Her  Judicious  Charity,  his  IMunificence  ; 

Her  Prudent  Government  of  her  Family,  his 

Hospitality. 

She  received  the  reward  of  her  exemplary  life 

the  8th  of  June,  1768,  aged  79. 

Married,  July  6th,  1704. 

There  are  many  other  Monuments  of  this  noble  family  in  Trinity 
Chapel,  where  is  also  an  inscription  in  brass,  inlaid  in  marble  for  Wil- 
liam Prelate,  Esq.,  a  special  benefactor  to  the  Chapel:  he  died  in  the 
year  1462. 

Gumbald,  the  Chancellor  before  mentioned,  lies  buried  in  the  body  of 
the  Church,  with  an  inscription  on  his  gravestone,  implying  that  Rum- 
bald  the  Chancellor  lies  buried  there.  Two  of  the  ancient  Barons  St. 
Amand,  Lords  of  the  Manor  of  South  Cerney,  are  interred  in  the  Pres- 
bytery. 

The  heart  of  Sanchia,  wife  of  Richard,  Earl  of  Cornwall  and  King  of 
the  Romans,  was  also  buried  in  the  Presbytery  ;  she  was  the  daughter 
of  Beatrix,  Countess  of  Provence,  and  sister  to  both  the  Queens  of  Eng- 
land and  France. 

There  is  an  inscription  upon  a  marble  slab,  in  the  South  Aisle,  to  the 
memory  of  Sir  William  Nottingham,  Knt.,  and  his  wife.     He  died  in 
the  year  1427. 
4 


.*^-^>- 


Dra-wn  ty  J.  p.  !Keale . 


%ljt  '^hht^  CJiutc!)  of  ^t.  iHarp, 

TEWKESBURY,   GLOUCESTERSHIRE; 

VICAR, 
THE  REV.  CHARLES  WHITE,  A.  M. 


The  ancient  conventual  Church  of  Tewkesbury  presents  several  distinct 
claims  to  the  notice  of  the  man  of  taste  and  the  antiquary;  as  a  build- 
ing it  exhibits  the  striking  peculiarities  of  the  Anglo-Norman  style  of  ar- 
chitecture in  a  very  prominent  degree.  The  massive  Tower,  and  beauti- 
ful western  Front,  must  be  considered  as  singularly  fine,  and  nearly  per- 
fect, examples  of  the  embellishments  used  at  that  remote  period,  while 
the  Choir,  and  other  additions  to  the  edifice,  constructed  in  later  times, 
are  no  less  interesting  specimens  of  the  pointed  arch.  The  magnificent 
monuments  within  its  walls,  are  more  numerous  and  costly  than  are 
usually  to  be  found,  and  the  Church  is  remarkable  in  its  decoration  for 
a  very  fin«  genealogical  series  of  portraits  of  the  Clares,  Earls  of  Glouces- 
ter, and  of  the  family  of  De  Spenser,  bpnefactors  to  the  Abbey,  executed 
in  stained  glass,  which,  from  its  early  date,  is  one  of  the  most  satisfac- 
tory references  for  Baronial  costume  to  be  obtained  in  the  kingdom. 

This  Church  was  one  amongst  many  splendid  structures,  which, 
abounding  in  this  county  in  former  times,  gave  rise  to  the  well  known 
but  profane  proverb.  As  sure  as  God's  in  Gloucestershire,  the  superstitious 
sense  of  which  is  explained  by  Ray,  to  suppose  God,  by  his  gracious 
presence,  peculiarly  fixed  in  this  county,  wherein  there  were  more  and 
richer  Mitred  Abbeys  than  in  any  two  Shires  of  England  besides. 

According  to  the  best  authorities,  it  appears  that  so  early  as  the  year 
715,  a  Church  and  Priory,  dedicated  to  the  Virgin  Mother,  were 
founded  on  this  spot,  by  Odo  and  Dodo,  or  Thodo,  D  and  Th  being  sy- 
nonymous in  the  Saxon,  two  brothers,  then  Lords  of  the  manor,  who  en- 
dowed their  Foundation  with  the  Manor  of  Stanway,  in  this  county,  and 
other  possessions,  sufficient  to  maintain  a  Prior  and  four  or  five  monks, 
who  were  of  the  Benedictine  Order,  which  was  the  first  Order  established 
in  Britain,  and  almost  the  only  one  settled  here  before  the  Conquest. 

The  Church  is  situated  within  the  ancient  Kingdom  of  Mercia,  in  what 
is  now  a  beautiful  and  fertile  plain,  in  the  Vale  of  Evesham,  on  the 
banks  of  the  Avon,  near  its  confluence  with  the  river  Severn,  at  the  dis- 
tance of  eleven  miles  from  the  City  of  Gloucester.  It  is  called  Teode- 
chesberie  in  Domesday  Boke. 

After  the  Conquest,  the  Manor  of  Tewkesbury,  which  had  been  seizedby 


ABBEY    CHURCH    OF  ST.   MARY,   TEWKESBURY,    GLOUCESTERSHIRE. 

King  William,  was  granted  by  his  son,  Eufus,  to  Sir  Robert  Fitz  Hamon, 
a  powerful  Baron,  son  of  Hamon  Dentatus,  Lord  of  Corboile,  in  Nor- 
mandy, who  at  the  instigation  of  Sybil,  his  wife,  and  Girald,  Abbot  of 
Cranbourne,  in  Dorsetshire,  refouuded  the  Abbey  Church,  and  endowed 
it  with  large  possessions.  "  It  cannot,"  saith  William  of  Malmsbury, 
"  be  easily  conceived  how  much  Robert  Fitz  Hamon  adorned  and  beau- 
tified this  Monastery,  where  the  stateliness  of  the  buildings  ravished  the 
eyes,  and  the  pious  charity  of  the  ISIonks  the  affections  of  all  persons 
that  came  thither."  The  style  of  the  Founder  of  Tewkesbury  Abbey, 
was,  Sir  Robert  Fitz  Hamon,  by  the  Grace  of  God,  Prince  of  Glamor- 
gan, Earl  of  Corboile,  Baron  of  Thorigny,  and  Granville,  Lord  of  Glou- 
cester, Bristol,  Tewkesbury,  and  Caerdiffe,  Conqueror  of  Wales,  near 
kinsman  to  the  King,  and  General  of  his  Highness's  army  in  France. 

After  many  very  gallant  exploits,  the  Lord  Fitz  Hamon  was  at  length 
slain  at  the  siege  of  Falaise,  in  Normandy,  in  1107,  the  seventh  year  of 
the  reign  of  King  Henry  I.,  and  was  buried  in  the  Chapter  House ;  but 
his  remains  were  afterwards  removed  into  the  Church,  on  the  north  side 
of  the  chancel,  in  the  year  1241,  by  Abbot  Robert,  who  interred  them 
in  a  tomb  of  giey  marble,  inlaid  with  his  figure  in  brass,  which  was  af- 
terwards surrounded  by  a  screen  of  stone,  in  the  time  of  Abbot  Parker; 
when,  round  the  tomb,  was  painted  this  inscription,  not  now  legible. 

3jn  ijita  CapcUa  jacct  ©n.s  iiobcrtu.ji  iriUu^  V^amonis! 
Ifujus  E-Oci  f unDator. 

'  King  Henry,  unwilling  so  great  an  estate  should  be  divided  amongst 
his  four  daughters,  reserved  the  eldest,  Mabel,  for  his  own  illegitimate 
son,  Robert,  called  The  Consul,  whom  he  thereupon  created  Earl  of 
Gloucester.  He  died  in  1147,  and  was  succeeded  by  his  eldest  son, 
William,  second  Earl  of  Gloucester,  who  confirmed  all  the  Charters 
which  his  ancestors  had  granted  to  the  Abbey  of  Tewkesbury;  he  died  in 
1173,  when  his  three  daughters  became  his  coheirs.  The  Honor  of  Glou- 
cester was  bestowed  in  marriage  with  Isabel,  his  youngest  daughter,  on 
John  Plantagenet,  younger  son  of  Henry  II.,  who  was  the  third  Earl  of 
Gloucester  during  the  reign  of  Richard  I. ;  but  having  no  children  by 
her,  when  he  came  to  the  crown,  in  1199,  he  procured  a  divorce,  and 
Isabel  then  married  Geoffrey  Mandeville,  whom  King  John  created  Earl 
of  Gloucester  ;  but  he  dying  without  issue,  the  title  was  next  enjoyed  by 
Almeric,  son  and  heir  of  Almeric  Devereus,  by  Mabel,  eldest  daugh- 
ter of  William  Fitz  Hamon,  2nd  Earl  of  Gloucester;  but  he  died,  about 
122G,  without  issue,  when  this  great  inheritance  devolved  to  Amice, 
the  wife  of  Richard  de  Clare,  Earl  of  Hertford,  whose  son  and  heir, 
Gilbert  de  Clare,  was  the  first  Earl  of  Gloucester  and  Hertford,  both 
which  he  held  jointly.  In  his  issue,  the  Earldom  of  Gloucester  long 
continued,  as  will  be  best  seen  by  the  annexed  Genealogy. 

•2 


3i:i)e  petiigree  of  tl)e  ®arls  of  (Gloucester,  Jc» 

BENEFACTOES  TO  THE  ABBEY  OF  TEWKESBURY. 
Robert  Fitz  Hamon,  ob.  1 107^=Sybil,  sister  of  Robert  Belesme,  Earl  of  Shrewsbury. 

Mabel,  sole  heiress=rRobert,  the  Cotisul,  first  Earl  of  Gloucester,  ob.  1147. 

William,  2nd  Earl  of  Gloucester,  ob.  I173.=pHawise,  da.  of  Robert,  Earl  of  Leicester. 


John,  3rd  Earl  of=Isabel,  ob.=Geofrrey  Man-  Amice  =p  Richard 

Gloucester,  after-          1216.            deville,  4th  DeClare, 

wards  King  of                               E.  of  Glou-  Earl  of 

England,divorced                                 cester.  Hertford. 

1199. 


Mabel  ^  Almeric 
Devereux. 


Almeric  Devereux,  5th 

Earl  of  Gloucester, 

ob.  1226,  S.  P. 


Gilbert  de  Clare,  6th  E.^Isabel,  da.  of  William  Mar- 
of  Gloucester,  ob.  1230.         slial,  E.  of  Pembroke. 

Richard  de  Clare,  7th  E.  of  Gloucester,  ob.  1262.=f:Maud,  da.  of  John  Lacy,  E.  of  Lincoln. 
Gilbert  de  Clare,  8th  E.  of  Gloucester,  ^  Joan  d' Acres,  =  Ralph  Mont  Hermer, 


ob.  1295. 


Gilbert  de  Clare, 
10th  Earl  of  Glouces- 
ter, ob.  1314,  S.P. 


ob.  1307. 


9th  E.  of  Gloucester. 


William,   Lord=Eleanoi^ 
Zouch,  of  Mor- 
timer, ob.l336. 


:Hugh,  Lord  Margaret=Hugh  Aud- 

De  Spenser,  ley,  12th  E. 

jun.,ob.l326,  of  Gloucester, 

nth  E.  of  ob.  1347. 

Gloucester. 


Hugh,  Lord  De=Elizabeth,  da.  of=SirJ3uy  Bryan,     Edward  De^Anne,  da.  of  Henry, 

Lord  Ferrers,  of 
Groby. 


Spencer,  ob. 
1349,  S.P. 


Willm.  Monta- 
cute,  ob.  1359. 


K.G.Ob.  1391. 


Spenser, 
ob. 1342. 


Edward  De  Spenser,  K.  G.,  ob.  1375.=pElizabeth,   da.  and  heir  of  Bartholomew,   Lord 

Burghersh,  ob.  1409. 

Thomas  De  Spenser,  14th  Eail  of=i=Constance,   da.  of  Edmund  Langley,  Duke  of  York, 
Gloucester,  ob.  1399.  1  ob.  1417. 


Richard  Beauchamp,  Lord=pIsabel,  ob.  1439.^Richard  Beauchamp,   Earl  of  Warwick, 
Abergavenny,  ob.  1421.    I 


ob.  1439. 


.1  I 

Eh2abeth,:T^ir  Edwd  Neville.    Henry  Beauchamp,=pCicely,  da.    Anne=pRichd.  Neville, 


ob.l418 


+ 


Duke  of  Warwick, 
ob.  1446. 


of  Richd. 
Neville,  E. 
of  Salisbury, 
ob.  1401. 


I": 

Anne,  ob.  infans. 


E.  of  Warwick, 
ob.  1471. 


Isabel,  ob.=pGeorge,  Duke     Edward,  Pr.=Anne,  ob.=pRichard,  Duke 
1476.  of  Clarence,        of  Wales,  1485.  of  Gloucester, 

ob.  1477.  ob.  1471.  afterwards  king 

Richard  III. 
ob.  1485. 


t,  Co 


Edj^fard,    Margaret,  Countess  of=Sir  Rich.  Pole.     Edward,  Prince  of  Wales,  and  Earl 
ob.  1499.      Salisbury,  ob.  1541.  of  Salisbury,  ob.  14S4. 

3 


ABBEY   CHUKCH    OF   ST.    MARY,   TEWKESBURY,    GLOtJCESTERSHIRE. 


After  the  death  of  King  Richard  III.,  the  Lordship  of  Tewkesbury 
■was  annexed  to  the  crown,  who  held  it  till  1547,  the  first  year  of  the 
reign  of  Edward  VI.,  when  it  was  granted  to  Sir  Thomas  Seymour, 
who  held  it  till  his  attainder,  when  it  reverted  again,  and  continued  in 
possession  of  the  crown  till  1609,  when  James  I.  granted  the  Manor 
and  Borough,  inter  alia,  to  the  corporation  of  Tewkesbury,  in  whom  it 
now  remains. 

The  Abbey  of  Tewkesbury  was  the  last  of  the  religious  foundations  in 
this  county  that  surrendered  to  King  Henry  VIII.  The  resignation  was 
made  by  Abbot  Wakeman,  and  fifteen  of  his  Monks,  9th  January, 
1539,  to  Robert  Southwell,  Esq.,  \^'illiam  Petre,  Edward  Kaim,  and 
John  London,  Doctors  of  Law.  John  Ap  Price,  John  Kingsmao, 
Richard  Paulet,  and  William  Berners,  Esqrs.,  Commissioners,  as- 
signed by  the  King  to  take  the  surrender  of  divers  monasteries. 

A  List  of  the  Abbots  of  Tewkesbury,  from  the  time  of  the  Foundation  of 
the  Abbey  by  Robert  Fitz  Hamon. 


1.  Giraid,  Abbot  of  Cranbourne, 

admitted  1104;  he  returned 
to  Winchester,  where  he  had 
formerly  been  a  monk,  1109. 

2.  Robert,    elected    1110,     ob. 

1124. 

3.  Benedict,   elected  1124,   ob. 

1137. 

4.  Roger,    or   Robert,    elected 

1137,  ob.  1161. 

5.  Froraund,  elected  1162,    ob. 

1178. 

6.  Robert,  received  benediction, 

1182.  ob.  1183. 

7.  Alan,  Prior  of  Canterbury,  re- 

ceived benediction  1187,  ob. 
1202. 

8.  Walter,  elected  1202,  ob.l213. 

9.  Hugh,  the  Prior,  elected  Ab- 

bot, 1213,  ob.  1214. 

10.  Bernard,  elected  1215. 

11.  Peter,  a  Monk  of  Worcester, 

elected  in  1216,  ob.  1232. 

12.  Robert  Fortington,  the  Prior, 

elected  Abbot  1232,  ob. 
1253. 

13.  Thomas  Stoke,  elected  1253, 

ob.  1275. 
4 


14.  Richard  Norton,  elected  1276, 

ob.  1282. 

15.  Thomas  Kemsey,  elected  1282, 

ob.  1328. 

16.  John  Cotes,  elected  1328,  ob. 

1347. 

17.  Thomas  Legh,  elected  1347, 

ob.  1361. 

18.  Thomas  Chesterton,    elected 

1362,  ob.  1389. 

19.  Thomas  Parker,  elected  1390. 

He  was  a  great  benefactor 
to  the  Abbey,  ob.  1412. 

20.  William  Bristow,  elected  141 4, 

ob.  1442. 

21.  John  Abindon,  elected  1443. 

22.  John  Salys,  elected  1468. 

23.  John  Strensham,  elected  14**. 

In  1476  he  attended  the  fu- 
neral of  Isabel,  Duchess  of 
Clarence,  and  died  in  1481. 

24.  Richard  Cheltenham,  elected 

1481,  ob.  1509. 

25.  Henry  Beoley,  elected  1509. 

26.  John  Wakeman,  elected  1531. 

He  was  the  last  Abbot,  and 
in  1541  was  appointed  the 
first  Bishop  of  Gloucester. 


EnCiHvpd  bv  W.V/^aUifi. 


Hon 


CH0RC1 


ABBEY    CHURCH    OF    ST.    MARY,   TEWKESBURY,   GLOUCESTERSHIRE. 

The  clear  yearly  value  of  all  the  Possessions  of  the  Monastery,  as 
well  spiritual  as  temporal,  besides  136/.  8s.  Id.  granted  in  fees  and  an- 
nuities to  several  persons,  amounted  to  1,595/.  17s.  6d. 

Amongst  the  jewels  reserved  for  his  Majesty's  use,  were  two  Mitres 
gilt,  garnished  with  rugged  pearl  and  counterfeit  stones ;  and  of  silver 
plate  for  the  same  purpose,  1,431  oz.  The  ornaments  reserved  for  his 
Majesty's  use,  were,  one  Cope  of  silver  tissue,  with  one  Chasuble  and 
Tunicle  of  the  same ;  one  Cope  of  gold  tissue,  with  one  Chasuble  and 
two  Tunicles  of  the  same.  It  appears  by  a  Grant  made  in  34  Henry 
VIII.,  that  before,  and  at  the  time  of,  the  dissolution,  the  body  of  the 
Abbey  was  used  as  the  Parish  Church,  and  that  the  Parish  had  pre- 
served it  from  destruction,  and  had  then  purchased  of  the  King,  the 
Chancel,  Tower,  Bells,  Clock,  Chimes,  and  Churchyard  for  the  stipu- 
lated sum  of  483/. 

PLATE  I.  VIEW  OF  THF.  NOT^TH  TRAVSF.PT  A\D  TOWER. 
The  earliest  Towers  of  Anglo-Norman  architecture  were  placed,  in  the 
conventual  churches,  between  the  Transepts,  and  when  accompanied  by 
others  on  the  west  Front,  as  at  Lichfield,  were  distinguished  by  the  appel- 
lation of  Rood  spires,  being  in  the  very  centre  of  the  Cross,  which  usually 
formed  the  ground  plan  of  the  building.  There  was  formerly  a  lofty 
Spire  of  wood,  covered  with  lead,  upon  this  Tower,  which,  accordino- 
to  Dyer's  History  of  Tewkesbury,  from  the  Black  Book  belonging  to  the 
Corporation,  was  erected  by  Robert,  first  Earl  of  Gloucester,  the  son  of 
Henry  I.,  and  fell  down  in  the  time  of  divine  service,  upon  Easter  day, 
1559.  A  very  ingenious  author  on  the  antiquities  of  this  Church  consi- 
ders the  spire  of  more  modern  date.  "  The  exterior  of  the  Tower  has 
undergone  less  change,  and  is  of  a  more  unmixed  Norman  character  than 
any  other  part  of  the  building ;  for  the  spire  formed  no  part  of  the  original 
design :  the  battlements  and  pinnacles  have  been  renewed,  but  proba- 
bly not  in  any  very  difterent  manner  from  what  they  were  built  at  first, 
as  it  does  not  seem  quite  clear,  notwithstanding  the  current  opinions 
to  the  contrary,  that  pinnacles  were  7iever  adopted  by  the  earliest  Nor- 
man builders;  though  it  is  certain  the_,  prevailed  much  more  gene- 
rally, and  in  a  rectangular  instead  of  a  conical  form,  after  the  point- 
ed arch  was  introduced.  Battlements  seem  to  have  been  a  Norman 
improvement  on  the  plain  parapets,  or  hanging  eaves,  of  the  Saxons, 
suggested  probably  by  their  own  fortified  castles ;  these  likewise  were 
more  lavishly  employed,  as  well  in  the  inside  as  the  outside  of  their 
buildings,  when  the  Norman  yielded  to  the  Gothic  style;  the  predominant 
zig-zag  moulding,  which  laces  the  heads  and  sides  of  the  arcades,— 
the  pillars  and  pilasters  rather  elongated  beyond  the  dimensions  of  ear- 
lier times,— the  two  conjoined  arches  under  a  larger  one,— and  the 
range  of  small  arches  whose  heads  intersect  each  other,— all  these  dis- 
5 


ABBEY    CHURCH    OF   ST.    MARY,   TEWKESBURY,    GLOUCESTERSHIRE. 

tinguishing  peculiarities,  which  occur  in  this  conspicuous  member  of 
Tewkesbury  church,  are  so  many  testimonies  of  its  having  been  erected 
soon  after  the  Conquest." —  Cursory  Disquisition  on  the  Conventual 
Church  of  Tewkesbury,  Sfc.  p.  28. 

The  Tower  rises  above  the  Body  and  Transepts  in  a  plain  base,  with 
an  ornamented  superstructure  divided  into  three  stories,  above  which 
is  the  embattled  parapet  and  pinnacles  at  the  angles,  of  comparatively 
modern  construction ;  the  height  of  the  whole  to  the  coping  of  the  bat- 
tlement is  one  hundred  and  thirty-two  feet.    The  first  story  above  the 
basement  is  adorned  with  a  range  of  arches  and  columns,  admitting 
three  windows  upon  each  side ;  above  this  is  a  very  curious  series  of  in- 
tersected arches,  such  as  have  been  presumed  to  have  given  the  idea  of 
the  first  pointed  arch,  which  division  is  again  surmounted  by  a  similar 
range  of  arches  to  the  lower  story,  but  with  only  two  windows  upon  each 
face,  which  are  however  divided  into  two  lights,  though  under  one  arch. 
The  author,  whom  wc  hare  before  quoted,  presumes  that  this  was  one 
of  the  same  sort  of  Towers  spoken  of  by  Mr.  Warton,  which  he  tells  us 
"  were  calculated  to  produce  the  effect  of  the  Louvre,  or  Lantern,  in 
the  inside,  and  were  originally  open  almost  to  the  covering,"  and  in- 
stancing Winchester  Cathedral,  he  adds,  "  nearly  the  whole  of  the  in- 
side of  this  Tower  was  formerly  seen  from  below,  and  for  that  reason  its 
side  arches  or  windows,  of  the  first  story  at  least,  are  artificially  wrought 
and  ornamented."  The  same  remark  might  bd' justly  applied  to  the  Tower 
of  Tewkesbury,  where  we  may  perceive,  in  that  part  of  it  now  used  as  a 
Belfry,  more  pains  employed  in  the  workmanship  than  if  it  had  always 
been  shut  up  from  the  Church  below,  as  it  now  is,  would  probably  have 
been  bestowed  upon  it.    The  present  floor  of  this  room  is  laid  upon  a 
vaulted  ceiling,  springing  from  corbels  of  more  delicate  execution  than 
those  in  the  Nave,  and  bearing  evident  marks,  from  the  pointed  style  of 
it,  and  from  the  arms  which  occur  in  it,  of  a  much  later  date  than  the 
Tower  itself.    In  the  walls  surrounding  it,  there  is  the  same  sort  of  Gal- 
lery, as  in  the  Nave  and  Transepts,  for  the  purpose  of  giving  access  to 
the  higher  parts  of  the  building;  which  would  be  wholly  without  a  mean- 
ing in  this  place,  if  we  Qould  suppose  that  the  present  floor  had  always 
belonged  to  it.     It  may  be  further  urged,  in  support  of  this  having  been 
a  Louvre  Tower,  that  there  was,  till  very  lately,  a  square  strong  building 
in  the  Churchyard,  which  had  every  appearance  of  having  been  built  as 
a  Campanile,  an  edifice  often  placed  apart,  and   so  called  from  the  pur- 
pose it  was  applied  to,  of  holding  the  bells ;  for  in  the  oldest  Cruciform 
Churches,  the  convenience  of  their  aflfording  a  Belfry,  was  but  an  after- 
thought, or  at  least,  a  secondary  object,  in  the  construction  of  Towers; 
as  the  great  additional  strength  which  they  gave  by  their  incumbent 
weight,  to  the  main  arches  of  the  building,  would  be  alone  sufficient  to 
recommend  them. — Curs.  Disq.  p.  30. 
6 


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ABBEY   CHURCH    OF   ST.    MARY,   TEWKESBURY,   GLOUCESTERSHIRE. 

The  Tower  now  contains  eight  bells  in  the  upper  story;  in  1632  the 
four  bells,  originally  belonging  to  the  Church,  were  cast  into  six,  and 
in  1696  these  six  bells  were  re-cast  into  eight,  the  expenses  of  which 
were  defrayed  by  voluntary  contribution. 

PLATK  TT.     THE  GKOIINU  PJ.AN. 

The  Form  of  the  Cross  is  adopted  in  the  Plan  of  this  venerable  edifice, 
"  which,"  says  Eustace,  the  classical  traveller  in  Italy,  "  seems  to  have 
been  introduced  about  the  end  of  the  fifth  century ;  the  Church  of  St. 
Sophia,  at  Constantinople,  erected  in  the  sixth  century,  is  in  that  form, 
which  very  happily  combines  variety  with  unity,  and  beauty  with  conve- 
nience." Another  elegant  writer,  who  agrees  in  the  early  introduction  of 
the  Cruciform  Plan,  thus  expresses  his  opinion  upon  its  comparative  me- 
rit with  reference  to  that  of  the  Greek  temples :  "  Upon  the  establist- 
ment  of  Christianity,  external  magnificence  was  sacrificed  to  internal 
decoration  and  the  oblong  square,  the  ground  plan,  peculiar  to  the  an- 
cient Temples,  being  extremely  simple  in  their  interior,  but  sumptuous 
to  view,  was  gradually  formed  into  the  Greek  and  Latin  Cross,  which  is 
much  more  favourable  to  superstition  than  to  beauty." — Dallaway. 

We  are,  however,  more  disposed  to  agree  with  a  modern  critic,  who  has 
defined  the  peculiar  excellence  of  this  favourite  form  of  the  ecclesiastics 
of  the  middle  ages,  and  thus  dilates  upon  the  increased  effect  produced 
by  its  adoption.  "  The  Transepts,"  he  says,  "  vary  the  long  line  of  the 
building  by  a  conflexion  of  lines  and  angles,  and  preserve,  by  the  par- 
tial exposure  of  battlements  and  pinnacles,  the  appearance  of  extent  be- 
yond what  the  eye  can  immediately  comprehend,  which  is  a  common 
and  important  character  of  Ancient  Architecture,  the  grandeur  of  which  is 
no  more  the  result  of  dimension,  than  its  beauty  is  of  ornament.  The 
Architects  applied  both  as  accessaries,  but  depended  on  neither  alone 
for  the  merit  of  their  buildings."— 06sc)Ta«io?is  om  Magdalen  College,  Ox- 
ford, p.  59. 

The  uniformity  of  the  Latin  Cross,  in  the  ground  plan  of  Tewkesbury 
Abbey  Church,  is  only  broken  by  the  various  sepulchral  Chapels  at  the 
east  end,  which  spread  like  a  Nimbus,  or  glory,  from  the  transept  arms  to 
the  head  of  the  figure.  More  eastward  was  formerly  The  Lady  Chapel, 
now  destroyed,  presumed  to  have  been  founded  by  Gilbert  de  Clare,  the 
first  Earl  of  Gloucester,  of  that  illustrious  Family ;  all  of  whom  are  also 
supposed  with  great  probability  to  have  been  interred  within  its  walls. 

.  PLATE  III.    VIEW  OF  THE  SOUTH  SIDE  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

The  total  length  of  the  building,  which  is  seen  in  this  view,  is  upwards 

of  three   hundred    and  twenty  feet.      It  was  upon   this   side  of  the 

Church,  westward  of  the  Transept,  that  the  beautiful  Cloisters  of  the 

Abbey  were  situated.    The  remains  of  the  panelled  arches  of  one  side 

7 


ABBEY   CHURCH    OF   ST.    MART,   TEWKESBURY,    GLOUCESTERSHIRE. 

of  tlie  square  are  still  to  be  seen  on  the  wall  of  the  Church,  above  which 
are  four  pointed  windows  of  three  bays  each,  giving  light  to  the  south 
aisle.  In  the  Clerestory  are  inserted  seven  windows,  in  the  Tudor  style, 
and  above  it  is  a  modern  Doric  parapet.  The  present  roof  of  the  nave 
is  somewhat  flat,  but  that  it  rose  to  a  higher  pitch  in  its  original  state, 
may  be  seen  by  the  weather-moulding,  where  it  joined  to  the  Tower. 

In  the  end  of  the  South  Transept  are  two  comparatively  small  win- 
dows of  two  lights.  A  large  and  substantial  buttress,  graduated  in  six 
stages,  supports  the  western  angle,  and  upon  the  east  side  is  an  ancient 
Chapel,  having  within  it  a  semicircular  apsis  for  the  altar;  beyond  this, 
in  the  View,  are  seen  the  Vestry  and  two  other  Chapels,  over  which  are 
the  pointed  windows  of  the  Choir,  under  angular  gables,  ornamented 
with  crockets  and  finials,  the  whole  surmounted  by  an  open  parapet  of 
indented  work,  capped  with  small  battlements. 

PLATE  IT.    Vmw  OF  THE  WESTERN  FROXT,  NORTH  PORCH,  &c. 

The  great  western  Porticus  is  formed  by  an  immense  and  beautiful  se- 
micircular receding  arch,  sixty-five  feet  in  height,  and  thirty-four  feet 
wide,  now  filled  by  a  pointed  window  of  seven  bays  ;  four  transoms  di- 
vide it  again  into  five  stories,  each  compartment  forming  a  pointed  arch, 
feathered.  The  whole  window  is  of  modern  construction,  erected  after 
the  destruction  of  one  that  was  blown  down  on  the  18th  February, 
1661,  during  a  violent  storm,  and  rebuilt  in  the  year  1686.  The  intro- 
duction of  this  pointed  window  has  entirely  changed  the  character  of 
the  West  Front.  In  its  original  state,  this  Anglo-Norman  Arch,  which 
is  supported  by  six  slender  cylindrical  pillars  on  each  side,  probably  con- 
tained several  windows  similar  in  their  dimensions  to  those  in  the  Tower, 
with  a  doorway  beneath  them.  AVhen  the  application  of  mullions  and 
transoms  became  known,  the  architects  were  enabled  to  enlarge  their 
apertures  for  light,  and  a  window  similar  to  the  present  might  have 
occupied  the  place  as  early  as  Edward  the  Third's  reign. 

The  Turrets  on  the  sides  of  this  AVestern  Front  bear  the  same  charac- 
teristic embellishments  which  distinguish  the  Centre  Tower,  and  fix 
their  erection  to  the  same  early  period,  having  been  evidently  constructed 

as  antagonists  to  the  overbearing  pressure  on  the  centre  of  the  Arch ;" 
they  are  each  crowned  by  a  clustered  pinnacle,  similar  to  that  upon  every 
angle  of  the  Great  Tower.  The  pointed  windows  of  the  aisles  appear  of 
the  date  of  Edward  the  Third's  reign. 

Over  the  front  of  the  north  Porch,  the  west  side  only  of  which  is  seen 
in  this  View,  is  a  statue  of  the  Virgin  INIary,  to  whom  the  Church  was 
dedicated. 

On  the  right  hand  of  the  approach  to  the  Church,  in  the  Church-yard, 
which  is  shaded  by  rows  of  chesnut  and  other  trees,  is  a  very  ancient 
tomb,  which  has  no  inscription  upon  it,  but  seems  to  have  had  an  up- 
right cross  mortised  into  it,  the  lower  part  of  which  still  remains. 


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ABBEY   CHURCH    OF   ST.    MARY,   TEWKESBURY,    GLOUCESTERSHIRE. 

PLATE  V.    VIEW  OF  THE  NAVE,  LOOKING  WEST. 

The  Nave  of  this  Church,  constructed  wholly  in  the  Norman  style, 
will  be  admired  for  the  very  fine  effect  produced  by  the  sublime  grandeur 
of  the  architecture.  It  is  formed  by  seven  massive  uniform  cylindrical 
columns  ranged  on  each  side,  supporting  a  series  of  semicircular  arches* 
above  which  is  a  Triforium,  or  gallery  of  communication,  and  over  that 
the  Clerestory  windows.  The  ceiling  of  the  Nave  has  evidently  been 
added  since  the  introduction  of  the  pointed  style,  being  groined  in  a 
very  handsome  manner  with  numerous  ribs  and  sculptured  bosses  a  tall 
the  intersections ;  the  whole  is  painted  and  gilt. 

In  the  foreground  of  our  view,  upon  the  south  side  of  the  Nave,  is  the 
Font,  which  has  been  introduced  since  the  Church  became  Parochial,  as 
the  right  of  Baptism  was  seldom  granted  to  monastic  institutions,  except 
by  special  favour.  It  appears,  from  its  construction,  to  be  about  the  date 
of  Queen  Elizabeth's  reign,  and  bears  upon  it  this  inscription : 

ONE  lORD,  ONE  FAITH,  ONE  BAPTISM,  EPUES.  4,  VER.  5. 

The  monument  against  the  third  column  from  the  west,  upon  the  south 
side,  seen  in  the  view,  is  surmounted  by  a  shield,  Azure,  a/ess,  ermine, 
between  three  ifofces'  heads  erased,  or,  Tayler,  impaling,  or,  a  fret,  azure, 
Eaton. 

Insigne  pietatis  exemplar.  Maiiae  charissima  uxor  Georgii  Tayler  Gen :  Filia 
Reverend!  Roberti  Eaton  Sen.  primo  Aprilis  die.  Anno  domini  1726.  patienter 
eipiravit  eetat.  62.  et  hie  juxta  intercolumnlam  cum  matre  et  sorore  suis  requi- 
escit,  et  in  hoc  templo,  prope  ostium  adyti,  prsefatus  Robertus,  hujus  ecclesise 
quondam  dignissimus  pastor,  cum  filio  Johanni  suo  sepultus.  Georgius  Tayler 
Gen  :  Maria;  praBd.  iMaritus,  ob.  19  Decembris,  anno  Salutis  173.5,  aetatis  67. 
Anna  Hayward  Georgii,  praed.  Neplis,  ob.  23  Jan.  1749,  jet.  13.  IMariae  Anna, 
Mater  Georgii  Tayler  Filii,  obiit  2d  die  Decembris,  1785.  Mary  Hayward,  Jun. 
ob.  July  27,  1811,  act.  82. 

In  the  north  aisle  of  the  Nave,  near  the  Transept,  is  a  cumbent  monu- 
mental figure  under  an  arch  within  the  wall,  long  called  the  Tomb  of 
Lord  Wenlock,  who  was  slain  in  a  moment  of  despair  at  the  celebrated 
Battle  of  Tewkesbury,  in  1471,  by  the  Duke  of  Somerset,  under  whom 
he  had  a  command.  John  Lord  Wenlock  is  known  to  have  been  buried 
at  Luton,  in  Bedfordshire,  where  his  tomb  still  remains,  and  the  monument 
in  question  is  of  much  earlier  date  than  the  time  of  Edward  IV.  The 
figure  of  the  knight  is  represented  in  a  praying  attitude,  with  an  arming 
sword  by  his  side,  and  a  lion  at  the  feet ;  over  the  armour,  which  is  of 
plate,  he  wears  a  jupon,  adorned  with  arms,  and  upon  his  left  arm  a 
shield,  blazoned  with  the  same,  viz.  a  chevron,  between  three  leopard^ 
faces,  which  is  certainly  not  the  armorial  bearing  of  Lord  Wenlock;  un- 
der the  head  is  the  crest,  a  lion's  head. 
9 


ABBEY   CHURCH    OF    ST.    MARY,   TEWKESBURY,   GLOUCESTERSHIRE. 

Upon  the  south  side  of  the  Nave,  opposite  to  the  last,  is  another  an- 
cient monument,  misnamed  that  of  Edmund  Beaufort,  Duke  of  Somerset, 
beheaded  after  the  same  battle.  This  tomb,  as  well  as  the  before-men- 
tioned, appears  to  be  of  the  date  of  Edward  the  Third's  reign,  and  con- 
sists of  aa  ogee  formed  arch,  ornamented  with  crockets,  and  answering 
to  the  place  of  the  finial  is  an  angel,  bearing  a  plain  shield;  within  the 
spandrils  of  the  foils,  into  which  the  head  of  the  arch  is  divided,  are  two 
shields  represented  to  be  pendent,  that  upon  the  dexter  side  bears  o  lion 
rampant,  and  that  upon  the  sinister,  three  chevrons,  the  arms  of  Clare, 
indicating  that  it  is  the  monument  of  some  knight  who  had  married  a 
daughter  of  the  House  of  Clare,  the  chiefs  of  which  were  Earls  of  Glou- 
cester, and  considerable  benefactors  to  the  Abbey :  no  figure  remains  on 
the  tomb;  it  was  opened  in  1795,  but  was  found  to  contain  only  rubbish. 

Between  two  of  the  columns  in  the  Nave  is  an  ancient  slab,  bearing 
the  following  inscription  in  Lombardic  characters  : 

LEGER    DE    PARR    GYT    ICI,    DIEUX    DE    SA    ALME    EN    EIT    MERCI. 

The  following  curious  anagrammatical  inscription  is  on  a  brass  in  the 
Nave : 

In  hocTumulo  sepulto  jacet  Amia  uxor  JohannisWiatt,  Tewkesburiensis  Generosi 

quffi  spirilum  exhalavit  x)n'  August  Ao  Dni .     In  cujus  obitum  versiculos 

perlegito  subsequentes. 

A  me  disce  mori,  mors  est  sors  omnibus  una  ; 
Mortis  et  esca  fui  mortis  et  esca  fores. 
I  n  terram  ex  terra  teiTestris  massa  meabis ; 
E  t  capiet  cineres  urna  parata  cinis. 

V  ivere  vis  cceIo,  terrenam  temnito  vitam  ; 

V  ita  piis  mors  est  mors  mihi  vita  piae. 
I  eiunes,  vigiles,  ores,  credasq.  potenti, 
A  rdua  fac  :  non  est  mollis  ad  Astra  via 

T  e  scriptura  vocat,  te  sermo  ecdesia  mater ; 
T  eq.  vocat  sponsus,  spiritus  atque  pater. 

Against  one  of  the  columns  of  the  Nave  is  a  monument  for  Mr.  Tho- 
mas Hartlebury  and  family.  At  the  west  end  of  the  Nave,  on  the  north 
side,  is  a  mural  monument  to  the  memory  of  Richard  Bridges,  Lieu- 
tenant of  the  Navy,  and  his  children,  and  against  the  north  wall  of  the 
Aisle  is  a  tablet  to  Benjamin  Jacobs,  who  died  2nd  August,  1785,  jet.  40. 
.  The  principal  monuments  in  the  Transepts  are  to  the  following  :  Mrs. 
Anne  Slaughter,  daughter  of  Daniel  Pert,  Esq.,  ob.  28,  Oct.  A.  D.  1040. 
aet.  84.  Arms,  Argeyit,  a  saltier,  azure.  Slaughter,  impaling.  Argent,  on 
a  bend,  yules,  three  mascles  ofthcjirst.     Pert. 

Mary  Oldisworth,  daughter  of  Thomas  Chamberlayne,  of  Oddington, 
Esq.,  who  lived  a  virgin  twenty-nine  years,  a  wife  five,  and  a  widow 
thirty-nine;  she  died  4th  August,  1684,  ast.  73.  Arms,  Guks,  on  afes&, 
10 


DnwntyJiENeale. 


TEWKESBUmT   CHUmCH. 

XK.£     CHQXH- 

GI.OUOESTES.  SSIRi: . 


Engraved  by^^r.'WalU  i 
PI.  6- 


ABBEY   CHURCH    OF   ST.   MARY,   TEWKESBURY,    GLOUCESTERSHIRE. 

argent,  three  lions  passant  guardant,  azure.  Oldiswortb,  impaling.  Gules, 
an  escutcheon,  argent,  within  an  orle  of  mullets,  or.     Chamberlayne. 

Priscilla,  wife  of  Henry  Tracy,  Esq.,  of  Southvvick,  the  only  daugh- 
ter of  Charles,  son  of  William  Lord  Eure,  Baron  of  Witton  and  Maldon, 
ob.  14  Mar.  A.D.  J632.  Arms,  Quarterly,  or  and  gules,  on  a  bend,  sable, 
three  escallops,  argent,  Eure. 

John  Roberts,  Gen.  of  Fiddington,  ob.  1631.  aet.  77.  Arms,  Per  pale, 
argent  and  gules,  over  all  a  lion  rampant,  sable,  Roberts. 

A  monument  of  freestone  bears  the  following  inscription : 

Memorise  Sacrum.  Clarissimi  Patri  Conano  Richardsono  ab  Equestri  Familia 
Richardsonorum  de  Pershore  Oriundo,  cujus  recentiorem  ajtatem,  linguarum  Va- 
rietas  peritia  inartibus  progressum  vero  hujus  oppidi  summa  tertiaq.  prafectura 
merito  decoraverunt. — Cui  vero  cum  octogessimum  sextum  eetatis  su*  attigisset 
annum,  Ehui  postremus  illuxit  dies.  Ejus  unicus  filius  Edwardus  Richardsonus 
amoris  ac  pietatis  ergo  pareotavit. 

Arms,  Argent,  on  a  chief,  sable,  three  lions'  heads  erased,  of  the  first, 
langued  gules,  Richardson. 

The  Nave  of  the  Church  is  separated  from  the  Choir  by  a  Screen 
and  Gallery,  containing  an  Organ,  which  originally  belonged  to  Mag- 
dalen College,  Oxford,  where  in  his  youth  Oliver  Cromwell  had  been 
so  delighted  with  it,  that  after  he  became  Protector  he  had  it  conveyed 
to  Hampton  Court,  and  placed  in  the  Great  Gallery  there  for  his  amuse- 
ment. At  the  Restoration  it  was  sent  back  to  Oxford,  but  another  hav- 
ing been  presented  to  Magdalen  College,  it  was  iiually  removed  to 
Tewkesbury  Church  in  1737. 

PLATE  VI.     VIEW  OF  THE  CHOIR,  LOOKING  TOWARDS  THE  ALTAR. 

The  substructure  of  this  part  of  the  Church  is  wholly  Norman;  upon  the 
massive  circular  columns  of  the  original  work,  the  Choir  rises  in  pointed 
arches  to  the  roof,  which  is  richly  groined  and  painted;  the  bosses  at  all 
the  intersections  of  the  ribs  are  particularly  fine,  some  are  sculptured  to  re- 
present foliage,  others  small  groups,  &c.  &c.  The  peculiar  character  of 
the  architecture  of  the  upper  part  of  the  Choir  is  that  which  is  sometimes 
called  the  decorated  style,  in  use  about  the  time  of  Edward  lU.  and 
Richard  H. ;  and  as  Abbot  Parker  is  stated  to  have  built  much,  we  may 
reasonably  conclude  the  Choir  to  have  been  finished  during  his  abbacy  : 
he  died  in  1412.  The  large  painted  windows  at  the  east  end,  a  most 
beautiful  and  striking  termination  of  the  view,  are  divided  into  four 
lights  each,  the  mulliuns  of  which  branch  into  flowing  tracery  in  the 
heads;  the  upper  compartments  are  filled  with  glass  of  a  deep  red,  the 
admirable  ruby,  so  difficult  of  attainment  by  modern  glass-painters. 
Upon  this  are  delineated  branches  of  the  vine,  with  the  leaves  and  fruit 
of  white  colour.  The  heads  of  the  arches  to  the  bays,  or  grand  divisions 
of  the  windows,  are  adorned  with  splendid  double  canopies,  rising  over 
11 


ABBEY    CHURCH    OF   ST.  MAKY,   TEWKESBURY,   GLOUCESTERSHIRE. 

the  figures  of  the  Earls  of  Gloucester,  &c.,  which  form  the  most  interest- 
ing portion  of  the  window.  The  series  of  benefactors  here  represented 
consists  of  eight  whole  length  figures,  very  similar  in  their  general  form 
and  position,  whose  costume,  with  the  general  style  of  the  workman- 
ship, fixes  the  execution  of  the  windows  to  the  period  of  Edward  III. : 
they  are  full  faced,  having  on  their  heads  conical  basinets,  to  which  are 
attached  camails,  for  the  protection  of  the  throat,  and  on  the  shoulders 
appear  the  ailettes;  the  armour  in  which  their  bodies  are  cased  is  of  the 
mixed  kind,  mail  and  plate,  but  is  covered  with  the  surcoat  or  jupon, 
blazoned  with  the  arms  of  each  individual,  marking  precisely  the  person 
represented.  They  hold  lances  in  their  hands,  and  the  ground,  or  base 
of  each  figure  is  a  lawn,  or  carpet  worked  with  flowers,  &g.  The  portraits 
may  be  surveyed  in  the  following  order.  Vide  also  the  pedigree,  p.  3, 
of  this  account. 

1.  Robert  Fitz-Hamon,  Founder  of  the  Abbey.  Arms,  on  his  sur- 
coat, Azure,  a  lion  rampant  guardant,  or. 

2.  Robert  the  Consul,  first  Earl  of  Gloucester,  natural  son  of  King 
Henry  I.  Arms  on  his  surcoat,  Gules,  three  rests,  or.  Much  diffe- 
rence of  opinion  exists  amongst  heraldic  writers  as  to  the  precise  mean- 
ing of  this  bearing,  which  is  sometimes  called  a  sufflue,  and  clarion ;  it 
appears,  with  the  greatest  probability,  to  represent  the  rest,  or  case,  used 
by  archers  for  carrying  the  long  bow  when  on  a  raarch,  or  not  in  action. 

3.  Gilbert  de  Clare,  sixth  Earl  of  Gloucester,  &c.  Arms  on  his  sur- 
coat. Or,  three  chevrons,  gules. 

4.  Richard  de  Clare,  seventh  Earl  of  Gloucester,  &c.     Same  arms. 

5.  Gilbert  de  Clare,  eighth  Earl  of  Gloucester,  &c.     Same  arms. 

6.  Gilbert  de  Clare,  tenth  Earl  of  Gloucester,  &c.     Same  arms. 

7.  Hugh,  Lord  De  Spenser,  styled  eleventh  Earl  of  Gloucester,  he 
having  married  Eleanor,  the  eldest  sister  of  Gilbert  de  Clare,  the  last 
Earl  of  that  illustrious  family.  Arras  on  his  surcoat.  Quarterly,  argent 
and  gules,  in  the  second  and  third  quarter  a  fret,  or;  over  all  a  bend, 
^able. 

8.  William,  Lord  Zouch  of  Mortimer,  second  husband  of  the  above- 
mentioned  Eleanor  de  Clare ;  he  died  1st  March,  133G,  and  was  buried 
in  the  Lady  Chapel.  His  monumental  effigy  is  still  preserved  in  the 
grounds  at  Forthampton.     Arms  on  his  surcoat.  Gules,  bezanty. 

Below  the  figures  are  large  diapered  compartments;  the  other  window 
contains  four  whole  length  representations — 1.  The  Prophet  Daniel. 
2.  Jeremiah.  3.  King  Solomon.  And,  4.  The  Prophet  Joel.  Other  arms 
in  these  splendid  windows  are.  Argent,  a  lion  rampant,  sable .  Bar- 
ry, argent  and  azure.  Grey.  Bang  nehule,  argent  and  gules,  a  bend, 
azure,  D'^^niorie.  Argent,  a  lion  rampant,  sable,  crowned,  or,  &c.  &c., 
together  with  Gules,  a  cross  ragulie,  or,  the  arms  of  the  Abbey  of  Tewkes- 
bury ;  but  the  coat  given  in  Tanner's  Notitia  Monastica,  in  Willis's  Seals 
12 


ABBEY   CHURCH    OF    ST.  MARY,   TEWKESBURY,   GLOUCESTERSHIRE. 

of  Parliamentary  Abbeys,  and  in  Rymer's  History  of  the  Benedictines, 
is  Gules,  within  a  border  argent,  a  cross  raguUe,  or. 

The  Altar-piece,  which  is  of  the  Doric  order,  with  an  elliptical  pedi- 
ment, was  erected  iu  the  year  1726  by  private  contribution,  at  which 
time  the  pews  and  seats  in  the  Church  were  repaired.  Behind  the  High 
Altar  was  formerly  the  Chapel  of  St.  Edmund  the  Martyr,  on  the  ceiling 
of  which  was  represented  the  Legend  of  his  life,  his  being  shot  with 
arrows,  beheaded,  and  the  wolf  defending  his  head  from  other  beasts. 
On  the  south  side  of  the  Altar  are  two  very  curious  and  ancient  cano- 
pied Stalls,  the  fronts  of  which  are  painted  chiefly  in  red  and  gold,  the 
backs  diapered  in  various  pattern.  There  were  originally  three  of  these 
stalls. 

On  the  north,  or  opposite  side  of  the  Altar,  is  the  splendid  Monument 
of  Hugh,  Lord  De  Spenser,  jun.,  and  his  Lady,  Eleanor  de  Clare,  Coun- 
tess of  Gloucester,  in  whose  right  he  held  the  Lordship  of  Tewkesbury, 
and  was  Patron  of  the  Church.  After  the  death  of  Piers  Gaveston,  Earl 
of  Cornwall,  this  nobleman  became  the  favourite  of  King  Edward  II.,  and 
a  participator  in  the  dissensions  between  that  monarch  and  the  confede- 
rate Barons.  He  was  at  length  taken  prisoner  at  Hereford,  and  by  the 
Queen's  orders  was  hanged,  drawn,  and  quartered  in  1326;  some  of  his 
limbs  were  privately  buried  in  this  Church,  and  this  Monument  was  erect- 
ed to  his  memory  by  his  wife,  Eleanor  de  Clare,  who  died  in  June,  1337, 
and  was  here  buried  :  no  inscription  is  upon  the  tomb,  but  the  eftigies  of 
both  the  lord  and  lady  remain  tolerably  perfect.  The  Monument  is  so 
delicate  in  its  execution,  that  it  has  suffered  materially  in  the  ornamental 
part,  particularly  of  the  Cowonnement,  or  canopy,  which  is  of  the  richest 
description,  and  extremely  similar  to  that  over  the  tomb  of  Sir  Guy  Bryan, 
of  which  we  have  given  a  view,  vide  Plate  VIII.  The  basement  of  the 
Tomb  of  Lord  De  Spenser  is  panelled  in  a  series  of  trefoil-headed  arches. 
At  the  head  of  this  tomb  is  the  sepulchral  IMonument  of  Robert  Fitz 
Hamon,  the  Founder  of  the  Abbey,  which  was  inclosed  within  the  present 
screen  of  stone-work  by  Abbot  Parker;  and  more  towards  the  west 
upon  the  same  side,  is  the  Chapel  of  St.  Mary  Magdalen,  erected  by 
Isabel  de  Spenser,  Countess  of  Warwick.  On  the  opposite  side  of  the 
Choir,  at  the  foot  of  the  steps  of  the  Altar,  is  the  Chapel  of  the  Holy 
Trinity,  containing  the  Monument  of  Sir  Edward  De  Spenser,  Knight 
of  the  Garter,  and  his  wife  Elizabeth,  the  daughter  and  heiress  of  Bar- 
tholomew, Lord  Burghhersh.  He  died  in  1375,  and  his  etligies  in  ar- 
mour is  placed  at  the  top  of  this  Chapel  in  a  supplicatory  posture.  Upon 
his  surcoat  is  painted  the  arms  of  De  Spenser.  His  lady  died  in  J 409. 
The  opposite  side  of  this  sepulchral  Chapel  in  the  south  aisle  is  seen  in 
the  foreground  of  Plate  XI. 

On  a  column  upon  the  north  side  6f  the  Chancel  is  a  Monument  of 
white  marble,  "  In  memory  of  George  Peyton,  M.  D.,  who  died  Octo- 
13 


v,1llyj.t.iieaie. 


io;---r-  >.  iTi-St^sley. 


TEWKTESBUffiT    CHTnRCH,     ' 


ABBEY     CHURCH    OF    ST.    MARY,    TEWKESBURY,    GLOUCESTERSHIRE. 

Clarence,  and  the  vigils  were  observed  by  the  duke's  own  family,  Until 
the  next  day,  which  was  the  vigil  of  the  Epiphany.  The  suffragan  of  the 
Bishop  of  Landaft"  celebrated  the  first  mass  of  St.  Mary,  in  St.  Mary's 
chapel;  the  second  mass  of  the  Trinity  was  celebrated  by  the  Lord  Abbot 
at  the  altar ;  and  the  suffragan  of  the  Bishop  of  Worcester  celebrated  the 
third  mass  of  eternal  rest,  at  which  Peter  Wild,  D.  D.  of  the  order  of 
Minors  at  Worcester,  preached  a  sermon  in  the  choir  before  the  as- 
sembled prelates.  Mass  being  ended,  the  body  was  left  under  the  hearse 
in  the  midst  of  the  choir,  for  thirty-five  days,  when  solemn  exequies  were 
daily  performed  during  that  time  in  the  convent.  Her  body  was  after- 
wards buried  in  a  vault  behind  the  high  altar,  before  the  door  of  the  Lady 
Chapel,  and  opposite  the  door  of  St.  Edmund  the  Martyr's  chapel. 
George,  Duke  of  Clarence,  who  derived  from  his  wife  Isabel  the  titles 
of  Earl  of  Warwick  and  Salisbury,  was  executed  in  the  Tower  of  Lon- 
don in  the  next  year,  and  was  also  buried  in  the  vault  behind  the  high 
altar,  as  shewn  in  our  ground  plan. 

PLATE  VII.   VIEW   OF  THE   SEPULCHRAL  CHAPEL  OF   ISABEL,   COUN- 
'  TESS  OF  WARWICK. 

Between  two  of  the  large  Anglo  Norman  pillars,  on  the  north  side 
of  the  choir,  stands  the  elegant  chapel  erected  by  Isabel,  Countess  of 
Warwick,  in  1438,  and  by  her  dedicated  to  Saint  Mary  Magdalen.  It 
consists  principally  of  two  open  screens,  one  towards  the  choir,  and  the 
other  fronting  the  north  aisle,  which  are  distinguished  by  the  exuber- 
ance of  their  decoration,  amidst  which  is  observed  such  a  degree  of  sim- 
plicity in  the  character  of  its  ornaments,  as  to  entitle  it  to  a  high  rank 
amongst  the  specimens  of  this  style  of  architecture.  The  north  side  is 
chosen  for  our  view,  as  exhibiting  the  whole  front,  the  lower  part  of  the 
chapel  next  the  choir  being  concealed  by  the  ancient  wooden  seats  of 
the  Monks  that  have  been  placed  against  it ;  the  whole  screen  is  exactly 
eighteen  feet  nine  inches  in  height,  and  about  seventeen  feet  wide,  the 
door-way  being  six  feet  three  inches  high,  by  two  feet  two  inches  wide  ; 
the  open  screen  rises  about  half  the  height  of  the  chapel,  the  highest  part 
being  at  the  west  end,  and  the  whole  oratory  is  covered  by  a  most  beau- 
tiful canopied  roof,  enriched  wilh  pendents,  dividing  it  into  three  compart- 
ments, from  north  to  south,  this  elegant  production  is  faced  on  the  exte- 
rior by  a  series  of  canopies,  which  are  supported  by  light  ornamented 
piers  containing  niches  for  six  statues,  three  upon  each  side,  between 
light  pinnacled  buttresses;  upon  the  upper  band  or  fascia  of  the  screen; 
beginning  on  the  south  side  is  the  following  inscrlplioti  : — 

iiacmentotc  ©nc  gisahcUe  Jte  ©e  .fjpcniScc  conntcssc  Oc  SDarrctoir, 
que  Ijiinc  €apcUatn  funoabit  in  t^onorcm  2?eatc  JUarie  JRajjOalcne 
Et  obiit  3LonDmii.si  apua  jninorca  anno  ©ni  .m€ar€€|jf=f3ijE  Die 
jScti  5(0lja;ini!S  liiljangelisitc,  ct  ^icpulta  m  cl;oro,  m  Dtjfti-am  patri^ 
jSui.  cuju.si  anmic.parcat  ©ens',  ilmtn. 

Arms  upon  the  side  of  the  chapel  nest  the  choir,  over  the  door,  1. 

10 


ABBEY   CHURCH    OF    ST    MARY,  TEWKESBURY,    GLOUCESTERSHIRE. 

France  and  England,  quarterly,  King  Edward  III.  2.  Castile  and 
Leon,  quarterly,  Peter  King  of  Castile  and  Leon.  3.  France  and  Eng- 
land, quarterly,  Edmund  of  Langlcy,  Duke  of  York.  4.  France  and 
England  impaling  Castile  and  Leon,  Isabel  of  Castile,  Duchess  of  York. 

5.  Clare  quartering  De  Spenser,  Thomas  De  Spenser,  Earl  of  Gloucester. 

6.  Clare  quartering  De  Spenser  and  impaling  France  and  England,  Con- 
stance, Countess  of  Gloucester,  who  was  the  daughter  of  Edmund  of 
Langley,  Duke  of  York,  and  mother  of  Isabel,  Countess  of  Warwick, 
the  founder.  The  armorial  bearings  upon  the  side  of  the  chapel  nest  the 
aisle,  which  is  shewn  in  our  view,  are  as  follows  :  the  basement,  in  three 
divisions,  contains,  in  the  first,  three  angels  under  canopies  bearing  shields, 
1.  France  and  England,  quarterly.  King  Edward  III.  2.  The  bearings 
upon  this  shield  are  entirely  destroyed.  3.  France  and  England,  quar- 
terly, Edmund  of  Langley,  Duke  of  York.  In  the  second  division  of  the 
basement  are  two  angels  bearing  shields.  1.  France  and  England,  quar- 
terly, impaling  Castile  and  Leon,  quarterly,  Isabel  of  Castile,  Duchess  of 
York.  2.  Clare  and  De  Spenser,  quarterly,  impaling  France  and  Eng- 
land, quarterly,  Thomas  de  Spenser,  Earl  of  Gloucester.  In  the  third 
division  two  angels  bearing,  1.  France  and  England,  quarterly,  in  chief, 
and  Castile  and  Leon,  quarterly,  in  base,  impaling  Clare  and  Dc  Spenser, 
quarterly,  Constance,  Duchess  of  Gloucester.  The  arms  on  the  fascia  and 
over  the  door  are,  in  each  compartment,  three,  1.  The  Royal  Ai-ms  of 
England.  2.  The  Arms  of  Clare,  Earls  of  Gloxicester.  '■i.  Clare  impaling 
England,  Isabel,  Countess  of  Gloucester,  and  John,  afterwards  King  of 
England.  4.  De  Spenser,  Hugh,  Lord  De  Spenser.  3.  De  Spenser,  im- 
paling Clare.  Eleanor,  Countess  of  Gloucester,  wife  of  Hugh,  Lord 
de  Spenser.  6.  Clare  and  Dc  Spenser,  quarterly,  impaling,  Burghcrsh, 
Sir  Edward  De  Spenser,  K.  G.  A  critic,  whom  we  have  before  quoted, 
thus  describes  this  beautiful  specimen  of  architecture.  "  The  Countess 
of  Warwick's  chapel,  for  so  should  this  gem  of  antiquity  be  called,  par- 
takes decidedly  of  the  Florid  Gothic,  which  began  to  prevail  in  the  reign 
of  Henry  VI.  and  soon  reached  that  plenitude  of  ornament  which  we 
may  admire  rather  than  approve  ;  it  is  to  the  superabundance  of  its  deco- 
ration, that  our  objection  lies.  There  can  be  but  one  opinion  on  the 
praise  which  belongs  to  the  exquisiteness  of  finishing  by  which  the  seve- 
ral parts  of  it  are  distinguished.  The  entablature  appealing  to  rest  upon 
light  buttresses  of  singular  beauty,  gives  us  an  assemblage  of  fretwork 
which  may  vie  with  the  finest  specimens  of  similar  workmanship  in  the 
kingdom,  the  elegant  palm-leaved  parapet  which  occurs  in  the  division 
between  the  stories  ;  the  numerous  escutcheons  blazoned  ;  the  niches 
and  pedestals  under  their  respective  canojjies,  once  ornamented  with 
figures,  which  fanaticism  has  dislodged ;  the  pendents, '  dropping  like 
congelations  in  a  grotto,  from  a  roof  adorned  with  a  most  delicate  tra- 
cery, spread  over  it  like  a  web,  these,  and  a  countless  multitude  of  mi- 
nuter beauties,  almost  distract  attention,  and  overwhelm  the  judgment 
with  their  ditferent  claims  to  notice." — Curs.  Disq.  p.  104. 

16 


1:  t!:     e 


ABBEY    CHURCH    OF    ST.    MARY,    TEWKESBURY,    GLOUCESTERSHIRE. 


PLATE  van.— VIEW  OF  ST.  MARGARET'S  CHAPEL,  WITH  THE  MONU- 
MENT OF  SIR  GUY  BRYAN,  OB.  1391. 

This  light  and  elegant  specimen  of  monumental  architecture,  erected 
to  commemorate  Sir  Guy  Bryan,  a  Knight  of  the  Garter,  occupies  the 
centre  of  an  open  screen  which  divides  the  Chapel  of  St.  Margaret,  or,  as 
it  is  now  called,  Bryan's  Chapel,  from  the  north  aisle,  the  entrance  to 
the  Chapel  being  at  the  west  end,  at  the  head  of  the  tomb. 

Sir  Guy  Bryan,  or  de  Bryan,  was  a  person  of  very  great  note  in  the  reign 
of  Edward  III.  He  was  standard-bearer  to  the  King  in  the  last  notable 
fight  with  the  French,  at  Calais,  in  1349,  and  obtained  a  pension  of  two 
.  hundred  marks  for  life,  for  his  gallant  behaviour,  and  for  his  prudent 
bearing  of  the  standard  there,  against  the  enemy,  and  there  strenuously, 
powerfully,  and  erectly,  sustaining  it.  He  was  constituted  Governor  of 
■  St.  Briavel's  Castle,  and  Warden  of  the  Forest  of  Dean,  and  was  Am- 
bassador with  the  Duke  of  Lancaster  to  the  Pope,  to  obtain  a  ratifica- 
tion of  a  League  between  France  and  England,  and  was  afterwards 
created  a  Knight  Banneret,  and  again  was  Ambassador  to  Rome.  He 
had  second  grant  of  two  hundred  pounds  per  annum,  and  the  Manor  of 
Portham,  in  Devonshire,  and  was  appointed  Admiral  of  the  West  in 
1370.  In  1371,  upon  the  death  of  Sir  John  Chandos,  K.  G.,  he  was 
installed  Knight  Companion  of  the  most  noble  Order  of  the  Garter,  and 
married  Filizabeth,  the  daughter  of  William  Montacute,  Earl  of  Salis- 
bury, K.G.,  widow  of  Hugh,  Lord  De  Spenser,  who  died  iu  1349 
without  issue.  He  was  summoned  to  parliament  amongst  the  Barons  of 
the  realm,  from  the  24th  of  Edward  III.  to  the  13th  of  Richard  II.,  in- 
clusive, the  year  following  which  he  died,  leaving  Philippa  and  Eliza- 
beth, his  grand-daughters,  his  heirs,  vfho  were  the  only  children  of  Guy 
de  Bryan,  his  son,  who  died  during  the  lifetime  of  his  father. 

Sir  Guy  Bryan  founded  and  endowed  a  Chantry  at  Slapton,  near 
Kingsbridge,  in  Devonshire,  and  appropriated  certain  rents  in  Bristol 
to  the  office  of  sacrist  in  this  Abbey,  and  also  to  the  priest  who  should 
say  the  first  mass  for  his  soul,  every  day,  at  the  Altar  of  St.  Margaret, 
within  the  Chapel,  with  other  prayers  for  his  ancestors  and  posterity, 
viz.  the  mass  of  the  Trinity,  on  Sunday  ;  the  mass  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  on 
Monday;  the  mass  of  St.  Thomas,  on  Tuesday;  the  mass  of  the  Holy 
Rest,  on  Wednesday;  the  mass  of  the  Ascension,  on  Thursday;  the 
mass  of  the  Holy  Cross,  on  Friday  ;  the  mass  of  St.  Mary,  on  Saturday ; 
and  to  whatever  priest  should  so  officiate,  a  weekly  stipend,  also  to  the 
priest  who  shall  celebrate  mass  on  his  anniversary,  or  on  the  anniversary 
of  his  wife,  Elizabeth,  if  the  Abbot,  five  shillings,  and,  if  the  Prior,  three 
^hillings  and  four-pence ;  to  him  who  should  read  the  Gospel,  to  the 
reader  of  the  Epistle,  to  him  who  should  hold  the  paten,  and  to  the 
17 


ABBE\    CHURCH   OF   ST.  MARY,   TEWKESBURY,   GLOUCESTERSHIRE. 

precentor  and  his  two  assistants,  eight  pence  a  piece;  to  the  Prior, 
twelve  pence  ;  and  to  every  monk,  four  pence. 

Elizabeth  Montacute,  his  wife,  died  many  years  before  him,  in  13-59, 
when  her  whole  dowry,  including  Ilanley  Castle,  Tewkesbury  Manor, 
Malvern  Chace,  &c.,  devolved  to  her  first  husband's  nephew,  Edward 
de  Spenser,  K.  G. 

"  The  name  of  Sir  Guy  Bryan  must  be  joined  with  that  of  De  Spenser 
as  a  great  benefactor  to  this  Church,  in  putting  up  the  ceiling  under  the 
tower,  in  enlarging  tiie  windows,  and  perhaps  in  completing  several  de- 
signs began  and  prosecuted  by  Elizabeth's  former  husband,  till  death 
overtook  him,  and  to  which,  with  singular  delicacy.  Sir  Guy  Bryan 
might  have  allowed  only  the  arms  of  the  original  projector  to  be  affixed  ; 
a  resemblance,  doubtless,  has  been  intended  between  their  monuments, 
but  the  copy  will  not  bear  to  be  examined  with  the  original,  under  any 
other  association  it  might  obtain  praise.  It  has,  however,  the  advan- 
tage oT  being  placed  in  a  better  light,  and  a  more  commanding  situa- 
tion."—Curs.  Disq.  p.  100. 

The  principal  difference  between  the  monuments  of  Sir  Guy  Bryan, 
and  that  of  Hugh,  Lord  De  Spenser,  which  is  represented  near  Abbot 
Wakeman's  monument,  in  Plate  IX.,  consists  in  the  decorations  of  the 
basement,  or  altar,  upon  which  the  figure  reposes ;  the  latter  is  panelled 
in  small  trefoil-headed  arches,  while  that  of  Bryan  is  divided  into  three 
large  quatrefoiled  compartments,  the  centre  of  which  is  charged  with 
the  armorial  shield  of  Sir  Guy  Bryan,  Or,  three  piles,  in  point,  azure, 
and  those  on  each  side  with  the  same  arms  impaling  the  coat  of  Monta- 
cute, Argent,  three  fusils  in  fess,  (jules. 

The  Knight  is  represented  by  a  cumbent  statue  of  alabaster,  admira- 
bly executed,  and  in  the  attitude  of  drawing  his  sword,  which  is  a  de- 
parture from  the  general  style  of  the  period,  but  is  frequently  found  in 
monuments  of  an  earlier  date ;  the  figure  is  now  much  mutilated,  but  is 
a  most  valuable  specimen  of  monumental  sculpture,  from  the  extreme 
richness  and  peculiarity  of  the  armour;  it  has  originally  been  painted 
and  gilt,  although  little  of  that  gaudy  decoration  is  now  to  be  disco- 
vered, even  to  the  eye  of  an  experienced  antiquary.  The  armour  is  com- 
plete, but  of  the  mixed  kind  ;  the  head  is  covered  with  a  conical  ba- 
sinet, to  which,  by  a  red  lace,  is  attached  the  camail,  formed  in  a  very 
curious  manner,  apparently  of  wires,  bent  to  take  the  form  of  rings  ex- 
tending all  round,  which  is  particularly  explained  in  Meyrick\  Ancient 
Armour,  vol.  ii.  Under  the  jupon  was  usually  worn  a  convex  breast- 
plate, the  form  of  which  is  evident  in  this  figure.  The  jupon,  itself  of 
Arabic  origin,  and  generally  composed  of  silk  or  velvet,  is  represented  as 
embroidered,  or  worked  with  the  arms  of  Bryan,  most  curiously  diapered 
with  a  raised  composition,  which  is  clearly  to  be  seen  under  the  right  arm, 
where  it  is  less  worn  than  in  the  other  more  exposed  parts  of  the  figure ; 
18 


Diawn  tj  J.  F.  ITeale. 


CEKOTAPH    OF  ABBOT    'WAX'E'xrAII 


^En^avie  d  by  B.  B  o  sle j 


ABBEY   CHURCH    OF    ST.    MARY,   TEWKESBURY,    GLOUCESTERSHIRE. 

it  reaches  to  the  middle  of  the  tliighs ;  the  arms  are  covered  by  the  mail 
sleeves  of  the  haubergeon,  and  the  vant  bras  of  plate,  the  left  arm  is 
unfortunately  broken.  His  military  girdle  of  red  and  gold,  sustained  a 
sword  and  dagger,  both  also  broken  ;  his  chausses  are  of  mail,  with  slips 
of  plate  above  and  below  the  genouilliers,  and  his  feet  rest  on  a  lion  ; 
the  crest,  under  the  bead  of  the  figure,  is  much  mutilated,  and  appears 
to  resemble  a  griffin's  head ;  but  from  a  monumental  brass  in  Seale 
Church,  in  Kent,  to  the  memory  of  Sir  William  Bryan,  Knt.,  it  seems 
that  a  bugle  horn  was  the  family  crest. 

The  canopy,  or  couronnement,  exhibits  a  most  elegant- design  of  the 
pointed  style,  and  consists  of  four  stories  of  foil-headed  arches,  open, 
and  supported  by  buttresses  of  an  extremely  light  construction,  termi- 
nating in  small  crocketted  pinnacles;  some  of  the  buttresses  are  now  out 
of  the  perpendicular,  and  some  of  the  pinnacles  gone. 

Within  the  Chapel  of  St.  Margaret  are  monuments  for  Thomas  At- 
kyns,  Esq.,  son  of  Richard  Atkyns,  Esq.,  of  Tuffley,  who  died  in  1608; 
and  for  Mr.  Robert  Porter,  who  died  in  1703, 

PLATE  IX.— CENOTAPH  OF  ABBOT  W.\KEMAN,  FIRST  BISHOP  OF 
GLOUCESTER. 

The  Prelate,  for  whom  this  splendid  memorial  was  erected,  was  born 
in  the  adjoining  county  of  Worcester,  and  received  an  education  for  the 
Church,  amongst  the  Benedictine  monks  in  Gloucester  College,  in  the 
University  of  Oxford,  of  which  order  he  became  a  member,  and  at  length 
succeeded  Henry  Beoly  in  the  Abbacy  at  Tewkesbury,  according  to 
Dyde's  "  History,  &c."  The  precise  time  of  Abbot  Beoly's  death  has  not 
been  ascertained,  and  other  accounts  mention  an  intervening  Abbot, 
John  Walker,  who,  it  is  stated,  died  in  1531,  and  was  buried  in  this 
Church  under  a  marble  slab,  adorned  with  his  arms,  and  was  succeeded 
in  the  same  year  by  John  AVakeman,  who  continued  at  the  head  of  the 
monastery  for  ten  years,  and  surrendered  his  office  at  the  time  of  the  Re- 
formation. Having  submitted  to  the  king's  supremacy,  he  was  soon 
afterwards  appointed  the  first  Bishop  of  the  See  of  Gloucester,  which 
was  erected  by  charter  of  Henry  VIII.,  dated  4th  September,  1541. 
He  was  also  Chaplain  to  his  Majesty,  and  at  the  revisal  of  the  several 
translations  of  the  New  Testament,  by  the  most  learned  divines,  he  had 
the  Book  of  Revelations  assigned  to  his  superintendence.  Bishop  AVake- 
man  died  about  the  beginning  of  December,  1549,  when  he  was  suc- 
ceeded at  Gloucester  by  the  celebrated  martyr.  Bishop  Hooper,  and  ac- 
cording to  Godwin's  Catalogue  of  Bishops,  was  buried  at  Worthington, 
or  Wormington,  but  Anth.  VYood  thinks  his  interment  was  at  Forthamp- 
ton,  where  it  is  known  he  had  a  house  and  private  chapel,  and  often  re- 
sided.— Atkeiue,  i.  579. 

The  gorgeous  Cenotaph,  represented  in  the  annexed  plate,  had  been 
19 


ABBEY    CHURCH    OF    ST.    MARY,    TEWKESBURY,    GLOUCESTERSHIRE. 

constructed  by  Wakeman  during  his  lifetime,  and  while  he  was  Abbot 
of  Tewkesbury,  doubtless  with  the  intention  of  being  buried  in  a  vault 
beneath.  Amid  all  the  splendour  of  monumental  decoration,  of  which 
the  age  admitted,  the  person  of  the  Abbot  is  here  represented  by  a 
cadaver,  or  emaciated  figure,  which  is  commonly  called  The  Starved 
Monk,  stretched  upon  a  shroud.  The  tomb  is  constructed  with  an  open 
recess,  beneath  the  slab,  upon  which  this  figure  is  laid  out,  and  here, 
it  is  supposed,  the  cadaver  would  have  been  removed  at  his  decease, 
while  a  cumbent  figure  of  the  Abbot,  in  pontijicalibns,  would  have  oc- 
cupied the  upper  tablet,  had  not  the  dissolution  of  the  Abbey,  and  his 
consequent  removal,  frustrated  the  design.  Such  a  disposition  is  seen 
on  the  tomb  of  Archbishop  Chichele,  in  Canterbury  Cathedral,  and  is 
not  uncommon  on  monuments  of  ecclesiastics,  though  very  rarely  seen 
upon  those  of  the  nobility. 

This  cenotaph  is  so  situated  as  to  form  a  part  of  the  screen  of  the 
Chapel  of  St.  Edmund  the  Martyr,  standing  north-east  from  the  high 
altar.  Our  view  is  taken  within  the  Chapel,  shewing,  in  the  distance, 
part  of  the  screen,  at  the  back  of  the  altar;  and,  on  the  right,  De  Spen- 
ser's monument.  The  whole  cenotaph  is  composed  of  rich  workmanship, 
light  and  florid  screen-work,  nothing  solid.  The  basement,  or  altar  part, 
of  the  tomb,  as  we  have  observed  before,  forms  an  open  recess,  adorned 
with  most  curious  perforated  work  upon  the  front,  towards  the  ambula- 
tory. The  piers  which  support  the  canopy,  are  faced  with  light  graduated 
buttresses,  between  which  are  lofty  ornamented  octangular  pedestals,  sur- 
mounted by  niches,  with  their  canopies  for  statues  ;  and,  between  the 
piers,  springs  a  light  and  beautiful  arch,  foliated  at  its  lower  edge,  with 
the  spandrils  perforated  with  quatrefoils  ;  from  beneath  the  centre  of  this 
arch  descends  a  very  rich,  but  somewhat  heavy  pendent  ornament,  of 
an  ogee  form,  immediately  over  the  figure,  a  singular  and  bold  devia- 
tion from  the  monumental  style  of  the  age.  Above  the  whole  are  three 
projecting  canopies,  with  their  pinnacles  and  gables  crocketed  and 
under  wrought  with  tracery  of  the  most  delicate  workmanship.  It  was 
hardly  possible  that  such  elaborate  decoration  could  escape  mutilation. 
A  portion  of  the  west  end,  or  head  of  the  monument,  which  originally 
projected  beyond  the  piers,  has  been  destroyed,  and  some  of  the  tracery 
of  the  curious  pendent  arch  has  also  suffered,  but  the  whole  may  be  con- 
sidered as  a  tolerably  perfect  example  of  the  richest  and  most  elegant 
design  of  sepulchral  monuments. 

PLATE  X.-MOXUMENT  OF  ABBOT  CHELTENHAM,  OB.  1509,  &c. 

Richard  Cheltenham  succeeded  Abbot  Strensham,  who  died  in  1481, 

•21  Edward  IV.,  and  continued  at  the  head  of  this  monastery  during  the 

reigns  of  Edward  V.,  Richard  III.,  and  Henry  VII. ;  dying  in  1509, 

he  was  here  interred.    The  mouument  represented  in  our  plate  was  long 

20 


ABBEY    CHURCH    OF   ST.    MARY,   TEWKESBURY,    GLOUCESTERSHIRE. 

assio-ned  to  Abbot  Fortington,  but  ao  investigation  of  the  style,  and  de-: 
vices  with  which  it  is  adorned,  has  proved  the  date  of  the  structure  to  be 
much  more  recent,  and  the  arms  and  initials  are  found  to  correspond 
with  Cheltenham  alone.  It  forms  the  ouly  part  now  remaining  of  the 
screen  of  one  of  the  Chapels  upon  the  south  side  of  the  Church,  and,  in 
the  distance  of  our  view,  a  part  of  the  altar-screen,  and  above  it,  the 
painted  windows  in  the  chancel  are  seen. 

This  monument  consists  of  an  ornamented  basement,  or  altar,  divided 
into  four  compartments,  containing  moulded  quatrefoils,  with  large  shields 
in  the  centre  ;  upon  these  shields  no  blazonry  is  to  be  found,  but,  in  the 
spandrils  of  the  canopy,  upon  large  branches  of  sculptured  foliage,  are 
four  shields,  two  upon  each  side  ;  the  largest  contain  the  letters  ifi.  C., 
entwining  a  crozier,  the  monogram  of  the  Abbot ;  the  smaller  shields 
are  charged  with  a  chevron,  between  three  escalop  shells,  and  over  all  a 
Palmer's  staff,  in  pale ;  the  arms  of  Richard  Cheltenham.  The  canopy 
is  arched  quite  in  the  Tudor  style,  very  flat,  but  rising  to  an  apex,  its 
soffit  is  sculptured  with  groins  and  ornamented  bosses,  bearing  the  let- 
ter JS.  and  a  crozier,  C.  and  a  palmer's  staff:  some  are  carved  with  an 
escalop,  and  others  with  a  Palmer's  scrip  or  wallet  upon  foliage,  boldly 
wrought.  No  effigies  appears  ever  to  have  been  placed  upon  the  monu- 
ment, or  is  there  any  inscription  now  remaining.  The  whole  was,  pro- 
bably, at  its  erection,  surmounted  by  a  frieze  and  cornice,  which  is  now 
destroyed  by  time,  or  rather  wantonness,  A  monument  which  is  seen 
through  the  arch  of  the  above,  on  the  right  hand,  contains  a  stone  coffin, 
inscribed  SiOljanne^  Shba.^  i)U)\l^  %aci,  in  Lombardic  characters,  which 
is  supposed  to  commemorate  Abbot  Cotes,  who  died  in  1347  ;  this  coffin 
was  opened  in  the  year  1795,  and  within  it  were  then  found  remains  of 
sacerdotal  habits,  with  the^rras  of  Clare  upon  them;  but  it  should  be 
observed,  that  the  monument,  within  which  this  coffin  is  now  placed, 
seems  of  much  later  date  than  the  time  of  Edward  III.,  when  the  Ab- 
bot died,  and  is  conceived  to  have  been  erected  to  the  memory  of  some 
other  person :  more  westward  is  another  ancient  monument,  containing 
the  stone  coffin  of  a  monk,  unknown. 

PL.\TE  XI.— VIEW  OF  THE  SOUTH  AISLE.    TOMBS  OF  ABBOTS,  &c. 

The  monument  on  the  left  hand  of  this  Plate,  which  is  the  most  con- 
spicuous in  the  series  of  Abbots'  tombs  here  represented,  is  that  of  a 
monk,  unknown ;  the  arched  recess  of  which  it  is  composed  is  much  or- 
namented, terminating  in  an  exceedingly  rich  fiuial,  sculptured  with  fo- 
liage, upon  each  side  were  pinnacles,  but  one  of  them  has  been  broken 
oft"  about  the  middle ;  its  date  is  of  the  reign  of  Edward  III.,  judging 
from  the  style  of  the  workmanship.  The  next  monument,  upon  the  same 
side  of  the  aisle,  is  that  of  Alan,  Prior  of  Canterbury,  a  man  of  great 
learning,  who  received  the  benediction  in  the  year  1187,  34  of  Henry  11., 
■21 


ABBEY   CHURCH    OF   ST.    MARY,   TEWKESBtFRY,   GtOUCESTERSHIRE. 

having  been  the  friend  of  Archbishop  Becket,  whose  biographj'  he  com- 
piled, together  with  his  passion  and  miracles,  to  promote  his  canoniza- 
tion. Quadrilogus  de  vita  et  processii  S.  Tliomw  Cantuariensis  ct  Mar- 
tyris  super  Libertatc  Ecclcsiasticd,  a  book  collected  out  of  the  four  his- 
torians, who  were  contemporary  and  conversant  with  Becket,  viz.  Hu- 
bert de  Hoscham,  Johannes  Carnotensis,  Gulielmus  Canterburiensis, 
and  Alanus  Teukesburiensis,  who  are  introduced  as  so  many  relators 
of  facts  interchangeably,  was  printed  at  Paris  in  1495,  and  is  known  by 
the  name  of  Quadripartita  Uistoria.  Abbot  Alan  died  here  in  1202, 
and  was  buried  underneath  the  arched  recess,  in  the  south  wall,  where 
is  a  stone  coffin,  with  his  name  on  the  ledge  ;  it  was  opened  a  few  years 
ago,  and  his  remaius  were  found  with  all  the  habiliments  and  ensigns  of 
the  Benedictine  order,  in  tolerable  preservation ;  the  arch  of  the  tomb  is 
surmounted  by  a  plain  gable,  rising  in  straight  lines,  without  finial  or 
crockets.  Another  monument,  beyond  that  of  Abbot  Alan,  has  an  or- 
namented finial,  with  pinnacles  on  the  sides,  but  appears  to  be  nearly  of 
the  same  date.  In  the  wall,  between  the  two  tirst-mentioned  monu- 
ments, is  the  door  of  the  Vestry,  with  three  very  curiously  sculptured 
corbels  over  it.  The  Diaconum  Magnum,  or  Great  Vestry ;  the  original 
destination  of  this  chamber  contained  the  altar  service  of  plate,  the  copes, 
and  other  vestments  of  the  priests,  &c. ;  the  arches  of  the  windows  and 
doorway  of  this  Vestry  are  distinguished  by  ornamented  bosses  down 
the  sides  of  the  mouldings,  with  a  fillet  of  the  same  description  sur- 
rounding the  slender  pillars,  banded  together,  upon  raised  pedestals, 
support  the  ceiling.  The  foreground  and  right  hand  side  of  the  view,  in 
our  plate,  is  occupied  with  the  sepulchral  monument  of  Sir  Edward  De 
Spenser,  within  a  Chapel  dedicated  to  the  Holy  Trinity  ;  the  open  screen 
of  which  is  in  two  divisions,  with  the  door  in  the  most  distant. 

In  the  south  aisle  are  also  tiiese  mouuments  :  one  inscribed,  "  Here 
lyeth  Anne,  the  eldest  daughter  of  Sir  Paule  Tracy,  Knt.,  first  wife  to 
Edward  Hall,  Esq.,  and  widowe  to  William  Ingram,  Esq.,  who  de- 
ceased, 24th  February',  A.D.  1639."'  Arms,  within  a  lozenge.  Or,  be- 
tween two  bends  gttles,  an  escalop  in  chief,  sable.  Another  for  John 
Gelding,  Esq.,  who  died  in  1642. 

There  are  two  hamlets  in  the  parish,  viz.  Mythe  and  Southwick,  and 
the  whole  contained,  in  1811,  a  population  of  4,820. 


22 


HEREFORDSHIRE; 

VICAR, 
THE   REV.  JAMES   WATTS. 


The  town  of  Ledbury  is  situated  on  a  gentle  declivity,  within  a  small 
but  pleasant  valley,  formed  by  the  Dog-Hill,  on  the  north-east  and  other 
eminences,  in  the  Hundred  of  Radlow,  on  the  east  side  of  the  county. 
At  a  short  distance  on  the  west  flows  the  river  Leddon,  which  gives 
name  to  the  town,  and  taking  a  course,  due  south,  through  Gloucester- 
shire, unites  its  waters  with  the  Severn. 

The  Church  is  a  large  building  in  an  early  style  of  architecture,  but 
having  undergone  many  alterations  at  different  periods,  it  has  conse- 
quently lost  some  portion  of  its  original  character,  though  it  still  dis- 
plays many  fine  specimens  of  sculpture  in  its  ornaments,  and  is  interest- 
ing in  its  general  effect :  the  view  we  have  chosen  is  from  the  south-west. 
Edwin,  a  powerful  Saxon,  son  of  Edric  the  Forrester,  who  lived  in 
the  time  of  William  I.,  gave  Ledbury  to  the  Church  of  Hereford,  having 
been  cured  of  the  palsy  at  the  intercession  of  St.  Ethelbert. 

The  Lord  Bishop  of  Hereford  is  now  the  patron,  and  appoints  two 
prebendaries,  or  portioners  of  the  upper  and  nether  Hall,  in  this  Church, 
who  are  the  joint  patrons  of  the  living.  The  present  portioners  are  the 
Rev.  Joseph  Martin  and  the  Rev.  James  Watts. 

Tn  the  Church  were  formerly  Chauntries  of  the  Holy  Trinity,  St. 
Anne,  and  others.  John  Treftant,  Bishop  of  Hereford,  founded  here, 
about  the  year  1401,  a  College  of  Priests,  consisting  of  a  Custos,  or 
Master,  eight  Chaplains,  besides  Clerks,  Ministers,  and  Servants,  which 
was  liberally  endowed.  Henry  IV.  incorporated  them,  but,  at  the  Re- 
formation, it  was  dissolved;  and  the  lands  given  to  the  crown,  in  the 
1st  year  of  Edward  VL  On  the  north  side  of  the  Church  is  a  very 
handsome  portion  of  the  building,  called  the  Deacon's  Lodgings,  which, 
in  later  times,  was  converted  to  a  School  House,  but  is  now  the  re- 
ceptacle of  lumber.  It  is  supposed  to  have  been  originally  founded  by 
1 


LEDBURY    CHURCH,    HEREFORDSHIRE. 

John  Stoke,  from  an  inscription  upon  a  pew :  " tliginti  £t  ^tf  niarCff 

a  3i0l]annc  M>taU  jSunt  Data:  tt  ii  camcrae  fucrunt  scDificatfle." 

In  the  Church  is  a  monument  of  Sarah  Skippe,  ob.  1665,  and  others 
to  members  of  the  family  of  John  Skippe,  D.  D.,  Bishop  of  this  Diocese 
from  1539  to  1553. 

At  the  east  end  of  the  Chancel  is  a  slab  to  the  memory  of  Charles,  son  of 
Francis  Godwin,  Bp.  of  Hereford,  and  to  his  wife  Dorothy,  inscribed  : — 

PR«IBIT  DOROTHEA,   SEQUITUR   CAROLUS, 

AMBO    RESURGUNT. 
GOOWYN   THE   ONE,   GODWUN   THE   OTHER. 

At  the  east  end  of  the  North  Aisle  is  an  ancient  tomb  of  freestone, 
with  a  mutilated  recumbent  figure  of  a  female. 

There  are  also  monuments  in  the  Church  for  Richard  Caple,  Esq.,  ob. 
1601.  Thomas  Chambers,  Esq.,  ob.  1605.  John  Hey  wood,  Esq.  of 
Wellington,  alias  Prior's  Court,  in  this  county,  ob.  1614.  Thomas 
Cupper,  Esq.  of  Glympton,  in  Oxfordshire,  ob.  27  June,  1621. 

In  the  Chancel  is  buried  John  Thornton,  D.  D.,  Vice  Chancellor  of 
Oxford,  and  Master  of  the  Hospital,  in  this  town,  founded  by  Hugh  Foliot, 
Bp.  of  this  Diocese,  dedicated  to  God  and  St.  Catherine,  for  the  reception 
of  poor  people  and  travellers. 

Anne,  the  wife  of  Ambrose  Elton,  of  the  Hazel,  Esq.,  daughter  of 
Sir  Edward  Aston,  Knight  and  Baronet,  and  sister  of  Sir  Walter  Aston, 
Baron  of  Forfar,  of  Tixall.  She  died,  5th  Feb.  1660.  Her  husband  was 
buried  by  her  in  1659. 

Stay,  reader,  here  lies  the  body  of  James  Bailey,  late  of  Ledbury,  Corvisor,  who 
departed  this  life  13  December,  1674,  a^t.  100  jTs.  and  8  mths.  He  was  the 
youngest  brother  of  Humphrey  Bailey  of  Ocul  Pychard,  and  of  Samuel  Bailey,  late 
of  Hereford.  These  three  brothers  lived  the  age  of  300  yis.  What  one  wanted 
the  other  made  up. — Mors  rapit  omnia. 

John  Hoskins,  D.  D.  Vicar  of  this  Church,  is  buried  here  with  an  epi- 
taph beginning  thus  : — 

Sub  pedibus  Doctor  jacet  hie  in  legibus  Hoskins, 
Esse  Pius  docuit,  quodq.  docebat  erat,  &c. 

The  Tower  of  the  Church  is  distinct  from  the  body,  and  is  surmounted 
by  a  modern  spire. 


C!)urc|)  of  ^t  ^tttx  anb  ^t.  3^ml 

LEOMINSTER,  HEREFORDSHIRE. 


VICAR, 
THE  REV.  G.  W.  CURTIS. 


1  HE  town  of  Leominster  is  situated  in  a  rich  and  fertile  vale,  and  on 
the  banks  of  the  river  Lug,  which  making  a  considerable  flexure,  flows 
along  both  its  northern  and  eastern  sides,  and  here  receives  a  second 
tributary  stream,  the  Pinsley.  It  is  distant  about  thirteen  miles  north 
from  Hereford,  and  one  hundred  and  thirty-seven  west-north-west  from 
London. 

It  appears  from  a  comparison  of  various  authorities,  that  a  Monastery 
was  founded  here,  in  honour  of  St.  Peter,  about  the  year  660,  by  Mer- 
wald,  sovereign  of  the  western  part  of  Mercia,  who  committed  the  charge 
of  it  to  Eadfrid,  by  whom  he  had  been  converted  to  Christianity.  This 
establishment  was  destroyed  in  the  wars  with  the  Danes,  and  was  suc- 
ceeded by  a  College  of  Prebendaries,  which  was  subsequently  replaced 
by  an  Abbey  of  Nuns.  The  violation  of  Edgiva,  the  Abbess,  by  Sweyne, 
eldest  son  of  Earl  Godwin,  in  1046,  for  which  he  was  at  first  driven  into 
banishment,  by  Edward  the  Confessor,  seems  to  have  been  the  com- 
mencement of  those  enormities  which  terminated  in  the  total  loss  of  his 
power  and  possessions ;  but  the  circumstance  of  there  being  nuns  here  in 
1086,  which  is  evident  from  the  Domesday  Survey,  invalidates  Tanner's 
conjecture  that  this  outrage  occasioned  the  rum  of  the  convent.  The  nuns 
were  dispersed,  however,  and  their  estates  enjoyed  by  laymen,  some  time 
prior  to  the  year  1125,  when  King  Henry  I.  gave  this  foundation,  with 
every  thing  belonging  to  it,  to  his  new  Abbey  of  Reading,  in  Berkshire, 
to  which  it  afterwards  became  a  subordinate  cell  of  Benedictine  monks. 
In  1239,  the  Priory  and  the  Parish  Church  were  re-dedicated  to  St. 
Peter  and  St.  Paul,  by  Ralph  de  Maydenstan,  Bishop  of  Hereford, 
who  granted  a  charter  of  indulgence  in  consequence. 

The  right  of  the  Abbots  of  Reading  to  appoint  monks  of  their  house 
Priors  of  Leominster,  was  contested  in  the  thirteenth  century  by  the 
Bishop  of  Hereford's  Official ;  but  the  proceedings  were  stopped,  on  the 
interposition  of  Edward  I.,  and  the  ultimate  decision  does  not  appear  to 
have  been  recorded.  In  the  year  1402,  the  Priory  was  laid  under  heavy 
contributions  by  Owen  Glendower,  who  had  taken  possession  of  the 
town :  it  was  then  in  its  most  flourishing  state,  many  persons  giving  up 
their  estates  for  a  life  support  in  the  house. 

The  revenues  of  this  foundation  exceeded  those  of  any  other  cell  in 
England,  and  even  of  some  abbeys.    Tanner,  quoting  the  MS.  Register 


LEOMINSTER    CHURCH. 

of  Edward  Fox,  Bishop  of  Hereford,  states  their  yearly  amount  in  1536 
to  have  been  660/.  19s.  8rf.,  of  which  448/.  4s.  8d.  were  paid  to  Reading 
and  iu  other  reprises. 

The  present  Church  consists  principally  of  a  splendid  body,  of  the 
Pointed  style  of  architecture,  united  on  the  north  side  to  the  more  an- 
cient Parish  Church  and  its  Tower,  as  shewn  in  Plate  I.  The  chief 
entrance  is  through  the  Tower,  by  a  western  doorway,  beneath  a  semi- 
circular arch,  having  zigzag  and  billet  mouldings,  the  lower  members  of 
which,  with  the  exception  of  zigzag  course,  are  slightly  pointed.  The 
capitals  of  the  columns  are  curiously  wrought  with  scroll-like  foliage, 
doves,  lions,  lilies,  &c.  Over  the  door-way  is  a  round-headed  window, 
now  partly  blocked  up ;  but  the  upper  windows  of  the  Tower  are  point- 
ed. At  the  south-western  angle  of  the  Tower  is  a  projection,  resem- 
bling a  buttress,  in  which  is  a  flight  of  steps  leading  to  the  top.  The 
great  western  window  of  the  Church  displays  some  handsome  tracery; 
its  principal  mullions  are  supported,  in  a  singular  manner,  by  iron  cramps, 
which  extend  from  buttresses  connected  with  the  basement  story,  but 
detached  above  it,  and  terminated  by  pinnacles.  The  mouldings  and 
centre  mullion  of  another  window  at  the  west  end  of  the  Church,  to  the 
north  of  that  just  described,  are  enriched  with  a  curious  ornament,  appa- 
rently representing  the  unblown  calyx  of  a  flower.  The  five  windows 
on  the  south  side  of  the  Church  all  resembled  this  originally,  but  two 
of  them  requiring  to  be  repaired  in  1812,  were  altered  into  a  plainer 
style.  Between  the  roof  of  the  choir  and  that  of  the  old  Church,  or  north 
aisle,  is  a  small  bell  tower,  surmounted  by  a  crocketted  pinnacle. 

The  interior  of  the  old  Church  is  delineated  in  Plate  II. :  its  floor  is 
much  raised;  its  columns  are  short  and  massive,  of  the  Anglo-Norman 
period :  over  the  arches  they  sustain  is  a  range  of  blank  arches,  sup- 
ported by  rectangular  pilasters,  each  of  which  includes  two  smaller 
arches  of  the  same  description,  with  their  pilasters.  Above  these  is  a 
series  of  rectangular  compartments,  having  their  superior  angles  canted 
ofl",  some  of  which  open  into  windows.  This  division  of  the  Church  is 
separated  from  the  less  ancient  structure,  iu  the  Pointed  style,  by  a 
wall,  galleries,  and  wainscotting,  which  are  built  over  another  range  of 
the  ancient  columns. 

There  were  three  chantries  in  this  Church,  to  each  of  which  a  priest 
was  appropriated  ;  viz.  the  chantry  of  St.  Mary,  that  of  the  Trinity  ser- 
vice, and  that  of  the  service  of  our  Lady  of  Pity,  otherwise  called  the 
Chantry  of  Philip  ap  Morgan's  Lands.  Many  altars  were  also  dedicated 
to  the  service  of  particular  saints,  as  well  in  this  Parish  Church  as  in  that 
of  the  Priory.  The  charter  granted  by  Robert,  Bishop  of  Hereford, 
soon  after  1130,  announces  the  consecration  of  the  altars  of  the  Holy 
Cross,  in  the  Parish  Church,  with  that  of  those  dedicated  to  St.  Mary 
Magdalene,  St.  Margaret,  and  St.  Katharine. 

In  1389,  a  new  roof  was  made  to  the  Chancel  of  the  Holy  Cross. 

2 


Lia*-nbTJP.Neale. 


Iiiji3v»il>y  J.  Le  Kenx 


LEOMIKSTEB    rHITM« 


CMiU.'J:  j:JCA:-.!r, 


LEOMINSTER   CHURCH. 

On  Nov.  18,  1699,  a  fire  destroyed  the  whole  interior  of  the  eastern 
part  of  the  Church,  which  was  rebuilt  a  few  years  afterwards,  iu  a  style 
altogether  incongruous  to  the  remaining  portions  of  the  ancient  edifice  ; 
being  supported  by  four  large  columns  of  the  Tuscan  order.  The  length 
of  the  entire  Church,  which  is  also  that  of  the  most  ancient  part,  the 
north  or  back  aisle,  as  it  is  called,  is  123  feet ;  its  total  width  is  124  feet, 
and  its  height  52  feet,  while  a  noble  Tower  to  the  north-west  rises  to 
the  elevation  of  99  feet. 

The  body  of  the  Church  is  regularly  pewed  with  oak  ;  over  the  Com- 
munion Table  is  a  fine  Altar-piece,  after  Rubens,  the  subject  being  the 
Lord's  Supper;  on  each  side  of  which  are  Tables  with  the  Ten  Com- 
mandments, in  gilt  letters ;  also  Moses  and  Aaron ;  and,  lastly,  the 
Lord's  Prayer  and  the  Belief,  with  a  glory  over  the  Altar-piece.  At  the 
west  end  is  the  Font,  over  which  is  the  organ,  erected  in  1737. 

The  ancient  monuments  in  this  Church  were  destroyed  by  the  fire  and 
consequent  fall  of  the  east  end  in  1699 ;  it  would  appear,  from  the  scanty 
notices  of  them  given  by  Blount  and  other  antiquaries,  that  there  were 
few  of  importance. 

The  following  account  of  an  ancient  inscription,  formerly  in  this 
Church,  is  given  by  Price,  in  his  Historical  and  Topographical  Account 
of  Leominster. 

"  Coppie  of  the  viscripsio/ie  found  by  me  John  Hackluyte,  of  Eaton,  in 
Herefordshire,  vppou  a  brassen  plate  on  the  wall  of  the  south  side  of  the 
Chirche  of  Leominster,  in  the  said  countie  of  Hereford,  1592.  All  the 
letters  were  cut  oute  in  brasion  plate,  and  faestened  upon  a  timbre  lette 
into  the  wall,  and  have  been,  washed  over  with  white,  at  such  time  the 
said  Chirche  had  been  cleaned. 

"  My  foremost  fathers  did  build  upon  this  my  town,  and  at  Kenelmford,  and 
Meadwellhamstede,  and  Lincoln,  and  Leicester,  and  Kenelmworth,  and 
Clint,  and  Kenelmstrone,  and  Winchcombe,  and  Hereford,  and  Sutton,  and 
Kenchester,  and  Westminster,  and  \'erulum,  and  Nottinghame,  and  War- 
wick, and  Gloucester,  and  Stanford,  and  Berkeley,  and  Tewkesbury,  and 
Runcown,  and  Tamworth,  and  Edesbury,  and  Sempringham,  and  Lincolne, 
and  Crichelme  his  Ley,  and  Off-Church.  Christ  loved  me,  and  was  my 
most  righteous  defence  always.  I  have  loved  Christ,  and  for  his  love  my 
lands  I  forsook  (i.  e.  gave)  but  my  Kingsland  and  also  my  Kenelmworth,  I 
do  not  forgive  (i.  e.  give)  I  am  Christ's  Kenelme,  and  Kenelmbald  is  my 
Kinsman  at  Clinton." 

(All  in  Saxon  characters.) 
"  An  explanation  at  large  of  this  monument,"  observes  Mr.  Price,  "  is 
in  the  Addenda  to  Weaver's  Funeral  Monuments,  by  which  it  appears, 
that  the  person  to  whom  this  inscription  did  belong,  was  descended  from 
the  ancient  Saxon  Kings,  and  died  about  the  year  1060.  His  ancestors 
had  a  castle  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Leominster,  the  site  of  which  may 
be  traced:  it  was  called  Kenelmbaldston;  by  abbreviation,  Kimboldton. 
The  way  to  it  from  Leominster  is  well  known  by  the  name  of  the  Cornish. 
Way." 

3 


LEOMINSTER   CHURCH. 

Blount,  in  his  MS.  collections  for  the  History  of  Herefordshire,  men- 
tions an  alabaster  figure  of  a  lady  in  the  old  Church,  but  without  in- 
scription or  arms.  It  is  said  to  have  represented  a  great  benefactress 
to  the  Church  and  Town,  probably,  according  to  Price,  Matilda  Mow- 
bray, whose  charter  to  the  men  of  Leominster,  is  still  extant. 

There  are  no  modern  monuments  of  particular  interest  in  the  Church. 
In  the  Churchyard  is  the  tomb  of  Mr.  John  Ward,  many  years  manager 
of  a  company  of  comedians,  and  grandfather  of  the  late  Mr.  John  Kemble 
and  of  Mrs.  Siddons.     It  bears  the  following  inscription  : 

"  Here  waiting  for  our  Saviour's  g:reat  assize. 

And  hoping  thro'  his  merits  hence  to  rise, 

In  glorious  mode,  in  this  dark  closet  lies 

John  Ward,  Gent. 

Who  died  Oct.  30,  1773, 

Aged  69. 

Also,  Sarah  his  wife,  who  died 

Jan.  30,  1786.    Aged  75  years." 

In  the  Churchyard  are  also  memorials  for  Mrs.  Joan  Seward,  who 
died  in  1767,  and  Mrs.  Wheel,  in  179-2,  both  aged  103 ;  also  of  Mar- 
garet Mapp,  who  died  in  180"2,  aged  107 ;  and  of  Betty  Perry,  near 
Leominster,  in  1819,  aged  109. 

The  living  is  a  discharged  Vicarage,  valued  in  the  King's  books  at 
10/.  3s.  8d.  The  King  is  the  Patron.  In  1631,  the  celebrated  dissen- 
ter, John  Tombes,  was  appointed  Vicar;  he  was  driven  from  Leominster 
in  1641  by  the  King's  forces,  but  returned  hither,  after  undergoing  many 
vicissitudes  of  fortune,  a  short  time  prior  to  the  Restoration.  Soon  after 
that  event,  however,  being  apprehensive  of  persecution,  and  having 
married  a  rich  widow,  he  retired  from  the  clerical  profession,  and  went 
to  reside  at  Salisbury,  where  he  died  in  1676,  aged  73.  W.  Whittle, 
who  succeeded  him  in  the  Vicarage,  is  recorded  to  have  had  nineteen 
children  by  one  wife. 

The  Priory  was  situated  to  the  north-east  of  the  present  Church,  on 
the  little  river  Pinsley.  Some  of  the  buildings  are  yet  standing ;  among 
them  is  the  Priory  House,  which  has  undergone  various  alterations 
since  the  Dissolution.  Lord  Coningsby  had  it  fitted  up  for  a  county 
gaol,  thinking  he  had  interest  sufficient  to  remove  the  assizes  from  Here- 
ford to  Leominster.  It  was  afterwards  rented  by  the  Corporation,  and, 
in  1717  or  1718,  made  into  a  Mansion-house  for  the  Bailiff' of  the  town. 
It  has  since  been  converted  into  a  house  of  industry  for  the  poor  of  Leo- 
minster. The  Oil  Slill  on  the  Priory  Green  was  the  Corn  Mill  belong- 
ing to  the  Priory.  The  name  of  an  adjoining  meadow,  now  called  Alm- 
buei-y  Close,  designates  the  site  of  another  of  the  conventual  buildings. 
The  unevenness  of  the  ground,  to  the  eastward  of  the  present  Church, 
is  supposed  to  mark  the  foundations  of  the  Priory  Church,  which,  ac- 
cording to  Leland,  "was  here  joyned  to  the  east  end  of  the  paroch 
chirche,  and  was  but  a  small  thinge." 
4 


atnt  ;OTar^'s  €bnxt% 

SABRIDGEWORTH,  HERTFORDSHIRE ; 

VICAR, 
REV.  THOMAS  HUTCHINSON. 


This  Church  is  very  pleasantly  situated  at  the  east  end  of  the  town  of 
Sabridgeworth,  on  the  banks  of  the  little  river  Stort,  which  here  separates 
the  county  of  Hertford  from  Essex.  It  is  in  the  Deanery  of  Braughing, 
and  Diocese  of  London,  the  Bishops  of  which  are  now  its  patrons ;  but 
originally  the  Vicarage  appears  to  have  been  appropriated  to  the  Abbey 
of  St.  Peter's,  Westminster,  by  William  Mandeville,  Earl  of  Essex,  in  the 
reign  of  Henry  II.,  who  "  gave  the  Church  to  the  Monks  of  West- 
minster in  pure  alms."  At  what  time  the  present  edifice  was  built  is 
not  recorded,  but,  from  the  prevailing  style  of  its  architecture,  it  may 
be  assigned  to  the  aera  of  Henry  IV.  The  view  of  the  exterior,  plate  1, 
is  taken  from  the  south-east,  shewing  the  Porch  on  the  south ;  at  the 
west  end  is  a  low  square  Tower,  embattled,  from  which  rises  a  very 
small,  but  elegant  taper  Spire,  covered  with  lead,  reticulated  in  the 
joints,  rendering  it  both  light  and  ornamental.  On  the  exterior  of  the 
Tower  is  seen  the  staircase  turret.  The  Church  consists  of  a  Nave, 
north  and  south  Aisles,  and  a  large  Chancel  at  the  east  end,  separated 
from  the  body  by  an  open  screen. 

The  Church  has  a  picturesque  appearance  from  almost  every  point  of 
view,  but  particularly  so  from  the  banks  of  the  river,  which  meanders  in 
beautiful  curves  through  a  most  fertile  country  for  some  miles  on  either 
side  of  Sabridgeworth. 

The  interior  is  striking,  from  the  number  of  handsome  Monuments 
which  it  contains  ;  many  of  the  corbels  of  the  roof  are  curious  and  well 
sculptured,  and  a  great  portion  of  the  old  seats  remain.  In  the  middle 
Aisle  is  a  marble  slab,  inlaid  with  brass,  to  the  memory  of  Geotfry 
Joslyne,  and  Catharine  and  Johanna,  his  wives,  who  died  11th  January, 
1470 ;  he  was  the  father  of  Sir  Ralph  Joslyne,  Knt.,  twice  Lord  Mayor 
of  the  City  of  London,  who  died  2.3th  Oct.  1478.  At  the  east  end,  on 
the  north  side,  is  a  very  fine  marble  bust  by  Bacon,  of  Robert  Jocelyne, 
Lord  Chancellor  of  Ireland  in  1739 ;  he  was  created  Baron  Newport, 
29th  Nov.  1743,  and  Viscount  Jocelyne,  6th  Dec.  1755 ;  he  died  in 
1 


ST.    MARY'S  CHURCH,    SABRIDGEWORTH,    HERTFORDSHIRE. 

London,  Dec.  3rd,  1756.  On  the  south  side  of  the  entrance  to  the 
Chancel,  is  a  small  mural  monument  "  to  the  precious  memory  and 
name"  of  Sir  William  Hewitt,  Knt.,  ob.  1C37,  and  Dame  Elizabeth, 
his  wife,  who  died  in  1646.  It  is  adorned  with  half-length  figures  of 
the  Knight  and  his  Lady,  and  is  seen  in  our  view  of  the  interior. 

The  screen  of  the  Chancel  is  perforated  with  small  trefoil  headed 
arches  :  over  this  was  formerly  the  rood  loft,  the  steps  to  which  are  now 
remaining  in  the  south  Aisle.  The  Chancel  is  large,  and  rich  in  Sepul- 
chral Monuments,  kept  very  clean,  and  in  most  excellent  preservation, 
the  most  ancient  of  which  is  against  the  north  wall,  consisting  of  an 
Altar  Table,  upon  which  are  the  mutilated  effigies  of  a  man  armed, 
and  his  lady ;  above  the  tomb  is  a  tablet  inserted  in  the  wall :  "  Heare 
lyeth  John  Jocelyne,  Esq.,  and  Phillip  his  wife,  which  John  died.  An. 
Dom.  1525."  On  the  same  side  is  a  monument  to  the  memory  of  Sir 
Walter  Mildmay,  Knt.,  of  Pishoburj',  who  died  •24th  Feb.  1606,  with 
his  figure  in  armour,  and  that  of  his  Lady,  Dame  Marie,  the  daughter 
of  Sir  William  Walgrave,  of  Smalbridge,  in  Suftblk,  both  kneeling 
before  a  table  covered  with  tapestry,  edged  with  fringe,  and  a  double 
desk,  with  two  books  upon  it,  his  son  standing  in  armour  behind  him, 
with  an  inscription  under  it.  At  the  east  end  of  the  Chancel  are  three 
Hatchments  for  members  of  the  family  of  Jocelyne,  whose  chief  seat 
has  been  at  Hide  Hall,  near  this  town,  from  the  time  of  Henry  III.; 
the  first  bears  the  arms  of  Jocelyne,  viz.,  arj/re,  a  cimdar  wreath,  argent 
and  sable,  four  hawks  hells  joined  thereto  in  quadrature,  or.  Crest,  a 
falcon's  leg  belled,  or,  erased  gules.  Motto,  Faire  man  devoir.  Second 
Hatchment,  quarterly  of  six,  viz.,  1.  Jocelyne  as  before,  with  an  escut- 
cheon of  Ulster.  2.  Azure  a  fess  or.  3.  Gules,  a  griffin  segreant, 
within  a  border  engrailed,  or.  4.  Gules,  an  escutcheon  argent,  icithin  an 
orle  of  martlets,  or.  5.  Gules,  on  a  saltier  engrailed,  or.  Jive  cinquefoils 
of  the  first,  and  a  chief  ermine.  6.  Azure,  three  cinquefoils  or.  The 
third  Hatchment  has  nine  quarterings,  viz.  six,  as  before.  7.  Gules,  tivo 
lions  passant  argent,  over  all,  a  bend  ermine.  8,  Sable,  ttco  bars  argent, 
in  chief ,  three  plates.    9.  Jocelyne. 

Against  the  south  wall  of  the  Chancel  is  a  Monument  and  Bust  of 
Sir  Thomas  Hewitt,  Bart,  of  Pishobury,  who  died  August  4,  1662,  aet. 
57,  bearing  the  arms  of  Hewitt  impaling,  ermine,  on  a  clievron  indented 
azure,  three  crowns  or,  motto,  Honestum  utili:  opposite  to  which  is  a 
very  handsome  monument  of  bis  son  George,  Viscount  Goran  and 
Baron  of  St.  Jamestown,  in  Ireland ;  he  died  in  1689,  a;t.  37.  He  is 
represented  at  full  length,  in  a  complete  suit  of  armour,  but  without  his 
helmet,  and  is  standing  upright,  under  a  canopy,  supported  by  columns, 
over  which,  are  his  arms,  \\z.  gules,  a  chevron  engrailed  between  three  owls 
argent.  Crest,  a  falcon  belled  or.  Supporters,  dexter  side,  a  falcon  or, 
with  wings  expanded  argent.     Sinister  side,  a  gryphon  or,   wings  ex- 


SAINT  MARY'S   CHURCH,   SABRIDGEWORTH,    HERTFORDSHIRE. 

panded  argent,  collared,  azure,  billette  or,  motto,  vigilando  :  at  the  base 
is  a  long  Latin  inscription  to  his  memory ;  he  left  his  estate  at  Pisho- 
bury  to  his  sister  Arabella  Lady  Wiseman,  whose  daughter  Anne  mar- 
ried the  Honorable  Henry  Lumley,  only  brother  to  Richard,  Earl  of 
Scarborough,  to  whom  there  is  also  a  neat  marble  slab.  He  died 
Governor  of  Jersey,  18th  of  October,  172'2,  aet.  62,  and  their  daughter, 
Frances,  died  13th  Oct.  1719,  aet.  6.  On  a  flat  stone  is  an  inscription 
to  the  memory  of  William  Gardiner,  Esq.,  of  Pishobury,  who  died  the 
29th  of  November,  1792,  aged  41  years  ;  also  Christopher,  his  son,  who 
died,  August,  1725,  aged  4  months.  At  the  entrance  into  the  Chancel, 
is  a  marble  slab  covering  a  vault,  with  the  arms  of  Hewitt  impaling 
Litton,  Anno  Dom.  16C6. 

The  second  plate  represents  the  interior  view  of  the  south  Aisle, 
looking  east,  across  the  body  of  the  Church,  which  is  separated  from 
the  aisles  by  clustered  pillars,  and  pointed  arches,  composed  of  very 
bold  mouldings;  the  ceiling  is  here  seen,  which  consists  of  panels 
formed  by  the  intersection  of  the  beams,  supported  by  brackets,  rest- 
ing on  corbels ;  those  at  the  east  end  are  of  stone,  and  are  sculptured 
with  the  attributes  of  the  evangelists  boldly  executed.  At  the  west 
end  of  this  Aisle  is  the  font,  of  an  octagonal  form,  on  a  pedestal  and 
base ;  within  the  quatrefoil  panels,  on  the  sides,  have  been  shields  of 
arras,  but  their  bearings  are  now  entirely  defaced.  In  the  Church  is  a 
great  number  of  brasses  inlaid  on  marble  slabs ;  but  the  most  interest- 
ing, is  one  seen  in  the  fore-ground  of  the  view,  plate  2.  It  is  finely  exe- 
cuted, and  is  supposed  to  commemorate  a  branch  of  the  Planta- 
genet  family ;  the  full  length  figures  represent  a  Knight  and  a  Lady ; 
the  Knight  is  in  plate  armour,  with  his  feet  resting  on  a  greyhound  : 
at  the  upper  corner  of  the  marble  is  the  arms  of  old  France  and 
England  quarterly.  The  Lady's  head  is  covered  by  a  coif,  and  her  neck 
bare,  she  is  clad  in  a  loose  robe  and  mantle  ;  at  her  feet  is  a  little  dog. 
In  the  upper  part  of  the  slab,  over  her  head,  is  the  arms  of  England, 
with  a  label  of  France  as  borne  by  the  Plantagenets,  Earls  of  Lancaster; 
the  date  of  the  Monument  may  be  assigned  to  the  latter  end  of  the  four- 
teenth, or  to  the  beginning  of  the  fifteenth  century,  by  the  mode  of  bear- 
ing the  arms,  as  well  as  the  costume  of  the  figures.  It  is  somewhat  sin- 
gular, that  this  curious  Monument  should  have  been  passed  over  by  the 
historians  of  the  county,  Chauncy  and  Salmon.  Neither  Sandford,  nor 
his  continuator  in  the  Royal  Genealogies,  Stabbing,  appear  to  have  ever 
seen  it.  Upon  another  slab  in  this  Aisle,  are  the  figures  of  a  Knight  and  a 
Lady,  spiritedly  executed,  with  this  inscription  in  Roman  capitals,  viz. : 

"  Here  lyeth  buried  Edward  Leventliorp,  Esquire,  who  died  in  Decerab.  1551, 
(being  y'  eldest  sonne  of  Thomas  Leventhorp,  Esquire,  and  Elizabeth  his 

wife,  y=  the  daughter  of Bailee  of  Aldbury,  Esquire.     Theire  eldest 

sone  was  also  Edward,  who  married  Mai-y  Parker,  the  second  daughter  of 

Sf  Harry  Parker,  Knight,  y' eldest  sone  of  Harry,  lo  Mor''=." 

3 


SAINT  MARY  S  CHURCH,   SABRIDGEWORTH,   HERTFORDSHIRE. 

Against  the  south  wall,  towards  the  east  end  of  this  Aisle,  is  a  large 
mural  Monument,  consisting  of  columns  supporting  an  arch ;  under  which 
is  represented  a  Knight  in  complete  armour,  in  a  reclining  posture,  and, 
below  him,  a  Ladj',  who  is  also  reclining,  tolerably  sculptured,  to  the  me- 
mory of  Sir  John  Leventhorp,  Knight  and  Baronet,  who  died  23rd  of  Sep- 
tember, 1625,  and  his  Lady  ;  on  the  basement  are  his  six  sons  and  eight 
daughters,  all  kneeling.  Over  the  centre  of  the  arch  is  a  large  shield  of 
arms,  quarterly  of  four  :  viz.  1.  Argent,  a  bend  gobonuic  sable  and  gules, 
between  two  cottises  of  the  second,  for  Leventhorp.  2.  Argent,  afess  between 
three  fleurs  de  lis  (/nles.  3.  Sable,  a  lion  rampant  argent,  crowned,  and 
within  a  border  engrailed,  or.  4.  Leventhorp.  On  the  dexter  side  is  the 
arms  of  Leventhorp  impaling,  argent,  three  lions  passant  gules.  Sinister 
side  of  the  arch.  Leventhorp  as  before,  impaling,  argent,  a  bend  engrailed 
between  six  billets  sable.  In  this  Aisle  are  preserved  several  brass  plates 
belonging  to  slabs  iti  the  Church.  On  the  floor,  at  the  east  end,  is  a  mar- 
ble inlaid  with  two  figures  in  winding  sheets  ;  at  the  head  of  which  are 
two  coats  of  arms,  viz.,  1.  France  and  England  quarterly.  2.  Old  France 
and  England  quarterly,  with  a  label  of  three  points.  At  the  feet  of  the 
figures  have  been  three  coats ;  the  first  is  now  gone ;  2nd,  Leventhorp, 
quartering,  o  chevron,  with  a  label  of  three  points;  3rd,  Leventhorp, 
quartering,  a  fess  between  three  Jleiir  de  lis.  "tA'ithin  the  two  quatrefoils 
on  the  upper  part  of  the  east  window  of  this  Aisle  are  two  coats,  in 
stained  glass,  quarterly  or,  and  gules,  being  the  arms  of  William  de  Say, 
who  married  Beatrice,  sister  and  heiress  of  Geoffrey  Mandeville,  Earl 
of  Essex. 

The  north  Aisle  has  also  some  painted  glass  in  the  small  quatrefoil 
divisions  of  the  mullions  of  the  east  window,  viz.  1 .  Or,  a  fess  be- 
tween two  chevrons  sable.  2.  Say.  At  the  end  of  the  Aisle  is  a  mar- 
ble slab  inlaid  with  a  brass  plate  eighteen  inches  by  three,  inscribed 
in  black.  "  Of  your  Charite  pray  for  the  Soule  of  Wilhil  Chauncy,  on 
whose  Soule  Ihu  have  mercy."  Arms — Dexter  shield,  A  cross  Jtevry ,  oh 
a  chief,  a  lion  passant.  Chauncy,  with  an  annulet  for  difference.  On  the 
sinister  side,  within  a  shield,  is  a  heart  between  two  hands  in  chief,  and 
two  feet  ill  base,  all  pierced  and  bleeding,  representing,  heraldically,  the 
five  wounds  of  Jesus  Christ.  The  following  members  of  the  family  of 
the  historian  of  the  county  are  also  buried  here ;  John  Chauncy,  ob. 
1479,  and  his  wife  Anne,  the  daughter  of  John  Leventhorp,  Esq.,  ob. 
1477;  John  Chauncy,  Esq.,  ob.  1510;  John  Chauncy,  Esq.,  ob.  1-346, 
and  his  two  wives,  Elizabeth,  who  died  1531,  and  Katharine,  who  died 
1535  :  there  is  also  buried  here,  Margaret,  the  daughter  and  heiress  of 
William  GitFord  of  Gilston,  wife  of  John  Chauncy  of  Stepney. 


HERTFORDSHIRE ; 

VICAR, 
THE  REV.  HENRY  SMALL. 


The  effect  of  this  venerable  pile,  when  seen  from  a  distance,  is  ex- 
tremely grand  and  imposing ;  situated  upon  an  eminence,  its  massive 
towers  rise  with  majestic  splendour  above  the  houses  of  the  ancient  town, 
which  is  known  to  have  had  its  first  importance  under  the  Romans  by 
the  name  of  Verulam,  but  to  have  afterwards  increased,  chiefly  under 
the  protecting  influence  of  the  successive  Abbots  of  this  rich  and  pow- 
erful monastery.  The  almost  regal  splendour  of  those  priests,  who  here 
ruled  with  absolute  sway  a  large  community,  and  who  held  in  early  times 
the  very  first  place  amongst  the  spiritual  Lords  of  the  Realm,  by  virtue 
of  their  extensive  baronial  territories,  is  easily  pictured  in  the  imagi- 
nation. But  as  the  outline  of  the  building  becomes  more  defined,  and 
a  nearer  approach  displays  the  ivy  mantled  walls,  and  other  indications 
of  the  former  extent  of  their  lordly  accommodation,  mouldering  fast 
away,  while  the  vast  magnitude,  combined  with  the  simplicity  of  ma- 
terial and  decoration,  of  the  sacred  edifice,  which  remains,  suflSciently 
denotes  its  great  antiquity,  the  prospect  forces  upon  the  mind  a  melan- 
choly train  of  reflection  on  the  instability  of  human  institutions. 

Monastic  foundations  had  their  origin  in  this  country  about  the  time  of 
St.  Augustine,  who  came  from  Rome  to  convert  the  Pagan  Saxons  to  the 
religion  of  Christ;  and  when  Offa  ascended  the  throne  of  Mercia,  in  755, 
abouttwenty  great  monasteries  had  been  founded  in  England,  and  about 
the  same  number  of  Episcopal  Sees  established ;  Ofta's  zeal  prompted 
him  to  do  what  many  of  his  crowned  predecessors  had  done  before  him  ; 
but  being  undetermined  whom  to  select  as  the  patron  saint  of  his  esta- 
blishment, while  he  was  at  the  city  of  Bath,  it  is  recorded  that  an  angel 
appeared  to  him  in  the  silence  of  the  night,  and  admonished  him  to  raise 
out  of  the  earth  the  body  of  Alban,  the  first  British  martyr  under  the 
Dioclesian  Persecution,  and  place  his  I'emains  in  a  siiitable  shrine.  The 
very  memory  of  Alban  had  been  lost  for  340  years,  but  the  king  assem- 
bling his  clergy  and  people  at  Verulam,  they  commenced  their  search 
for  his  body  with  prayer,  fasting,  and  alms,  when  a  ray  of  fire  was  seen 
by  all  to  stand  over  the  place  of  burial,  like  the  star  that  conducted  the 
Magi  to  Bethlem.  The  ground  was  opened,  and  in  the  presence  of  Offa 
the  body  of  the  Protomartyr  Alban  was  found.  The  king  is  said  to  have 
placed  a  circlet  of  gold  round  the  skull  of  the  deceased,  with  an  inscrip- 
tion to  signify  his  name  and  title,  and  immediately  cansed  the  remains  of 
1 


THE    ABBEY    CHURCH    OF   ST.  ALBANS,    HERTFORDSHIRE. 

the  saint  to  be  conveyed  to  a  small  chapel,  without  the  walls  of  Veru- 
1am,  until  a  more  noble  edifice  could  be  raised.  This  transaction  is 
stated  to  have  occurred  on  the  1st  of  August  in  791,  four  hundred  and 
ninety-four  j'ears  after  the  sutFering  of  Alban.  The  king  aftenvards  made 
a  journey  to  Rome  to  procure  the  desired  privileges  to  his  intended  foun- 
dation, which  the  Pope  granted,  with  great  commendations  of  his  zeal 
and  piety ;  when  he  undertook  to  build  a  stately  church  and  monastery 
to  the  memory  of  St.  Alban,  and  that  same  year  he  set  about  the  work. 

The  principal  endowment  made  by  OiTa,  was  his  manor  and  palace  of 
Winslow,  in  Buckinghamshire,  for  which  estate  he  procured  the  singu- 
lar privilege  of  exemption  from  the  tax  of  Rome,  scot,  or  Peterpence. 
Willegod,  a  very  religious  man,  who  was  born  of  a  noble  family,  and 
related  to  the  king,  was  placed  over  the  whole  body  as  the  first  Abbot, 
or  Superior. 

At  the  death  of  Oft'a,  in  794,  Willegod  was  in  complete  possession  of 
this  new  government,  and  had  established  the  rule  of  his  house.  One 
hundred  monks  had  been  selected  out  of  other  religious  houses,  chiefly 
from  that  of  Bee,  in  Normandy,  and  were  now  under  the  vow  and  obli- 
gation of  the  Order  of  St.  Benedict,  which  compelled  them  to  live  in  the 
observance  of  the  most  rigid  chastity,  to  have  no  possessions  of  their  own, 
and  to  pay  obedience  to  their  Abbot.  Their  dress  was  a.  long  black  gar- 
ment, loose  and  ungirded,  beneath  which  they  wore  a  close  white  tunic 
of  woollen,  and  a  hair  shirt,  a  cowl  hung  back  on  their  shoulders,  and 
their  legs  were  covered  with  boots.  In  their  diet  they  were  compelled 
to  abstain  from  all  flesh,  except  when  sick. 

The  Abbots,  who  continued  to  preside  over  this  ancient  and  royal 
foundation  until  the  dissolution,  were  in  number  forty.  By  grant  from 
Pope  Adrian  IV.  they  took  precedence  of  all  others  in  England. 


1.  Willegod,  elected791,  died  794. 

2.  Eadric. 
',i.  Vulsig. 

4.  Vulnoth. 

5.  iEdfrid. 

6.  Ulsinus. 

7.  iElfric,  the  first  of  that  name. 
».  Ealdred. 

9.  Eadmer. 

10.  Leofric,  elected  993,  ob.  1006. 

11.  .Slllfric,  the  second. 

12.  Leofstan. 

13.  Frederic,   elected   106G,   died 

1076. 

14.  Paul,  elected  1077,  died  1093. 

2 


15.  Richard    D'Aubeny,     elected 

1097,  died  1119. 

16.  Geoffrey  de  Gorham,  elected 

1119,  died  1146. 

17.  Ralph  deGobion,  elected  1146, 

died  in  July,  1151. 

18.  Robert  de  Gorham,  electedll51. 

ob.  20th  Oct.  1166. 

19.  Symon,  elected  1168,  died  1183. 

20.  Warren,  elected  1183,  died  1195. 

21.  John  deStudham,  elected  1195, 

died  1214. 

22.  William  deTrumpington,  elect- 

ed 20th  Nov.  1215,  died  24th 
Feb.  1235. 


THE   ABBEY   CHURCH    OF   ST.  ALBANS,    HERTFORDSHIRE. 


23.  John  de  Hertford,  elected  9th 

Sept.  1235,  died  17th  April, 
1260. 

24.  Roger  de  Norton,  elected  Dec. 

1263,  died  1290. 

25.  John  de  Berkhamstead,  elected 

1291,  died  15th  Nov.  1301. 

26.  John   Maryns,    elected    1302, 

died  March  1308. 

27.  Hugo    de    Eversden,    elected 

1308,  died  1326. 

28.  Richard  de  Wallingford,  elect- 

ed 30th  Oct.  1326,  died  May 
1335. 

29.  Michael  de  Mentemore,  elected 

1335,  died  1349. 

30.  Thomas  de  la  Mare,  elected 

1349,  died  15th  Sept.  1396, 
aet.  88. 

31.  John  Moote,  elected  1396,  died 

11th  Nov.  1400. 
33.  William    Heyworth,    elected 
1401,  resigned  in  1420. 


33.  John    Whethamsted,    elected 

1420,  resigned  26th  Nov. 
1440. 

34.  John  Stoke,  elected  1440,  died 

1451. 
John  Whethamsted,  re-elected  1451, 
died  20th  January,  1460. 

35.  William  Alban,  elected  25th 

Feb.  1460,  diedlst  July,  1476. 

36.  William  Wallingford,  elected 

10th  Aug.  1476,  died  8th 
Aug.  1484. 

37.  Thomas      Ramryge,     elected 

1492,  died  about  1523. 

38.  Cardinal  Wolsey,  appointed  to 

hold  the  Abbacy,  in  com- 
mendam,  1523,  died  2nd  Nov. 
1530. 

39.  RobertCattoh,succeededl531, 

died  1538. 

40.  Richard  Boreman,  appointed 

1538,  resigned  5th  Dec.  1539- 


The  last  Abbot,  who  had  been  Prior  of  Norwich,  was  chosen  by  the 
royal  interest,  being  appointed  only  to  present  an  appearance  of  ab- 
batical  rule  and  government,  and  to  execute  with  a  better  grace  the  in- 
tentions of  the  king  and  parliament,  which  had  now  been  brought  to  ma- 
turity. On  the  5th  of  December,  1639,  Sir  Thomas  Pope,  accompanied 
by  the  king's  visitors,  came  to  the  Abbey,  when  Boreman,  on  sight  of 
their  warrant,  immediately  signed  his  resignation,  and  delivered  up  the 
Abbey  Seal,  thus  giving  up  the  possession  of  a  revenue  estimated  at 
above  2,500Z.  per  annum,  according  to  Speed.  Boreman  obtained  an  an- 
nual pension  of  266A  13s.  4rf  ,  the  prior  33/.,  6s.  8d.,  and  thirty-eight 
monks  smaller  sums.  Sir  Richard  Lee,  Kt.,  8th  February,  1540,  ob- 
tained a  grant  of  the  site  of  the  Monastery,  together  with  the  Church  of 
St.  Andrew,  as  a  recompense  for  arrears  of  pay  due  for  military  services. 
The  king  had  reserved  in  his  hands  the  whole  Abbey  Church,  which  was 
still  used  as  a  place  of  worship,  but  remained  in  the  possession  of  the 
crown  until  the  charter  of  incorporation  given  to  the  town  of  St.  Albans, 
in  1553,  by  Edward  VI.,  at  which  time  the  king  sold  it  to  the  towns- 
men for  400Z.  Before  this  charter  was  granted,  Sir  Richard  Lee  had 
actually  pulled  down  and  sold  the  principal  part  of  the  materials  of  the 
venerable  Monastery  and  all  its  buildings. 
3 


THE   ABBEY   CHURCH    OF   ST.    ALBANS,    HERTFORDSHIRE. 


PLATE  I.    THE  SOUTH  SIDE  OF  THE  CHURCH,  EXTERIOR. 

The  most  perfect  view  of  this  stately  edifice  is  obtained  from  the 
meadows  on  the  south  side  of  the  Abbey.  It  is  constructed  in  form  of 
a  cross,  extending  from  east  to  west  five  hundred  and  thirty-nine  feet, 
and  from  the  extremity  of  the  north  transept  to  that  of  the  south,  the 
church  occupies  one  hundred  and  seventy-four  feet;  the  height  of  the 
centre  tower  is  considered  to  be  one  hundred  and  forty-four  feet;  the 
material  of  which  the  fabric  is  constructed  is  various,  much  of  the  old 
part  is  brick,  or  tile  plaistered,  stone  and  flint  is  also  used.  It  should  be 
observed  that  the  church  does  not  stand  precisely  true  to  the  points 
of  the  compass,  but  that  the  chancel-end  inclines  considerably  towards 
the  south,  which  circumstance  is  by  no  means  uncommon.  The  most 
ancient  part  of  the  building  is  evidently  that  towards  the  centre,  which 
may  be  with  certainty  assigned  to  the  Norman  Abbot,  Paul,  who  was 
appointed,  through  the  interest  of  his  kinsman  Laufranc,  to  the  Monas- 
tery, in  1077,  the  twelfth  year  of  the  reign  of  William  the  Conqueror. 
Mathew  Paris,  a  monk  of  St.  Albans,  positively  states  that  the  present 
Church  was  begun  to  be  erected,  and  a  great  part  of  the  edifice  built  by 
Paul  during  the  first  eleven  years  of  his  rule,  and  that  it  was  dedicated 
by  his  successor.  Abbot  Kichard  D'Aubeny,  in  1115,  the  16th  year  of 
the  reign  of  Henry  I.  Archbishop  Lanfranc  was  a  great  benefactor  to 
the  Abbey,  he  not  only  assisted  Paul  with  large  sums  to  rebuild  his 
Church,  but  endowed  the  same  with  lands  and  manors.  Vide  "  New- 
combe's  History  of  the  Abbey  of  St.  Albans,"  to  which  work  we  have 
referred  for  the  piincipal  historical  facts. 

John  de  Studham,  the  twenty-first  Abbot,  in  the  reign  of  King  John, 
commenced  the  rebuilding  of  the  West  Front,  and  received  of  his  pre- 
decessor. Abbot  Warren,  one  hundred  marks  for  that  purpose.  The 
work,  however,  proceeded  but  slowly,  and  was  at  length  completed  by 
his  successor  in  the  Abbacy,  William  de  Trunipington,  who  iilso  made 
additions  to  the  centre  Tower,  and  erected  substantial  buttresses  from 
the  foundation  up  to  the  battlements,  thereby  strengthening  the  walls, 
and  increasing  the  beauty  of  its  appearance.  He  at  the  same  time  en- 
larged the  windows  at  the  ends  of  the  Transepts,  adding  so  much  light, 
that  the  Church  assumed  a  more  splendid  appearance,  and  seemed 
wholly  re-edified  under  his  care. 

The  Tower  is  divided  into  three  stories,  and  is  supported  at  the  angles 
by  massive  buttresses,  which  terminate  in  circular  turrets,  the  whole  em- 
battled, and  surmounted  by  a  small  taper  spire,  a  peculiar  feature  in 
the  churches  of  this  county.  The  first  story  of  the  Tower,  below  the 
battlements,  contains,  on  each  face,  two  double  windows,  within  a  semi- 
circular headed  arch;  the  upper  part  of  which  is  filled  with  triangular 


S7  AlLBAIfS  ABBEX  CBnUlEvIJS  , 

■VTi:"WOr    THE  -I/AVE   r.OOKJM&'W^ST.. 


THE   ABBEY   CHURCH    OF    ST.     ALBANS,    HERTFORDSHIRE. 

billets,  having  open  spaces  between  them.  In  this  part  of  the  Tower 
the  bells  are  hung.  Below  this  is  a  series  of  four  arches,  each  divided  by 
short  massive  columns,  forming  a  kind  of  open  gallery,  intended  to 
lighten  the  appearance  of  the  Tower,  which  below  this  compartment  is 
nearly  plain.  The  Transepts  are  evidently  of  the  same  aera  as  the  centre 
Tower,  with  the  exception  of  the  large  windows  at  the  ends,  which  we 
have  noticed  to  have  been  subsequently  added. 

On  the  south  side  was  originally  situated  the  Cloisters,  and  the  resi- 
dences of  the  Monks,  the  Grand  Entrance  to  the  Abbey,  from  Sopwell, 
being  anciently  on  the  south-east;  nine  pointed  arches,  indicating  the  ex- 
tent of  the  Cloisters,  remain  on  the  south  wall  of  the  Nave  of  the  Church. 
In  the  Clerestory  is  a  series  of  lancet-headed  arches,  extending  to  the 
west  end,  which,  it  is  most  probable,  were  originally  glazed.  Few  win- 
dows now  appear,  and  those  are  irregular  in  their  forms,  and  various  in 
their  dates. 

This  side  of  the  venerable  and  majestic  Church  is  at  present  disgraced 
by  a  building  immediately  abutting  against  its  sacred  walls,  betraying 
in  its  erection  a  violation  of  taste  and  feeling,  at  a  time  too,  when  exer- 
tion is  made  to  lay  open  to  public  view  the  most  remarkable  specimens  of 
ecclesiastical  architecture  in  the  kingdom.  Far  from  any  personal  re- 
flections on  the  proprietor,  we  must  feel  it  our  duty  to  mark,  with  proper 
indignation,  encroachments  of  this  nature.  Such  buildings  ought  al- 
ways to  be  detached,  in  order  to  display  the  pristine  dignity  of  the  sacred 
pile.    This  building  has  been,  of  course,  omitted  in  our  view,  Plate  I. 

The  West  Front  of  the  Abbey  Church  still  bears  an  imposing  and  dig- 
nified character,  though  deprived  of  much  of  its  ornamental  particulars. 
This  portion  of  the  building  was  completed  in  the  latter  end  of  the  reign 
of  King  John.  A  bold  pointed  arch  of  entrance  leads  to  a  deep  porch, 
or  Gallilee,  within  which  is  the  door,  in  two  divisions,  finely  carved.  The 
interior  of  the  Porch  is  divided  by  slender  pillars  of  Sussex  marble,  sup- 
porting sharp-pointed  arches,  and  other  tracery,  a  fine  specimen  of  the 
earlj'' pointed  style.  The  moulding  of  the  large  outer  arch  terminates  in 
two  human  heads,  and  above  it  are  sculptured  the  arms  of  the  Abbey, 
and  of  Offa,  king  of  Mercia,  the  founder. 

Two  Porches,  which  formerly  opened  from  the  West  Front  to  the 
North  and  South  Aisles,  are  now  stopped  up  on  the  exterior.  They  are 
also  constructed  in  the  early  pointed  style,  and  exhibit  some  fine  detached 
columns  of  Petworth  marble,  with  rich  foliaged  capitals,  &c.  Over  the 
Porch  is  the  Great  West  Window. 

PLATE  11.     VIEW  OF  THE  NAVE,  LOOKING  WEST. 
In  this  View  we  have  chosen  a  point  from  whence  the  singular  diver- 
sity of  the  architecture,  in  this  interesting  portion  of  the  building,  may 
be  observed.    From  the  great  arch  which  supports  the  Tower,  to  the  west 
5 


THE    ABBEY    CHURCH    OF   ST.    ALBANS,    HERTFORDSHIRE. 

eiul  of  the  Church,  are  twelve  piers,  or  columns,  ou  each  side,  and  thirteen 
arches,  each,  about  twelve  feet  in  span. 

The  four  arches  on  the  north  side,  towards  the  west,  are  supported  on 
a  cluster  of  stone  columns,  attached  to  an  octangular  pier,  and  are 
pointed.  These  are  constructed  in  the  style  of  the  thirteenth  century,  and 
may  be  assigned  to  the  Abbot,  John  de  Studham,  whose  work  was  com- 
pleted by  his  successor,  William  de  Trumpington,  while  the  massive 
pier  on  the  right  of  the  View,  and,  like  the  continuation  eastward,  sup- 
porting plain  semicircular  arches,  marks  the  earlier  period  of  the  Nor- 
man Abbot  Paul.  On  the  south  side  of  the  Nave,  the  same  variety  in 
the  architecture  is  observed.  Over  the  large  arches  is  a  Triforium,  or 
Gallery,  composed  of  a  range  corresponding  with  the  lower,  and  over 
that  a  third  range  of  arches,  which  rises  to  the  roof,  the  piers  are  fluted 
iu  the  upper  compartment. 

The  lower  part  of  the  Great  West  Window  is  now  stopped  up;  like  the 
tier  above  it,  it  was  in  nine  divisions,  which  are  again  subdivided  into 
eighteen,  towards  the  top  of  the  window.  No  painted  glass  is  remaining; 
but  we  may  well  suppose  it  was  originally  adorned  with  that  splendid 
material.  On  the  south  side  of  the  entrance  is  a  small  Tablet,  to  the 
memory  of  Francis  Carter  NiccoU,  who  died,  1st  June,  1782,  xt.  58, 
and  others  of  his  family. 

The  Ceiling  of  the  Nave  is  boarded,  and  was  the  work  of  Abbot 
Whethampsted,  in  1428.  The  ribs  form,  by  their  intersection,  square 
compartments,  and  are  supported  on  trusses  of  very  coarse  workmanship  ; 
the  whole  is  painted.  Within  each  panel  is  a  wreath,  inclosing  the  ini- 
tials 3!»  1^?»  ^'1  '"  large  white  letters.  Near  the  second  column  from 
the  west,  in  the  pavement,  is  a  marble  slab,  with  indents  of  a  figure,  the 
brass  of  which  is  now  gone,  said  to  be  a  memorial  of  the  celebrated  Sir 
John  Mandeville,  a  native  of  this  town,  who  travelled  into  Tartary,  &c. 
about  the  year  1322.     He  died  in  1371. 

PLATE  III.    VIEW  ACROSS  THE  EAST  END  OF  THE  NAVE,  SHEWING 

SAINT  CUTHBERT'S  SCREEN. 
The  Arches  of  the  Nave  seen  in  this  vievi'  vary  considerably  in  their 
decoration  from  those  previously  described,  as  well  as  from  the  arches  on 
the  north,  or  opposite  side  of  the  screen,  which  crosses  the  Nave  at  the 
entrance  of  the  Choir,  where  they  are  found  to  be  plain  and  semicircular, 
springing  from  massive  piers  constructed  of  brick,  or,  as  it  is  called, 
Roman  tile,  plastered  over;  this  tile  is  of  exquisite  hardness,  surpassing 
stone  in  durability,  but  bearing  no  ornament  whatever.  On  the  contrarj', 
the  columns  and  arches  seen  in  our  view  are  embellished  with  very  bold 
and  rich  mouldings,  terminating  in  finely  sculptured  heads,  of  an  abbot, 
a  king,  a  queen,  and  a  bishop;  above  them  is  a  string  course  ornamented 
with  roses,  and  above  the  columns  are  shields  of  Arms,  bearing  the  in- 
6 


TJrawiiiiyJ.i'.Heale . 

s 


.r  €HUK<rw, 


AILBAHS  ABBET 


THE   ABBEY   CHURCH    OF   ST.    ALBANS,    HERTFORDSHIRE. 

signia  of  the  Abbey,  of  Mercia,  of  England,  of  Edward  the  Confessor, 
and  of  France.  A  bove  the  larger  arches  is  a  series  of  ornamented  arches, 
springing  from  clustered  columns,  the  capitals  of  which  are  sculptured 
into  foliage,  and  the  spandrils  pierced.  The  arches  of  the  third,  or  upper 
range,  are  also  pointed,  and  decorated  in  a  similar  manner;  this  portion 
is  constructed  of  Tottenhoe  stone,  as  is  also  St.  Cuthbert's  screen,  which 
is  recorded  to  have  been  erected  upon  the  following  occasion.  Richard 
D'Aubeny,  15th  Abbot,  being  present  at  Durham,  when  the  body  of  St. 
Cuthbert  was  there  deposited,  was  restored  to  health  by  miracle ;  on  his 
return  to  St.  Albans  he  built  this  choir-screen,  and  adjoining  to  it,  on  the 
west  side,  a  Chapel,  dedicated  to  St.  Cuthbert.  The  western  side  of  the 
sciieen  is  adorned  with  canopies,  terminating  in  rich  finials,  below  which 
are  niches,  and  on  the  south  side  a  piscina :  at  each  end  of  the  screen 
are  pointed  arch  doorways,  opening  into  that  part  of  the  Choir  called  the 
Baptistry,  from  the  font  being  placed  there.  On  the  north  side  of  the 
screen  appears  the  remains  of  a  tomb  and  a  piscina;  the  whole  has  been 
mutilated,  and  the  parts  obscured  by  whitewash.  Originally  the  shrine 
of  their  patron  saint,  St.  Alban,  elevated  behind  the  great  altar,  was 
visible  to  the  view  of  the  whole  Choir  and  congregation  from  this  part. 
The  organ  of  the  church  is  now  placed  over  it. 

The  Monument,  in  the  South  Aisle,  seen  in  our  view,  is  to  the  me- 
mory of  William  Atkinson  of  Doncaster,  who  died,  25th  January,  1763, 
aet.  30,  &c.  &c.,  near  which  is  a  mural  monument  to  John  Thrale,  Esq., 
who  died  on  loth  May,  1701,  with  busts  of  him  and  of  his  wife  Mar- 
garet; on  the  opposite  side  of  the  Aisle,  is  a  tablet  to  W.  King,  of  Fine- 
shade,  who  died,  10th  May,  1766.  The  roof,  at  the  west-end  of  the 
South  Aisle,  is  of  open  timber,  but  towards  the  east  end  it  is  groined 
stone;  the  windows  are  pointed,  and  in  two  divisions.  The  outer  wall 
of  the  North  Aisle  is  of  Norman  architecture,  but  pointed  windows  have 
been  subsequently  inserted,  differing  in  style  from  those  on  the  south, 
and  still  containing  a  few  fragments  of  painted  glass,  chiefly  armorial. 

PLATE  IV.  VIEW  OF  THE  CHOIR,  LOOKING  WEST. 
This  plate  exhibits,  in  a  prominent  manner,  the  earliest  portion  of  the 
architecture  of  this  noble  pile,  consisting  of  the  interior  of  the  great 
centre  tower,  at  the  intersection  of  the  transepts ;  the  four  vast  and  Un- 
adorned piers,  of  Roman  tile,  that  support  the  fabric,  are  surmounted 
by  large  semicircular  arches,  above  which  is  a  range  of  small  arches, 
with  double  openings  to  a  gallery  round  the  tower,  under  the  belfry.  The 
ceiling  is  of  groined  timber,  and  is  painted  in  a  florid  pattern  :  in  the  cen- 
tre is  a  circular  opening  with  wooden  balustrades.  Th& large  piers  have 
been  deprived  of  a  portion  of  their  bases  to  admit  of  the  pews,  erected 
about  the  time  of  Charles  II. :  opposite  the  pulpit  are  hung  the  achieve- 
ments of  the  late  Earl  and  Countess  of  Spencer. 
%■ 


THE    ABBEY    CHURCH    OF   ST.    ALBANS,    HERTFORDSHIRE. 

Both  the  transepts  are  of  Anglo-Norman  architecture,  similar  in  clia- 
racter  to  the  centre  tower.  In  the  arched  recesses,  which  appear  on  each 
side  of  the  South  Transept,  were  formerly  chapels,  with  altars  to  the 
Holy  Mary,  St.  Simeon,  Thomas  de  la  Mare,  and  St.  John  ;  in  that  of  St. 
Simeon  are  the  remains  of  three  stone  coffins,  dug  up  a  few  years  ago. 
The  large  South  Window  was  demolished  in  a  violent  storm  that  hap- 
jjtned  in  the  year  1703,  when  its  place  was  filled  by  the  wooden  frame, 
now  remaining.  In  the  wall  beneath  the  window  is  an  ancient  oak-door, 
with  curiously  worked  iron  hinges,  opening  to  a  short  covered  passage, 
leading  most  probably  to  the  Abbot's  Chambers,  which  were  formerly 
near  the  cloisters  :  at  this  end  is  a  mural  monument,  representing  a 
short  column,  surmounted  by  a  vase,  to  the  memory  of  Henry  Pye 
Rich,  Esq.,  one  of  the  commissioners  for  the  treaty  with  America,  who 
died,  18th  July,  1809,  aet.  73,  also  a  tablet  for  Mary,  widow  of  James 
Tippet,  Esq.,  ob.  4th  May,  181.3,  a;t.  59.  On  the  west  side,  is  another 
tablet  for  Ptolemy  James,  A.  M.,  ob.  1729,  with  a  long  Latin  inscrip- 
tion to  his  memory.  On  the  floor  are  many  slabs,  with  indents  of  por- 
traits, arms,  and  legends,  from  which  the  brasses  appear  to  have  been 
long  since  removed. 

In  the  North  Transept  the  large  end  window  is  divided  by  stone 
transoms  and  mullions  into  seven  divisions,  three  in  the  centre,  and  two 
on  each  side,  and  is  really  handsome ;  the  arch,  considering  its  early 
date,  is  rather  flat.  In  this  part  of  the  church  were  formerly  altars  to 
St.  Hugh,  St.  Patern,  the  apostles,  and  also  the  shrine  of  St.  Amphibal. 
The  body  of  St.  Amphibal,  the  instructor  of  St.  Alban,  was  found  in 
1178,  and  brought  from  Redburn  Green  to  the  Abbey,  where  it  was 
preserved,  enclosed  in  a  shrine  on  the  north  side  of  the  High  Altar.  It 
was  afterwards  moved  from  the  apsis  of  the  church  to  this  aisle,  in  the 
time  of  Abbot  Trumpington. 

The  martyrdom  of  Amphibal  is  painted  in  colours,  now  considerably 
faded,  on  the  centre  of  the  roof;  in  the  other  divisions  is  a  series  of 
arms  of  the  principal  baronial  families  in  the  kingdom.  Arms,  also,  form 
the  decoration  of  the  ceiling  of  the  south  transept. 

Against  the  north  wall  of  this  transept  is  a  monument,  represent- 
ing a  sarcophagus,  over  which  reclines  a  weeping  female  figure,  but 
badly  sculptured,  to  the  memory  of  Christopher  Rawlinson,  Esq.  of 
Cark  Hall,  Cartmell,  ob.  1733 ;  and,  on  the  west  side,  are  tablets  to 
Joseph  Handley,  Mayor  of  this  town,  who  died  11th  February,  1702, 
and  to  John  Handley,  ob.  26th  July,  1742. 

PLATE  V.    THE  ALTAR  SCREEN,  ERECTED  BY  ABBOT  WALLINGFORD, 

1480. 

This  most  beautiful  specimen  of  the  florid  style  of  architecture,  erected 
in  the  reign  of  Edward  IV.,  was  intended  to  veil  the  shrine  of  St. 

8 


THE    ABBEY    CHURCH    OF    ST.    ALBANS,    HERTFORDSHIRE. 

Alban,  which  formerly  stood  in  the  presbytery  behind  the  High  Altar, 
and  to  be  the  means  of  creating  a  new  degree  of  respect  and  veneration 
for  the  patron  saint,  whose  relics,  about  the  time  of  its  erection,  were 
visited  with  greater  solemnity,  and  allowed  to  be  seen  but  rarely.  Al- 
though it  is  generally  called  Walliiigford's  Screen,  there  can  be  little 
doubt  that  it  was  originally  designed  by  Abbot  Whethamsted,  whose  ar- 
morial badge  is  sculptured  upon  it;  it  is  also  surmised  that  the  screen 
was  begun  to  be  erected  in  the  abbacy  of  Alban,  and  was  completed 
by  Abbot  Wallingford  about  the  year  1480 ;  the  expense  of  the  whole, 
which  is  entirely  composed  of  stone,  including  the  statues  with  which  it 
was  formerly  adorned,  was  1100  marks.  The  workmanship  is  certainly 
of  the  choicest  kind,  and  though  a  considerable  alteration  has  been  made 
in  the  centre  or  principal  compartment,  the  design  is  altogether  so  pure, 
and  the  general  effect  so  little  injured  by  the  partial  mutilation,  that  it 
now  remains  one  of  the  noblest  efforts  of  skill,  and  a  triumphant  display 
of  the  inimitable  excellences  of  that  peculiar  style  of  architecture  in 
which  it  is  constructed,  decidedly  the  most  appropriate  to  the  situation 
where  it  is  placed. 

In  our  representation  of  this  interesting  composition,  necessarily  in- 
troduced upon  a  small  scale,  a  due  regard  to  the  general  effect  has  not 
induced  the  slightest  neglect  of  the  ornamental  decoration  that  pervades 
the  whole  subject,  which  is  endeavoured  to  be  made  as  conspicuously 
prominent  as  it  appears  in  its  masterly  original.  The  Chancel  is  ascend- 
ed by  four  steps,  and  in  the  centre,  where  the  altar  formeily  stood,  bear- 
ing not  only  the  pix,  but  massive  candlesticks,  rich  reliquaries,  flower- 
pots, &c.  &c.  is  now  placed  the  more  simple  communion  table  of  oak, 
represented  in  the  plate,  covered  with  a  cloth.  This  table  is  of  very  an- 
cient date,  and  is  inscribed  with  the  names  of  the  four  evaiigelists,  in  old 
English  characters ;  above  it  is  very  neatly  painted  the  Decalogue,  with 
the  Lord's  Prayer  and  Creed.  That  part  of  the  screen,  immediately  over, 
consists  of  a  series  of  twelve  small  canopies  surmounting  pedestals,  in 
niches,  which  might  possibly  have  been  intended  for  little  statues  of  the 
apostles  in  silver,  or  other  precious  metal.  Over  these  is  the  large  space, 
before  alluded  to,  of  more  modern  workmanship  than  the  rest,  and  not 
executed  with  corresponding  delicacy  ;  where  originally  was  probably 
sculptured  a  portion  of  the  life  of  St.  Alban,  or  perhaps  the  resurrection 
of  Jesus  Christ.  The  subject,  whatever  it  might  have  been,  was  con- 
sidered as  superstitious,  and  was  defaced  at  the  reformation  of  religion  ; 
its  place  has  been  supplied  in  after-times  by  panelling,  loaded  with 
crockets,  besides  which,  at  the  spring  of  the  arches,  below  the  middle 
transom,  are  cherubim  heads.  Five  very  rich  canopies  form  the  sum- 
mit of  this  division  of  the  screen  ;  the  centre  supported  by  a  console  or 
bracket.  In  each  side  division  of  the  screen  is  a  pointed  arch  doorway, 
over  one  of  which  is  sculptured  the  arras  of  Whethamsted,  and  over 
9 


THE    ABBEY    CHURCH    OF   ST.    ALBANS,    HERTFORDSHIRE. 

the  Other,  the  arms  of  France  and  England,  quarterly.  Three  tier  of 
large  canopied  niches,  on  each  side,  originally  held  sixteen  statues,  which 
assemblage  of  varied  figures  must  have  produced  a  most  imposing  and 
gorgeous  eflfect.  The  screen  is  more  lofty  than  is  usual  in  similar  works 
of  art,  and  is  crowned  by  a  rich  projecting  moulding,  boldly  sculptured 
with  foliage,  terminated  above  by  a  very  delicate  open-work  parapet, 
minute  in  its  ornaments,  and  like  the  rest  of  this  splendid  production  of 
masonic  skill  in  singular  preservation. 

On  the  south  side  of  the  chancel,  close  to  the  altar-screen,  is  the 
monument  of  John  Whethamsted,  Abbot  of  this  Monastery,  who  died 
January  20,  1460,  in  the  last  year  of  the  reign  of  Henry  VI.  His  pa- 
ternal name  was  Bostock,  but,  according  to  a  custom  amongst  ecclesi- 
astics, he  received  the  appellation  of  AVhethamsted,  from  the  place  of 
his  birth,  and  became  one  of  the  most  famous  in  the  annals  of  this  royal 
foundation.  He  was  educated  at  Gloucester  College,  Oxford,  of  which 
he  was  Prior,  when  he  was  elected  to  the  rule  and  government  of  St. 
Albans,  on  the  resignation  of  Abbot  Heyworth,  in  1421.  The  Abbey 
Church,  which  had  been  neglected  by  his  predecessors,  very  early  en- 
gaged his  attention,  and  for  the  most  worthy  purposes,  he  adopted  the 
policy  of  admitting  knights  and  even  ladies  into  the  fraternity,  thus  en- 
couraging the  rich  and  great  to  become  interested  for  the  safety  and 
prosperity  of  the  institution.  In  the  year  1428,  above  thirtj'  persons  of 
consideration  took  on  them  the  Rule  of  the  fraternity,  all  of  whom  con- 
tributed to  the  repairs  of  the  church.  The  roof  of  the  Choir  bears  evi- 
dent marks  of  having  been  erected  during  his  government;  between  the 
groins  is  alternately  painted  the  eagle  of  St.  Matthew  and  the  Agnus  Dei, 
and  over  the  great  east  arch  of  the  tower  appears  the  arms  of  the  Abbey, 
azure,  a  saltier  or,  supported  by  the  lamb  and  the  eagle,  and  surmounted 
by  a  crown,  over  which  is  inscribed  ©DminC,  JliliScrcrC.  On  the  dexter 
side  is  a  shield  bearing,  gvles,  three  crowns  or,  the  arms  of  Mercia;  and, 
on  the  sinister,  another  shield,  bearing,  quarterly,  gules  and  or,  four 
lions  rampant  countercharged.  Below,  upon  a  large  scroll,  are  these 
lines,  alluding  to  Whethamsted,  who  was  the  sixth  abbot  of  the  name 
of  John. 

^ic  uOicunquc  biGc.s  .sit  pictu^  ut  aonu.s  ct  alc^ 
€ffigic!^  opcriiii  jicrti  pam.^  ista  3;oi)anni.ii 
<e^,sc  ticl  in  toto  jubis.se  tcl  infacicnoo 
<e?t  opu?  ])ac  unum  causabit  cum  facicnOu'. 

In  1440,  after  he  had  ruled  the  Abbey  of  St.  Albans  twenty  years,  he 
was  induced  from  prudential  motives  to  resign  the  mitre,  in  consequence 
of  the  misfortunes  which  seemed  impending  over  his  very  excellent  friend 
and  benefactor  Humphrey,  Duke  of  Gloucester;  the  abbot  having  good 
reason  to  think  that  the  duke's  foes  would  caiTy  their  malice  so  far  as 
10 


THE    ABBEY   CHURCH    OF   ST.    ALBANS,    HERTFORDSHIRE. 

to  ruin  his  adherents  :  on  the  26th  of  November,  in  that  year,  John 
Stoke,  Prior  of  Wallingford,  was  appointed  his  successor ;  but,  upon  his 
death,  in  1451,  Whethamsted  was  unanimously  re-chosen.  The  civil  war 
between  the  houses  of  York  and  Lancaster  raged  during  his  second  rule, 
and,  in  1455,  the  first  battle  of  St.  Albans  was  decided.  King  Henry  VI. 
left  London  with  about  two  thousand  men,  for  the  purpose  of  impeding, 
the  march  of  Richard,  Duke  of  York,  from  the  north,  with  a  body  of 
three  thousand  troops  ;  the  latter  encamped  in  Key  field,  on  the  east 
side  of  the  town,  while  the  King  took  post  in  Peter  Street,  where  the  as- 
sault was  made  by  the  Duke's  army,  when  a  great  conflict  ensued.  The 
King's  forces  fled  and  left  their  sovereign,  who,  being  discovered  by  the 
Duke  of  York,  was  led  prisoner  to  the  Abbey,  from  whence  he  was  the 
next  day  conveyed  to  London.  The  greater  part  of  the  bodies  of  the 
slain,  which  were  thickly  strewed  about  the  town,  were  interred  at  St. 
Peter's ;  but  the  chief  nobles,  who  fell  on  the  Lancastrian  side,  were 
buried  with  funeral  honours  in  the  Chapel  of  St.  Mary,  within  the  Abbey 
Church,  permission  having  been  granted,  at  the  intercession  of  Abbot 
Whethamsted  ;  there  is  not  however  remaining  any  memorial  to  distin- 
guish the  particular  spot. 

On  the  right  hand  of  the  plate,  representing  the  grand  screen  in  the 
chancel,  is  seen  a  small  portion  of  the  beautiful  monumental  Chapel, 
which  Abbdt  Whethamsted,  in  contemplation  of  his  latter  end,  caused 
to  be  erected  on  the  south  side  of  the  Altar.  It  occupies  the  space  be- 
neath one  of  the  great  arches  of  the  Choir ;  the  richly  ornamented  ca- 
nopy forming  the  roof,  is  supported  by  a  flatly  pointed  arch,  the  soffit  of 
which  is  adorned  with  pendants,  terminating  in  small  armorial  bosses, 
delicately  wrought,  bearing  the  badges  of  the  rose,  within  the  garter ;  the 
rose,  en  soleil,  &c.  &c.  Within  this  oratory  the  abbot  had  provided  for 
the  due  celebration  of  masses  for  the  welfare  of  his  soul.  The  large  grey 
marble  slab  which  covered  his  remains,  has  been  deprived  of  the  brass 
containing  his  portrait ;  but,  with  the  exception  of  this  mutilation,  the 
Chapel  is  still  in  fine  preservation,  and  is  one  of  those  objects  that  will 
always  render  the  Church  of  St.  Albans  interesting  to  the  man  of  taste 
as  well  as  the  antiquary. 

Immediately  above  the  arch,  on  the  outer  face  of  the  monument,  is  a 
very  bold  floriated  cornice,  upon  which  are  three  large  shields  of  arms, 
viz.  1.  A  saltier.  Abbey  of  St.  Albans.  2.  A  chevron  between  three  bunches 
of  wheat,  three  ears  in  each.  Abbot  Whethamsted.  3.  Three  crotvns. 
Kingdom  of  Mercia.  The  moulding  is  also  sculptured  with  the  Abbot's 
Badge,  three  ears  of  wheat,  several  times  repeated,  accompanied  by  this 
motto,  in  large  letters,  ^allc^  tl^tiUnDabant.  Above  the  moulding  is 
a  series  of  quatrefoils  charged  with  roses,  mitres  encircled  by  ears  of 
wheat,  the  arms  of  the  Abbey,  of  Mercia,  &c.  &c. ;  the  whole  surmounted 
by  a  very  elegantly  wrought  cornice,  terminating  in  vine  leaves. 
11 


THE    ABBEY   CHURCH    OF   ST.    ALBANS,    HERTFORDSHIRE. 

On  the  wall,  over  the  south  side,  or  back  of  the  monument,  towards  the 
Aisle,  is  painted  the  following  inscription  : — 

JOHANNES 

DE    LOCO    FRUMENTARIO 

QUIS    JACET    HIC  ?       PATER    ILLE    JOHANNES,    NOMINA    MAGNA 

CUI    WHETHAMSTEDIO    PARVUIA    VILLA    DEDIT 

triticije  in  tumulo  signant  QnoQUE  NOMEN  arist;e 

VITAM    RES    CLAR*:,    NON    MONUMENTA    NOTANT. 

The  north  side  of  the  Chancel  is  occupied  by  a  monument  of  corres- 
pondent elegance,  but  more  elaborate  in  its  ornamental  decoration.  This 
very  beautiful  sepulchral  Chapel  is  seen  in  perspective  upon  the  left- 
hand  of  the  Altar  Screen,  in  Plate  V. ;  it  is  a  singularly  fine  specimen  of 
the  scientific  taste  which  the  ecclesiastical  rulers  of  the  monastic  insti- 
tutions are  sometimes  found  to  have  possessed  and  encouraged.  This 
monument  would  do  credit  to  the  first  architect  of  any  period  of  English 
History,  and  a  contemplation  of  the  multiplied  fancy  displayed  in  its  en- 
richments, is  enough  to  make  some,  possessed  of  great  names,  blush  at 
the  poverty  of  invention  to  be  discovered  in  their  designs. 

In  this  Chantry,  which  has  been  suffered  to  remain  in  good  preserva- 
tion, all  the  sculptured  allusions  refer  to  the  name  or  olfice  of  the  abbot 
to  be  commemorated,  of  whose  personal  history  little  is  now  known. 
Thomas  Ramryge  was  elected  to  the  abbacy  in  the  year  1492,  the  8th 
of  the  reign  of  Henry  VII. ;  his  appellation  is  supposed  to  have  been 
derived  from  Ramryge,  a  place  so  called,  about  eight  miles  from  hence, 
where  it  is  not  improbable  he  was  born,  and  it  is  imagined  that  he  con- 
tinued abbot  till  the  year  lo'23,  which  is  assigned  by  Newcombe  as  the 
time  of  his  death,  although  the  precise  date  is  not  known.  After  that 
period  Cardinal  Wolsey  held  the  Abbey  in  commendam.  This  Oratory 
or  Chapel  he  undoubtedly  caused  to  be  erected  in  his  lifetime,  and  pro- 
vided that  his  obit  might  be  commemorated,  and  periodical  masses  be 
established  for  his  soul's  welfare  ;  his  pious  intentions  were  but  transient 
in  efiect,  for,  soon  after  the  Reformation,  his  Chantry  appears  to  have 
been  seized  upon,  and  appropriated  by  a  wealthy  attorney  of  the  town  as 
a  burial  place  for  his  family. 

The  Chapel  is  enclosed  by  a  beautiful  open  screen,  in  four  principal 
compartments,  upon  the  side  nest  the  Chancel,  in  one  of  which  is  the  door, 
inscribed,  .JBCOrUlU  ijaDaitl  aD  porta.s'  mfcri.  In  the  small  spandrils  of 
this  arch  of  entrance  are  sculptured  very  curious  representations  of  the 
martyrdom  of  St.  Alban  and  St.  Amphibal,  according  to  the  monastic 
legends.  The  lower  part  of  the  monumental  screen  is  panelled  with  or- 
namental enrichments,  and  above  the  somewhat  flatly  pointed  arches  of 
the  principal  story,  is  a  bold  and  broad  moiilding,  bearing  shields  of  the 
royal  arms,  with  the  dragon  and  greyhound  for  supporters ;  others  are 
12 


THE    ABBEY   CHURCH    OF   ST.    ALBANS,    HERTFORDSHIRE. 

charged  with  the  emblems  of  the  crucifixion,  one  shield  bears,  quarterly, 
four  lions  rampant,  which  is  supported  by  two  rams,  holding  each  a 
crozier ;  above  the  moulding  rises  a  series  of  pointed  arches,  open  be- 
tween the  raullious,  and  enriched  with  floriated  pinnacles,  &c. 

The  interior  of  this  Sepulchral  Chantry  or  Oratory,  is  superlatively  rich 
in  sculptured  ornaments,  most  delicately  wrought ;  the  Ceiling  is  adorned 
with  pendents,  and  is  divided.into  compartments  by  minute  tracery,  ra- 
mifying in  elegant  forms ;  at  the  west  end,  against  the  wall,  is  the  full 
armorial  escutcheon  of  Abbot  Ramryge.  By  what  authority  these  eccle- 
siastical cognizances  were  assumed,  cannot  now  probably  be  explained; 
but  it  remains  a  proof  that  armes  parlantes  were  adopted  as  early  as 
the  incorporation  of  the  college  of  arms.  The  field  bears,  On  a  bend 
coupe  three  Imperial  Eagles,  between- a  Lion  rampant  in  chief,  and  a  Ram 
salient  in  base,  supported  by  two  Rams,  collared,  and  with  the  letters 
X  *  V  *  Q*  t,  and  roses  upon  the  collars.  Rams'  heads,  the  above  let- 
ters, and  other  allusions  to  the  name  of  the  Abbot,  are  also  frequently 
repeated  amongst  the  great  diversity  of  ornamental  decoration  with 
which  this  beautiful  Chapel  is  profusely  covered.  Besides  these  two 
splendid  monuments,  there  is  now  left  very  few  memorials  of  the  suc- 
cessive powerful  Abbots  of  St.  Albans.  Some  marble  slabs  in  the 
pavement  of  the  chancel  and  choir  still  retain  portraits  en  creiix,  partially 
concealed  by  pews,  see^Plate  IV.,  others,  not  bearing  inscriptions,  tra- 
dition only  records  their  particular  designation:  Roger  Norton,  ob.  1290; 
John  Berkhamstead,  ob.  1301  ;  and  John  Maryns,ob  130B;  were  buried 
in  the  choir,  under  slabs  of  marble,  itdaid  with  brass. 

One  of  the  most  remarkable  specimens  of  this  description  of  memorial, 
in  the  kingdom,  has   been  removed,  within  these  few  years,   from  the 
chancel  into  the  presbytery,   at  the  east  end  of  the  Church  ;  it  consists 
of  one  entire  piece  of  metal,  the  whole  size  of  the  large  slab,  upon  the 
surface  of  which  it  was  bedded  with  pitch;  some  of  the  studs  with  which 
it  was  also  fixed,  having  become  loose,  the    clerk  has  carefully  pre- 
served it,  by  nailing  it  to  a  board.     This  very  curious  relic  presents  a 
spirited  intagliated  portrait  of  Abbot  Thomas  De  la  Ma;e,  an  ecclesi- 
astic, of  noble  parentage,  being  son  of  Sir  John  De  la  Mare,  Knt.,  and 
Joanna,  daughter  of  Sir  John   de  Harpsfield,  Knt.;  he  was  elected  to 
the  abbacy  of  St.  Albans  in  the  year  lol9,  the  '24111   of  Edward   III,, 
previously  to  which,  he  had   beeu    Prior  of  Tynenioulh,  in  Northum- 
berland, and  had  been  entrusted  with  the  custody  of  the  Earl  of  Doug- 
las, taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Nevile's  Cross.     After  he  hud  ruled 
this  monastery  forty-seven  years,  he  died  in  1396,  a?t.  88  ;  his  figure  is 
represented  clothed  in  the  richest  sacerdotal  vestments,  having  his  mitre 
on  his  head,  and  bearing  his  pastoral-staft'  in  his  left  hand;  he  is  standing 
enthroned  under  a  very  rich  canopy,  containing  numerous  saints  in  niches. 
13 


THE   ABBEY    CHURCH    OF   ST.    AI.BANS,    HERTFORDSHIRE. 

PLATE  VI.— THE  MONUMENT  OF  HUMPHREY  OF  LANCASTER, 
DUKE  OF  GLOUCESTER,  1447. 

Behind  the  rich  Altar-scvcen,  is  a  part  of  the  Church,  called  the  Presby- 
tery, in  the  centre  of  which  formerly  stood  the  gorgeous  shrine  of  the 
patron  saint  of  the  Abbey.  The  whole  space,  beneath  one  of  the  large 
pointed  arches,  on  the  south  side,  is  occupied  with  the  sepulchral  oratory 
of  the  illustrious  Duke  of  Gloucester,  who,  by  the  popular  enthusiasm 
manifested  during  his  misfortunes,  was  generally  called,  the  Good  Duke 
Humphrey,  and  the  Father  of  his  Country.  He  was  the  fourth  and  young- 
est son  of  King  Henry  IV.,  and  Mary  Jlohun,  his  first  wife ;  and  was 
created  Duke  of  Gloucester  and  Earl  of  Pembroke  in  1414,  by  his 
brother,  then  King  Henry  V.  He  was  handsome,  brave,  and  accom- 
plished, and  on  the  accession  of  Henry  VF.,  was  appointed  Protector 
or  Guardian  of  the  kingdom,  which  important  olfice  he  executed  to  the 
general  satisfaction.  He  married  twice  ;  the  first  of  his  wives  was  Ja- 
queline  or  Jacoba,  the  only  daughter  of  William,  Count  of  Hainault, 
and  Margaret  of  Burgundy  ;  by  this  marriage,  in  1425,  he  acquired  other 
titles,  and  was  then  styled  "  Humphrey,  by  the  Grace  of  God,  Son, 
Brother,  and  Uncle  to  Kings,  Duke  of  Gloucester,  Earl  of  Hainault, 
Holland,  Zealand,  and  Pembroke,  Lord  of  Friesland,  Great  Chamber- 
lain of  England,  Protector  and  Defender  of  the  said  Realm  and  Church 
of  England."  Soon  after  this  event,  he  sailed  over  to  the  Netherlands, 
with  his  Duchess,  and  a  body  of  English  troops,  to  oppose  the  Duke  of 
Burgundy,  who  aspired  to  her  inheritance  ;  being  unfortunately  defeated, 
the  Duke  of  Gloucester's  match  with  Jaqueline  was  soon  after  annulled 
by  Pope  IMartin  V.,  who  confirmed,  at  the  same  time,  a  former  marriage 
she  had  contracted  with  John,  Duke  of  Brabant,  the  ally  of  the  power- 
ful Duke  of  Burgundy.  His  second  wife  was  Eleanor,  the  daughter 
of  Reginald  Lord  Cobham,  of  Sterborough,  in  Surrey,  who  had  previ- 
ously lived  with  him  as  his  mistress.  This  circumstance,  which  mate- 
rially aflFected  his  moral  character,  was  speedily  taken  advantage  of  by 
his  enemies,  jealous  of  his  power ;  and  the  interest  of  his  uncle.  Cardinal 
Beaufort,  prevailing,  the  Duke  of  Gloucester  now  began  to  lose  his  in- 
fluence at  court.  In  1441,  his  Duchess  was  accused  of  having  recourse 
to  sorcery  and  witchcraft,  to  shorten  King  Henry's  life,  and  make  way 
for  the  Duke  of  (>loucester"s  advancement  to  the  throne,  and,  upon  that 
charge,  was  committed  to  perpetual  imprisonment  in  the  Isle  of  Man.  He 
had  opposed,  with  all  his  power  the  marriage  of  the  King  with  Margaret 
of  Anjou,  w  hich  he  considered  an  ignominious  alliance,  but  the  Cardinal 
and  council  carried  it  into  effect,  and  the  next  year,  procured  the  Duke  to 
be  accused  of  high  treason,  and  summoned  to  take  his  trial  before  a  par- 
liament convened  at  Bury  St.  Edmunds.  Upon  his  arrival  at  that  town, 
be  was  confined  in  the  Abbey,  where  he  was  next  day  found  dead  in 
U 


Xaeia'-^ityJ-Le  Xenx- 


J.-^ATLBAWS  ABBEY  CHURCH. 


THE    A'^BEY    CHURCH    OF    ST.    ALBANS,   HERTFORDSHIRE. 

his  bed,  24th  February,  1447  :  no  one  doubted  he  had  fallen  a  victim 
to  the  vengeance  of  his  enemies,  although  his  body  was  exposed  to  view, 
and  exhibited  no  outward  marks  of  violence. 

He  was  buried,  with  great  funeral  pomp,  in  this  Church,  the  expense 
of  the  monument  being  defrayed  by  the  Abbot  and  Convent,  amounting 
to  433/.  6s.  8d. ;  they  also  entailed  upon  themselves  an  annual  expendi- 
ture of  nearly  80Z.  for  daily  masses  for  his  soul,  and  for  the  celebration 
of  his  anniversary  or  obit.  This  monument,  vide  Plate  VI.  is  more 
florid,  in  style,  than  those  we  have  already  described,  and  consists  of  a 
small  oratory,  or  Chapel,  in  which  the  priest  officiated,  open  towards  the. 
Presbytery,  but  enclosed  by  a  curiously  wrought  iron  screen  on  the  side 
next  the  south  aisle ;  the  ceiling  of  this  Chapel  is  adorned  with  very 
minute  tracery,  and  is  enriched  by  pendents,  terminating  in  delicate  bos- 
ses. The  spaudrils  of  all  the  arches,  on  the  outer  face  of  the  monument, 
are  filled  with  quatrefoils  in  circles,  having  in  the  centre  of  each,  the 
arms  of  France  and  England,  quarterly,  as  borne  by  the  members  of  the 
House  of  Lancaster. 

Immediately  over  the  arches,  on  the  front  of  the  oratory,  or  chantry, 
is  a  very  bold  cavetto  moulding,  charged  with  seven  large  shields, 
sculptured  with  the  personal  arms  of  the  Duke  of  Gloucester,  viz.,  quar- 
terly, France  and  England,  ivithin  a  border ;  four  of  these  shields  are 
surmounted  by  ducal  coronets,  and  each  of  the  other  three  with  a  lion, 
as  a  crest,  upon  a  richly  mantled  helmet.  Above  this  moulding  rises  a 
most  splendid  canopy,  or  Couronnement,  consisting  of  four  principal  ta- 
bernacles, and  two  of  lesser  height,  accommodating  itself  to  the  form 
of  the  arch  under  which  it  is  reared ;  between  each  of  these  floriated 
gables  is  a  space,  occupied  by  three  niches  with  pedestals,  formerly  con- 
taining statues  ;  these  are  now  gone,  but,  upon  the  south  side  of  the 
monument,  the  greater  number  of  the  statues  now  remain ;  they  un- 
doubtedly represent  his  royal  and  noble  ancestors,  and  are  curious  exam- 
ples of  the  costume  of  the  period  of  Henry  IV.  These  figures  being 
intended  for  an  elevated  situation,  are  not  sculptured  with  anatomical 
exactness  of  proportion,  the  heads  of  all  being  much  too  large;  their 
remarkable  appearance  within  the  niches  aflxjrds  a  degree  of  exuberance 
to  the,  otherwise  rich,  facade  of  the  monument,  very  seldom  witnessed. 
In  the  annexed  view  of  this  beautiful  work  of  art,  we  have  shewn  the 
entrance  to  the  identical  vault  in  which  the  body  of  the  Duke  of  Glou- 
cester was  buried  ;  this  was  accidentally  discovered  in  the  year  1703, 
since  which  time,  visitors  have  been  constantly  admitted,  who  have 
purloined  bone  after  bone  of  the  illustrious  individual,  until  but  a  very 
small  fragment  of  his  skeleton  remains.  This  vault  is  not  without  its 
decoration,  for,  at  the  east  end,  is  a  contemporary  painting  of  the  cruci- 
fixion of  Jesus  Christ,  with  a  chalice  to  receive  the  blood  which  streams 
15 


THE   ABBEY   CHURCH    OF   ST.    ALBANS,    HERTFORDSHIRE. 

from  the  wound  in  th6  side.  No  inscription  exists  upon  this  highly 
ornamented  sepulchral  monument,  but,  near  to  it,  against  the  east  wall  of 
the  south  aisle,  are  painted  the  following  elegiac  lines  : — 

fix    MEMORlff,    V.    OPT. 
SACRUM    SEROTINUM. 
Hie  jacet  Humphredus,  Dux  ille  Glocestritts  olim 
Henrici  seiti  Protector,  fraudis  ineptaa 
Detector,  dum  ficta  notat  miracula  caeci 
Lumen  erat  Patrice,  Columen  venerabile  Regni, 
Pacis  amans,  Wusisque  favens  melioribus,  unde 
Gratum  opus  Oionio,  qus  nunc  scola  sacra  refulget : 
Invida  sed  muUer  Regno,  Regi,  sibi  nequam 
Abstulit  hunc  immuH,  vix  hoc  dignata  sepulchro  j 
Invidi^  rumpente  tamen,  post  Funera  vivit. 

DEO    GLORIA. 

This  part  of  the  Church,  called  the  Presbytery,  was  considered  the 
most  sacred,  being  appropriated,  during  the  celebration  of  divine  service, 
entirely  to  the  abbot  and  priests,  while  the  congregation  were  confined 
to  the  body  of  the  Church ;  in  the  centre  of  this  sanctuary,  as  the  most 
attractive  object,  was  formerly  placed  the  splendid  shrine  of  their  cano- 
nized patron,  distinguished  as  the  first  Martyr,  in  England,  the  precise 
spot  is  now  marked  by  a  marble  slab,  thus  inscribed : — 

S.    ALBANUS    VEROLAMENSIS    ANGLORUM    PROTO-MARTYR  XVII.  JUNII.  CCXCVII. 

Six  hollow  places  denote  where  the  staves  of  the  Canopy  over  the  Shrine 
were  originally  fixed.  This  was  an  object  upon  which  the  ingenuity  of 
artists  was  then  displayed  in  its  greatest  extent.  The  shrines  were 
usually  placed  in  an  insulated  and  conspicuous  situation,  near  the  High 
Altar:  this,  of  St.  Alban,  according  to  history,  somewhat  resembled  an 
altar  tomb,  with  a  lofty  ornamented  canopy,  supported  on  pillars  over  it, 
representing  the  saint  lying  in  great  state,  thus  to  receive  the  homage 
and  adoration  of  all  true  believers.  It  contained  the  very  coffin  in 
which  his  bones  were  deposited,  inclosed  in  another  case,  having  on  the 
sides  embossed  figures  in  precious  metals,  shewing  the  chief  acts  of  St. 
Alban's  life.  At  the  head,  towards  the  east,  was  a  large  representation 
of  the  crucifixion,  between  the  statues  of  Mary  and  John,  greatly  orna- 
mented with  jewels.  At  the  feet,  in  front  of  the  choir,  was  represented 
the  Virgin  Mary,  with  Christ  in  her  arms,  seated  on  a  throne,  highly 
enriched  with  precious  stones.  The  pillars  were  formed  like  open  towers, 
and  were  all  of  j)late  gold,  while  the  inside  of  the  canopy  was  covered 
with  crystal  stones.  It  was  erected  by  Syniond,  the  19th  abbot,  about 
the  year  1180,  under  the  direction  of  Master  John,  a  goldsmith,  and  very 
excellent  artist.  Matthew  Paris,  the  historian,  who  lived  one  hundred 
16 


THE   ABBEY    CHURCH    OF    ST.    ALBANS,    HERTFORDSHIRE. 

years  after,  says,  that  he  had  never  seen  "  a  Shrine  more  splendid  and 
noble  than  that  at  St.  Albans." 

On  the  north  side  of  the  Presbytery,  opposite  to  the  monument  of 
Humphrey,  Duke  of  Gloucester,  is  a  very  curious  gallery  of  wood 
panelled  and  carved  in  high  relief;  in  this  gallery  several  monks  were 
stationed  to  watch  the  shrine,  a  precaution  not  unnecessary,  considering 
that  It  was  composed  of  the  most  precious  and  costly  materials. 

The  back  of  the  Altar-screen  occupies  the  west  side  of  the  Sanctuary 
whde  the  east  end,  consisting  of  three  pointed  arches,  springing  from 
clustered  pillars,  was  formerly  open  to  the  Chapel  of  the  Virgin  of 
.which  the  exterior  view  is  given  in  ' 

PLATE  Vn.-«OUTH  EAST  VIEW  OF  THE  ABBEY  CHURCH,  SHEWING 
THE  LADY  CHAPEL. 
A  Chapel  dedicated  to  the  Virgin  Mary,  usually  at  the  east  end 
was  attached  to  almost  every  Conventual  Church  in  the  kingdom  This' 
addition  to  the  Church  of  St.  Albans,  was  completed  during  the  ab- 
bacy of  Hugh  Eversden,  between  the  years  1308  and  1326  in  the 
re.gn  of  Edward  the  Second.  It  was  built  chiefly  at  the  expense  of  one 
-Keginaldus  of  this  town,  an  advocate  in  the  Court  of  Rome  whose 
business  was  to  manage  appeals,  and  suits  made  to  the  Papal  Consis- 
tory. Thomas  Westwode,  a  chanter  of  the  Church,  is  also  reported  to 
have  procured  assistance  towards  its  erection,  from  the  pious  and  faith- 
ful, which  exertion  procured  him  to  be  the  first  person  appointed  to  the 
office  of  Ciistos  Capella. 

The   dimensions   and   proportions  of  this  building  are  so  just  and 
beautiful,  and  its  decorations  display  so  much  elegant  simplicity    that 
It  may  be  referred  to,  as  a  specimen  of  pure  and  cultivated  taste'  and 
must  be  regarded  as  a  model  that  would  not  discredit  any  age'    Its 
whole  length  is   fifty-five  feet,  and  width  twenty-five;  in  heigiit  it  is 
thirty  feet.    The  Chapel  was  originally  lighted  by  seven  beautiful  pointed 
windows,  which  still  claim  particular  attention  from  the  elegance  of  their 
form    even  m  their  decayed  state.  Traces  of  the  delicate  sculpture  with 
which  this  Chapel  was  formerly  adorned,  are  to  be  discovered  in  ranges 
ot  figures  surrounding  the  windows,  which  have  not  lost  their  graceful 
form,  though  greatly  obscured  by  coats  of  whitewash,  &c.     The  pave 
ment  is  now  covered  by  a  boarded  floor,  so  that  no  sepulchral  memo- 
rials  are  to  be  seen,  though  probably  such  still  remain  beneath.    Besides 
the  choice   and  splendid  altar  of  the  Virgin  Mary,  formerly  at  the  east 
end,  there  were  others  laterally  situated,  which  constantly  attiacted  a 
great  resort  of  persons,  particularly  on  festival  days.     These  smaller 
Uiapels,  or  Oratories,  were  evidently  more  calculated  for  privacy  of 
devotion  than  the  Church,  and  were  intended  to  give  an  opportunity  for 


THE   ABBEY    CHURCH    OF   ST.    ALBANS,  HERTFORDSHIRE. 

pious  reflection,  and  the  operations  of  conscience.  When  these  private 
altars  were  abolished  at  the  Reformation,  the  erection  of  pews  was,  un- 
doubtedly, intended  to  answer  the  same  purpose. 

Our  view  from  the  south  east,  Plate  VII.  shews  the  remains  of  the  east 
window  of  the  Lady  Chapel,  the  rauliions  of  which  being  composed  of 
friable  stone,  are  much  mutilated,  and  the  whole  is  now  in  a  state  of  la- 
mentable decay.  One  of  the  lateral  chapels  on  the  south  is  also  seen, 
and  over  the  whole  building  appears  the  great  east  window  of  the  Abbey 
Church,  the  massive  tower  and  south  transept  form  the  back  ground. 

The  Chapel  of  the  Virgin  Mary  is  now  completely  separated  from 
the  Abbey  Church,  and  is  used  as  a  school,  a  passage,  for  the  conve- 
nience of  the  inhabitants  of  the  town,  having  been  opened  through  the 
Ante-chapel,  this  is  also  rich  in  sculptured  decoration. 

The  very  curious  and  ancient  Piscina,  or  rather  Benetier,  in  the  south 
aisle  of  the  Church,  is  the  subject  of  our  vignette  tail-piece.  From  the 
style  of  its  decoration,  it  may  be  referred  to  the  time  of  King  John  ;  but 
it  must  be  observed,  that  the  ornamented  canopy  now  placed  upon  the 
Piscina,  which  stands  under  a  singularly  formed  arch,  is  no  part  of  it, 
and  has  most  certainly  no  connexion  with  the  original  Piscina. 

At  present  we  must  observe  that  the  Church  is  kept  particularly  neat, 
and  very  clean ;  and  that  more  than  common  attention  is  paid  to  visitors 
by  the  parish  clerk,  who  appears  to  take  great  interest  in  the  remark- 
ably curious  monuments  committed  in  some  respects  to  his  care. 


PISCINA    IN    SOUTH    AISIE. 


ASHFORD,  KENT ; 

VICAR, 
THE  REV.  JAMES  BOND. 


The  town  of  Ashford  is  situated  on  rising  ground,  near  the  confluence 
of  the  upper  branches  of  the  River  Stour,  overlooking  the  celebrated 
Weald  of  Kent,  a  wonderfully  rich  and  level  tract,  interspersed  with  very 
gentle  eminences,  highly  cultivated  and  adorned  with  numerous  seats  and 
villages,  scattered  amongst  towering  oaks  aud  other  trees,  within  the 
distance  of  fifty-four  miles  from  the  metropolis,  and  about  fourteen  from 
the  city  of  Canterbury.  Its  large  and  beautiful  Church,  dedicated  to 
the  Virgin  Mary,  is  of  very  remote  origin,  but  was  entirely  rebuilt  about 
the  latter  end  of  the  reign  of  Edward  IV.,  chiefly  at  the  expense  of  Sir 
John  Fogge,  Knt.,  who  resided  at  Repton,  about  a  mile  from  this  town. 
He  died  about  the  year  1490,  and  was  buried  under  a  tomb,  which 
stands  on  the  north  side  of  the  Altar,  in  the  Chancel.  The  Monument  is 
now  greatly  defaced,  but  contains  on  one  side  of  it  a  brass  plate  with 
these  lines : 

Pleuius  hie  sequitur  quod  fecerat  ille  Johannes 

Sumptibus  ex  propriis,  banc  ecclesiam  renovavit 

Cum  campanile  quod  funditus  aedificavit. 

Pluribus  atque  libris  chorus  hie  per  eum  veneratur, 

Ac  ornamentis  altari  Dei  veneratur. 

Vestibulum  ditans,  et  plura  jocaUa  donans 

Ut  patet  intuitu,  pro  posteribus  memoranda 

Ad  laudem  Domini,  cui  laus  sit  nunc  et  in  seram. — Amen. 

Sir  John  Eogge  was  Comptroller  of  the  Household,  and  Privy  Coun- 
sellor to  King  Edward  IV.,  and  also  founded  a  College  in  this  town, 
with  a  small  establishment  appointed  to  pray  for  the  souls  of  the  king 
and  several  persons  of  distinction,  and  also  those  of  his  majesty's  liege 
subjects  who  were  slain  in  the  battles  of  Northampton,  St.  Albans, 
and  Sherborne,  in  defence  of  his  right  and  title. 

In  a  vault  underneath  the  tomb  near  the  altar,  which  is  called  Fogge's 

vault,  but  belongs  to  the  Lord  of  the  Manor,  a  great  many  of  the  Fogge 

family  have  been  buried :  there  is  a  tradition  that  above  twenty  knights 

of  that  family  have  been  deposited  there.     From  an  old  MS.  one  in- 

1 


ST.  MARY  S   CHURCH,    ASHFORD,   KENT. 

scription  relative  to  a  member  of  this  family  is  given  in  Parsom's  East 
Kent,  as  havinj;  formerly  been  in  this  Cluircli. 

J^ere,  unoer  t^\i  ?tonc,  Ipetj)  tibe  boDne  of  4r})oma.!S  J?oggf,  <^P 
quprc,  lateli  .s^crgcant  porter  unro  tljc  mo^t  famo)Sc)j  princEJi,  fting 
i^tnry  VII.  anD  Vlll.,  ano  tlianor,  Ijis  tonf,  tijc  vnljirtie  aijottiaji 
iiccfsicD  tfje  xvitJj  Dap  of  ilugu^t,  tjje  pcre  of  our  UorD  1612,  anO 
(jEIianor  ocfcscO  tljc  Oap  of  ,  t])t  pcre  of  our  iLorD  one 

ti)OU?anQ  fitic  IjunQrcD  anD         on  toljo^e  jsoule^  %ti\x^  ijabe  mttcp. 

On  labels  issuing  from  the  mouths  of  two  figures  now  gone,  are  these 
sentences  : 

pater  Oe  €eIiiS  ttii^crerc  nobi^. 
^pintu.si  ,§ancte  ©eu^  mijierere  nobi.sf. 

The  family  of  Fogge,  in  after  times,  sutiered  much  in  their  estate  at 
the  period  of  the  Civil  Wars,  and  according  to  the  vicissitude  of  human 
affairs,  were  reduced  to  a  very  small  property  at  the  beginning  of  the 
eighteenth  century. 

Captain  Christopher  Fogge,  a  descendant  of  this  ancient  family,  was 
made  prisoner  by  the  Turks,  and  redeemed  from  slavery  with  a  consider- 
able ransom.  He  afterwards  went  to  sea  as  commander  of  the  Rupert 
man  of  war,  and  died  on  hoard  of  iiis  own  ship  in  the  River  Thames,' 
soon  after  his  last  voyage,  about  the  year  1707.  At  his  death  the  fa- 
mily was  most  probably  extinct. 

The  Church  consists  of  a  Nave,  with  aisles  on  the  north  and  south 
sides,  two  transepts  and  a  chancel,  with  a  very  noble  embattled  tower 
at  the  intersection  of  the  nave  and  transepts.  It  is  finely  proportioned, 
and  rises  to  the  height  of  two  stories  above  the  body  of  the  Church,  and 
is  ornamented  with  niullioned  windows,  rising  to  a  pointed  arch  upon 
each  face.  Four  octangular  turrets,  one  at  each  corner  of  the  Tower, 
are  crowned  with  small  spires,  and  terminate  in  vanes. — Vide  Exterior 
View,  Plate  1. 

The  effect  of  the  interior  of  the  fabric  is  considerably  injured  by  the 
many  pews  and  galleries  that  have  been  introduced  for  the  convenience 
of  the  numerous  inhabitants  of  the  town,  by  which  much  of  the  original 
beauty  of  the  structure  is  lost ;  there  is  now  no  painted  glass  in  the 
windows  ;  but  Weever,  in  his  curious  work,  speaks  of  many  goodly  por- 
traitures— as  of  King  Edward  III. ;  the  Black  Prince ;  Richard,  Duke 
of  Gloucester ;  Richard,  Earl  Rivers;  the  Lord  Hastings;  the  Lord 
Scales;  Sir  William  Hawte;  Valoins,  and  his  two  wives;  the  first,  the 
daughter  of  Hawte,  the  second  of  Fogge,  &c.  &c. 

The  Church,  however,  still  contains  a  great  many  monuments  deserv- 
ing attention;  the  principal  of  which  are  in  the  Soutii  Transept,  chiefly  in 
memory  of  the  family  of  Smyth,  Lords  of  Westenhanger,  and  formerly 
owners  of  the  Manor  of  Asbford,  now  represented  by  the  Lord  Viscount 
2 


« 


4 


ST.  MARY  S    CHURCH,   ASHFORD,   KENT. 

Strangford.  All  these  tombs  are  now  in  excellent  preservation,  and 
remain  fine  specimens  of  the  taste  prevalent  in  Monumental  Architecture 
during  the  sixteenth,  and  in  the  earlier  part  of  the  seventeenth  century ; 
they  vrere  repaired  by  the  late  Chief  Baron  Sir  Sidney  Stafford  Smyth, 
a  descendant,  whose  great  grandmother  was  the  Lady  Dorothy  Sydney, 
so  celebrated  by  the  poet  Waller  as  Saccharissa. 

The  Monument  of  Thomas  Smith,  Esq.  composed  of  various-colored 
marble,  represented  in  Plate  II.  stands  against  the  south  wall  of  the 
Chapel,  and  bears  the  following  inscription  : 

Memoriffi  Sacrum. 
Hie  certa  spe  beats  resurrectionis  conditur  claiissimus  vir,  Thomas  Smith,  de 
Westenhanger,  Armiger,  qui  ob  spectatam  in  principem  fidem  et  observantiam 
dignissimus  habebatur.  Qui  portorii  vectigalibus  in  Londini  portubus  praeficere- 
tur,  quae  postea  triginta  miUium  librarum  annua  pensitatione  a  principe  redemit, 
et  singulari  in  nobiliores  liberalitate  et  amore  in  mercatores  praestitit  opes  quibus 
ilium  Deus  opt.  max.  beavit  ad  Dei  gloriam  pauperes  sublevando,  vere  religionis 
professores  fovendo,  bonasque  lileras  promovendo  et  ad  reipublicse  usum  loa- 
ginquas  navigationes  instituendo  novas  terras  detegendo,  et  serarias  fodinas  ape- 
riendo  libens  lubensque  erogavit.  Jamque  annorum  plenus  cum  sexagesimum 
nonum  an'um  implevisset,  filiosque  sex,  sex  etiam  filias  ex  Alicia  clarissima 
conjuge  sexigeneria,  filia  et  harede  Andrei  ludd  militis  D'ni  hujus  Villae  de 
Ashford  suscepisset ;  qui  in  clariores  familias  matriraonio  colligantur,  ex  hac  vita 
firma  in  Christo  fide  demigravit  junii  septimo. 

Anno  Salutis  1591. 
Johannes  Smyth  filius  primogenitus,   optimo  patri  matriq'  charissimiE   csteiis 
filiis  filiabus   eoUacrimantibus,   ad   officios^  pietatis  et  posteritatis  memoriam 
moestissimus  posuit. 

The  figures  of  Thomas  Smith,  and  his  wife  Alice,  are  represented 
lying  at  full  length  under  an  arched  canopy,  composed  of  a  rich  enta- 
blature supported  by  two  Corinthian  columns,  surmounted  by  a  com- 
partment filled  with  the  arms  of  Smyth.  Argent,  a  chevron  engrailed 
between  three  lions  passant  sable.  Crest,  a  leopard's  head  erased,  argent 
gorged  with  a  collar  and  chain  sable.  Two  other  shields,  with  impale- 
ments and  quarterings  of  the  family,  and  small  obeHsivs  on  pedestals  at 
the  angles.  On  the  base  of  the  tomb  are  the  six  sons  and  six  daughters 
of  the  deceased,  kneeling  at  Prie  Dieus,  with  an  open  book  upon  each. 

On  the  west  side  of  this  Chapel  is  the  monument  of  Sir  Richard 
Smyth,  Knt,  of  Leeds  Castle,  fourth  son  of  the  above,  who  is  repre- 
sented in  armour,  lying  upon  a  cushion  and  mat ;  in  front  are  his  three 
wives  and  five  children.  Upon  the  monument  is  the  following  in- 
scription : — 

Here  lyeth  the  body  of  Sir  Richard  Smyth,  of  Leeds  Castle,  Kent,  fourth  son  of 

Tliomas  Smyth,  of  Ostenhanger,  in  the  county  of  Kent,  Esq. 
He  married  three  wives,  who  were  widows.    By  the  first  of  them,  being  a  daugh- 
ter of  Sir  Thomas  Scott,  of  Scott's  Hall,  he  had  his  only  son,  Sir  John  Smyth, 
and  two  daughters,  Elizabeth  and  Alice ;  and  by  his  second  wife  he  had  his 
3 


ST.  MARY  S    CHURCH,    ASHFORD,   KENT. 

daughter,  Mary ;  and  by  his  last  wife,  who  survived  him,  he  had  his  daughter 
Margarett.  He  was  Receiver  of  the  Duche  of  Cornwall,  and  Surveyor  General 
and  Commissioner  for  the  Revenewes  assigned  to  Prince  Charles,  for  many  years. 
He  was  a  just  officer  in  his  accounts,  which  he  perfected  with  much  content- 
ment, where  he  was  trusted.  His  love  to  his  wife's  children  and  friends  was 
extraordinary,  and  he  tenderly  did  respect  them.  His  bounty  to  the  poore  was 
very  great.  He  lived  piously,  and  having  an  assured  hope  of  a  joyfiil  resurrec- 
tion by  a  lively  faith  in  the  meritts  of  Jesus  Christ.  He  rested  from  his  labors 
on  the  21st  July,  1628,  in  the  63d  year  of  his  age. 

The  other  Monument  to  this  ancient  family  is  upon  the  east  side  of 
the  Chapel,  and  commemorates  Sir  John  Smyth,  Knt.,  only  son  of  the 
latter,  who  died  in  160S),  and  Elizabeth,  his  wife,  who  are  represented 
kneeling  on  cushions  at  a  lettern  or  reading  desk.  The  former  is  in  ar- 
mour, with  a  ruft",  the  latter  has  also  a  ruff  and  large  hoop.  In  front  of 
the  Monument  are  portraitures  of  their  three  surviving  children ;  and  on 
a  black  marble  tablet  is  this  inscription : 

To  the  Slemorye 
of  Sir  John  Smyth,  of  Ostenhanger,  Knight,  and  Elizabeth,  his  wife,  daughter 
and  sole  heyer  of  John  Fineaux,  of  Heme,  in  the  County  of  Kent,  Esq.,  who 
lived  married  together  about  30  yeares,  and  had  issue  two  sons  and  six  daugh- 
ters, whereof  three  only  survived  them  at  the  time  of  their  death,  whose  por- 
traitures are  here  presented,  videlicet,  Thomas  Smyth,  Esq.,  his  sonne  and  heyer ; 
Katharine,  married  to  Sir  Harry  Baker,  of  Sissinghurst,  in  the  county  of  Kent, 
Knight ;  and  Elizabeth,  marryed  to  Harry  Nevill,  the  younger,  of  Billingbere,  in 
the  County  of  Berk.  Knight. 

Elected  by  Sir  John  Scott,  Sir  Rich.  Smyth,  and  Christopher  Tolderve,  the  exe- 
cutors to  the  said  Sir  John  Smyth. 

The  last  of  this  family  that  was  buried  in  the  vault  underneath  this 
Chapel,  was  Philip  Smyth,  Viscount  Strangford,  in  1708 ;  a  great  es- 
tate in  this  county  formerly  belonged  to  the  family.  Thomas  Smyth, 
commonly  called  Customer  Smyth,  was  remarkable  for  his  great  riches. 
Westenhanger,  in  the  parish  of  Stanford,  between  this  town  and  Hythe, 
their  usual  place  of  residence,  was  a  noble  and  magnificent  structure ; 
a  small  part  of  it  that  still  remains,  has  been  converted  into  a  farm-house. 

On  a  slab,  in  front  of  the  Altar  steps,  is  a  curious  full-sized  brass,  in 
memory  of  Elizabeth,  daughter  to  Henry,  Lord  Ferrers,  ofGroby,  and 
wife  to  David  le  Strabolgie,  the  fourth  of  that  name.  Earl  of  Athol ; 
she  died  in  the  year  1375,  and  is  represented  in  the  old  French  round 
dress,  closely  buttoned  from  the  waist,  her  hair  in  three  rows  of  curls, 
surrounding  her  face,  and  hanging  over  her  shoulders :  she  held  a  square 
banner  in  each  hand,  that  in  the  dexter  paly,  that  in  the  sinister 
charged  with  seven  viascles,  the  arms  of  Quincy  ;  over  her  head,  within 
a  square,  the  arms  of  France  and  England,  quarterly,  and  under  her 
feet,  a  heater-shaped  shield,  charged  with  a  cross,  impaling  three  chevroTUi, 
all  within  a  border  guttie,  and  originally  bore  this  inscription  :  "  Icy  gist 
4 


ST.  MAKY'S    church,    ASHFORD,   KENT. 

Elizabeth,  Countesse  D'AthoIs,  la  fille  de  Sign  Ferrers,  Dieu  assoile  que 
mourut  le  xx  jour  d'Octobre,  Tan  de  Grace  MCCC." — Vide  Le  Neve's 
Church  Notes,  Add.  MS.  5479,  in  the  British  Museum.  The  figure  is 
uow  much  mutilated,  and  of  the  fillet  of  brass,  round  it,  the  following 
only  remains : 

gjcp  gisit— Counte.^jSc— que  mout'. 

The  original  Altar  of  the  Church  was  pulled  down  during  the  Civil 
War,  aud  the  names  of  the  Churchwardens,  cut  in  stone,  were  placed  in 
the  Chancel;  but  in  the  year  1697,  this  tablet  was  removed,  and  the 
present  altar-piece  erected  by  subscription ;  the  following  is  the  curious 
preamble  to  the  List  of  the  Subscribers  to  the  new  work. 

"  Whereas  the  ancient  Altar  and  Altar-piece  of  the  Parish  Church  of 
Ashford,  having  been  both  decent  and  ornamental,  rising  with  a  fine 
ascent,  and  the  same  railed  in  after  a  decent  manner,  were  in  the  time  of 
rebellion,  in  the  reign  of  our  truly  pious  and  martyred  sovereign,  King 
Charles  the  First,  of  blessed  memory,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  1644, 
sacrilegiously  defaced  and  removed,  the  Altar  razed  even  with  the 
ground,  and  some  of  the  materials  converted  to  their  own  private  uses, 
by  men  as  well  of  factious  and  rebellious  principles  and  practices  as  sa- 
crilegious; and  to  perpetuate  this  their  infamous  act  and  sacrilegious 
depredations,  the  then  Churchwardens,  Joy  Starr  and  William  Worsley, 
two  of  the  actors  in  so  great  and  villainous  a  profanation  and  profuse 
wasters  of  the  churches  treasure,  had  their  names  cut  in  stone,  which 
they  placed  in  the  wall  where  the  ancient  Altar-piece  stood,  as  a  monu- 
ment thereof,  but  is  now  taken  out  and  broken  to  pieces,  it  being  a 
shame  to  our  church  that  the  names  of  such  men  should  remain  there, 
already  too  long,  who  under  the  hypocritical  mask  and  disguise  of  ab- 
horring idolatry,  dared  be  guilty  of  so  bold  a  sacrilege  as  to  violate 
God's  altar. 

"  We,  therefore,  the  Parishioners  of  the  Parish  of  Ashford,  and  affec- 
tionate members  of  our  truly  apostolical  and  established  Church  of 
England,  abhorring,  as  we  are  bound  in  duty,  so  sacrilegious  an  act, 
and  to  testify  our  sincerity  and  due  regard  to  the  order  and  decent  ap- 
pendices of  our  church,  and  that  place  where  peace  and  reconciliation  is 
made  between  God  and  man,  may  no  longer  continue  as  it  is  now,  to  our 
shame,  the  place  of  brawls  and  contentious  disputes  of  the  parishioners, 
but  that  a  fair  and  decent  Altar  and  Altar-  piece,  pavement,  and  rails,  may 
be  raised  aud  placed  again  in  its  ancient  place  and  order,  being  there- 
unto encouraged  and  moved  by  the  exemplary  and  pious  offer  of  a  ge- 
nerous contribution  by  our  very  good  lord,  the  Earl  of  Thanet,  and  the 
Reverend  Sir  George  Wheeler,  and  being  well  assured  of  the  further 
pious  and  concurrent  contribution  of  our  very  good  Lord  Strangford,  and 
divers  other  devout  persons  of  honour  and  quality,  for  the  completing 
5 


ST.  Mary's  church,  ashford,  kent. 

so  decent  an  enterprize,  have  and  do  hereby  promise  to  pay  the  several 
sums  of  money  to  our  several  and  respective  names  here  under  written 
annexed,  to  encourage  and  carry  on  so  good  and  commendable  a  work. 

"  Witness  our  hands  this  five  and  twentieth  day  of  July,  Anno  Domini, 
1695." 

Then  follows  a  list  of  subscribers  to  the  amount  of  seventy  pounds. 

The  following  Account  of  some  of  the  Vicars  of  Ashford  is  also  from 
Parsons's  East  Kent,  p.  537,  vi-here  the  order  of  succession  is  traced 
from  the  Parish  Register. 

Rev.  John  Wallis,  Vicar,  father  to  the  famous  Dr.  Wallis,  the  learned 
Mathematician  of  Oxford,  was  buried,  Dec.  4,  1622. 

On  a  flat  stone  in  the  Archbishop's  Court,  within  the  Church,  are  the 
following  inscriptions  relating  to  him  and  his  family  : 

Here  lieth  the  body  of  the  faithful  servant  of  Jesus  Christ,  late  painful  and  loving 
Pastor  of  this  Congregation,  Mr.  John  Wallis,  who  departed  this  life,  November 
30,  1622,  being  of  age  55  years,  and  Mr.  Henry  Wallis,  son  of  Mr.  John  and  Jo- 
anna Wallis,  who  lived  a  godly,  prudent,  just,  and  useful  man,  and  died  much 
lamented,  Sept.  3,  1666,  aged  46  years,  and  is  here  interred  in  his  father's  grave  : 
Mrs.  Joanna  Wallis,  a  prudent,  grave,  and  pious  matron,  sometime  wife  of  Jlr. 
John  Wallis,  Pastor  of  this  Church,  daughter  of  Mr.  Henry  and  Sarah  Chapman, 
sometime  of  Godmersham,  died  September  26,  1643,  aged  —  years,  and  is  here 
interred  by  her  husband.  Also  Mrs.  Rebecca  Wallis,  widow  of  Mr.  Henry  Wal- 
lis, and  daughter  of  Mr.  Howell,  of  Rye,  who  died  Sf  ptember  20,  1677. 

Rev.  Edmund  Hayes,  Vicar,  father  to  INIr.  Hayes,  Printer  to  the 
University  of  Cambridge,  was  buried  Sept.  3,  1638. 

Rev.  Mr.  Mackbee  succeeded  Mr.  Hayes;  in  his  time  were  great 
confusion  both  in  church  and  state. 

Rev.  Richard  Whitlock,  Vicar,  araan  of  wit  and  learning,  was  buried 
October  24,  1666. 

Rev.  Thomas  Risden,  Vicar,  succeeded  Mr.  Whitlock.  He  was  mi- 
nister in  Bread  Street,  London,  and  was  burnt  out  of  his  habitation  by 
the  great  fire,  anno  1666;  he  then  came  to  Ashford,  and  was  here 
buried  May  29,  1673. 

The  Rev.  Samuel  Warren,  Vicar,  succeeded,  and  died  in  1720, 
aged  84.  On  a  black  marble  slab  in  the  Chancel  is  the  following  in- 
scription to  his  memory  : 

M.S. 
Samuelis  Warren  hujus  Ecclesise  Ashfordiensis  nuper  Vicarli,  viri  et  vitae  sancti- 
monia,  et  puritate  fidei  et  niorum  suavitate  vere  venerandi.  Numeroso  Gregi 
XLVIII  annos  summa  fide,  summaque  constantia  invigilavit  pastor  inculpatus,  et 
quo  erat  ingenio  ad  omnia  humanitatis  officia  prompto  non  tantum  profuit  omni- 
bus, sed  et  placuit.  Ad  munus  sacerdolale  licet  indesinenter  atteutus,  rei  tamen 
familiari  administrand.i?  non  prorsus  defuit.  Quinimo  raliones  domesticas  tam 
accurate  ad  calculum  vocavit,  et  facultates  suas  tam  provide  et  prudente  dispen- 
savit  ut  ex  redditibus  satis  modicis  nunquam  non  suppeteret  unde  liberos  suos 

6 


Dra.'wn  isyZ.  'jl  .  1 


ASHFOEB    chtitircb:. 


Engra-vediy'Vr.'Wallis . 


;  THE    SOTTTH  TILAUSI.: 


■  St' £lai^cfriaxf  Jlc^ . 


% 


ff^ 


ST.  MARY  S   CHURCH,    ASHFORD,   KENT. 

bene  multos  honeste  educaret  et  liberaliter.     Nee  in  suos  solum  benignus  erat  vir 
optimus,  utpote  qui  erga  omnes  se  semper  benevolum  pra:stitit  ft  propensmn,  in- 
digentihu^  vero  summe  beaeficum,  vera  siguiticatio  animi  generosi. 
Quippe  cum  plerique  omnes  magnificum  ducunt  si  non  inviti  id  erogent  quod  sa- 
tietati  superfuerit,  hie  vel  a  semetipso  auferre  sustinuit,  quo  alios 

Posset  beaie. 

Senecta  potius  f[uam  moibo  confectus 

Christi  raeritis  plenR  confisus 

Deo  placide  animam  reddidit 
Martii  XVI  an'o  D'ni  MDCCXX 
JEtatis  sua:  LXXXIV. 
Hie  etiam  juxta  jacet  desideratissimi  viri  conjux  dilectissima  Sara,  Joannis  Stafford 
Rectoris  de  Luggershall  in  agro  Sussexiae  tilia,  natu  minima ;  foemina  tam  venus- 
tate  corporis  quam  prcecellentibus  animi  dotibus  vere  spectabilis.     Quae  statim 
post  deciraum  partura  variolis  oppressa  in  Christo  obdprmivit  Sept'ris  XX.  Anno 
D'ni  MDCLXXX\  II.  a;talis  suze  XL. 

His  son.  Dr.  William  VV^arren,  made  antiquities  his  favourite  study, 
and  wrote  a  history  of  this  Church,  many  extracts  from  which  are  given 
in  "  Parsons's  Account  of  Monuments,  &c.  in  the  churches  of  East 
Kent,"  1794,  4to.  He  died  at  Canterbury,  but  was  buried  at  Ashford. 
In  the  Churchyard  is  a  tomb  erected  to  his  memory,  with  this  inscription  : 

H.  S.  E. 

Gvdielmus  Warren,  LL.  D. 

Aul.  Trin.  Cantabr.  Socius. 

Reverendi  Viri  Samuelis  Warren, 

Hujus  Ecclesia?  olim  A^icarii 

Filius 

Obut  III  Jan.  MDCCXLIV. 

jEtatis  suae  LXII. 

In  diiferent  parts  of  the  Church  are  monuments  with  these  inscriptions : 

In  a  Vault  beneath  lieth  interred  the  body  of  John  Norwood,  late  of  this  Town, 
and  Slary  his  wife,  by  whom  he  had  seven  children,  six  of  whom  are  in  the  said 
Vault  with  him,  in  memory  of  whom  their  surviving  son  Edward  has  erected  this 
monument,  1743. 

Near  this  place  are  deposited  the  remains  of  Thomas  Hussey,  Esq.  who  died  July 
3,  1779,  aged  56  years.    Also  three  of  his  Children,  who  died  infants. 

Beneath  this  Monument  lies  interred  the  small  remainder  of  Arthur  Apsley,  of 
this  Town,  Esq.  who  near  twenty  years  with  loyalty,  courage,  and  good  conduct, 
discharged  the  especial  trust  reposed  in  him  by  their  JIajesties  King  William  and 
Queen  Anne  as  Cornet,  Lieutenant,  and  Exempt  of  their  first  troop  of  Horse 
Guards.  He  married  Mary,  youngest  daughter  of  George  Evelyn,  of  Godstone, 
in  Surrey,  Esq.  by  whom  he  left  no  issue.  He  died  Dec.  29,  1719,  in  the  50th 
year  of  his  age. 

Near  him  also  is  interred  the  body  of  Arthur  Apsley,  father  of  the  aforesaid 
Arthur,  who  died  Dec,  4,  1743,  aged  80. 
7 


ST.  MARY  S   CHURCH,    ASHFORD,    KENT. 

Here  also  lieth  interred  the  body  of  Thomas  Apsley,  of  this  Town,  who  out  of  his 
filial  duty  and  brotherly  affection  erected  this  Monument  to  their  memory. 

Here  lies  the  Body  of  James  Reader,  late  of  this  Town,  who  departed  this  life 

August  24,  1727,  aged  52. 
Near  him  also  lieth  interred  the  body  of  Elizabeth,  relict  of  the  said  James  Reader, 
and  daughter  of  Arthur  Apsley :  she  died  October   17^   1741,  aged  64  years. 
Mary  Handfield,  relict  of  Thomas  Handfield,  ob.  June,  — 38,  aged  79. 

Thomas  Apsley,  son  of  Thomas  and  Ann  Apsley,  died  the  23rd  uf  Januarj',  1774, 

in  the  38th  year  of  his  age. 
Elizabeth  Apsley,  his  widow,  died  the  22nd  day  of  July,  1791,  in  the  73rd  year' 

of  her  age. 

Thomas,  son  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  Apsley,  died  the  8th  of  October,  1767,  in 

the  28th  year  of  his  age. 

Upon  a  slab  of  marble  in  the  Vestry  is  the  following  inscription : 

Hoc  sub  Marmore, 
Conduntur  cineres  Johannis  Feimer  generosi,  hujus  oppidi  non  ita  pridem  incols 
et  omamenti,  qui  obiit  XV  die  Julii  Anno  D'ni  JNIDCCII.  ffitatis  suse  XXXVI. 
Viverat  multis  certe  nominibus  memorandus  utpote  qui  fidelis  Ecclesite  Anglicans 
filius  orthodoxy,  fidei  pietatem  adjunxit  vitaeque  integritatem,  quinetiam,  quod  illi 
omnino  dandum  est  laudi,  feliciter  monstravit  benignam  ingenii  venam  sermonem 
festivum,  moresque  faciles  non  tantum  cum  religionis  gravitate  convenire,  sed  vir- 
tutem  ipsam  gratiorem  reddere  et  magis  amabilem.  Uxorem  duxit  Saram  Thomse 
Bull  de  Mershara  generosi  filiam  natu  maxiraam,  foemiuam  sane  tali  viro  dignam 
quae  obiit  V.  die  Aprilis  RIDCCXV  et  hie  juxta  jacet  sepulta.  Ex  hac  septem 
suscepit  liberos,  quorum  tres  pra:maturo  fato  abreptos  pater  moestus  ploravit  qua- 
tuor  superstites  Mariam,  Franciscam,  Saram,  Elizabethan!,  et  Priscillam,  moriturus 
testamento  reliquit  haeredes.  Elizabetha  anno  xtatis  undecimo  vixdum  expleto 
variolis  occubuit ;  tres  reliqus  marmor  hoc  pietatis  et  gratitudinis  ergo  posuere 
Anno  Domini  WDCCXXXIV. 

lu  the  Archbishop's  Court  is  a  Monument  inscribed  with  the  fol- 
lowing : 

Memorise  Sacrum 
Baptista'  Pigott,  filii  Baptists  Pigott  de  l3artford,  Clerici,  primique  Scolae  Ash- 
fordiensis  Moderatoris,  qui  summis  doctrinffi  oroamentis,  eximiaque  docendi  facul- 
tate  instructissimus,  nuraerosum  eruditorum  coetum  et  ecclesia^  et  reipublicEe  dedit, 
E  prima  uxore,  relicta  Georgii  Symons,  clerici,  filia  vero  Henrici  Stacey  de  Ashe 
generosi  duos  filios  Baptistam  et  Gervasium,  totidemque  iilias,  Helenam  et  Ma- 
riam tulit.  Ex  alteris  etiam  nuptiis  cum  Jana  filia  Johannis  Spencer  et  Franciscae 
conjugis  de  Feversham  Armigeri,  duos  itidem  suscepit  tilios  Spencerum  et  Edwar- 
dum,  quatuor  vero  filias  Franciscam,  Elizabetham,  Janam,  et  Annam.  Et  cum 
ultra  quatuor  lustra  huic  schols  pra;fuisset,  anno  aetat.  70  pietate  juxta  ac  annis 
maturus,  maritus  et  pater  indulgentissimus  de  discipulis  ut  et  oppido  etsi  ingratq 
optime  meritus  Decem.  quint.  Calend.  Feb.  1657.  obiit. 

H.  J.  B.  P.  S.  P. 


CJurcf)  of  ti)t  f|ol^  Crinitp, 

INGHAM,  NORFOLK. 

REV.    JOHN    HEPWORTH,    STIPENDIARY    CURATE. 


1  HE  Lordship  of  Ingham  was  possessed,  at  a  very  early  period,  by  a 
family  of  the  same  name,  of  whom  Oliver  de  Ingham  was  living  in 
1183,  and  John  de  Ingham  is  known  to  have  been  Lord  in  the  reigu  of 
Richard  I.  Sir  Oliver  de  Ingham,  great  grandson  of  the  last,  and 
Seneschal  of  Gascoigne  and  of  Aquitain,  and  Lord  Warden  of  the 
Marches  of  Guienne,  in  the  reign  of  Edward  HI.,  had  two  daughters 
and  co-heirs,  the  younger  of  whom,  Joan,  conveyed  Ingham  to  her 
second  husband.  Sir  Miles  Stapleton,  of  Bedale,  in  Yorkshire.  This 
Knight  and  his  Lady  founded  a  perpetual  Chantry  in  the  Parish  Church 
of  lugham,  consisting  of  a  Warden  and  two  Priests,  performing  service 
in  honour  of  the  Holy  Trinity,  and  for  the  souls  of  King  Edward  III., 
the  founders,  their  parents,  and  other  relations,  and  of  all  the  faithful 
deceased.  This  institution  was  soon  converted  into  a  Priory,  of  the 
order  of  the  Holy  Trinity  and  St.  Victor,  for  the  redemption  of  captives 
from  the  Turks,  and  to  which  the  Church,  having  been  rebuilt,  was 
made  collegiate  and  appropriated,  by  Thomas  Percy,  Bishop  of  Nor- 
wich, on  the  2d  of  July,  A.  D.  1360.  The  Convent  at  first  consisted 
merely  of  a  prior  or  custos,  and  two  brethren  ;  but  four  other  brethren 
or  canons,  and  a  sacrist,  who  oflSciated  for  the  parishioners,  were  sub- 
sequently added ;  and  the  number  was  designed  to  have  been  made  up 
to  thirteen,  if  the  revenues  had  so  increased,  that  ten  marks  annually 
could  have  been  allowed  each  religious.  In  1384,  the  endowments  of 
the  Priory  were  augmented  by  John  de  Saxham,  on  the  condition  that 
a  chaplain  should  be  provided  to  pray  for  his  soul  in  the  collegiate 
Church. 

Ingham  Priory  became,  in  a  short  time,  the  head  house  of  its  order 
in  this  country,  and  even  imparted  to  it  the  name  of  the  order  of  Ingham, 
by  which  it  was  thenceforward  known,  as  well  as  by  those  of  the  order  of 
the  Maturins,  and  of  the  Trinitarians.  The  conventual  possessions  of  the 
Ingham  foundation,  according  to  Mr.  Taylor,  in  his  Index  Monasticus  of 
the  Diocese  of  Norwich,  were  four  manors  and  four  impropriate  churches, 
with  lands  and  interests  in  about  twenty  parishes.  The  Priory  itself 
was  situated  on  the  north  side  of  the  Church,  to  which  its  cloister  ad- 
joined. 

The  Church,  of  which  Plate  I.  is  a  View  from  the  south-east,  is  forty- 
four  yards  long,  including  the  nave  and  chancel ;  the  width  of  the  chan- 
cel is  eighteen  feet;  and  that  of  the  nave,  with  its  two  aisles,  forty  feet. 
Adjoining,  to  the  south,  was  a  Chapel,  dedicated  to  St.  Mary.  Over  the 
porch,  which  Las  a  stone  groined  roof,  were  two  large  rooms,  where 
lived  the  Sacristan.  At  the  west  end  is  a  lofty  and  elegant  Tower, 
I 


above  the  grand  entrance  through  which  are  the  arms  of  Ingham,  and 
of  Stapleton  impaling  Felbrigg  and  de  la  Pole,  indicative  of  its  builder, 
Sir  Miles  Stapleton,  great-grandson  of  the  founder,  who  died  in  1466, 
of  and  his  two  wives,  Catherine,  daughter  of  Sir  T.  de  la  Pole,  son 
of  Michael,  Earl  of  Suflblk,  and  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Sir  Simon  Fel- 
brigg. Sir  Miles  was  Knight  of  the  Shire  in  Parliament  in  the  28th  of 
Henry  VI.  By  his  last  will  he  devised  the  whole  of  his  moveable  pro- 
perty to  be  dispensed  to  pious  uses,  and  all  his  manors  to  his  feoflees, 
for  four  years,  to  raise  money  for  aimes-deeds,  for  his  soul's  health ; 
he  left  considerable  legacies  to  this  Church  and  Priory. 

In  the  following  account  of  the  principal  monuments  and  other  sepul- 
chral memorials  in  this  Church,  the  inscriptions  are  given  from  Blome- 
field's  History  of  Norfolk.  Most  of  them  are  now  gone,  and  the  rest 
are  in  a  very  imperfect  state. 

Under  an  arch  on  the  north  side  of  the  chancel  lies  the  sculptured 
figure  of  Sir  Oliver  de  Ingham,  as  represented  in  the  annexed  Engraving, 
Plate  II. ;  its  ancient  appearance  is  thus  described  by  Weever  :  "  Vnder 
afaireTombe  of  free-stoue,  veiy  curiously  wrought,  lieth  the  body  of /S/r 
Oliver  Ingham,  with  his  resemblance  in  his  coate  Armour,  his  belt,  gdt 
spurs,  and  the  blew  Garter  about  his  leg;  his  Creast,  the  Owle  out  of 
the  luie  bush,  with  a  crowne  on  the  head  thereof:  He  being  a  great 
trauailer,  lyeth  vpon  a  Rocke,  beholding  the  Sunne,  and  Moone,  and 
Starres,  all  very  liuely  set  forth  in  mettall,  beholding  the  face  of  the 
earth  :  about  the  Tombe,  twenty  and  foure  mourners."  Sun,  moon,  and 
stars,  however,  have  long  since  disappeared,  and  but  fourteen  of  the 
mourners  now  remain.  Weever,  who  frequently  must  have  trusted  to 
other  eyes  than  his  own,  is  not  always  correct  either  in  his  descriptions 
or  in  his  dates.  In  this  case  there  never  was  any  "  blew  Garter."  Sir 
Oliver  died  in  1343,  and  was  not  a  knight  of  that  order.  What  Weever 
denominates  "  a  rocke,"  is  a  bed  of  rough  stone-work,  representing  a 
bed  of  round  flints  :  the  Knight's  position  is  singular,  for  he  appears  as 
if  prepared  to  jump  up  on  his  feet;  his  head  inclines  over  his  shoulder, 
towards  the  inner  part  of  the  arch.  His  right  arm  crosses  his  breast, 
and  grasps  his  sword,  which  hangs  at  his  left  side,  but  is  now  broken ; 
his  left  arm  crosses  his  breast  to  his  right  shoulder,  the  hand  resting  on 
the  stony  pillow.  His  legs  were  crossed,  but  are  now  broken.  His 
eyes  seem  directed  to  a  painting  on  the  back  of  the  arch ;  this,  which  is 
much  defaced,  is  probably  the  "  face  of  the  earth,''  which  Weever  de- 
scribes the  celestial  luminaries  as  beholding :  it  is  described  in  the  fol- 
lowing terms  by  the  late  lamented  artist  INIr.  C.  Stothard,  in  a  letter 
printed  in  his  Memoirs  :  "  The  subject  of  it  appears  to  relate  to  hunt- 
ing. A  figure  on  the  left,  with  a  green  hood  over  his  head,  is  blowing 
a  horn  ;  towards  the  centre  are  seen  the  stag,  lion,  camel,  and  other 
animals.  Another  huntsman,  who  is  not  so  well  preserved,  appears  to 
be  stringing  his  bow."  On  the  side  of  the  tomb  was  the  following  in- 
scription :  "  Mounsier  Oliucr  de  Ingham  gist  icy ;  et  Dame  Elizabeth, 
su  compagne,  que  Ivy  Dieu  de  les  almes  dit  mercy." 
2 


*-* 


INGHAM    CHURCH. 

At  the  east  end  of  the  Church,  by  the  rood-loft,  is  an  altar-monument, 
with  sculptured  figures  of  Sir  Roger  de  Boys  and  Margaret  his  lady, 
delineated  in  Plate  III.  The  Knight  is  in  complete  armour ;  his  head 
rests  on  the  head  and  body  of  a  Saracen,  coupe,  and  at  his  feet  is  a 
hound,  with  his  paw  resting  on  a  gauntlet.  The  following  is  the  in- 
scription, according  to  Blomefield  :  "  Monsieur  Roger  de  Boys  gist  icy, 
et  Dame  Margarete  sa  femme,  auxi  vous,  qui  passer  icy  priez  Dieu  de 
leur  almes  eit  mercy,  Elle  morout  fan  n'tre  Seigneur  mill,  trecent  et 
quinsieme  et  il  morout  Tan  de  dit  nostre  Seigneur,  1300.  With  this  date, 
however,  neither  the  armour  of  the  Knight  nor  the  dress  of  his  lady  by 
any  means  agree ;  they  point  to  about  1330 ;  and  there  is  a  word  fol- 
lowing the  "  trecens,"  though  it  is  illegible.  His  arms,  argent,  two  bars 
with  a  canton  gules,  over  all  a  fillet  sable,  are  yet  visible  on  his  surcoat; 
and  her  robe  is  checked  with  his  arms  and  her  own,  argent,  three 
mascles  between  two  bendlets,  sable.  It  is  remarkable  that  both  figures 
wear  the  mantle  of  some  order,  having  as  a  badge  on  the  right  shoulder 
a  cross  pattee,  of  which  the  upper  limb  is  removed  to  make  room  for  a 
motto  :  this  is  in  the  Gothic  letter,  and  is  in  three  divisions,  but  is  no 
longer  legible,  and  no  record  of  it  exists.  Some  have  imagined  it  to 
be  "  Amor:"  others,  "  A  ma  vie:"  the  latter  is  the  better  conjecture. 

The  chancel  is  floored  with  the  monumental  stones  of  the  Stapletons 
and  their  connexions ;  and  the  inlaid  brasses  were  among  the  richest  in 
the  county.  All  are  now  gone  :  they  were  stolen  in  1800,  when  St. 
Mary's  Chapel  was  pulled  down,  to  save  the  expense  of  repairing  its 
Toof,  and  the  Church  laid  open. 

In  the  centre  before  the  high  altar  were  the  full-sized  figures  of  Sir 
Miles  Stapleton  and  Joan  his  lady,  the  founders  of  the  Priory.  They 
were  coarsely  executed  and  out  of  proportion.  Their  right  hands  were 
joined;  the  armour  df  the  Knight  was  inlaid  with  roundels;  the  lady's 
hair  fell  in  two  formal  braids,  one  on  each  side  of  her  face  ;  round  her 
head  was  a  narrow  fillet  of  jewellery,  the  precious  stones  being  repre- 
sented by  a  composition,  of  various  colours;  from  above  each  elbow  hung 
a  long  narrow  sleeve.  Arms,  Stapleton,  lion  rampant,  imp.  Ingham, 
per  pale  or  et  vert,  a  cross  moline,  gules.  The  inscription  is  thus  very  im- 
perfectly given  by  Blomefield  :  Priez  pour  les  almes  Monseur  Miles  de 
Stapleton,  et  dame  Johamie,  sa  femme,  Jille  de  Monseur  Older  de  Ingham, 
fondeurs  de  ceste  mayson,  que  Dieu  de  leur  almes  eit  pitie."  The  lady 
was  widow  of  Sir  Roger  le  Strange ;  and  daughter  and  sole  heiress  of 
Sir  Oliver  de  Ingham.  By  this  marriage  Sir  Miles  added  a  large  estate 
to  his  former  possessions  in  Yorkshire,  and  became  a  conspicuous  per- 
son in  the  reign  of  Edward  the  Third,  ranking  high  in  his  favour,  and 
being  one  of  the  first  Knights  of  the  Garter ;  some  token  of  which  order 
'  one  is  disappointed  in  not  finding  on  his  monument."  He  died  in  1365. 
There  were  likewise  brasses,  with  armorial  bearings,  of  Sir  Miles  Staple- 
ton,  son  of  the  founder,  and  Ela,  his  lady,  daughter  of  Sir  Edmund 
Lliford,  and  of  Sir  Brian  Stapleton,  his  son,  with  Cecilia,  daughter  of 
the  Lord  Bardolph,  his  lady ;  and  of  Sir  Miles,  son  of  Sir  Brian,  and 
his  two  wives,  before  mentioned,  with  whom  terminated  the  Norfolk 
branch  of  the  family,  in  1466. 
3 


INGHAM    CHURCH. 

Here  also  were  engraved  effigies  or  inscriptions  and  armorial  bear 
ings  of  the  following  persons  :  Joan,  wife  of  John  Plays,  and  daugh- 
ter of  the  second  Sir  Miles  Stapleton,  who  died  Sept.  2,  1385;  the 
Lady  Ela,  wife  of  the  second  Sir  Miles,  and  daughter  of  Sir  Edmund 
Ufford ;  Sir  Roger  Boys,  who  died  Feb.  25,  1421 ;  John  Boys,  Esq. ; 
Edmund  Stapleton,  Esq.,  Chamberlain  to  John,  Duke  of  Norfolk,  and  son 
of  Sir  Miles,  the  founder,  who  died  in  1462 ;  and  Matilda  his  wife,  for- 
merly the  wife  of  Sir  Hugh  Fastolf,  who  died  in  1435 ;  Lady  Elizabeth 
Calthorp,  first  wife  of  Sir  Francis  Calthorp,  who  died  July  23,  1536. 
There  is  also  a  memorial  to  William  Johnson,  Esq.,  Lord  of  the  Manor 
of  Ingham,  who  died  Jan.  2,  1640,  aetat.  41.  Tn  1431,  John  Bradle, 
Esq.  was  buried  by  the  north  door  of  the  Church.  In  1384,  John  de 
Saxham,  who  gave  the  manor  of  Westhall,  dkc.  to  tbe  Priory,  was  buried 
in  St.  Mary's  Chapel.  Weever  mentions  as  buried  here  "  Dame  Ela 
Perpoint,  which  had  two  husbands." 

In  the  body  of  the  Church  was  a  gravestone,  with  brass  figures  of  a 
Knight  and  his  Lady,  and  the  following  metrical  inscription : 

Hie  miles  |:ratus,  Thomas  Saukvile  vocatus 
Ponitur  et  digna  sibi  conjux  Anna  benigna ; 
August!  pr.  idus,  M.  C.  quater,  L.  q.  secundo, 
Hunc  Christus  Dominus  fecit  valedicere  raundo. 
Hec  cum  Clementer  uit  anno  post  venireute, 
lUorum  fuDus  absolvat  trinus  et  unus. 

The  state  of  the  Church  declares  that  the  present  wealthy  inhabitants 
of  the  parish  possess  but  little  of  the  taste  and  spirit  which  guided 
the  founders.  Many  of  the  windows  are  bricked  up ;  the  oriels  are  closed 
with  plaster ;  the  stone  screen  has  fallen,  and  its  beautiful  gates  are  cut 
up  into  pew  doors ;  the  monks'  stalls  and  the  monuments  are  utterly 
dilapidated,  and  the  whole  of  the  interior  is  in  a  ruinous  condition. 

A  portion  of  the  walls  of  the  Priory,  with  two  small  doorways,  still 
remains;  but  nothing  that  is  interesting,  either  in  an  architectural  or  a 
picturesque  point  of  view. 

At  the  Dissolution,  the  prior,  John  Say,  with  Robert  Barham  and 
four  others,  subscribed  to  the  King's  supremacy  on  the  5th  of  August, 
1.534.  The  yearly  value  of  the  endowments  at  this  period,  after  all 
fixed  charges  upon  them  were  deducted,  amounted  to  Gl/.  9s.  7|rf.  ac- 
cording to  the  Valor  Ecclesiasticus,  and  to  Dugdale.  Speed  states  the 
gross  revenues  at  74/.  2s.  7jrf.  The  Priory  lands,  &c.  were  granted  to 
Sir  William  Woodhouse,  of  Waxham,  in  this  county,  who  afterwards 
exchanged  the  Priory  grange,  manor,  appropriated  Rectory,  and  lands, 
with  William  Rugg,  Bishop  of  Norwich,  for  the  Priory  of  Hickling  and 
other  possessions  ;  and  they  are  still  attached  to  the  See. 

Prior  to  the  erection  of  the  Church  into  a  collegiate  estabUshment, 
the  parish  of  Ingham  was  a  Rectory,  valued  at  twenty-sis  marks  in 
the  reign  of  Edward  I.,  when  the  Rector  had  a  manse  and  thirty  acres  of 
land,  and  paid  12d.  Peter-pence.  It  is  now  served  by  a  stipendiary 
Curate,  nominated  by  the  Bishop. 

4 


WAILSHAM  CHUmCH< 

j:  O  O  T  U      i:  SIKAUCS, 


'iM^y-. /UK/, \/ :.'.■/   ^V.'/'.V.-.. 


NORTH  WALSHAM,  NORFOLK ; 

VICAR, 
REV.  WILLIAM  FARLEY  WILKINSON,  A.  M. 


The  town  of  North  Walsham  is  pleasantly  situated  about  five  miles 
from  the  sea  coast,  on  the  heights  between  the  rivers  Bure  and  Ant, 
fourteen  miles  from  Norwich,  and  twenty-four  from  Yarmouth.  The 
Church,  an  ancient  and  interesting  edifice,  stands  in  the  centre  of  the 
town,  being  encompassed  by  three  streets,  in  a  triangular  form ;  the 
market-cross,  originally  erected  in  the  reign  of  Edward  IV.,  by  Thomas 
Thirlby,  bishop  of  Norwich,  although  an  object  of  much  aversion  at 
the  reformation,  not  only  escaped  demolition  at  that  period,  but  was 
repaired  in  the  year  1600,  by  William  Redman,  then  bishop,  and  was 
adorned  with  his  arms,  viz.  a  cross  between  four  ermine  cushions  tas- 
selled,  impaled  with  those  of  the  see  of  Norwich. 

Canute  the  Great,  in  the  seventeenth  year  of  his  reign,  on  his  foun- 
dation of  the  abbey  of  St.  Benet,  at  Holme,  1034,  gave  the  lordship  of 
the  hundred  of  Tunstead,  in  which  this  town  is  situated,  to  the  abbey, 
and  Edward  the  Confessor  granted  a  confirmation  of  these  possessions. 
A  Church  was  erected  here  at  a  very  early  period,  dedicated  to  St. 
Nicholas,  and  was  in  the  patronage  of  St.  Benet's  abbey,  till  the  reign 
of  Henry  VIII.,  when  Richard  Nyx,  bishop  of  Norwich,  having  incurred 
a  praemunire  for  appealing  to  the  see  of  Rome,  the  whole  of  the  re- 
venues of  that  see  were  granted  away.  Upon  his  death  in  the  tower  of 
London  in  the  year  1536,  it  became  necessary  to  provide  for  his  successor, 
and  the  abbacy  of  St.  Benet  was  then  annexed  to  the  see  for  ever.  The 
bishopric  of  Norwich  having  thus  lost  its  temporal  barony,  the  bishop 
now  sits  in  the  House  of  Peers,  merely  by  virtue  of  his  mitred  abbacy 
of  St.  Benet.  The  Church  is  a  large  building,  consisting  of  a  nave,  side 
aisles,  and  a  chancel,  altogether  about  one  hundred  and  fifty-six  feet 
long  by  sixty-eight  feet  in  width.  There  is  a  tradition  that  the  ori- 
ginal edifice,  having  been  occupied  by  the  rebels,  in  1381,  as  a  strong 
hold,  after  their  defeat  by  Henry  Spencer,  the  warlike  bishop  of  Norwich, 
in  the  battle  of  North  Walsham  Heath,  the  Church  was  by  his  order 
demolished.  The  architectural  style  of  the  present  building  confirms 
the  tradition,  for  it  evidently  appears  to  have  been  erected  soon  after 
that  event.  The  Porch,  vide  plate  1,  possesses  a  bold  and  ornamental 
1 


ST.  NICHOLAS'  CHURCH,   NORTH   WALSHAM,   NORFOLK. 

character  in  its  design,  and  is  composed  of  flint  and  stone  intermixed,  in 
architectural  devices.  In  the  spandrils  of  the  arch  of  entrance  are  sculp- 
tured the  arms  of  John  of  Gaunt,  duke  of  Lancaster,  who  had  a  seat  at 
Gimmingham  in  this  neighbourhood,  and  the  arms  of  the  abbey  of  St. 
Benet  at  Holme,  viz.  a  crosier  in  pale  between  two  ducal  coronets ; 
blank  shields  in  quatrefoil  compartments  are  continued  round  the  base- 
ment. The  massive  tower  of  this  Church,  originally  one  hundred  and 
forty-seven  feet  high,  fell  down  the  16th  of  May,  1724 ;  the  rebuilding 
of  this  tower  was  at  one  period  contemplated,  and  Thomas  Hayter, 
bishop  of  Norwich,  is  said  to  have  readily  contributed  one  hundred 
pounds  towards  so  desirable  an  object ;  the  proposal  was  however  laid 
aside,  and  the  venerable  tower  still  remains  in  its  dilapidated  state,  as 
seen  in  our  first  plate,  which  represents  the  richly  ornamented  entrance, 
or  porch. 

A  peculiarity  in  the  plan  of  this  really  fine  building  is  its  having  been 
erected  without  any  architectural  distinction  between  the  nave  and  the 
chancel,  and,  like  the  ancient  Roman  Basilica,  it  forms  one  magnificent 
and  sacred  chamber,  only  divided  by  the  screen  as  usual  in  this  coun- 
try. The  side  aisles  are  continued  along  the  whole  extent  from  the  west 
to  the  east  eijd,  and  are  separated  from  the  body  of  the  church  by  a 
range  of  very  elegantly  formed  arches,  supported  by  light  clustered 
pillars,  so  lofty  as  not  to  admit  of  a  clerestory  above  them,  and  the 
Church  is  lighted  by  raullioned  windows  on  the  north  and  south  sides. 
In  the  east  window,  which  was  unfortunately  demolished  by  a  storm  of 
wind  in  the  year  1809,  were  the  arms  of  the  see  of  Norwich,  impaling 
Freke  in  stained  glass,  being  the  coat  of  Edmund  Freke,  bishop  of  Nor- 
wich from  1575  to  1584. 

On  the  north  side  of  the  chancel  is  the  sepulchral  monument  of  Sir 
William  Paston,  knt.,  with  his  effigies  in  armour,  sculptured  by  John 
Key,  freemason  of  London ;  the  whole  is  stated  to  have  cost  200/.   It  is 
adorned  with  the  arms  of  Paston,  Argent,  six  fteur  de  lis  azure,  and  a 
chief  indented  or ,  together  with  many  quarterings.    This  monument  was 
partially  cleaned  and  re|)aired  a  few  years  ago  by  the  governors  of  the 
grammar-school,  but  it  is  much  to  be  regretted  that  they  left  the  work 
incomplete.    The  inscription  is  in  gold  letters  upon  black  marble. 
Pietati  et  beneficentiae  sacrum. 
Obdormit  hie  in  Domino,  Gulielmus  Pastonus,  eques  auratus,  antiqua  et  no- 
bili  stirpe  ortus,  cognatione  nobilissimis  familiis  conjunctus,  hospitalitate 
per  annos  quinquaginta  quinque,  et  post  mortem  viginti  duratura  clarus. 
Ad  reparandas  cathedrales  ecclesias  BathonijE  et  Norvici  collegiumq.  Gone- 
villi  et  Caii  munificus.     Pauperibus  viUaj  Yarmuthia;  beneficus.     Qui  scho- 
1am  in  hoc  loco  ad  iafomiandam  jiiventutem  concionesq,  ad  divinum  verbum 
disseminanduni,  redditibus  in  perpetuum  assignatis  pie  instituit,  et  mortali- 
tatis  memor,  hoc  monumentum  certa  spe  in  Christo  resurgendi,  sibi  vivua 
posuit.    Anno  Dai.  1608,  statis  sute  80. 
3 


ilLi,._T  avod  l;_y  J.Lc  Ki^'tt 


ST.  NICHOLAS'   CHURCH,   NORTH  WALSHAM,   NORFOLK. 

Sir  William  founded  the  free  grammar-school  in  this  town,  and  en- 
dowed it  with  forty  pounds  a  year,  and  ten  pounds  annually  for  a  weekly 
lecture. 

Within  the  Church  were  formerly  chapels  dedicated  to  St.  Thomas, 
St.  John,  and  St.  Margaret,  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  of  Corpus  Christi. 

The  very  beautiful  font  is  the  subject  of  our  second  plate.  It  is  sur- 
rounded by  an  octagonal  railing,  the  main  imposts  of  which  were  each 
formerly  crowned  with  some  heraldic  deviee;  three  only  remain.  This 
method  of  enclosure  is  agreeably  to  ancient  custom,  for  iu  a  Rituale  pub- 
lished at  Antweijj  in  lH.'i9,  it  is  reijuirefl  that  the  font  should  be  "  can- 
cellis  circumseptum."  The  highly  ornamented  cover,  crowned  also  by 
an  emblematical  device,  is  one  of  the  richest  of  its  kind  in  the  kingdom, 
rising  in  a  succession  of  arches,  buttresses,  and  pinnacles,  in  four  dis- 
tinct tiers ;  it  is  terminated  by  a  florid  finial,  the  whole  boldly  designed 
and  executed. 

The  water  used  in  baptism  was  formerly  consecrated  with  much  cere- 
mony, and  to  preserve  the  same  from  other  uses,  the  ornamented  covers 
were  adopted,  which  were  always  kept  locked.  The  hallowing  of  the 
font,  as  it  was  called,  was  permitted  even  after  the  commencement  of  the 
reformation,  and  was  usually  performed  on  the  eve  of  Easter  and  Pen- 
tecost. All  children  were  at  one  period  required  to  be  christened  at 
those  times ;  but  as  early  as  the  time  of  Archbishop  Peckham,  it  was 
ordained  that  baptism  should  be  administered  at  all  times  of  the  year, 
except  on  the  eight  days  before  these  evens,  during  which,  if  the  child 
could  live,  it  was  enjoined  to  wait  until  the  font  hallowing. 

The  following  memorials  in  this  Church  are  mentioned  in  the  History 
of  Norfolk,  but  most  of  the  slabs  have  been  deprived  of  the  brasses 
that  formerly  bore  the  inscriptions,  &c. 

"  Orate  pro  anima  D""-  Margarete  Heterseti  que  obiit  21  Decemb. 
1397." 

"  Orate,  &c.  Willi.  Boys,  qui  obt.  1  Kal.  Martii  1404,"  &c. 

"  Orate,  &c.  Edmi.  Ward,  quond.  vicarii  huj.  eccliae."  &c. 

"  Orate,  &c.  Roberti  Wythe  Capellani,"  &c. 

"  Orate,  &c.  Robi.  Wyllis  Capellani,  &c." 

Robert  Elmham,  Esq.  was  buried  in  the  chapel  of  St.  Thomas  in 
1472. 

A  slab  to  the  memory  of  Henry  Scarburgh,  Gent.,  who  died  in  1683, 
also  to  Henry  Scarburgh,  Gent,  who  died  in  1617,  aet.  56,  with  the 
arms,  &c. 

A  slab  in  memory  of  Mary,  wife  of  Edmund  Themylthorpe,  Gent, 
who  died  July  4,  168.5,  with  his  shield  of  arms. 

Another  in  memory  of  Henry  Fuller,  of  North  Walsham,  Gent,  who 
died  aged  84,  1704,  and  his  arms. 

3 


ST.  NICHOLAS'   CHURCH,    NORTH    WALSHAM,    NORFOLK. 

A  slab  in  memory  of  John  Withers,  Gent,  who  died  August  29,  1712, 
with  his  arms. 

This  town,  which  is  in  the  hundred  of  Tunstead,  and  deanery  of  Blow- 
field,  is  called  North  Walsham  in  respect  to  its  situation  as  to  the  level 
of  the  marshes,  and  to  South  Walsham  in  Walsham  hundred.  It  con- 
tained in  the  year  1811,  four  hundred  and  thirty-two  inhabited  houses, 
and  a  population  of  two  thousand  and  thirty-five  persons. 

On  the  heath,  beside  the  road  to  Norwich,  is  still  standing  a  stone 
cross  in  tolerable  preservation,  said,  and  not  improbably,  to  mark  the 
field  of  battle  in  1381. 

We  are  much  indebted  to  the  Reverend  William  Tylney  Spar- 
DENS,  of  North  Walsham,  and  to  the  Reverend  William  Farley 
Wilkinson,  for  their  communications  respecting  this  interesting  edifice. 


^ 


Clje  Cijurcf)  oi  ^t  i^itfjolas, 

SOUTH  LOPHAM,  NORFOLK: 

RECTOR, 
THE  REV.  JAMES  BARROW. 


Ihe  two  distinct  Parishes,  Lopham  Magna  and  Parva,  or  North 
and  South,  about  three  quarters  of  a  mile  distant,  were  united  in  one 
Manor,  called  Lopham,  so  spelt  in  Domesday  Book,  and  were  granted  by 
William  the  Conqueror  to  Roger  Bigod,  a  Norman,  and  Earl  of  Nor- 
folk, who  held  divers  other  Manors  in  this  County,  and  founded  the 
Abbey  of  Thetford,  where  at  his  death  he  was  buried  in  1107. 

William  Bigod  his  son  and  heir,  was  steward  to  king  Henry  I.,  and 
perished  with  that  Monarch's  children  and  others  of  the  Nobility,  by 
shipwreck,  as  they  came  from  Normandy  into  England,  in  the  year  1119. 

This  Earl  gave  the  Church  of  Lopham  Parva,  or  South  Lopham,  to 
the  Monks  of  Thetford,  and  it  was  appropriated  to  that  Abbey,  with  all 
its  appuitenances,  by  King  Henry  II. 

It  is  probable,  says  Blomefield,  that  there  was  formerly  a  Cell  here, 
and  that  the  monks  of  Thetford  served  the  Church  for  some  time,  which 
is  the  reason  that  it  never  had  any  institution,  although  the  Monks  quitted 
their  right  to  the  Lord  of  the  Manor,  who  had  a  release  of  it  from  the 
Abbey,  at  a  very  early  period,  as,  before  the  year  1340,  it  was  taxed 
at  twenty-six  marks,  a  value  that  must  include  the  whole.  It  was  then 
added,  with  appurtenances,  to  North  Lopham,  the  Rector  of  which  took 
the  Cure  upon  him  from  that  time. 

The  Church,  dedicated  to  St..  Nicholas,  is  ancient,  but  the  Tower  is 
the  only  part  remaining  of  the  original  structure,  which  is  supposed 
to  have  been  erected  by  William,  Earl  of  Norfolk,  in  the  reign  of 
Henry  1.  The  Tower  is  square,  and  very  large,  containing  a  peal  of 
six  bells,  and  is  evidently  much  more  ancient  than  the  body  of  the 
Church,  which  was  most  likely  rebuilt  at  the  same  time.  Nicholas  de 
Horton  erected  the  present  Chancel  in  the  reign  of  Edward  III.  He 
was  Rector  of  this  parish  from  1301  to  the  year  1381.  Tliomas  Wode, 
Chaplain  to  the  Duke  of  Norfolk,  a  benefactor  towards  building  Gonville 
Hall  in  Cambridge,  was  afterwards  Rector  of  this  Parish  from  the  year 
1446  to  1462.  During  the  Civil  War,  in  the  reign  of  Charles  I.,  Thomas 
X 


ST.   NICHOLAS   CHURCH,   S.    LOPHAM,   NORFOLK. 

Ellis  obtained  possession  of  this  Rectory,  but  was  deprived,  after  the 
Restoration,  upon  the  act  for  holding  Anabaptistical  errors,  and  for  re- 
fusing to  baptize  infants. 

Within  the  Church  are  no  remarkable  monuments,  but  the  following  in- 
scriptions are  mentioned  by  Blomefield,  as  then  remaining  in  the  Chan- 
cel:  "  Hie  jacet  Dominus  Willus  Lirling;" 

"  Orate  pro  animabus  Rolandi  Arsick  Armigeri,  secundi  Filii  Eudonis 
Arsick  Militis  qui  Rolandus  obiit  17"  die  Feb.  1497,  et  Margaretae 
Uxoris  ejus,  Filia;  Thoma;  Huntingfield,  de  hac  villa,  que  quidem 
Margareta,  obiit  25"  die  Octobris,  1486.  Quorum  animabus  propitietur 
Deus.     Amen." 

"  Orate  pro  animabus  Willi  Hovell  de  Ashfield,  Armigeri  et  Eliza- 
bethae  Uxoris  ejus,  qui  quidem  Willus,  ob.  7°  die  Julii,  1534.  Quor. 
aiab.  propitietur  Deus.     Amen." 

Robert  Saunder,  who  was  buried  in  the  Church  in  1526,  gave  the 
sum  of  twenty  shillings  towards  the  repair  of  the  Steeple.  An  estate  at 
Wortham,  in  Suffolk,  of  301.  a  year,  was  also  given  by  one  Purdy  towards 
the  repairs  of  the  Church ;  and  a  messuage,  barn,  and  sixteen  acres  of 
freehold  land  in  the  Parish,  were  settled  to  repair  and  beautify  the 
Church  for  ever.  There  were  formerly  two  guilds  in  this  Church,  one 
dedicated  to  St.  John,  the  other  to  St.  Peter,  both  were  endowed  with 
lands,  which  were  taken  possession  of  by  the  crown  in  the  first  year  of 
Edward  VI.,  but  were  afterwards  purchased  by  the  inhabitants,  together 
with  a  piece  of  ground  called  Lamp  Acre,  originally  given  to  maintain  a 
lamp  burning  in  the  Church,  and  were  at  length  settled  to  the  use  of  the 
poor. 

The  Honor  of  Clare  extended  to  South  Lopham,  and  various  lands 
here  were  formerly  held  of  that  honor.  The  Parish  is  in  the  Hundred 
of  Giltcross,  and  Deanery  of  Rockland ;  and  when  Blomefield  wrote, 
viz.  1739,  South  Lopham  contained  76  dwelling  houses,  95  families,  and 
470  inhabitants.  In  1811,  there  were  91  inhabited  houses,  occupied  by 
133  families,  ronsisliii^  of  Till  persDus.  The  neighbourhood  is  remark- 
able for  three  curiosities,  or  Wonders,  as  they  were  formerly  called  : 
First,  The  self-grown  Style,  which  is  a  tree  naturally  formed  to  answer  this 
purpose.  Second,  The  Oxfoot  Stone,  a  large  pebble,  bearing  an  impression 
similar  to  that  made  by  an  ox's  foot,  but  which  is  evidently  the  exuvial 
mark  of  some  bivalve  shell,  at  one  time  imbedded  in  the  fossil.  Third, 
Lopham  Ford,  where  the  sources  of  the  rivers  \Vaveney  and  Little 
Ouse,  are  within  three  yards  of  each  other.  The  latter  is  a  Causeway 
between  the  two  streams,  which  flow  in  a  contrary  direction.  The  Wa- 
veneyruns  eastward,  by  Scole  and  Bungay,  to  Yarmouth.  The  Little 
Ouse  separates  this  county  from  Suflblk,  and  flows  by  the  town  of 
Thetford  to  Brandon,  in  a  south-west  course. 
2 


WORSTEAD,  NORFOLK. 

VICAR, 
THE  REV.  PETER  HANSELL. 


In  the  time  of  Edward  the  Confessor,  the  Lordship  of  this  town  be- 
longed to  the  Abbot  of  St.  Benet  at  Holme,  being  the  gift  of  King  Ca- 
nute, and  is  mentioned  in  Domesday  Boke  by  the  name  of  ISrDCjStjDfl, 
under  the  possessions  of  that  Abbot,  together  with  lands,  valued  at  4/.; 
there  were  at  the  time  of  the  Conqueror's  survey,  two  churches  with 
twenty-eight  acres,  as  provision  for  the  Monks  of  St.  Benet. 

The  Manor  was  then  held  of  the  Abbot  by  Robert,  an  officer  of  the 
cross-bowmen,  whose  son  Odo,  assumed,  according  to  the  custom  of 
that  age,  the  name  De  Worstede,  or  Worsted,  from  this  his  seat  and 
Lordsiiip. 

The  Town  is  situated  in  the  Hundred  of  Tunstead,  twelve  miles  from 
the  city  of  Norwich,  and  twenty-one  from  Yarmouth,  chiefly  consisting 
of  a  single  street.  It  stands  on  a  small  stream  running  into  the  Thyrn, 
a  tributary  to  the  River  Yare,  and  is  remarkable  for  being  the  first 
place  where  twisted  yarn  was  manufactured,  which  obtained  from,  the 
circumstance  the  name  of  Worsted.  Weavers  and  workers  of  that  ma- 
terial are  mentioned  in  records  as  early  as  the  reign  of  Edward  III., 
and  obtained  privileges  in  that  of  Richard  II. ;  but  the  town  has  actually 
declined  in  modern  times,  the  market  on  Saturday  has  been  long  dis- 
Bsed,  and  in  1811,  it  contained  only  108  inhabited  houses,  and  a  popu- 
lation of  G19  persons. 

The  learned  Henry  Wharton,  author  of  "  Anglia  Sacra,"  son  of  the 
Reverend  Edmund  Wharton,  Vicar  of  this  Church,  was  born  here,  Nov. 
9,  16G4;  he  displayed  uncommon  abilities  at  an  early  age,  and  com- 
menced his  career  under  the  patronage  of  Archbishop  Tenison,  who 
recommended  him  to  the  Lord  Arundel  of  Trerice,  as  tutor  for  his  son. 
He  died  5  May,  169.5,  set.  30,  leaving  by  will  the  greater  part  of  his  pro- 
perty, "  to  be  disposed  of  to  a  religious  use  in  the  Parish  of  Worstead, 
in  which  he  was  born."  His  father,  who  survived  him,  was  one  of  his 
executors. 

The  period  of  the  foundation  of  the  Church,  which  is  dedicated  to 
Saint  Mary,  is  not  recorded,  but  in  very  early  times,  it  was  a  Rectory 
in  the  patronage  of  the  family  of  the  proprietor  of  the  Manor.  Sir  Ro- 
1 


ST.  Mary's  church,  worstead,  Norfolk. 

bert  de  Worstead,  about  the  beginning  of  the  reign  of  Henry  III., 
granted  the  appropriation  of  this  Church  to  the  Priory  of  Norwich,  by 
deed  without  a  date,  and  by  another  deed  lie  gave  them  the  Chapel  of 
St.  Andrew,  which  gift  was  confirmed  by  Cardinal  Pandulph,  Bishop 
of  Norwich  and  Pope's  Legate.  The  same  Knight  also  granted  them 
lands,  by  deed  confirmed  by  the  Abbot  of  Holme. 

On  the  dissolution  of  the  Priory,  the  Manor  belonging  to  it  with  the 
Rectory  and  the  patronage  of  the  Vicarage,  were  granted  to  the  Dean 
and  Chapter  of  Norwicii,  by  whom  it  is  at  present  held;  but  Sir  George 
Berney  Brograve,  Bart,  is  lay  proprietor,  under  a  lease  from  the  Dean 
and  Chapter. 

The  Ciiurch,  a  fine  specimen  of  architecture,  is  constructed,  like  a 
great  many  others  in  this  and  the  neighbouring  county  of  Sufiblk,  of 
flints  faced,  intermixed  with  stone,  that  is  to  say,  the  walls  are  com- 
posed of  flint,  but  the  quoins  of  the  buttresses  and  the  mullions  of  the 
windows,  as  well  as  the  arches,  are  of  freestone.  It  consists  of  a  Nave, 
or  body,  with  its  north  and  south  Aisles,  together  with  a  beautiful  Porch, 
the  Tower,  and  a  Chancel. 

The  Tower  at  the  west  end  of  this  Church,  vide  Plate  1,  is  a  dis- 
tinguished feature  of  the  building,  and  is  of  very  beautiful  proportion, 
rising  to  the  height  of  four  stories  ;  in  the  first  is  the  entrance,  imme- 
diately over  which  is  the  great  west  window  of  four  divisions ;  the  mul- 
lions, which  sustain  it,  ramify  into  a  variety  of  minute  tracery,  in  the 
upper  part,  of  the  most  pleasing  description.  In  the  next  story  of  the 
Tower,  within  a  square  compartment,  is  a  circular  window,  giving  fight  to 
the  belfry,  and  above,  a  large  pointed  window  of  two  lights,  divided  by  a 
transom ;  the  mouldings  of  the  arch  of  this  window  are  ornamented  at 
regular  distances  with  small  pateraj,  of  foliage,  &c.  In  the  Tower  is  a 
peal  of  six  bells.  The  whole  is  supported  by  graduated  buttresses  at  the 
angles,  terminating  in  low  unornamented  pinnacles,  each  of  which  is 
surmounted  by  a  Tane,  and  the  Tower  is  crowned  with  a  handsome  em- 
battled parapet;  four  grotesque  heads  at  the  corners  convey  the  water 
from  its  roof. 

A  very  handsome  Porch,  not  dissimilar  in  its  architecture  to  that  at 
North  Walsham,  of  which  we  have  given  the  view,  is  in  the  south  side. 

Near  the  entrance,  at  the  west  end,  is  the  Font,  vide  Plate  2 ;  in  form 
it  is  hexagonal,  each  of  its  sides  elaborately  sculptured  in  ornamental 
panels;  the  shaft,  or  pedestal,  and  the  steps  upon  which  it  is  mounted, 
are,  with  the  exception  of  the  lowest,  adoined  with  the  same  profusion 
of  sculpture.  The  whole  is  of  most  elegant  proportion,  and  is  crowned 
with  a  richly  carved  cover  of  florid  work,  in  the  manner  of  buttresses, 
rising  in  a  succession  of  pinnacles,  round  a  centre,  and  terminating  with 
a  curious  finial.  The  use  of  the  cover  has  been  noticed  in  our  description 
of  the  Font  at  North  Walsham,  it  may  now  be  observed,  that  the  ce- 
2 


""IHTHTKfmHr..  ^^-^ 


Tji^Jc/riarjJifijU-SiJIcJiaA.f^^jk.fi&ir/'arTtftajn^Siir?^ 


ST.  MARYS  CHURCH,  WORSTEAD,  NORFOLK. 

remony  of  Baptism  was  originally  performed  by  total  immersion,  and 
those  Fonts,  which  claim  the  greatest  antiquity,  are  deep  and  circular ; 
where  taste  and  elegance  unite  in  their  forms,  as  in  the  present  subject, 
the  age  must  be  ascribed  to  a  comparatively  modern  period  of  history. 

Over  the  west  door  is  a  gallery  with  the  following  inscription,  upon 
a  fillet,  represented  as  twined  round  a  portion  of  the  carved  work  with 
which  it  is  adorned. 

^])i^  tncrfe  tna.si  ma&e  in  p"  per  o£  «Bo&  mcccccl  at  pe  proppr  co^t 
of  tlje  ca'tell*  o£  tjje  cjjprcije  of  BDoris'tea,  callpD  p"^  bacijcKcr^  fpte,  p' 
goD  p'^crbe  to'  alt  tfje  fa'n'fattor;^  of  p'  ^"ame,  noto  $  cb'  amt\  Cftan 
toar  jju^'bo'O.'i,  Crp.^tofpr  jSa't.  31e£crp  ©jp. 

Prom  the  body  of  the  Church,  this  gallery  with  the  west  window  over 
it,  is  seen  to  the  greatest  advantage,  and  in  front  stands  the  beautiful 
Font,  with  its  fine  spiral  cover,  which  appears  particularly  elegant ;  the 
whole  of  the  interior  is  remarkably  neat,  and  it  should  be  noticed,  that 
the  aisles  are  not  incumbered  with  galleries,  which  almost  always  dis- 
figure the  edifices  where  they  are  introduced,  and  destroy  the  graceful 
proportions  of  the  architect  ure.  legenda 

The  Chancel  is  separated  from  the  body  of  the  Church  by  a  very  fine 
open  screen,  adorned  with  curious  delineations  of  early  saints  of  the 
Church,  bearing  the  date  of  1412,  which  marks  the  time  of  its  erection. 

The  painting  of  this  screen  has  been  objected  to,  upon  account  of  the 
splendid  coloring  not  being  now  in  harmony  with  the  calm  tints  of  the 
stone,  and  the  present  simplicity  of  the  rest  of  the  building;  but  it  must 
be  remarked,  that  the  colours  are  imitated  from  the  ancient  part  of  the 
screen,  still  preserved;  and  it  is  more  than  probable,  that  when  it  was 
originally  erected,  the  ample  windows  were  adorned  with  stained  glass, 
if  not  the  walls  with  legendary  paintings,  which  would  of  course  pro- 
duce a  combination  of  effect  in  perfect  unison.  The  inscription  on  a 
scroll  upon  the  screen  is  as  follows : 

<©rate tt  .  .  .  .  uf  eiujS  qui  i)OC  opu^  fieri  feterunt 

quar'  a'i'afa's*  ppicict'  dcuiS  amen.  <©uoo  opu.^  factum  Ci5t  et  finitum 
anno  O'ni  mificsfimo  quaDri'ge'tejSimo  Ouobecimo,  cui  git  gloria  lau-s 
jbonor  ct amen. 

The  Chancel  was  built  in  the  2nd  year  of  the  reign  of  Richard  II., 
at  which  time  the  Prior  of  Norwich   granted   thirteen    oaks   out  of 


•  Candle,  a  frequent  offering  to  the  Church  in  ancient  times.  The  constant  maintenance 
of  lights  at  a  particular  altar  was  provided  for,  either  by  the  legacies  of  the  departed,  or  by 
a  guild,  or  fraternity,  which  in  this  case  seems  to  have  consisted  wholly  of  bachelors,  and 
the  husbands  or  treasurers  of  the  fund,  at  the  time  of  the  erection  of  tlie  gallery,  to  have 
been  Christopher  Bant  and  Jeffery  Dey. 

Ceragium,  or  waxshot,  was  the  term  used  for  money  expended  in  cliurch  lights. 
3 


ST.   MARY  S   CHURCH,   WORSTEAD,    NORFOLK. 

Plumstead  Wood,  and  timber  also  out  of  St.  Leonard's  Wood,  towards 
its  completion.  Upon  the  floor  are  still  some  inlaid  brasses  remaining' 
wth  inscriptions,  as 

Hie  jacet  d'nus  Joh'es  Yop  quonda'  rector  eccl'ie  de  Boton  cuj'  ai'e  jj'piet  Deus. 

Amen. 
Orate  p'  ai'a  Xpoferi  Ra't  el  Joanne  ux'  ej'  qui  obiit  11  die  Januarii  Aono  D'ni 

MCCCCCXXSVIII. 

This  appears  to  belong  to  the  same  person  who  was  instrumental  in  erect- 
ing the  gallery  at  the  west  end  of  the  Church. 

Another  inscription  runs  thus,  conveying  but  an  intricate  meaning  in 
consequence  of  its  mutilation. 

Hie  lapis  in  pannis,  Spicer  tenet  ossa  Johannis. 
Qui  qua  .  .  .  domino  pius  X  L  et  Mo  meat  Anno. 

At  the  east  end  of  the  north  aisle  was  formerly  a  Chapel,  dedicated  to 
St.  John  the  Baptist;  part  of  the  altar,  and  the  frame-work  of  a  paint- 
ing which  represented  the  decollation  of  that  Saint,  together  with  other 
curious  portions  of  the  ancient  Chapel,  still  remain,  and  were  repaired 
in  1823;  as  was  also  the  Chancel  screen,  at  the  expense  of  AVhartou's 
benefaction. 

Sir  Robert  Camownde,  a  Priest,  was  buried  in  1482  in  the  Chapel 
of  St.  John. 

In  the  Chancel  are  several  monuments  to  members  of  the  family  of 
Berney  of  ^Vaxham,  ancestors  of  Sir  George  Berney  Brograve,  Bart,  of 
Worstead  House. 

There  are  also  remaining  the  following  ancient  inscribed  brasses,  viz. 

Orate  p'  a'i'a  Johis  Albastyr  qui  obiit  xxiv  die  Sept  Anno  D'ni  mcccccxx  cuj' 
a'i'e  p'pieiet  deus  Amen.     Orate  pro  a'i'a  Agnetis  Albastyr  que  obiit  A°  D'ni 
Mcccccxxiv  cujus  a'i'e  p'pieiet  deus  amen. 
Orate  pro  a'i'a  Thome  Whatt,  wyrsted  we',  yr,  qui  obiit  xv°die  Augusti  mcccccvi 

cuj'  a'i'e  p'pieiet  deus  amen. 

Orate  pro  A'i'ab's  Johannis  Glover  ct  Isabelle  ux  ej'  qui  ob  xxi  die  mensis  De- 

cemb.  Anno  D'ni  M"  D°  quor'  a'i'ab  p'pieiet  deus  amen. 

Pormerly  there  was  a  Chapel,  in  the  Parish  but  at  some  distance  from 
the  Church,  dedicated  to  Saint  Andrew  ;  the  Rents  of  Assize  belonging  to 
which  in  the  year  12oG,  were  given  to  the  Vicar,  together  with  the  Obla- 
tions, when  the  Vicar  was  to  keep  in  repair,  and  find  all  the  ornaments 
for  the  said  Chapel.  The  chief  of  these  Altar  Oblations  were  small 
sums  paid  for  saying  masses,  and  other  prayers  for  the  souls  of  the 
deceased.  Agnes,  the  widow  of  Richard  AVatts,  was  buried  in  St.  An- 
drew's Chapel,  in  the  year  1.V29,  and  by  will  contributed  to  the  repair  of 
it  at  that  period,  but  it  is  now  totally  demolished.  She  also  gave  lands 
to  find  two  lamps  in  the  Church  for  ever,  if  the  King's  laiis  will  permit, 
4 


¥ 


1    I 


^t  Jttcfjolas  Ci)utt|^, 

GREAT  YARMOUTH,  NORFOLK; 

PERPETUAL   CURATE, 
THE  REV.  RICHARD  TURNER,  B.  D. 


1  HE  ancient  town  of  Great  Yarmouth,  which  derives  its  name  from  its 
situation  at  the  mouth  of  the  River  Yare,  and  containing  at  present  a 
population  of  upwards  of  18,000  persons,  forms  only  one  parish ;  the 
Church,  one  of  the  largest  in  the  kingdom.  The  original  foundation  of 
the  Church  is  attributed  to  Herbert  de  Losinga,  the  first  Bishop  of  Nor- 
wich, in  the  reign  of  William  Rufus,  who  appropriated  it  to  the  Prior 
and  Monks  of  the  Holy  Trinity,  at  Norwich,  who  had  formerly  a  cell 
here.  It  is  a  perpetual  curacy,  with  the  appropriation  of  great  and 
small  tithes,  and  at  the  dissolution  the  patronage  devolved  to  the  Dean 
and  Chapter  of  Norwich,  with  whom  it  now  remains. 

There  is  no  part  of  the  present  building  that  can  be  assigned  to  the 
early  period  of  Bishop  Herbert,  in  whose  time  the  circular  arch  and 
massive  shafts  shewed  the  remote  connexion  of  the  Norman  architec- 
ture with  the  works  of  the  Romans,  but  the  most  ancient  parts  of  this 
Church  may  be  readily  assigned  to  the  year  1250,  the  35th  of  Henry 
III.,  when  the  structure  is  recorded  to  have  been  greatly  enlarged, 
and  was  at  that  time  most  probably  rebuilt,  as  in  the  following  year 
it  was  dedicated  to  St.  Nicholas,  a  personage  held  in  the  greatest 
repute  by  mariners,  from  the  circumstance  of  his  prayers  having  pre- 
served the  ship,  in  which  he  sailed  to  the  Holy  Laud,  from  a  storm  that 
threatened  its  destruction.  The  noble  and  interesting  edifice  is  situated 
near  the  north  entrance  of  the  town,  by  the  Norwich  road  ;  and  although 
it  has  undergone  many  injudicious  repairs,  when  considered  in  regard  to 
its  appearance  and  external  cft'oct,  it  still  retains  the  cUaractcristic  fea- 
tures of  the  architecture  of  the  reign  of  Henry  III.  The  building  com- 
prises, in  its  plan,  a  nave  and  two  aisles,  which  latter  are  larger  in  re- 
gard to  height  and  breadtli  than  the  body,  but  do  not  extend  so  far 
eastward ;  the  greatest  length  of  the  Church,  from  east  to  west,  is  two 
hundred  and  thirty  feet,  and  the  breadth,  including  the  aisles,  is  one 
hundred  and  eight  feet. 

Plate  I.  represents  the  South-west  View  of  the  Church,  with  the 
South-east  Porch,  and  Transept  At  the  west  end  are  four  buttresses, 
or  octangular  towers,  those  at  the  extremity,  ornamented  at  the  upper 
part  with  a  trefoil-headed  panel  upon  each  face,  and  rise  into  plain 
pinnacles,  surmounted  by  a  small  cross.  The  western  Windows  are  not 
1 


ST.  NICHOLAS   CHURCH,    GREAT   YARMOUTH,    NORFOLK. 

regular  in  form,  or  has  their  tracery  been  very  carefully  preserved; 
otherwise,  from  its  extent,  this  front  would  have  a  striking  appearance. 
A  very  great  detriment  to  it,  is  the  accumulation  of  earth  in  the  church- 
yard, the  threshold  of  the  door  being  now  about  six  feet  below  the  sur- 
face. 

The  principal  entrance  to  the  Church,  is  by  the  south-east  door,  beneath 
the  large  window  of  the  cross  aisle,  or  transept.    The  extreme  angles  of 
this  transept  are  supported,  like  those  at  the  west  end,  by  graduated  but- 
tresses, terminating  in  towers  and  pinnacles,  between  them  is  a  hand- 
some window,  divided  by  mullions  into  compartments,  which  in  the  upper 
part  are  multiplied  and  diversified  in  their  form.     The  three  windows 
on  the  south  side  of  the  Church,  which  are  shewn  in  Plates  1  and  2, 
are  various  in  their  tracery,  without  being  uniform  in  their  appearance  ; 
the  centre  is  the  most  ornamented  ;  they  were  formerly  filled  with  painted 
glass,  of  which  not  a  vestige  now  remains.     At  the  intersection  of  the 
transepts  with  the  nave,  rises  the  Tower,  which  is  now  embattled,  but 
was  originally  decorated  with  pinnacles;  it  demands  attention  as  the 
oldest  part  of  the  present  structure ;  it  is  surmounted  by  a  spire,  erected 
in  the  year  1807,  useful  and  conspicuous  as  a  sea-mark.     The  height  of 
the  old  spire  was   18G  feet,  somewhat  higher  than  the  present,  and  was 
of  wood,  covered  with  lead,  which  having  been  injured  from  the  shrink- 
ing of  the  timber,  or  from  the  effect  of  lightning  in  1683,  was  crooked  in 
its  appearance,  and  was  at  length  taken  down  in,  the  year  1803,  and 
after  a  survey  by  >>'illiani  Wilkins,  Esq.  of  Cambridge,  the  tower  was 
repaired  and  the  spire  rebuilt;  that  and  the  ball  are  now  covered  with 
copper  tinned.     The  Tower  contains  a  peal  of  ten  bells,  esteemed  ex- 
ceedingly harmonious.     From  tiie  top  of  the  Tower  is  a  very  fine  pano- 
ramic view  of  the  busy  town  and  its  beautiful  environs.      Here  are  seen 
the  mazy  windings  of  the  Rivers  Waveney  and  Yare,  together  with  the 
the  Bure,  or  North  River;  swelling  into  an  immense  lake,  the  Braydon 
Water  ;  and  turning  towards  the  ocean,  the  eye  commands  a  vast  extent 
of  beach,  with  the  .Tetty,   Nelson's  Column,  and  numerous  vessels  pur- 
suing their  course  from  the  northern  ports  to  I,oiidon,  or  lying  at  anchor 
in  the  roads. 

A  very  considerable  sum  was  expended  upon  a  general  repair  of  the 
Church,  under  an  act  of  parliament  passed  for  that  purpose,  9th  of  June, 
1806,  when  the  south  side  and  west  end  were  restored,  under  the  direc- 
tion of  trustees,  the  principal  of  whom  was  Sir  Edmund  Knowles  La- 
con,  Bart. 

Plate  II.  is  a  view  of  the  Choir,  or  Preaching  Place,  looking  east, 
and  taken  below  the  Organ  Gallery.  That  part  of  the  Church  which  ex- 
tends to  the  west  of  the  Tower  forms,  with  the  Aisles  on  each  side,  a 
spacious  Choir,  havir)g  an  appearance  of  much  grandeur. 

The  Ceiling  is  ancient,  and  panelled  in  compartments,  at  the  intersections 

2 


ST.  NICHOLAS    CHURCH,    GREAT    YARMOUTH,    NORFOLK, 

of  which  are  bosses,  containing  coats  of  arms,  and  various  emblems  and 
devices,  carved.  The  whole  has  been  painted  to  represent  dark  marble 
veined  with  white;  and  although  tolerably  executed,  is  a  very  injudicious 
coloring  for  what  should  always  appear  light  and  airy.  Would  it  not 
have  been  much  better  to  have  adhered  to  the  ancient  design,  which  is 
still  to  be  seen  in  the  roof  of  the  north  aisle,  where  the  small  moulded 
ribs  and  bosses  are  painted  a  light  color,  and  the  panels  studded  with 
gilded  cinquefoils,  radiated  like  stars. 

The  Pulpit  is  at  the  south-west  end  of  the  choir,  and  adjoining  to  it, 
on  the  same  level,  is  the  Vicar's  Pew,  inclosed  with  a  screen,  and  as- 
cended by  a  staircase  from  the  cross  aisle;  the  whole  is  of  singular  con- 
struction, and  is  undoubtedly  of  the  age  of  Elizabeth,  or  James  I. 

The  Reading-desk  and  Clerk's  Pew  are  opposite  to  the  Pulpit, 
on  the  north-west.  The  Communion-table  being  apart  from  the  Choir, 
every  part  of  divine  service  is  read  here. 

On  the  south  side  is  the  Alderman's  Gallery,  at  the  west  end  of 
which,  near  the  Pulpit,  is  the  seat  of  the  Mayor,  under  a  canopy  sup- 
ported by  four  fluted  columns,  ornamented  with  gilding,  &c.,  over  it  the 
royal  arms.  The  access  to  this  seat  is  through  the  Gallery,  over  which, 
between  the  windows  on  the  south  wall,  are  the  armorial  ensigns  of  Sir 
William  Paston,  Knt.,  1633,  Argent,  sixfleurs  de.  lis  azure,  and  a  chief 
indented  or,  with  supporters  and  crest ;  under  which  is  this  inscription  : 
His  arms  stand  here,  whose  workes  of  charity  shall  speake  his  praise,  though 
he  in  dust  doth  ly. 

Mongst  many  more  good  deedes  vi'*  he  hath  done, 

Yarmouth  doth  'knowledge  this  for  to  be  one, 

That  he  gave  to  their  pore  a  pound  a  yeere, 

For  ever  to  continue,  as  it  doth  appeare. 

Sir  W.  Paston  gave  out  of  the  Rectory  of  Caistor  eight  pounds  per  an- 
num, to  be  disposed  of  by  the  Bailiffs  of  the  Poor  for  ever.  At  the  west 
end  of  the  Gallery  is  the  arms  of  Sir  Samuel  Tryon,  Knt.,  1615,  aztire, 
afess  crenelle  beticeen  six  estoiles,  argent,  inscribed, 

^iz  Samuel  Cryon.s"  arniji  arc  plac'D  l^ece, 
a  fiitiD  luElbtoijiticr  to  our  garmoutj]  ^att. 

IX    MEMORIAM    BENJEFACT0RI3    MUNIFICI. 

Between  these  painted  coats,  and  about  the  centre  of  the  Gallery,  is  a 
marble  tablet,  bearing  the  arms  of  the  town  :  "  Erected  by  the  Corpo- 
ration, as  a  tribute  of  gratitude  to  the  memory  of  Edward  Warnes,  Clk., 
Rector  of  Lammas,  with  Great  and  Little  Hautboys,  for  his  liberal  do- 
nation of  an  estate  at  Thrigby  to  the  Corporation,  for  the  use  of  the 
poor  of  this  town  for  ever.  He  departed  this  life  the  27tli  of  Decem- 
ber, 1700,  aged  87  years,  and  lies  interred  in  the  Church  at  Thrigby." 

On  the  north  side  of  the  Choir  is  another  Gallery,  erected  by  Mr. 
John  Fuller,  and  Rachael,  his  wife,  in  1705,  at  the  expense  of  130/.,  for 
the  benefit  of  the  Fishermen's  Hospital  in  this  town,  when  two  pillars 
3 


ST.  NICHOLAS   CHURCH,   GREAT   YARMOUTH,    NORFOLK. 

of  the  nave  were  actually  removed  to  admit  light  to  this  Gallery,  which 
in  itself  disfigures  the  appearance  of  the  Church  considerably. 

The  Organ,  at  the  west  end  of  this  Church,  is  said  to  exceed  in  excel- 
lence of  tone  and  power  every  instrument  of  the  kind  in  Europe,  except 
that  at  Haerlem.  It  was  originally  erected  in  1733,  br't  was  repaired 
by  England  in  1812,  and  consists  of  three  parts,  viz.  the  Great  Organ, 
the  Choir  Organ,  and  the  Swell,  together  with  two  octaves  of  pedal 
pipes.     It  stands  in  a  Gallery,  supported  by  four  Doric  columns. 

At  the  north-west  end  of  the  middle  aisle  is  the  Font,  raised  upon  three 
steps ;  it  is  octangular,  and  is  covered  by  an  ornamented  pyramidical 
wooden  top,  painted  and  gilt. 

Plate  III.  represents  the  spacious  east  end  of  the  Church,  called  the 
New  Chancel;  the  view  is  taken  from  the  south-west,  and  shews  the 
large  south-east  window.  Over  the  Communion-table  is  painted  the 
Decalogue,  the  Lord's  Prayer,  and  Creed ;  the  whole  inclosed  by  a 
wooden  balustrade.  This  part  of  tiie  Church  measures  in  extent  from 
east  to  west  57  feet,  and  108  feet  from  north  to  south ;  but  is  only  used' 
at  the  time  of  administering  the  sacrament,  and  for  the  celebration  of 
marriage. 

Before  the  Reformation,  this  Church,  like  most  others  in  the  king- 
dom, had  its  Holy  Rood,  or  Crucifix,  with  the  figures  of  Mary  and 
John.  Swinden's  account  of  this,  in  his  History  of  Yarmouth,  is  cu- 
rious and  interesting  to  the  admirers  of  Church  antiquities.  "  In  the 
east  end  of  the  middle  aisle  stands  the  Communion  Table,  where  for- 
merly stood  the  Great,  or  High  Altar,  and  over  it  a  loft  or  perch,  call- 
ed the  Rood  Loft,  erected  by  Robert  de  Haddesco,  Prior  of  St.  Olave's, 
in  1370,  and  ornamented  with  curious  decorations  and  devices  at  his  own 
Cost  and  charges.  It  is  called  '  Opus  pretiosum  circa  magnum  altare,' 
and  by  means  of  illumination  with  lamps  and  candles,  the  whole  ap- 
peared exceeding  splendid  and  solemn.  These  lights  before  the  altars, 
iu  ancient  times,  were,  with  great  care  and  expense,  constantly  main- 
tained, and  had  always  a  custos  or  warden  appointed  to  superintend 
them ;  and  so  zealous  were  the  ancients  to  maintain  these  lights,  that 
very  few  wills  were  made  wherein  some  legacy  was  not  given  to  this 
illumination." 

Between  the  High  Altar,  and  the  east  wall,  was  formerly  a  space  of 
about  nine  feet,  which  was  used  as  a  vestryin  later  times  ;  it  was  after- 
wards converted  to  a  Charnel-house,  but  in  the  year  1783,  the  east  wall 
was  removed,  and  a  window  substituted,  immediately  at  the  back  of 
the  Communion  Table.  The  two  pointed  windows  on  each  side  this 
part  of  the  Chancel,  are  amongst  the  oldest  portions  of  the  building, 
and  are  evidently  of  the  wra  of  Henry  III. 

-  "  The  Prior  of  St.  Olave,  besides  what  is  before  mentioned,  built,  in 
the  east  end  of  this  Church,  a  neat  Chapel,  and  dedicated  it  to  the  Lady 
of  Arneburgh,  which  was  standing  in  1515,  and  on  the  north  side  thereof 
4 


|L-----* 


^2 


JiJiuw'  niVir'Sfliii)  mwHB"]  [iMUHffi'H  uinn  "ii£inB(kHi!ffiii»aiuii!>"K  wjji'aiiuwi'«ii>i>i '  i  >  i  "iv  loitaiE-ii  i  rj  ii  >  '<  ■  i  'iiinuHaiiiiHniua.iiB».. 


,LiiJ.j-^,^ 


ST.  NICHOLAS   CHURCH,    GREAT   YARMOUTH,    NORFOLK. 

was  erected  a  fine  Organ,  and  to  the  west  of  it,  the  Choir,  furnished 
with  eight  priests,  who  were  sent  from  Norwich,  and  resided  here  under 
the  Prior,  and  composed  a  Choir  till  the  Dissolution.  So  numerous 
were  the  Chapels  in  this  Church,  in  the  reign  of  Edward  III.  that 
though  the  building  is  spacious,  it  was  thought  advantageous  to  erect  a 
new  edifice  at  the  west  end,  which  was  called  the  new  work,  and  in- 
tended as  an  additional  aisle  to  the  Church;  but  by  reason  of  the  great 
plague  in  1349,  when  no  less  than  7,052  persons  died  in  this  town,  it  was 
never  completed.  Each  of  these  Chapels  had  an  Image,  Altar,  Light, 
&c.,  which  were  chiefly  supported  by  a  company  called  a  Guild,  who 
had  land,  tenements,  money,  goods,  plate,  and  other  utensils  belong- 
ing to  them,  and  were  all  dissolved,  except  the  Merchant's  Guild  the 
37th  Henry  YUr'—Swindeti. 

At  the  dissolution  of  religious  houses,  when  an  inventory  of  the  or- 
naments belonging  to  this  church  was  taken,  amongst  other  things  are 
mentioned  eleven  tunicles,  the  gift  of  Sir  John  Fastolfe,  Knt. ;  a  silver 
temple,  weighing  168  oz.;  and  some  of  the  oil  of  St.  Nicholas,  a  sacred 
relic,  the  gift  of  one  of  the  priors. 

In  this  part  of  the  Church,  called  the  New  Chancel,  on  the  north-east, 
behind  the  seats,  which  are  continued  round  the  greater  part,  is  a  triple 
niche  and  piscina,  and  on  the  north  side  a  very  curious  doorway,  con- 
sisting of  a  flat  Tudor  arch,  with  a  moulding  all  around,  enriched  with 
quatrefoils  and  shields  alternately.  In  the  spandrils  are  an  angel  cens- 
ing, upon  one  side,  and  a  priest  kneeling  before  a  cross,  which  is  radiated, 
on  the  other.  Over  the  centre  of  the  arch  is  a  sculptured  shield  charged 
with  a  chevron  nebule  between  three  demy  seals,  and  surmounted  by  a 
helmet  and  mantling,  but  the  crest  is  broken  off. 

Here  are  many  handsome  modern  mural  monuments  of  marble,  with 
inscriptions  dictated  apparently  by  filial  piety,  and  a  proper  regard  to 
the  memory  of  deceased  relatives ;  but  all  the  monumental  brasses,  by 
an  order  of  assembly  in  15r>l,  were  torn  from  the  marbles  in  which 
they  were  bedded,  and  were  delivered  to  the  Bailiff^s  of  the  town  for  the 
purpose  of  casting  them  into  weights  and  measures  for  the  use  of  the 
mhabitants ;  an  act  of  spoliation  which  we  are  really  grieved  to  record. 
The  oldest  monumental  inscription  now  in  the  Church  is  dated  1620. 

Plate  IV.  is  a  view  of  the  North  Aisle,  or  Old  Chancel,  as  it  is  called, 
from  the  east  end  near  the  base  of  the  Tower.  At  the  time  this  Church 
was  under  the  Prior  of  Norwich,  it  appears  from  Swinden's  History  of 
Yarmouth,  that  three  Parish  Chaplains  and  one  Deacon  usually  offi- 
ciated here,  and  were  supported  by  the  Priory  at  Norwich;  for  in  the 
reign  of  Henry  VI.  twenty  shillings  were  paid  by  the  Prior  to  the  town 
as  a  compensation  for  the  temporary  want  of  a  Parish  Chaplain  and  a 
Deacon. 

This  part  of  the  Church  was  formerly  open  to  the  Choir,  but  about 
forty  years  since  the  screen  at  the  back  of  Fuller's  Gallery,  to  which 


ST.   NICHOLAS    CHURCH,    GREAT    YARMOUTH,    NORFOLK. 

the  stairs,  seen  on  the  left  of  the  View,  Plate  4,  lead,  was  erected  for 
the  greater  accommodation  of  the  congregation,  and  this  aisle  is  at  pre- 
sent disused,  except  as  a  place  of  sepulture.  In  the  wall  on  the  north 
side,  near  the  east  end,  is  a  very  handsome  arched  monument  of  free- 
stone, ornamented  with  crockets  and  pinnacles,  apparently  about  the  age 
of  Edward  III.  Within  this  arch  is  a  slab  of  Purbeck  marble,  of  much 
older  date  :  it  is  of  taper  form,  and  is  sculptured  with  a  cross  of  eight 
points,  each  terminating  in  a  trefoil,  and  is  undoubtedly  the  memorial  of 
some  former  chaplain. 

Against  this  wall  is  a  small  tablet  to  the  memory  of  Henry  Swinden, 
the  historian  of  this  town,  who  died  11th  January,  1772,  set.  55,  erected 
by  John  Ives,  F.  S.  A. ;  there  are  also  three  mural  monuments  to  the 
family  of  England,  arms,  gules,  three  lions  passant,  or,  and  others  to  those 
of  Symonds,  arms,  sable,  a  dolphin  cmboiced,  argent,  and  of  Preston, 
a  family  which  still  flourishes  in  the  town,  arms,  ermine,  on  a  chief  in- 
dented sable,  three  cresecnts,  ur.  At  the  west  end  of  this  Aisle  or  Chan- 
cel, is  a  fine  window  of  three  divisions,  and  a  Chamber  Vestry,  the  large 
tablets  on  the  outside  contain  lists  of  benefactions  to  the  Charity- 
school,  and  are  surmounted  by  a  figure  of  Charity,  and  a  boy  and  girl. 
Over  the  entrance  is  a  square  stone,  with  the  arms  of  the  town.  Anno 
Domini,  1C50. 

THOMAS    FELISTEAD, 

*  *  *  * 

BAYLIFS. 
HENRY    MOULTON, 
RICHARD    BETTS, 
CHURCHWARDENS. 

The  other  name  was  that  of  NVilliam  Burton,  which  was  ordered  to  be 
erased  at  the  Restoration. 

In  this  Vestry  is  a  collection  of  about  two  hundred  ancient  volumes, 
and  a  very  curious  and  singular  Library-table,  or  Reading-desk,  contain- 
ing six  shelves,  which  revolve  upon  an  axis,  and,  by  a  mechanical  con- 
struction, preserve  their  level,  presenting  alternately  the  various  volumes 
for  consultation  with  the  greatest  ease. 

At  the  east  end,  against  the  wall  of  the  transept,  is  a  marble  monu- 
ment to  Sir  William  Gooch,  Bart.,  who  died  17th  December,  1751. 
Arms,  party  per  pule,  argent  and  sable,  a  cheeron  between  three  talbots 
passant,  countcrchanged,  on  a  chief  gules,  three  leopards'  heads,  or.  Crest, 
a  talbot  passant,  per  pale,  argent  and  sable.     Motto,  Fide  et  virtute. 

The  principal  entrance  to  the  Church-yard,  which  contains  about  six 
acres,  is  by  a  handsome  iron  Gateway,  at  the  end  of  an  avenue  of  limes 
leading  from  the  Market-place ;  but  on  the  west  side  is  a  very  curious 
mutilated  brick  Gateway,  of  the  time  of  Charles  I.,  which  deserves  to 
be  restored  to  its  pristine  form.  On  the  north  and  east  sides  of  the 
Church-yard  are  the  remains  of  the  old  town  walls. 
6 


INDEX  TO  THE  FIRST  VOLUME 

OF  VIEWS  OF  CHURCHES. 


■     '  TIJLE.    A  Composition  or  Church  Fdrniture. 

«  STOKE  POGIS  CHURCH North-East  View. 

CambriDgeiSbire. 

3  CAMBRIDGE,  GREAT  ST.  MARY'S   .     Pl.  I.  The  Tower. 
■•  DITTO II.  Interior. 

5  DITTO    .     .     .  THE  HOLY  TRINITY     Pl.  I.  East  End. 
8  DITTO II.  Interior. 

7  BORLEY  CHURCH Monument  oi-  Waldegrave. 

8  LAiWBOURNE  CHURCH Interior. 

'  THAXTED  CHURCH South-East. 

10  DITTO North  Porch. 

11  DITTO East  End,  Interior. 

'2  THEYDON  MOUNT Monuments  of  Smyth  Family. 

«3foucc^tcr!5'birc. 

15  CAMPDEN  CHURCH South-East  View. 

n  CIRENCESTER  CHURCH Pl.  I.  The  Porch. 

I*  DITTO II.  East  End. 

10  DITTO III.  Trinity  Chapel. 

17  TEWKESBURY  CHURCH Pl.  I.  North  Entrance  and  Tower. 

IS  DITTO II.  Ground  Plan. 

19  DITTO III.  South  Side. 

=0  DITTO IV.  West  End. 

<>i  DITTO V.  The  Nave. 

ia  DITTO VI.  The  Choir. 

23  DITTO VII.  Countess  of  Warwick's  Chapel. 

«■»  DITTO VIII.  Sir  Guy  Bryan's  Monument, 

's  DITTO IX.  Cenotaph  of  Abbot  Wakeman. 

46  DITTO X.  Abbot  Cheltenham's  Monument. 

27  DITTO XI.  South  Aisle,  looking  West. 


il^eceforD?i]irc- 

28  LEDBUKY View  of  the  West  End. 

*«  LEOMINSTER Pi.  I.  West  End. 

30  DITTO II.  North  Aisle. 

3'  SABRIDGEWORTH  CHURCH    .    .    .     Pl.  I.  Socth-East  View. 
s«  DITTO II.  South  Aisle. 

53  ST.  ALBANS,  ABBEY  CHURCH      .     .    Pl.  I.  The  South  Side. 

34  DITTO II.  The  Nave,  West  End. 

35  DITTO III.  Ditto,  East  Esd. 

36  DITTO IV.  The  Choir. 

37  DITTO V.  The  Altar  Screen. 

38  DITTO VI.  MoN.  of  Humphrey,  Duke  of  Glouceste 

39  DITTO VII.  Soith-East  View. 

40  DITTO Vignette,  The  Benetier  in  the  South  Aisle. 

Stent. 

4'  ASHFORD  CHURCH       Pl.  I.  The  Tower. 

42  DITTO II.  T.  Smith's  Monument. 

IJotfoIfi. 

<3  INGHAM  CHURCH Pl.  I.  South-East  View. 

44  DITTO II •  Monument  of  Sir  Oliver  Ingham. 

45  DITTO III.  Ditto  of  Sir  Roger  De  Boys,  &c. 

••6  NORTH  WALSHAM  CHURCH   .    .    .    Pl.  I.  The  South  Porch. 

47  DITTO II-  The  Font. 

48  SOUTH  LOPHAM ■.    Tue  Tower. 

49  WORSTEAD Pl.  I.  The  Tower. 

50  DITTO !!•  The  Font  and  Gallery  at  West  End, 

31  YARMOUTH  CHURCH Pl.  I.  South-West  View. 

54  DITTO ■      II-  The  Choir. 

53  DITTO Ill-  The  Chancel. 

54  DITTO IV.  The  North  Aisle. 


j-ira-wn  ty  J-'F.lIeale 


MOIS-IUMJEH-TAJL     ffiEMAUfS  ,  &c 


J>irua.ifjt,  e,£iih*p. 


^  SPSUOcfriArj  Ji^ad., 


VIEWS 


OF  THE  MOST  INTERESTING 


Collegiate  anti  ^atocl)ial  CJurcl&es 


IN 


GREAT  BRITAIN 


INCLUDING 


SCREENS,  FONTS,  MONUMENTS, 


BY 

JOHN  PRESTON  NEALE. 


WITH 

HISTORICAL  AND  ARCHITECTURAL  DESCRIPTIONS. 


VOL.   II, 


LONDON: 

PUBLISHED    BY   LONGMAN,    HURST,    REES,    ORME,    BROWN,    AND    GREEN, 
AND    SHERWOOD,    JONES,   AND    CO.,    PATERNOSTER-ROW. 

1825. 


J.  MCrcav.  'Jooks  Court, 
Chancery  Lnm,  London. 


PREFACE. 


Upon  undertaking  this  Work  it  was  my  purpose  to  illustrate,  more 
fully  than  has  hitherto  been  done,  the  ancient  ecclesiastical  archi- 
tecture of  this  country,  and  to  bring  together  all  the  more  interesting 
specimens  of  its  various  styles,  from  the  rude  and  simple  effort,  to 
the  most  finished  and  elaborate  structiu'es,  in  a  series  of  plates,  not 
unworthy  of  the  present  advanced  state  of  the  arts,  particularly 
architectural  design  and  engraving.  The  field  was  certainly  a  most 
ample  one,  and  I  trust  that  my  labors,  as  far  as  they  have  proceeded, 
will  sufficiently  shew  that  I  have  not  been  a  careless  or  indiscriminate 
collector  of  the  various  objects  it  presented.  Notwithstanding,  how- 
ever, the  increase  of  patronage  which  the  work  has  obtained  during 
the  last  twelve  months,  and  the  many  flattering  testimonies  of  appro- 
bation that  I  have  received  from  various  quarters,  the  publication  of 
my  "  Views  of  Seats "  and  other  professional  engagements,  compel 
me  to  suspend  my  labors  for  the  present,  since  I  find  that  I  cannot 
devote  the  attention  which  would  be  requisite,  in  order  to  prosecute 
the  work,  with  that  punctuality  a  periodical  Pubhcation  demands,  so 
as  to  do  justice  both  to  myself  and  my  subscribers.  Yet,  although  not 
carried  to  the  extent  I  originally  contemplated,  I  flatter  myself  the 
work  will  be  deemed  -not  an  unimportant  accession  to  our  architec- 
tural and  antiquarian  publications,  nor  unworthy  of  a  place  in  the 
library  of  the  topographical  student,  as  it  now  comprises  many  of 
the  most  interesting  of  the  various  structures  belonging  to  the  class 
it  is  intended  to  illustrate.  Upon  my  own  more  immediate  share  in 
its  execution  it  would  be  arrogating  too  much  to  make  any  com- 
ment, except,  that  however  I  may  have  performed  it,  it  has  been 
pursued,  not  with  the  feelings  of  a  hirehng,  but  with  the  alacrity 
and  ardor  of  one  engaged  in  a  favorite  pursuit ;  and,  perhaps,  I 
may  be  permitted  to  observe,  that  the  execution  of  the  plates  ge- 
nerally do  honor  to  the  artists  employed  upon  them,  and  that  for 
high  finishing,  delicacy,  and  taste,  they  will  bear  a  comparison 
with  those  of  many  more  expensive  works.  To  those  Gentlemen 
who  have  so  kindly  supplied  me  with  historical  documents,  and 
information,  for  the  literary  portion  of  these  vohmies,  some  of 
whose  names  will  be  found  in  the  respective. articles,  I  here  take 
an  opportunity  of  returning  my  thanks  for  their  valuable  assistance, 
as  I  do  Ukewise  to  Mr.  Thomas  Moule,  for  the  manner  in  which  he 


IV  PREFACE. 

has  conducted  this  arduous  part  of  the  work.  With  respect  to  the 
Iiistory  and  description  of  each  subject,  no  effort  has  been  spared 
to  render  it  as  full  and  accurate  as  possible.  During  the  publi- 
cation of  the  work  I  have  also  received  many  excellent  hints  from 
anonymous  correspondents,  of  which  I  have  occasionally  availed  my- 
self, and  only  lament  that  I  am  unable  to  thank  personally  those 
friends  who  furnished  them.  The  Churches  more  fully  illustrated 
in  these  volumes  are  those  of  Great  and  Little  Malvern,  St.  Alban's, 
Shrewsbury,  and  Tewkesbury  Abbeys,  the  Churches  of  Stratford- 
upon-Avon,  Croydon,  Yarmouth,  Thaxted,  Cirencester,  Melford, 
and  Lavenham,  with  the  principal  Churches  of  Oxford  and  Cam- 
bridge ;  all  these  being  interesting,  either  as  examples  of  their  re- 
spective style,  or  on  account  of  the  historical  and  antiquarian  remi- 
niscences connected  with  them,  and  perhaps  it  will  be  allowed  that 
they  have  never  before  been  described  either  so  fully  or  in  so  popu- 
lar a  form. 

The  Frontispieces  attached  to  these  volumes  are  compositions  se- 
lected from  interesting  specimens  of  sacerdotal  furniture,  and  monu- 
mental remains  of  peculiar  splendor,  subjects  intimately  connected 
with  ecclesiastical  antiquities,  and  contain,  in  the  first,  a  representa- 
tion of  the  curious  Font,  at  Stalham,  in  Norfolk,  with  an  extraordi- 
nary rich  cover  from  that  at  Sudbury  ;  an  antique  muniment  chest, 
from  St.  Mary  Magdalen's,  Oxford,  upon  which  are  placed  chalices, 
&c.  Wykeham's  celebrated  crozier,  from  New  College  Chapel,  at 
Oxford,  and  a  processional  cross,  now  in  the  possession  of  the  Rev. 
W.  T.  Spurdens,  North  Walsham,  Norfolk ;  above,  are  canopies 
from  stalls  in  Henry  the  Seventh's  Chapel.  The  second  plate  con- 
tains a  view  of  Archbishop  Bowett's  Tomb  at  York,  highly  wrought 
arches  and  capitals  from  Salisbury,  a  Churchyard  Cross  from  Whal- 
ley,  in  Lancashire,  with  a  sculptured  Mitre  from  Whethamsted's 
tomb,  at  St.  Alban's  ;  more  distant  is  the  Monument  of  Bishop 
Brewer,  from  Exeter,  part  of  Henry  the  Fifth's  Chantry,  and  Queen 
Philippa's  Tomb,  at  Westminster,  and  a  screen  from  York  Minster, 

At  a  future  opportunity  I  may  probably  either  resume  the  Work, 
or  select  some  particular  Churches,  to  be  published  each  separately, 
but  in  a  precisely  similar  form  to  the  present  Volumes. 

JOHN  PRESTON  NEALE. 

Beimel  Street,  Blackfriars-Road, 
January  6,  1826. 


BULWICK,  NORTHAMPTONSHIRE; 

RECTOR, 
REV.  JOHN  THOMAS  TRYON. 


JJULWICK,  or  as  it  was  sometimes  spelt  Bolewyke,  is  ia  the  Hundred 
of  Corby,  ten  miles  from  Stamford,  on  the  road  to  Kettering,  and  is 
situated  in  Weldon  Deanery.  The  Church,  of  which  we  present  a  south 
view,  is  a  very  fine  specimen  of  that  peculiarity  in  architecture  for  which 
this  county  is  one  of  the  most  celebrated  in  the  kingdom.  The  Tower 
and  stone  Spire  are  models  of  their  kind ;  simply  elegant  in  their  gene- 
ral appearance,  they  combine  the  most  just  proportions  with  a  taste- 
ful distribution  of  ornament.  Four  plain  graduated  buttresses  at  the 
angles  support  the  Tower ;  its  basement,  fourteen  feet  by  ten,  as  high 
as  the  body  of  the  Church,  is  plain ;  but  the  lofty  story  which  rises  above, 
is  ornamented  on  each  face  with  two  united,  and  very  elegantly  pro- 
portioned pointed  windows,  filled  with  tracery  in  the  upper  part,  and  di- 
vided by  a  transom  in  the  middle  ;  above,  is  a  rich  band  or  fascia  filled 
with  quatrefoils,  &c.,  and  grotesque  heads,  forming  water-spouts  at  the 
angles  ;  the  Tower  is  finished  with  an  embattled  parapet.  The  Spire,  of 
stone,  which  rises  to  a  considerable  height,  is  octagonal,  pierced  with  two 
tier  of  tabernacled  openings,  on  alternate  sides,  and  is  terminated  by  a 
vane  ;  the  Church  standing  on  an  eminence  above  the  village,  the  spire 
is  a  most  pleasing  object  for  many  miles.  The  structure  consists  of  a 
body,  north  and  south  aisles,  and  a  chancel ;  its  total  length  is  ninety  feet 
six  inches  ;  breadth,  including  the  aisles,  forty-nine  feet  six  inches.  The 
entrance  is  by  a  porch  on  the  south  side ;  the  body  of  the  Church  is  di- 
vided from  the  chancel  by  a  screen,  and,  on  the  south  side  the  altar,  is 
the  triple  sedilia  of  stone,  and  a  piscina.  Bridges,  in  his  history  of  this 
county,  mentions  the  following  memorials  ;  but,  from  alterations,  during 
the  various  repairs  the  Church  has  undergone,  some  of  them  no  longer 
exist.  In  the  chancel  is  a  stone  to  the  memory  of  the  Rev.  John 
Nobles,  who  had  been  Rector  of  this  parish  forty-two  years,  ob.  1692, 
»t.  69,  and,  on  the  east  wall,  a  tablet  to  the  Rev.  Charles  Nettleton, 
twenty-six  years  Rector  of  the  parish,  ob.  1719,  aet.  57 ;  there  is  also 
now  remaining  another  stone  in  the  north  wall  of  the  Chancel  to  the 
1 


ST.   NICHOLAS     CHURCH,  BULWICK,    NORTHAMPTONSHIRE. 

memory  of  the  Rev.  Francis  Jackson,  who  was  forty-nine  years  Rector 
of  this  parish,  ob.  1770,  a;t.  75. 

Near  the  screen,  in  the  body  of  the  Church,  is  a  brass,  with  this  in- 
scription : 

"  Ific  jaccnt  JDiU'muiS  €tgo.s'  ct  JDargarcta  uror  cju.^  qui  quiDem 

Jl^iirm xix° ojc  nicn.si^  ilp'tijj  S'no  ©'ni  .niiU'imo  cccc. 

Lxxxii.  quoc'  fl'i'abu.s'  propi. " 

Against  the  south  wall,  a  mural  monument,  with  the  figures  of  an 
elderly  man  and  woman  kneeling  on  opposite  sides  of  a  prie  d-ieu  in- 
scribed below,  nobis  vita  solus  Ckristus  est ;  beneath  the  figures  are  re- 
presented six  children,  Elizabetha,  Johannes,  Gulielmus,  Ricardus,  Ca- 
rolus,  and  Josias.  Arms,  vert,  a  Jleur  de  lis,  argent.  Crest,  a  goafs 
head  proper.  Above  the  figures  this  inscription,  "  Hie  jactt  Henricus 
Fowkes  Miles  uxorque  ejus  fidissima  domina  Jana,  Roberti  Denys 
Equitis  de  Brickton,  comitatu  Devon,  filia,  adjacet  tumulata  quae  post- 
quam  a  prKdicio  conjuge  cum  unica  gnata  undecim  filios  peperit  una 
cum  decimo  tertio,  August!  23,  anno  domini,  IGO!),  in  partu  obiit,  itidem 

Henricus  Miles  letho  solvit  debitum  die anno  Domini .  "  On  a 

board  against  the  south-west  pillar,  "  John  Brown,  confectioner,  citizen 
and  Salter,  of  London,  eldest  son  to  AAilliara  Brown,  late  of  Bulwick 
town,  gave,  in  the  year  1GG2,  when  corne  was  deare,  to  the  poor  of  this 
town  of  Bulwick,  being  the  place  of  his  nativity,  the  somme  of  three 
pounds  ten  shillings." 

In  this  parish  was  formerly  a  Guild  to  the  honor  of  St.  Anne  ;  by  the 
commissioners'  return,  the  second  year  of  the  reign  of  Edward  VI.,  it 
was  certified  to  be  possessed  of  a  stock  money  gathered  of  men"s  de- 
votions bestowed  on  lights  and  drinking  in  gange  week,  amounting  to 
eight  pounds,  six  shillings,  and  eight  pence. 

In  the  Church-yard  lure  was  also  founded  a  chantry  to  the  honor  of 
St.  Anne  and  our  Lady,  by  GeofiVy  Cappe  ;  Henry,  Duke  of  Lan- 
caster, John  of  Ghent,  and  Lord  William  Zouche,  for  two  priests. 

The  Church  is  at  present  undergoing  a  repair  at  the  expense  of  the 
parish,  when  new  pews,  and  a  new  pulpit  and  reading-desk  of  oak,  are 
to  be  erected. 


1 


lOKCH 


KETTERING,  NORTHAMPTONSHIRE ; 

RECTOR, 
THE  REV.  B.  W.  FLETCHER. 


The  pride  and  ornament  of  our  Parish  Churches  are,  no  doubt,  the 
lofty  spires  which,  it  may  be  observed,  are  generally  found  to  be  more 
prevalent  in  the  flat  than  in  the  hilly  counties.  Northamptonshire 
abounds  veith  them,  and  the  example  we  have  here  selected  may  rank 
with  the  most  elegant.  Mr.  Dallaway,  in  his  Observations  on  English 
Architecture,  has  justly  remarked,  "  that  the  more  beautiful  specimens 
of  a  species  of  architecture  exclusively  our  own,  (for  upon  the  Conti- 
nent the  spire  is  rarely  seen,)  are  extremely  simple,  and  owe  their 
effect  to  their  fine  proportions,  unbroken  by  ornamental  particles."  This 
observation  strikes  us  particularly  with  regard  to  the  spires  of  this 
county,  in  which  the  several  openings,  surmounted  by  tabernacled  ca- 
nopies, break  the  beautiful  outline  of  the  principal  object,  and  although 
they  may  give  a  richness  of  effect,  deprive  the  spire  of  the  chaste  sim- 
plicity of  its  original  design. 

At  the  west  end  of  this  Church,  which  is  dedicated  both  to  Saint  Peter 
and  Saint  Paul,  is  the  embattled  Tower,  represented  in  our  plate,  three 
stories  in  height,  graceful  in  its  ornaments,  and  just  in  its  proportions, 
having  at  each  angle  a  small  hexangular  turret ;  from  hence  rises  the 
spire,  enriched  with  crockets,  and  terminating  in  a  vane ;  on  opposite 
sides  of  the  spire  are  the  small  windows  or  openings  above  mentioned. 
Besides  the  body  of  the  Church,  which  is  really  handsome,  and  is  very 
generally  admired,  there  is  a  North  and  South  Aisle,  separated  from  it 
by  remarkably  fine  pillars,  and  a  Chancel.  In  some  of  the  windows  of 
the  Aisles  are  still  remaining  fragments  of  the  painted  glass,  with  which 
they  were  formerly  filled,  consisting  chiefly  of  mutilated  portraits  of  Ec- 
clesiastics, and  Saints  of  the  Church. 

During  the  late  repairs,  it  became  necessary  to  clear  the  walls  of  the 
whitewash,  when  a  curious  painting,  apparently  of  the  period  of  Henry 
VII.,  was  discovered  on  the  north  wall  of  the  Church.  It  represents 
a  pilgrim  with  a  greyhound,  &c.  This  interesting  relique  is  preserved  to 
public  view,  principally  through  the  praiseworthy  exertions  of  a  respect- 
able antiquary  residing  in  the  town. 
1 


KETTERING    CHURCH,    NORTHAMPTONSHIRE. 

On  the  back  of  the  screeu  dividing  the  North  Aisle  from  the  Chancel, 
are  figures  of  a  man  and  four  sons,  and  a  woman  and  four  daughters, 
with  this  inscription  over  their  heads.     OratE  prO   a'l'afau^   DDltllcImi 

2?urgi^   ct  ^oJjannc  ZUut  ct  Cdjabctij  urorum  cju^  ct  animafau^ 

omnium  2?CnffactOrum  .SUOriim,  Jmcn.  Underneath  the  figures  is 
inscribed,  "  ^Vho  so  redis  mi  name  shal  have  Godj-s  Bljssing  and  Our 
Ladj's,  and  my  AVyfis  doe  sey  the  same." 

Over  the  North  Porch  are  two  sculptured  shields,  the  first  bearing. 
Two  keys  endorsed  in  saltier,  four  cross  crosslets  fitchfee,  arms  of  the 
Episcopal  see  of  Peterborough.  And  the  second  charged  with,  Two 
swords  in  saltier,  perhaps  the  see  of  London. 

In  the  Church  are  no  Monuments,  except  a  small  brass  i.-.Iaid  against 
the  VFall,  for  a  member  of  the  family  of  Sawyer,  who  endowed  an  hos- 
pital in  this  town  for  six  poor  widows.  In  the  Church-yard  are  the 
remains  of  an  ancient  Tomb,  without  any  inscription,  but  which,  from 
an  authentic  tradition,  was  erected  for  the  person  who  built  the  steeple. 
Over  the  Porch  door  are  three  handsome  niches,  beautifully  sculptured, 
in  which  were  formerly  statues  of  St.  Peter,  St.  Paul,  and  the  Founder 
of  the  Church,  destroyed  by  the  puritans  in  the  time  of  Oliver  Cromwell. 
Over  this  Porch  is  a  cell,  anciently  used  by  one  of  the  Monks  of  Peter- 
borough, to  the  Abbot  of  which  a  weekly  market  was  granted  for  the 
support  of  the  said  Monk. 

Since  the  induction  of  the  Rev.  B.  W.  Fletcher,  the  present  Rector, 
the  Church  has  been  uewly  pewed,  and  Galleries  have  been  erected. 
The  Right  Honorable  Lord  Sondes  is  now  the  Patron. 

The  Town  of  Kettering  in  Huxloe  Hundred,  is  pleasantly  situated  ou 
a  gentle  ascent,  above  a  branch  of  the  River  Nen,  and  contained  in 
the  year  181 1,  seven  hundred  and  thirteen  houses,  with  a  population 
of  three  thousand  two  hundred  and  forty-two  persons. 


^ 


■ 


^11  ^atnts  €f\xm% 

OXFORD; 

CURATE, 
THE  REV.  J.  RADFORD. 


In  a  selection  of  Views  of  Churches,  made  for  the  purpose  of  illustrat- 
ing the  Ecclesiastical  Architecture  of  the  kingdom,  it  is  conceived  not 
improper  to  introduce  a  structure  erected  in  the  Italian  manner,  which 
so  much  prevailed  from  the  time  of  Inigo  Jones  to  the  present  period, 
although  we  decidedly  object  to  the  preference  which  is  now  given  to  it, 
over  what  is  called  the  Gothic  style.  The  church  of  All  Saints,  one  of 
the  principal  in  Oxford,  has  often  and  justly  been  praised  by  critics  in 
architecture.  Mr.  Dallaway,  after  reciting  the  censure  of  \Valpole  upon 
modern  churches,  and  the  true  observation  of  Murphy,  that  they  are  a 
vile  compound,  Italy  having  furnished  the  ground  plan,  Greece  the  Por- 
tico, and  France,  or  Germany,  the  Spire;  thus  remarks  upon  All  Saints, 
which  he  tells  us  was  built  by  Dr.  Henry  Aldrich,  the  accomplished 
Dean  of  Christ  Church,  one  of  the  most  perfect  architects  of  his  time. 
"  The  spire  has  fewer  objectionable  parts  than  almost  all  those  of  Wren, 
Hawksmoor,  or  Gibbs,  and  the  Church,  with  its  Corinthian  Portico, 
no  less  than  the  accuracy  of  its  internal  proportions,  is  uncommonly  cor- 
rect in  composition  and  elegant  in  effect."     Anecdotes,  p.  105. 

The  plate  represents  the  view  of  the  north  side,  being  taken  from  Lin- 
coln College  Lane,  looking  towards  the  High  Street,  in  which  the  Church 
also  forms  a  prominent  and  interesting  object.  It  is  constructed  of  a 
perishable  stone,  consequently  many  of  the  projecting  parts  have  lost 
their  sharpness,  and  the  admirable  details  of  its  architecture  have  been 
impaired;  but  as  a  picture  its  effect  is  probably  increased,  the  mouldering 
stone  blending  more  happily  with  the  venerable  structures  by  which  it  is 
surrounded. 

The  entablature  is  remarkably  bold ;  this  is  carried  round  the  building, 
and  is  supported  by  coupled  columns  of  the  Corinthian  order,  a  mode 
purely  Italian.  Its  length  is  made  to  admit  four  large  arch-headed 
windows  and  a  noble  portico,  the  columns  are  not  fluted,  and  the  frieze 
is  perfectly  plain;  all  its  grandeur  is  therefore  derived  from  the  justness 
1 


ALL   SAINTS    CHURCH,    OXFORD. 

of  its  proportions;  over  this  is  an  attic  and  balustrade.  Tlie  very  fine 
Tower  rises  at  tiie  west  end,  consisting  of  a  rustic  basement,  upon  which 
is  the  Belfry  story,  which  is  adorned  at  the  angles  by  striped  pilasters, 
and  surmounted  by  a  balustrade,  and  vases  upon  pedestals  at  each  cor- 
ner:  above,  the  Tower  is  cylindrical,  and  environed  by  a  beautiful  peri- 
style of  Corinthian  columns,  from  whence  rises  an  obelisk  termination 
bearing  a  vane. 

The  old  Church  of  All  Saints,  or  All  Hallows,  as  it  was  then  fre- 
quently called,  fell  down  from  decay  and  neglect  about  the  year  1G99. 
Amongst  other  benefactors  to  the  new  edifice.  Dr.  Radclift'e  became  a 
considerable  contributor,  at  the  instigation  of  his  friend.  Dr.  Aldrich. 
The  armorial  ensigns  of  the  various  benefactors  are  displayed  upon  the 
ceiling.  The  Church  consists  of  a  Nave,  or  Body,  with  lateral  Aisles, 
and  a  Chancel,  and  measures  in  length,  withinside,  seventy-tvio  feet,  by 
forty-two  feet  in  width ;  the  height  of  the  interior  is  fifty  feet. 

All  Saints  is  a  Curacy  in  the  patronage  of  Lincoln  College. 


^t  ^etet  s  €ljmt\)  in  fte  east, 

OXFORD; 

VICAR, 
THE  REV.  H.  W.  BUCKLEY,  M.  A. 


This  Church  is  considered  to  be  one  of  the  oldest  in  the  kingdom,  and 
its  foundation  is  attributed  to  St.  Grymbald,  whose  high  character  for 
piety  and  learning  induced  King  Alfred  to  send  a  deputation  to  Rheims, 
in  France,  to  persuade  him  to  leave  his  own  country,  and  to  make  Eng- 
land his  residence.  At  the  court  of  Alfred  he  became  the  companion 
of  the  celebrated  Asser,  whose  Annals  of  the  Reign  of  Alfred  have  been 
justly  appreciated  by  the  antiquary  and  the  historian.  In  this  work  we 
have  the  account  of  Grymbald's  presiding,  by  the  direction  of  Alfred,  over 
the  University  of  Oxford,  and  his  removal  from  that  place  to  Winches- 
ter, and  since  it  teads  to  establish  the  high  antiquity  and  origin  of  this 
Church,  may  here  be  related. 

In  the  year  886  a  discord  arose  at  Oxford  between  the  old  residents  of 
the  place,  and  Grymbald,  and  those  persons  whom  he  had  brought 
with  him.  The  former  were  attached  to  their  established  customs,  and 
were  unwilling  entirely  to  obey  the  new  institutions  of  Grymbald.  The 
dissension  lasted  for  three  years,  and  Alfred  himself  at  length  went  per- 
sonally to  Oxford  to  reconcile  these  differences.  It  appears  that  the 
king,  anxious  for  the  peace  and  welfare  of  his  university,  did  not  so 
immediately  favour  the  cause  of  Grymbald  as  might  have  been  expected. 
He  appointed  an  audience,  at  which  the  different  arguments  of  each 
party  might  fairly  be  discussed.  The  old  schoolmen  contended,  that 
before  the  arrival  of  Grymbald  letters  had  flourished  there,  though  the 
scholars  had  been  fewer ;  and  they  proved,  by  the  indubitable  testimony 
of  ancient  annals,  that  the  ordinances  and  institutes  of  the  place  had 
been  established  by  some  pious  and  erudite  men,  as  Gildas,  Melkin, 
Nennius,  Kentigem,  and  others,  who  there  grew  old  in  letters ;  and 
that  St.  Germanus,  who  had  gone  through  the  country,  successfully 
combating  and  preaching  against  the  errors  of  Pelagius,  had  resided 
half  a  year  at  Oxford;  and  that  these  institutions  had  been  approved  of 
by  him.  The  arguments  of  Grymbald  are  not  stated,  but  the  king  not  im- 
mediately deciding  against  him,  yet  recommended  peace  and  mutual  con- 
cessions to  either  party. 
1 


ST.   PETER'S    CHURCH    IN    THE   EAST,    OXFORD. 

Grymbald  felt  himself  aggrieved  at  this,  and  instantly  retired  to  the 
monastery  at  Winchester,  recently  founded  by  Alfred,  and  caused  to  be 
removed  to  Winchester  the  very  tomb  in  which  it  had  been  his  intention 
that  his  bones  should  be  deposited  after  his  decease.  This  tomb  had 
been  made  in  a  vault  under  the  chancel  of  St.  Peter's  Church  in  Oxford, 
which  church  (irymbald  himself  liad  built  from  the  very  foundation,  of 
stone,  hewn  and  polished  with  the  utmost  care.* 

The  vaulted  Crypt  is  of  no  ordinary  beauty,  evidently  of  Saxon  ar- 
chitecture, and  is  scarcely  to  be  considered  inferior  to  that  under  the 
Cathedral  of  Canterbury.  It  is  thirty-six  feet  long,  and  twenty  feet 
ten  inches  in  width,  being  divided  into  three  aisles,  each  of  which  is 
terminated  at  its  western  extremity  by  an  arched  door-way.  One  of 
these  is  reported  to  have  been  the  entrance  to  a  subterraneous  passage, 
and  the  traces  of  the  hinges  of  a  door  are  still  visible.  They  are,  how- 
ever now  converted  into  the  sacred  repositories  of  the  dead.  The  roof 
is  low  and  vaulted,  supported  by  eight  massive  pillars,  on  the  capitals  of 
some  of  which  some  admirable  carving  is  still  visible,  and  which  has 
much  exercised  the  ingenuity  of  the  antiquary  to  decipher.  Every  care 
has  lately  been  taken,  under  the  direction  of  the  Rev.  S.  W.  Hughes,  M.  A. 
the  present  curate,  with  appropriate  taste,  to  restore  and  preserve  this 
venerable  relic  of  ages  long  gone  by  ;  the  mouldering  bones  and  skulls, 
with  which  its  floor  was  strewed,  have  been  removed  and  re-buried  in  the 
church-yard,  the  windows  and  arches  have  been  repaired,  but  it  is  much 
to  be  lamented  that  it  is  still  liable  to  be  flooded  in  winter  from  the  rise  of 
the  level  of  the  land-springs. 

The  Chancel  itself,  represented  in  plate  2,  is  particularly  worthy  of 
notice  for  two  beautiful  Saxon  windows,  ornamented  with  chevron 
mouldings,  and  from  the  richly  sculptured  intersecting  arches,  which  sup- 
port the  roof.  The  groining  is  of  stone,  and  there  are  winding  staircases 
inserted  in  the  walls  which  lead  to  the  parts  above  it.  The  whole  style 
of  the  Chancel  corresponds  with  the  interior  of  Iffley  Church,  and  there 
is  also  a  striking  similarity  between  the  south  door  of  St.  Peter's  and  the 
western  entrance  of  that  venerable  fabric. 

The  remainder  of  the  Church  has  the  same  character  of  building  with 
the  edifices  of  the  time  of  Henry  V.  and  is  built  in  the  pointed  style.  The 
large  window  on  the  south  side  contains,  in  its  upper  part,  some  beauti- 
ful specimens  of  old  Painted  Glass ;  and  in  one  of  those  on  the  north 
side  is  a  curious  symbol  of  the  Trinity. 

•  The  passage  in  Asserius  Menevensis  is  as  follows. — "At  Grymbaldus  hiec  iniquo 
animo  gerens,  statim  ad  monasterium  Wintuniense  ab  Alfredo  recens  fundatum  proficisce- 
batur,  deinde  tumbam  Wintoniara  transferri  curavit,  in  qua  proposuerat  post  hujus  vitce 
curriculum  ossa  sua  reponenda  in  testudine,  quie  erat  facta  subter  cancellum  ecclesia'  Divi 
Petri  in  Oxonitl,  quam  quidem  ecclesiam  idem  Grymbaldus  extruxerat  ab  ipso  fundamento 
de  saxo,  summi  cur^  perpolito. — Wite's  Edition  of  Asserius  Meneventis,  page  53. 

2 


,f,rRv?ii  L<y  v: ."f^vtSli . 


ST.  PETERS  CHURCH  IN  THE  EAST,  OXFORD. 

We  mu8t  not  omit  to  mentiou  its  richly  ornamented  porch,  in  which, 
on  the  one  side,  are  the  remains  of  a  Benetier,  or  vessel  for  holy  water; 
and  the  stone  in  the  seat  beneath  has  the  appearance  of  being  much  worn 
by  the  bended  knee.  On  the  other  side,  in  a  window,  is  the  fragment  of  an 
antique  font,  which  was  dug  out  from  the  Church-yard.  It  is  of  curious 
and  very  ancient  workmanship,  and  once  contained  in  bold  relief  the 
figures  of  the  Twelve  Apostles.  The  present  font  is  of  carved  wood, 
and  represents  Adam  and  Eve  at  the  foot  of  the  forbidden  tree,  in  the 
centre  of  which  is  the  vessel  for  the  consecrated  water,  the  cover  being 
curiously  formed  by  the  foliage. 

There  is  a  peculiarity  in  the  construction  of  the  Tower  of  the  Church, 
that  it  tapers  very  considerably  towards  the  top,  but  the  interior  is 
built  straight,  so  that  the  amazing  strength  of  its  foundations  may  readily 
be  conceived ;  it  contains  a  good  peal  of  six  bells. 

The  body  of  the  Church  is  about  seventy-six  feet  long,  and  forty-two 
feet  wide.  The  length  of  the  Chance!  is  thirty-nine  feet,  but  its  whole 
character  would  evidently  be  improved,  by  removing  the  Organ  and 
Loft,  and  placing  it  in  the  Western  Gallery,  thus  affording  a  connected 
and  uninterrupted  view  of  the  Chancel.  The  Organ  is  in  great  part 
the  work  of  Father  Smith ;  it  was  repaired,  and  additions  made  to 
it  by  Messrs.  Green  and  Byfield  of  London,  by  subscription  from  the 
inhabitants  and  contributions  from  the  Heads  of  Colleges  within  the 
parochial  limits,  about  the  year  1760,  at  which  time  the  whole  edifice  was 
repaired  and  new  pewed  at  the  expense  of  the  Parish. 

Many  persons  of  local  distinction  and  of  eminence  in  the  literary 
world  are  buried  within  this  Church;  and  among  these  we  may  mention 
Dillenius,  formerly  Sherardian  Professor  of  Botany,  the  Langbaines, 
and  Potters,  and  many  Heads  of  Colleges  and  Halls  within  the  pre- 
cincts of  the  Parish;  many  of  the  Principals  of  Hart  Hall,  now  de- 
molished, and  the  family  of  the  Frewins  have  found  their  last  resting 
place  within  this  venerable  pile.  Here  lie  also  the  remains  of  Josiah 
PuIIen,  whose  name  will  survive  as  long  as  the  well  known  tree  planted 
by  his  own  hand  on  Headington  Hill  shall  continue  in  existence.  There 
are  also  several  memorials  and  incriptions  on  brasses  affixed  to  the  walls. 
One  of  these,  to  Dr.  Richard  Radcliffe,  and  another  to  the  memory  of 
Simon  Parrett,  and  Elizabeth  his  wife,  which  we  have  here  transcribed. 
It  records  the  unusual  circumstance  of  his  having  been  twice  Proctor 
of  the  University. 

Here  resteth  the  bodies  of  Simon  Parrett,  Master  of  Arts,  late  Fellow  of  Mag- 
dalen College,  and  twise  Proctor  of  the  tJmversity  of  Oxford,  and  Elizabeth,  his 
wife,  daughter  of  Edward  Love,  of  Aenohe,  in  the  county  of  Northampton,  Es- 
quier,  which  Simon  departed  this  worlde,  the  24  day  of  Septebr.  in  the  yere  of 
our  Lorde  God  MCCCC84,  and  in  the  yere  of  his  age  71.  And  Elizabeth  de- 
parted in  childbed,  the  xxvii  day  of  December,  in  the  yere  of  oure  Lorde  God 
MCCCCC72,  and  in  the  year  of  her  age  xlii. 


ST.  Peter's  church  in  the  east,  oxford. 

Besides  the  historical  narrative  already  noticed,  we  find  that  mention 
of  this  Church  is  made  in  Domesday  Book,  whereby  it  appears  that  it 
belonged  at  that  time  to  the  king.  By  William  the  Conqueror  it  was 
granted  to  Robert  D'Oyley,  a  Norman  Baron,  to  whom  the  Castle  of 
Oxford  likewise  belonged ;  and  there  is  in  the  possession  of  Richard 
Bignell,  Esq.,  of  Middeton  Stoney,  a  ring  which,  tradition  says,  ac- 
companied the  gift  of  this  Castle,  and  was  the  token  of  regal  favour. 
From  D'Oyley 's  heirs  the  Church  returned  by  escheat  to  the  crown,  but 
in  the  reign  of  Henry  the  Third  it  was  granted  to  Merton  College,  in 
the  gift  of  which  the  living  still  remains. 

St.  Peter's  in  the  East  was  formerly  used  as  the  University  Church, 
and  the  afternoon  sermon  is  still  preached  here  during  the  whole  of  Lent, 
the  preachers  being  appointed  by  the  Vice  Chancellor,  an  annual  pay- 
ment of  a  small  sum  being  nevertheless  made  to  the  Parish.  There  is 
also  a  morning  sermon  on  the  anniversary  of  St.  Simon  and  St.  Jude 
preached  here  by  a  member  of  University  College. 

The  Churchyard  offers  little  worthy  of  observation,  except  indeed  the 
tomb  of  the  celebrated  antiquary,  Thomas  Hearne,  formerly  Vice  Prin- 
cipal of  Edmund  Hall.  It  is  situated  near  the  south-east  angle  of  the 
building,  and  bears  the  following  inscription  written  by  Hearne  himself. 

Here  lieth  the  body  of  Thomas  Hearne,  M.A.  who  studied  and  preserved  an- 
tiquities. He  died  June  10,  1735,  aged  55  years.  Deut.  xxxii,  7.  Remember 
the  days  of  old,  consider  the  years  of  many  generations  ;  ask  thy  father,  and  he 
will  shew  thee ;  thy  elders,  and  they  will  tell  thee.  Job.  viii.  8, 9, 10.  Enquire,  I 
pray  thee,  &c. 

It  was  repaired  by  Dr.  Rawlinson  in  1754;  but  it  is  now  fast  verging 
to  decay,  much  to  the  regret  of  those  whose  similarity  of  taste  and  pur- 
suits must  lead  them  to  venerate  liis  memory  and  name. 

The  parish,  in  the  Census  of  1811,  contained  174  inhabited  houses, 
and  1,104  persons  ;  within  its  limits  are  Magdalen  College,  New  Col- 
lege, Queen's  College,  part  of  University  College,  and  the  Halls  of 
St.  Edmund,  Magdalen,  and  a  part  of  St.  Alban's  Hall.  Hart  Hall, 
long  since  dissolved,  was  also  within  its  limits,  but  it  is  almost  en- 
tirely pulled  down ;  Magdalen  Hall  is  now  made  an  appendage  of 
the  College  of  Magdalen,  and  the  Students  of  the  Hall  have  removed 
to  the  place  where  Hart  Hall  formerly  stood,  where  a  handsome  modern 
edifice  has  been  erected,  but  which  does  not  sufliciently  accord  with 
the  ancient  character  of  the  contiguous  buildings.  It  consists  of  two 
wings,  one  forming  the  residence  of  the  Principal,  the  other  rooms  for 
the  junior  members  of  the  Hall.  The  wings  are  connected  by  a  neat 
Stone  Gateway,  forming  the  entrance  to  the  quadrangle. 


^t.  JHarp  jHastialen's  C|)uit!), 

OXFORD ; 

VICAR, 
THE  REV.  CHARLES  HENRY  COX. 


It  appears  from  ancient  documents  that  a  Church,  dedicated  to  St. 
Mary  Magdalen,  was  erected  on  the  same  site  with  the  present  venera- 
ble fabric,  so  early  as  the  eighth  century.  It  was  said  to  have  been 
built  by  the  permission  of  St.  Frideswide,  who  died  about  the  year  739. 
Little,  or  perhaps  none  of  that  ancient  Structure  now  remains ;  and  it  is 
obvious,  from  the  irregularity  of  the  present  Church,  that  it  has  been 
erected  at  various  periods,  and  experienced  successive  alterations.  Im- 
mediately after  the  Conquest,  St.  Mary  Magdalen's  Church  came  into 
the  possession  of  Robert  D'Oily,  who  having,  in  1074,  founded  the 
College  of  St.  George  within  the  walls  of  Oxford  Castle,  gave  this 
Church  to  the  secular  Canons  whom  he  established  there.  Fifty  years 
afterwards,  Robert  D'Oily  the  second,  who  founded  Osney  Abbey, 
translated  the  College  of  St.  George  and  its  endowments,  including  St. 
Mary  Magdalen's  Church,  to  his  new  Monastery.  On  the  Dissolution  of 
Osney  Abbey,  in  the  reign  of  Henry  VIII.,  the  Vicarage  of  St.  Mary 
Magdalen  was  given  to  Christ  Church,  the  Dean  and  Chapter  of  which 
are  the  present  patrons. 

The  Church  is  situated  in  the  North  Suburbs  of  the  City,  between  the 
Corn-market,  and  St.  Giles's-street.  It  consists  of  four  parallel  aisles, 
which  are  terminated  on  the  east  by  a  Chancel,  and  on  the  west  by 
a  square  embattled  Tower.  The  northern  and  southern  aisles  were 
heretofore  chantries  ;  the  former  is  ascribed  to  the  Lady  Devorgilla, 
Foundress  of  I^aliol  College,  who  built  it  about  the  year  1290,  for  the 
use  of  the  members  of  that  society,  who  had  not  then  any  Chapel  within 
their  walls.  The  southern  aisle  is  the  most  striking  part  of  the  whole 
Fabric;  this  is  considered  to  have  been  founded  originally  by  Huo-h, 
Bishop  of  Lincoln,  in  the  year  1194,  at  the  time  when  Richard  I.  re- 
turned from  captivity,  and  was  probably  intended  and  used  as  a 
Chapel  to  the  neighbouring  Palace  of  Beaumont,  in  which  that  king  was 
born.  This  Chapel  being  decayed,  was  rebuilt  in  the  reign  of  Edward 
III.,  1337,  and  dedicated  to  the  Virgin  Mary ;  the  style  of  its  Archi- 
1 


ST.  MARY  Magdalen's  church,  oxford. 

lecture  is  particularly  pure,  and  without  a  profusion  of  ornament,  is  en- 
riched by  a  due  proportion  of  decorated  members.  Its  pointed  windows 
are  great  ornaments  to  the  southern  front  of  the  Church  ;  they  are  placed 
between  buttresses,  adorned  by  canopied  niches,  containing  mutilated 
remains  of  statues  :  an  open-work  parapet  adds  to  the  eflect  of  this  part 
of  the  building,  as  seen  in  Plate  1,  which,  we  are  happy  to  learn,  is  at 
present  undergoing  considerable  reparation.  The  Tower  was  built  in 
the  reign  of  Henry  VIII. :  it  is  substantial,  but  neat,  and  contains  five 
bells. 

The  stone  Font  in  this  Church,  represented  in  Plate  2,  is  very  rich  in 
its  ornaments,  and  is  probably  of  the  date  of  Edward  III.'s  time.  The 
term  font,  as  used  by  the  early  Fathers  of  the  Church,  implied  the  foun- 
tain, or  pool,  wherein  persons  were  baptized,  and  was  afterwards  em- 
ployed to  signify  the  vase,  capable  of  total  immersion,  of  which  descrip- 
tion this  font  seems  to  be.  It  rises  from  a  comparatively  small  base,  and 
expands  in  eight  divisions,  highly  enriched  with  very  bold  tracery,  deeply 
cut,  forming  a  pointed  arch,  and  a  large  trefoil,  above  which  is  a  fillet 
sculptured  with  foliage ;  and  on  every  one  of  the  eight  sides  of  the  upper- 
most division  of  the  font,  are  three  quatrefoils,  each  containing  a  plain 
shield.  The  top  is  formed  of  wood,  and  is  removable  at  pleasure,  by 
means  of  a  small  crane. 

The  Parish  contains  370  houses,  and  a  population  of  about  2,200, 
being  the  largest  in  the  city. 


.Ura-v/n  by  J  E  Ueale . 


ST  MAHY  MJl: 


Engraved  ly  w  •■Ka. 


oxrojiz 


U.nJan.Jith.Jiau.  2.2X6.hy  J.P.KeaU.U.Senitjair  SP  mackfiriarj  SoaJ.. 


OXFORD; 

VICAR, 
THE  REV.  EDWARD  HAWKINS. 


This  Church,  now  one  of  the  principal  architectural  ornaments  of  the 
finest  street  in  England,  if  not  of  Europe,  is  an  ancient  foundation,  and 
was  granted  by  King  Edward  II.,  with  all  appurtenances,  to  the  Pro- 
vost and  Fellows  of  Oriel  College,  which  still  retains  the  patronage. 
That  king  was  the  founder  of  Oriel  College,  which  in  reality  owes 
its  erection  to  the  suggestion  and  liberality  of  his  Almoner,  Adam  le 
Brome,  who  was  buried  in  a  Chapel  of  his  name  attached  to  this 
Church.  With  respect  to  the  present  edifice,  it  appears  that  in  the 
reign  of  King  Henry  VII.  the  Church  was  in  such  a  ruinous  state,  that 
the  University  in  Congregation,  Feb.  1486,  John  Russel,  Bishop  of 
Lincoln,  being  then  Chancellor,  appointed  Stephen  Browne  to  be  their 
Proctor,  to  intercede  with  the  bishops  and  other  spiritual  and  wealthy 
persons  for  money  to  rebuild  it,  which  appeal  produced  most  liberal 
contributions,  and  that  consequently  in  the  year  1498  the  present 
building  was  erected.  It  also  appears  from  Antony  a  Wood,  that 
Richard  Fitzjames,  D.  D.  Bishop  of  Rochester,  Almoner  to  King 
Henry  VII.,  and  the  brother  of  Sir  John  Fitzjames,  Lord  Chief  Jus- 
tice, contributed  very  liberally  towards  the  completion  of  this  Church, 
in  consequence  of  which  his  arms,  quartering  those  of  Draycot,  were 
sculptured  in  stone  over  the  north  door.  His  coat  of  arms,  together 
with  those  of  Cardinal  Morton,  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  and  Edmund 
Audley,  Bishop  of  Salisbury,  who,  it  is  probable,  also  contributed,  were 
on  the  basement  of  the  stone  pulpit  formerly  in  this  Church  as  well  as 
upon  the  roof  of  the  Old  Library,  now  the  Common  Law  School,  on  the 
east  end  of  the  north  side  of  the  building.  The  Church  consists  of  a 
Nave,  side  Aisles,  a  Tower  crowned  with  a  Spire  on  the  north  side, 
and  a  large  Chancel,  its  entire  length  is  about  two  hundred  and  fifty 
feet,  and  its  breadth  fifty  feet.  The  height  of  the  roof  is  seventy  feet, 
the  whole  of  light  and  elegant  architecture. 

Plate  1,  represents  a  south-east  view  of  the  Exterior  in  the  High 
Street  from  a  point  where  the  enriched  Spire  is  probably  seen  to  the 
1 


ST.    MARY  S   CHURCH,    OXFORD. 

greatest  advantage ;  another  object  was  obtained  by  adopting  this  view 
in  preference  to  one  from  the  north,  which  is  not  the  least  interesting  in 
the  Church,  it  shews  the  curious  Porch  at  the  west  end  of  this  front. 

This  Porch  is  a  remarkable  and  singular  specimen  of  the  use  of  co- 
lumns with  twisted  shafts,  called  by  the  French  the  Colonne  Torse ;  the 
whole,  it  must  be  confessed,  is  out  of  character  as  applied  to  a  building 
constructed  in  the  pointed  style;  but  in  the  execution  the  skill  of  a  great 
master  was  employed,  and  time  has  so  harmonized  the  materials  that  its 
incongruitj'  is  scarcely  perceptible.  This  Porch  was  built  at  the  ex- 
pense of  Morgan  Owen,  D.  D.  of  Jesus  College,  Chaplain  to  Arch- 
bishop Laud,  Chancellor  of  the  University  in  1637,  upon  a  design  of  Ni- 
cholas Stone,  Senior,  a  pupil  of  Inigo  Jones,  who  adopt'sd  the  twisted 
columns  from  those  used  by  Michael  Angelo  in  the  attar  at  St.  Peter's 
in  Rome ;  they  are  of  the  Corinthian  order,  and  support  a  broken  pedi- 
ment, bearing  in  the  centre,  over  the  entablature,  a  statue  of  Saint  Mary 
the  Virgin,  and  the  Infant  Christ,  illustrative  of  the  dedication  of  the 
Church.  Soon  after  it  was  completed,  this  statue  was  defaced  by  the 
Parliamentary  soldiers  in  1642,  and  the  circumstance  of  its  erection  was 
actually  made  one  of  the  articles  of  impeachment  against  Laud,  "  that 
he  did  oblige  the  said  Dr.  Morgan  Owen  to  build  it,  permitted  him  as 
Chancellor  of  the  University,  and  connived  at  all  when  'twas  finished." 
—  Wood's  Athena,  ii.  606. 

The  spire  of  St.  Mary's,  one  of  the  most  striking  objects  in  every  distant 
view  of  the  University,  rises  from  a  tower  situated  on  the  north  side  of 
the  Church,  between' the  Nave  and  the  Chancel.  From  the  basement  of 
the  Tower  to  the  vane,  is  one  hundred  and  eighty  feet,  the  exact  altitude 
of  the  spire  alone,  at  Salisbury.  Having  mentioned  such  a  noble  speci- 
men of  this  description  of  architectural  decoration,  it  cannot  fail  to  excite 
a  comparison,  by  no  means  in  favour  of  St.  Mary's;  where  the  beautiful 
proportions  and  elegant  symmetry  of  the  object,  are  lost  in  the  exuberance 
of  the  clustered  ornaments  which  crowd  the  base  of  the  spire,  aud  deprive 
it  of  its  proper  character,  simplicity  of  form.  The  Tower  of  the  Church 
is  square  and  plain,  and  consists  of  two  stories,  the  upper  containing  six 
bells,  and  having  one  large  pointed  window  or  opening  in  each  side, 
over  which,  upon  the  north  and  south  sides,  is  the  face  of  a  dial.  The 
outer  angles  of  the  Tower  are  supported  by  buttresses,  which,  above  the 
ornamented  parapet,  are  crowned  with  turrets  of  very  rich  workmanship, 
shewing  canopied  niches  containing  statues  on  the  outward  iace,  and 
terminating  in  small  enriched  pinnacles  ;  there  are  also  openings  at  the 
base  of  the  spire,  which  are  crowned  with  tabernacles,  ornamented  with 
crockets  and  finials  ;  from  this  rich  cluster  the  octagonal  spire  rises 
with  perfect  plainness  to  the  vane. 
2 


ST.  MARYS  CHURCH,  OXFORD. 

Plate  2.  View  of  the  Interior,  looking  west.  The  Nave  is  divided  from 
the  Aisles  by  clusters  of  light  pillars,  supporting  a  series  of  high  pointed 
arches,  above  which  are  the  windows  of  the  Clerestory.  The  roof  is 
lotty  and  although  very  plain,  is  particularly  neat.  The  pulpit,  of  wood 
which  usually  stands  in  the  centre  of  the  Nave,  is  a  moveable  object' 
having  nothing  very  attractive  in  its  appearance.  '  St.  Mary's  being  the 
University  Church,  sermons  are  preached  here  in  turn,  on  every  Sunday 
morning  and  afternoon  during  Term  ;  those  in  the  morning  by  the  Heads 
ot  Houses  with  a  few  exceptions.  The  Vice  Chancellors  seat  is  at  the 
west  end  of  the  Middle  Aisle,  elevated  a  few  steps,  a  little  below  which 
are  seats  for  the  Proctors,  and  on  either  hand  for  the  Heads  of  Houses 
and  IJoctors;  below  these  are  seats  for  young  noblemen,  with  benches 

h    1^    r   J!    T!  °^  ^'''-    ^'  *'"  '''''  ^-"^  '^l-'  -i'h  =^  return  to 
the  North  and  South  Aisles,  are  Galleries  for  the  Bachelors  of  Arts  and 

I'nder-graduates. 

Upon  the  10th  of  February,  Dies  Scholastica,  the  Mayor,  two  Bailiffs 
and  sixty  of  the  Burghers  of  the  city,  used  to  make  an  offering  of  a  silve; 
penny  each,  as  an   atonement  for  the  murder  of  some  scholars,   which 

ook  place  ,„  an  affray,  in  the  time  of  Edward  HI. :  from  this  ceremony 
the  Mayor,  &c.  were  released  on  the  1st  of  February.  18^5 

The  monument  against  the  second  pillar,  upon  the  south  side  of  the 
CHurch,  as  seen  in  the  annexed  engraving,  is  that  of  Dr.  Walli«  Savi- 
l.an  Professor  of  Geometry,  celebrated  for  his  controversy  with  Hobbes 
m  the  centre  is  a  has  relief  representing  an  allegorical  Figure  of  Geo- 
metry, rechning  on  a  sphere;  and  above  is  a  half-length  figure  of  the 
Professor  himself;  beneath  is  the  following  inscription  • 


Johannes  Wallis, 

Geometriffi  Professor  Savilianus, 

et 

Gustos  Archivorum  Oxon. 

hie  dormit. 

Opera  reliquit  immortalia 

ob.  Oct.  28,  A.  D.  1709,  st,  87. 

Filius  et  Hsres  ejus 

Johannes  Wallis, 

de  Saundess  m  Com.  Oxon. 

Armiger, 

P. 


Upon  the  pil  ars  on  the  south  side  are  monuments  to  Theophilus  Poyn- 
ter.  Bachelor  of  Medicine,  and  Stephen  Toone.  At  the  west  end  of  the 
South  Aisle  IS  a  very  beautiful  memorial  by  John  Flaxman.  R.  A.,  in  ho- 

equally  qualified  to  guide  the  taste  of  the  elegant,  and  correct  the 
errors  of  the  learned,"  according  to  his  biographer.     The  composition 


ST.  MARYS  CHURCH,  OXFORD. 

represents  a  group  of  two  figures  in  mournful  attitudes ;  Justice  with 
her  balance,  and  a  Brahmin,  holding  a  volume  of  Sanscrit,  both  admirably 
executed. 

The  east  window,  in  the  upper  compartments,  contains  some  painted 
glass,  but  the  rest  are  plain. 

The  font  is  simply  of  oak,  lined  with  lead  ;  it  is  of  an  octagonal  form, 
with  a  conical  top. 

The  organ-gallery  and  screen,  seen  in  our  view,  are  of  the  Corinthian 
order,  with  glazed  doors  in  the  centre,  ill  adapted  to  the  situation,  and 
heavy  in  appearance. 


WITNEY,    OXFORDSHIRE. 

RECTOR, 
THE  REV.  R.  BARNARD. 


The  Town  of  Witney  is  situated  on  the  River  Windrush,  in  the 
Deanery  of  Witney,  and  in  the  Hundred  of  Bampton,  at  the  distance 
of  eleven  miles  from  Oxford,  and  of  about  sixty-six  from  London,  in  a 
north-westerly  direction. 

Aiwin,  Bishop  of  Winchester,  about  the  middle  of  the  eleventh  cen- 
tury, gave  the  Manor  of  Witney,  with  eight  others,  to  his  Cathedral 
Church.  The  writers  who  relate  the  fiction  of  his  deliverance  from  the 
charge  of  adultery  with  Queen  Emma,  the  mother  of  Edward  the  Con- 
fessor, by  her  walking,  unhurt,  over  nine  red-hot  plough-shares,  affirm 
that  he  made  the  grant  in  commemoration  of  that  event.  In  the  fol- 
lowing century,  Witney  was  given  by  Henry  de  Blois,  Bishop  of  Win- 
chester, and  brother  of  King  Stephen,  to  his  newly-founded  hospital  of 
St.  Cross,  at  Winchester. 

The  Church  is  situated  at  the  southern  extremity  of  the  High  street. 
It  is  a  large  and  handsome  structure,  in  the  form  of  a  cross,  with  a 
square  Tower  in  the  centre,  having  an  octangular  turret  at  each  angle, 
and  crowned  by  a  lofty  Spire,  the  proportions  of  which  are  rather  sub- 
stantial than  elegant.  The  north  entrance  is  by  a  descent  of  several 
steps,  through  a  round-headed  doorway,  over  which  is  a  vacant  cano- 
pied niche.  Similar  niches  occur  in  various  divisions  of  the  north  side. 
In  the  spacious  and  handsome  Chancel  is  the  ancient  Piscina,  together 
with  some  remains  of  the  stone  recesses  used  by  the  priest  and  deacons 
during  the  celebration  of  mass.  Here  also  is  the  burying-place  of  the 
Freind  family;  and,  on  a  grave-stone  of  black  marble,  an  engraved  brass 
of  a  man  in  a  gown,  to  the  memory  of  Richard  Ayshcombe,  of  Lyford, 
who  died  on  the  12th  of  June,  1606,  aged  65.  In  a  recess  at  the  end  of 
the  north  transept  are  two  recumbent  effigies  in  stone,  without  inscrip- 
tion, and  much  defaced  by  age.  At  the  north-western  angle  of  the 
Church  is  a  Chapel,  which  is  the  burying-place  of  the  Wenman  family. 
Its  wooden  roof  is  indifferently  painted  in  resemblance  of  clouds,  red, 
white,  and  blue,  abundantly  interspersed  with  gilt  stars.  The  following 
particulars  of  the  monuments  in  this  Chapel,  as  they  existed  in  June, 
1660,  are  derived  from  some  church-notes,  preserved  in  the  Harleian 
Library,  in  the  British  Museum,  which  are  printed  in  vol.  L  of  the  Topo- 


WITNKY   CHURCH. 

grapher ;  and  the  earliest  inscription  now  remaining  is  that  of  Sir  Francis 
Wenman. 

"  In  a  Chapeli,  at  the  lower  end  of  the  north  ile,  under  an  arch  in  the 
wall,  an  ancient  proportion  of  a  woman  in  stone,  at  her  feet  a  dog." 

At  the  east  end  of  this  Chapel,  an  ornamented  oval  tablet,  to  the  me- 
mory of  Mary,  wife  of  Francis  Wenman,  of  Caswell,  Esq.,  and  daughter 
of  Thomas  Lord  Wenman,  of  Thame  Park,  who  died  Nov.  13,  1657. 
On  a  large  gravestone  of  black  marble,  raised  a  little  from  the  ground, 
this  inscription : 

"  In  hope  of  a  joyfull  resurrection  here  lyeth  the  body  of  Sir  Francis  Wenman, 

Kt.  who  married  Anne,  the  daughter  of  Samuel  Sandys,  Kt.  by  whome  he 

left  issue  Samuel,  Francis,  and  Anne,  and  deceased  June  26,  A*.  Dni.  1640, 

aged  40  years ;" 

with  several  coats  of  arms ;   among  them  Weriman,  impaling  a  fesse 
dauncetee,  between  three  crosses  fitchee,  Sandys.     "  Over  it  upon  the 
wall  his  sword,  with  helmet  and  spurs,  with  banners  of  the  arras  of 
Wenman  and  quarterings." 
A  brass  figure  of  a  man  in  a  winding  sheet,  with  this  inscription  : 

"  Pray  for  the  soule  of  Wm.  Wenman,  the  which  departed  out  of  this  life  the 
XXX.  day  of  August,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  mvcxxi,  on  whose  soule  Jhesu 
have  mercy:" 

At  each  corner  a  scroll,  with  "  JhQ  mercy.  Lady  help." 

At  the  south  side  of  the  Chapel,  a  raised  monument  of  grey  marble, 
with  brass  figures  of  a  man  and  his  two  wives,  and  their  children,  five 
girls  and  three  boys.  Over  the  man's  head  a  scroll,  bearing  "  Sea  Tri- 
jtitas  unus  deus  miserere  nobis ;"  round  the  verge  the  following  inscrip- 
tion : 

"  Of  your  charity  pray  for  the  soulysof  Richard  Wenman,  Anne  and  Christian 
his  wifes,  whiche  Christian  deceased  the  xi.  day  of  April  in  the  year  of  our 

Lord  God  Mccccc.  and  the  said  Anne  deceased  the day  of 

in  the  year  of  our  Lord  God  mv on  whose  soules,  &c. 

Man  in  what  state  that  ever  thou  bee, 
Timor  Mortis  shotild  trouble  thee." 

The  living  consists  of  a  Rectory  and  Vicarage ;  the  former  valued,  in 
the  King's  books,  at  47/.  9s.  4^d.,  the  latter  at  91.  12s.  6d. :  they  were 
united,  in  the  ninth  year  of  Charles  L,  into  one  benefice,  by  the  name  of 
the  Rectory  of  Witney ;  but  all  dues  and  fees  are  reserved  as  if  they 
were  still  separate.     The  Bishop  of  Winchester  is  the  patron. 

Dr.  Thomas  Jackson,  a  celebrated  Arminian  divine,  and  the  ornament 
of  the  University  of  Oxford  in  his  time,  was  appointed  Vicar  of  Witney 
in  1638,  through  the  interest  of  Archbishop  Laud ;  being  at  the  same 
time  made  Prebendary  of  Winchester  and  Dean  of  Peterborough,  and 
having  before  been  elected  President  of  Corpus  Christi  College.  "  He 
was  a  person,"  says  Anthony  a  Wood,  in  his  Athenae  Oxonienses,  "  fur- 
nished with  all  learned  languages,  arts,  and  sciences,  especially  meta- 
physics, which  he  looked  upon  as  a  necessary  hand-maid  to  divinity." 


SHREWSBURY,  SHROPSHIRE ; 

VICAR, 
THE  REV.  HENRY  BURTON,  M.A. 


A  Monastery,  dedicated  to  St.  Peter  and  St.  Paul,  was  founded . 
here  in  the  year  1083  by  Roger  de  Montgomery,  Earl  of  Shrewsbury, 
for  Benedictine  Monks  from  Seez  in  Normandy.  The  founder  endowed 
it  largely,  and  at  length  became  a  monk  of  his  own  Abbey,  where  he 
died  in  1094,  and  was  here  buried ;  as  was  also  his  son,  Hugh,  slain  in 
the  Isle  of  Anglesey.  Robert  Pennant,  the  fourth  abbot  of  this  house, 
obtained  the  reliques  of  St.  Wenefrede,  and  enshrined  them,  which 
added  much  to  the  emolument  of  the  Abbey.  Its  abbots  had,  at  a  very 
early  period,  the  privilege  of  wearing  the  mitre,  and  were  summoned  to 
Parliament;  at  the  dissolution  its  revenues  were  valued  by  Speed  at 
656Z.  4s.  3d.  The  site  of  the  Abbey,  with  all  its  buildings,  originally 
comprised  about  ten  acres,  as  we  learn  from  the  splendid  History  of 
Shrewsbury,  lately  published  by  the  Rev.  Hugh  Owen  and  the  Rev. 
J.  B.  Blakeway,  from  which  we  derive  nearly  the  whole  of  this  account. 

Of  this  venerable  edifice,  the  chief  remnant  is  the  Nave  of  the  Church, 
which  in  a  great  measure  has  escaped  the  devastation  that  befel  almost 
every  other  part  of  the  conventual  buildings.  The  Nave,  like  those  of 
many  other  Abbey  Churches,  was  anciently  parochial,  and  had  a  low 
screen  for  the  Altar,  probably  between  the  great  piers,  on  a  line  with 
the  present  pulpit ;  the  space  to  the  west  being  appropriated  to  the 
parishioners.  The  Abbey  Church  was  originally  cruciform,  and  had  its 
Transepts,  Choir,  and  Lady  Chapel,  together  with  various  Chantries, 
each  containing  its  altar. 

Of  these  distinct  parts  of  the  Abbey  Church,  the  whole  eastern 
limb,  with  the  transept  and  centre  steeple,  have  been  swept  away,  and 
thus  has  it  lost  considerably  more  than  two-thirds  of  its  original  dimen- 
sions. The  length  of  the  Nave,  including  the  West  Tower,  is  now  one 
hundred  and  twenty-three  feet. 

The  present  Parochial  Church  of  the  Holy  Cross,  embraces  within  its 
walls  the  Nave,  side  aisles.  Porch,  and  \1'estern  Tower  of  the  Abbey 
Church.     It  is  principally  constructed  with  a  deep-red  sandstone  of 
1 


THE    ABBEY    CHURCH,    SHREWSBURY,   SHROPSHIRE. 

good  quality.  The  fabric,  as  it  now  exists,  bears  deep  marks  of  havoc 
and  mutilation,  yet  displays  in  some  of  its  parts  curious  and  interesting 
featiires.  The  effect  of  the  external  elevation  is  cruelly  injured  by  the 
loss  of  the  eastern  portion  of  the  Clerestoiy,  which  having  been  neglected 
by  the  parishioners,  the  roof,  from  decay,  fell  in,  long  after  tiie  dissolu- 
tion of  the  Abbey,  and  the  shattered  walls  of  the  Clerestory  were  swept 
away  to  save  trouble  and  expense.  Thus,  as  the  western  portion  re- 
tains its  original  height,  a  great  disproportion  arises  between  the  east 
and  western  parts  of  the  fabric. 

PLATE  I.— VIEW  OF  THE  WESTERN  TOWER,  &:c. 
The  West  Front  of  the  Abbey  Church  is  composed  of  the  Tower, 
.with  the  western  ends  of  the  side  aisles;  these  had  originally  each  a 
Norman  window,  that  on  the  North  side  still  remains  with  a  small  Go- 
thic light  inserted  within  it :  the  window  of  the  corresponding  aisle  has 
a  pointed  arch  evidently  cut  out  of  the  old  Norman  masonry,  and  now 
entirely  void  of  mullions  and  tracery.  The  Tower  is  nearly  perfect ;  and 
though  neither  loftj'  nor  much  adorned,  is  a  noble,  and  would  be  a  well- 
proportioned  structure,  were  it  not  that  the  want  of  pinnacles  on  the 
summit  gives  it  a  heavy  effect,  not  usual  in  those  of  that  age.  It  rests 
on  an  early  Norman  basement,  evidently  once  a  part  of  the  ancient 
Nave,  surmounted  by  a  superstructure  of  the  fourteenth  century.  A 
round-headed  arch,  deeply  recessed,  and  richly  laced  with  mouldings, 
having  a  pointed  doorway,  similarly  adorned,  inserted  within  it,  forms 
the  west  entrance,  which  has  an  ascent  of  three  shallow  steps.  The 
exterior  rib  of  the  outward  round  arch  springs,  on  each  side,  from  a 
Norman  shaft,  with  an  indented  capital :  the  pointed  arch  was  doubtless 
en<^rafted  within  the  ancient  semicircidar  doorway,  when  the  Tower  was 
erected,  in  order  to  preserve  uniformity.  This  is  an  elegant  portal,  and 
it  is  impossible  not  to  admire  the  skill  and  ingenuity  with  which  the  ar- 
chitect has  combined  the  pointed  with  the  Norman  round  arch. 

Immediately  above  the  AVest  Door  rises  a  magnificent  and  beautiful 
window,  its  sides  and  arch  enriched  with  delicate  mouldings,  in  the  deep 
hollow  soffits  of  which,  is  a  series  of  small  panels,  having  foliated  arched 
heads.  The  outward  mouldings  of  the  arch  rise  high  above  it,  forming 
a  spring  canopy  enriched  with  crockets,  and  ending  in  a  flower,  from 
which  again  springs  very  elegantlj^  a  niche  or  tabernacle. 

The  body  of  this  fine  West  Window,  to  the  spring  of  the  arch,  con- 
tains two  stories,  divided  horizontally  by  a  transom,  and  perpendicularly 
by  six  upright  midlions,  into  seven  compartments  for  the  glass.  The 
two  central  mullions,  as  they  approach  the  spring  of  the  arch,  bisect  the 
bead  into  smaller  arches  on  each  side,  and  these  are  further  subdivided 
into  others,  which  are  uncommonly  acute  ;  the  interstices  of  all  filled 
with  several  tiers  of  small  opened  panelled  tracery,  mingled  with  tre- 


Tiraym  byJ.Eiicai.e. 


TUT.    A3EE"y    C  HUS.C2  . 


THE    ABBEY    CHURCH,    SHREWSBURY,    SHROPSHIRE. 

foiled  and  quatrefoiled  foliage,  in  beautiful  and  variegated  profusion. 
For  a  window  of  such  large  dimensions,  the  arch  is  remarkably  sharp 
and  lofty ;  the  tracery,  too,  is  uncommon,  and  of  an  intricate  richness 
seldom  met  with,  partaking  of  the  perpendicular  straight-lined,  and  hori- 
zontal curved  characters.  The  form  of  this  tracery,  and  the  armorial 
bearings,  quite  fix  it  to  the  latter  part  of  the  fourteenth  century,  when 
the  foliated  and  more  elaborate  fashion,  displaying  infinite  variety  and 
beauty,  was  going  out,  and  the  upright,  or  small-arched,  style  was  be- 
ginning to  take  place.  For  justness  of  proportion,  and  elegance  of  de- 
sign, we  have  very  few  great  west  or  eastern  windows  equal  to  this;  the 
easy  and  graceful  ascent  from  the  base  to  the  summit,  and  the  light, 
though  rich  combination  of  the  tracery,  are  remarkably  pleasing.  The 
lower  story  of  the  window  was  never  pierced  to  admit  glazing,  but  con- 
sists of  blank  panels,  which  in  shape  and  size  exactly  resemble  the  range 
above  them  ;  this  was  undoubtedly  done  to  preserve  a  due  proportion, 
which  otherwise  would  have  been  too  short  for  the  breadth.  The  square 
and  shallow  piers  of  the  old  basement  are  continued  upon  the  front,  attach- 
ed to  the  angles  of  the  Tower  in  the  new  masonry,  as  far  as  to  the  summit 
of  the  middle  or  window  story,  where  they  end  in  pointed  canopies. 
On  the  face  of  each  of  these,  midway,  is  a  niche,  both  of  which  have 
evidently  been  elegant,  but  are  now  almost  mouldered  away ;  they  ori- 
ginally contained  the  statues  of  St.  Peter  and  St.  Paul,  the  tutelary 
saints  of  the  Abbey. 

Handsome  shelving  buttresses  flank  the  north  and  south-west  angles 
of  the  Tower,  their  sets-ofF  worked  into  canopied  pediments  ;  these  are 
finely  proportioned,  and  give  a  remarkably  pleasing  effect,  by  the  gra- 
dual diminution  in  its  breadth  as  the  Tower  rises  to  the  summit.  On 
the  north-eastern  angle  are  vestiges  of  a  flying  buttress.  The  middle 
story  of  the  Tower  has  two  handsome  pointed  windows  in  its  north  and 
south  sides;  those  in  the  former  being  now  blocked  up,  and  having  been 
barbarously  despoiled  of  their  mullions,  the  blank  arches  are  painted  to 
represent  tracery.  The  upper  or  bell-chamber  story,  displays  a  double 
window  on  every  side ;  they  are  small  but  handsome.  Between  those 
on  the  west  front,  is  an  armed  knight  standing  on  a  corbel,  which  rests 
on  the  finial  of  the  great  window  below.  He  occupies  a  tabernacle, 
which  has  a  high  straight-sided  canopy,  flanked  with  a  small  pinnacle 
at  each  impost.  It  has  been  usual  to  denominate  this  figure  the  effigy 
of  Roger  Montgomery,  the  founder ;  but  in  the  History  of  Shrewsbury, 
from  whence  we  have  derived  this  account,  it  is  most  satisfactorily  as- 
signed to  King  Edward  III. :  the  armour  of  the  figure  exactly  accords 
with  that  of  the  middle  and  latter  part  of  the  fourteenth  century.  The 
helmet  is  conical,  the  throat  and  breast  clad  in  mail,  while  the  rest  of 
the  figure  is  enveloped  in  plated  steel.  In  one  hand  he  bears  a  frag- 
ment of  what  appears  to  have  been  a  sceptre,  the  other  rests  on  the  hilt 
3 


THE   ABBEY    CHliROH-,    SllRCWSBCRY,  SHROPSHIRE. 

of  his  sword,  now  mutilated  ;  and  round  the  helmet  are  the  evident  re- 
mains of  a  crown.  The  painted  glass  of  the  great  window,  beneath  his 
feet,  strongly  confirms  the  opinion  of  Messrs.  Owen  and  Blakeway,  dis- 
playing as  it  does  a  series  of  armorial  bearings  of  the  royal  family,  and 
of  the  chief  nobility  of  Edward  the  Third's  time,  and  proving  that  the 
Tower  was  in  a  great  part  erected,  if  not  finished,  during  that  reign. 

The  battlements,   and   very  likely   the   pinnacles,   which   originally 
crowned  this  fine  old  Tower,  were  suffered  either  to  go  to  gradual  decay 
after  the  dissolution,  or  were  ruined  in  the  civil  war,  and  have  been 
meanly  repaired  with  brick-work. 

The  large  bell,  called  St.  Wenefrede's,  famed  for  its  fine  sound,  was 
preserved  long  after  the  dissolution,  as  the  chief  ornament  of  the  Abbey 
Tower,  It  was  broken  in  ringing  for  the  safe  return  of  Corbet  Kynaston, 
Esq.,  from  France,  in  1730.  Its  weight  was  3-5  cwt.  :  round  the  upper 
part  of  this  bell,  near  the  crown,  was  inscribed  : 

^ancta  DSpncfriba  6co  no^  comenDare  memento, 
iUt  pictate  ^ua  no.si  jScrbet  ab  ijoiStc  cruento. 

About  the  middle  was  the  following  Leonine  verse, 

protege,  pura,  pia,  quoiS  tonboco  fairgo  maria. 

There  is  now  a  deep-toned  peal  of  eight  bells  in  the  Tower.  On  the 
north  side  of  the  Church  is  a  lofty  and  handsome  Porch.  Its  portal  is 
formed  by  a  deeply  recessed  square  opening,  the  mouldings  of  which 
fall  over  the  angles  far  down  the  sides,  ending  in  busts,  now  mutilated. 
Within  this  is  a  graceful  pointed  arch,  rising  from  a  round  column  oft 
either  side.  Above  are  two  chamber  stories,  each  lighted  by  a  small 
window;  the  heads  nearly  flat,  and  divided  by  single  muUions;  on  the 
right  and  left  is  a  niche,  extending  the  whole  height  of  the  upper  stories. 
The  bold  embattled  gable,  unnecessarily  destroyed,  has  been  replaced 
by  an  ill-designed  square  parapet. 

The  eastern  termination  of  the  Church  is  formed  by  a  wall,  built  be- 
tween the  two  great  western  piers  of  the  central  Tower  of  the  ancient 
Church,  in  which  is  inserted  a  pointed  window,  with  muUions  selected 
from  the  ruins,  and  placed  in  it  with  more  care  than  has  been  bestowed 
CD  the  other  early  reparations. 

Although  barbarously  defaced,  and  curtailed  of  its  fair  proportions, 
the  interior  of  the  Church  has  still  much  of  that  solemn  dignity  which 
irresistibly  fills  the  mind  with  religious  awe,  to  the  excitement  of  which, 
ancient  Cathedral  and  Monastic  Churches  contribute  in  a  degree  so  far 
beyond  all  other  ecclesiastical  structures,  that  the  art  of  man  has  ever 
yet  produced. 


Diawnliy  JJlSeale . 


Z  tcJied  iy  J.  "Sn^e . 


S  I! 


-  S*  JtlackfrioKS  Jl^j.i 


THE    ABBEY    CHURCH,    SHREWSBURY,    SHROPSHIRE. 

PLATE  II.— VIEW  OF  THE  EAST  END,  INTERIOR. 

The  ancient  Nave  displays  five  arches  on  each  side ;  three  on  the 
eastern  portion  are  semicircular,  and  rest  on  short,  thick,  round  piers, 
having;  shallow  bases  and  filleted  capitals  in  the  plainest  and  earliest 
Anglo-Norman  style.  The  two  half  columns,  which  adjoin  the  great 
piers  of  the  central  Tower,  are,  like  them,  broken  into  a  cluster  of  mas- 
sive round  shafts  with  indented  capitals  :  above  these  are  the  remains 
of  the  triforium.  The  accommodation  for  the  parochial  duties  in  the 
Abbey  Church  are  highly  respectable.  The  Altar  stands  on  a  raised 
area,  beneath  the  eastern  wall,  on  which  is  a  wooden  screen  of  the  last 
century,  with  figures  of  Moses  and  Aaron  on  each  side  the  Decalogue, 
wretchedly  painted. 

Near  the  western  end  of  the  north  aisle  is  the  Font,  which  is  of  great 
antiquity,  and  once  belonged  to  the  ancient  Church  of  High  Ercal.  The 
pedestal  stands  upon  an  elevated  area,  paved  with  very  curious  ancient 
glazed  tiles,  some  of  which  were  found  on  the  spot  once  occupied  by  the 
Refectory  of  the  Abbey :  amongst  the  figures  are  a  Knight  on  horseback, 
arms  of  the  Talbots,  Fitz- Alans,  Mortimers,  &c. 

The  Tower  at  the  west  end  is  nearly  open  to  the  Nave,  divided  from 
it  by  a  lofty  and  beautiful  pointed  arch,  reaching  to  the  ceiling,  and 
springing  from  high  clustered  imposts;  the  whole  breadth  and  nearly 
height  of  the  western  front  of  the  Tower  is  occupied  by  the  great  window; 
the  glazing  of  this  window  was  restored  in  1814  to  its  original  beauty, 
chiefly  at  the  expense,  and  entirely  under  the  superintendence  of  the 
Rev.  William  Gorsuch  Rowland,  Curate  of  the  Parish;  the  series  of 
armorial  bearings  was  copied  from  a  sketch  made  by  Sandford  in  1658. 

Besides  the  above,  other  windows  of  the  Church  have  been  embellished 
with  painted  glass  by  the  indefatigable  exertions  of  the  same  benefactor. 
With  the  exception  of  a  few  old  shields  of  arms,  the  whole  was  executed 
by  Sir  John  Betton,  of  Shrewsbury,  and  his  partner,  Mr.  David  Evans. 

PLATE  III.— ANCIENT  JIONUJIENTS. 

Of  the  Monuments  in  this  Church,  the  oldest  is  that  of  Roger  de 
Montgomery,  Earl  of  Shrewsbury;  but  on  the  fall  of  St.  Chad's,  and  (he 
demolition  of  St.  Alkmund's  Church,  several  ancient  monuments,  which, 
from  their  size,  the  confined  system  of  modern  Church-buildings  could 
not,  or  from  their  antiquity,  the  fastidiousness  of  modern  Church-builders 
would  not,  admit  within  the  new  edifices,  found  an  asylum  within  the 
ample  side  aisles  of  the  Abbey  Church. 

The  oldest  of  these,  brought  from  St.  Chad's,  is  a  cumbent  figure,  repre- 
senting a  person  robed  to  the  feet,  with  a  coif  drawn  close  over  his  head, 
and  tied  under  his  chin,  which  possibly  may  be  the  efiigy  of  one  of  the 
judges  of  assize,  who  died  at  Shrewsbury  while  upon  the  circuit. 
5 


THE    ABBEY    CHURCH,    SHEEWSBURY,   SHROPSHIRE. 

A  fine  monument,  represented  in  our  plate,  was  removed  from  Welling- 
ton Church  in  1788,  and  stood  more  than  thirty  years  in  the  churchyard 
of  that  parish.  It  is  composed  of  alabaster,  and  contains  the  figures  of 
a  man  and  his  wife,  with  this  inscription : 

K^ic  jacct  in  tumba  rorpuiS  ©ill'mi  iJibarlton  armigcri,  ft 
^nnc  ilror  eju^,  que  quiDem  ginna  nbiit  ijii  Die  JBcnjii.a  '%mn 
gnno  ©'ni  iBillc'mo  ccccwiiii  et  bictujS  iDifl'm.^  obiit  p'mn 
Die  Mcn^i^  gjulii  ainno  ©'ni  .fiill'imo  tccccyliiii.  quorum 
animafa'  p'picietuc  ©eu.si. 

The  sides  of  this  monument  consist  of  a  series  of  five  canopied  niches, 
within  the  first,  at  the  head  of  the  Tomb  on  the  north  side,  is  an  angel 
holding  a  shield,  bearing  quarterly  1st  and  4th,  Or,  a  lion  rampant  gules, 
debruised  by  a  bend  argent,  Charlton.  2ud  and  3rd,  Gnles,  ten  bezants, 
Zouch.  Within  the  second  niche  is  a  friar  or  pilgrim.  In  the  centre 
compartment  are  two  angels,  bearing  a  shield.  Quarterly,  1st  and  4th, 
Charlton.  2nd.  Argent,  un  a  cheif  or,  a  raven  proper.  Horde.  3rd, 
Zouch.  The  fourth  niche  contains  another  friar,  and  towards  the  foot 
of  the  Monument  is  an  angel  bearing  the  arms  of  Horde  single. 

The  Monument,  of  which  the  head  only  is  seen  on  the  left  of  our 
plate,  formerly  stood  in  the  north  aisle  of  St.  Alkmund's,  and  was  trans- 
ferred to  the  Abbey,  and  repaired  at  the  expense  of  Sir  Thos.  T.  Jones, 
Bart.,  of  Stanley  Hall.  It  is  a  handsome  altar-tomb,  bearing  two 
cumbent  figures,  an  Alderman  in  his  Civic  robe,  and  a  Lady  in  a  scarlet 
gown,  and  the  following  inscription  at  the  head  : 

Gulielmus  Jones,  Aldermanus  Villas  Salopian,  et  ^lianora,  uxor  ejus,  jacent  sub 
hoc   monumento. 

Upon  the  south  side, 

Gulielmus  Jones,  obiit  15  Julii,  Anno  D'ni.  1612. 

On  the  north  side, 

iEleanora  Jones,  obiit  25  Feb.  1623. 

Arms,  1st  and  4th.  Argent,  a  lion  rampant  vert,  vvlncd  on  the  shoulder 
gules,  Jones.  2nd  and  3rd.  Or,  a  bend  gules,  Cottel.  Impaling  Quar- 
terly of  six.  I.  Sable,  three  Nags' Heads  erased  argent,  Owea.  2.  Vert, 
three  eagles  displayed  in  Jess,  or,  Owen  Gwynedd.  3.  Argent,  a  lion  ram- 
pant sable,  Madoc  ap  Meredith.  4.  Or,  a  lion  rampant  vert,  Santhe  Hardd. 
5.  Argent,  a  boars  head  covped proper.     6.  As  1. 

Over  the  head  of  this  tomb  in  our  plate,  is  seen  an  elegant  and  finely 
executed  mural  monument,  bearing  an  inscription  commencing  thus: 
M.  S.  Hcicjuxtajacet  Thomas  Rock,  Arm.  Vita  functus  Jan.  3%  Anno 
Max.  62.    Dom.  1078,  &c.,  &c. 


%ijt  C|)urtfj  ot  ^t  Jofjn  tf)e  Baptist, 

HALES  OWEN,  SHROPSHIRE ; 

VICAR, 
THE  REV.  G.  BIGGS. 


The  Parish  of  Hales  Owen,  which  is  extensive,  forms  a  portion  of  the 
Hundred  of  North  Bradford,  although  it  is  situated  about  thirteen  miles 
from  the  borders  of  the  County  of  Salop,  and  is  entirely  surrounded 
by  StaflFordshire  and  Worcestershire.  The  Manor  and  Advowson  were 
given  by  King  John  to  Peter  de  Rupibus,  Bishop  of  Winchester,  for 
a  Monastery,  which  was  founded  by  the  Bishop,  and  the  Manor  settled 
upon  it.  King  Henry  III.  confirmed  the  whole.  This  Abbey  was 
situated  not  far  from  hence,  the  remains  shew  it  to  have  been  a  magni- 
ficent structure.  The  Parish  is  now  a  Vicarage  in  the  patronage  of  Lord 
Lyttleton ;  its  Church,  a  truly  venerable  and  interesting  structure,  is 
very  spacious,  and  consists  of  a  Nave,  or  Body,  with  its  lateral  aisles, 
a  central  Tower,  containing  eight  bells,  surmounted  by  a  spire,  and  a 
large  Chancel.  The  entrance  at  the  west  end  of  the  Church,  as  well  as 
that  upon  the  south  side,  is  by  an  arch  in  the  Anglo-Norman  style; 
over  it,  on  the  west  front,  is  a  long  narrow  lancet-headed  window,  ap- 
parently of  the  lime  of  Henry  II. 

A  great  portion  of  the  building  is  evidently  of  very  early  structure  : 
the  columns  of  the  simplest  form,  supporting  arches  without  mouldings, 
a  proof  of  antiquity ;  some  parts  are  of  comparatively  modern  date,  but 
the  windows  having  pointed  arches  in  their  heads,  are  in  a  great  measure 
deprived  of  their  muUions,  and  a  very  few  fragments  of  the  painted 
glass  with  which  they  were  originally  adorned  have  been  suffered  to  re- 
main. The  arms  of  Lyttleton  appear  in  an  east  window,  viz.  Argent,  a 
chevron,  between  three  escallops,  sable.  Many  of  that  family  are  here  in- 
terred.    Some  ornaments  also  remain  in  one  of  the  north  windows. 

The  curious  Font  we  have  selected  for  illustration,  is  undoubtedly  of 
very  considerable  antiquity,  being  of  sutficient  magnitude  for  immersion, 
the  most  ancient  form  of  baptism,  which  prevailed  until  the  period  of  the 
Reformation. 

This  very  ancient  Font  is  elevated  on  a  broad  basement,  upon  which, 
in  the  centre,  is  a  circular  pedestal,  and  four  short  thick  columns,  sup- 
porting the  Bason,  or  Font,  itself,  which  is  octagonal,  that  is,  having 
four  larger  and  four  smaller  faces  on  its  sides ;  the  latter  have  been  or- 
namented with  whole-length  figures  boldly  sculptured,  which,  as  well  as 
the  principal,  or  larger  sides  of  the  font,  are  much  mutilated,  so  as  to 
render  it  extremely  ditiicult  for  the  artist  to  give  the  detail  in  his  repre- 
sentation, owing  to  the  ravages  of  time,  and  the  destruction  caused  by 
wantonness. 
1 


HALES    OWEN    CHURCH,    SHROPSHIRE. 

The  columns  which  support  the  Font  have  capitals  of  similar  form  to 
those  of  the  pillars  of  the  Body  of  the  Church  at  the  west  end,  and  upon 
the  whole  its  positive  antiquity  cannot  fail  to  render  it  an  object  of  great 
curiosity,  as  having  been  formed  to  assist  in  one  of  the  most  important 
rites  of  the  church  in  the  earliest  ages  of  Christianity  in  this  kingdom, 
independent  of  which  it  must  excite  attention  as  a  most  interesting  spe- 
cimen of  Anglo-Norman  sculpture,  a  remote  connexion  being  found  to 
exist  between  the  rude  ornaments  of  that  era,  and  the  refined  productions 
of  the  classical  ages  of  Rome  and  Greece. 

In  the  Chancel  of  this  Church,  within  the  rails  before  the  Altar,  is  a 
mural  monument  to  the  memory  of  a  pleasing  poet  and  essayist,  much 
admired  in  his  day,  which  bears  the  following  epitaph : 

William  Shenstone,  Esq., 
Obiit  11  Feb,  1763,  set.  48. 

Whoe'er  thou  art,  with  reverence  tread. 
These  sacred  mansions  of  the  dead ; 
Not  that  the  monumental  bust, 
Or  sumptuous  tomb,  here  guards  the  dust 
Of  rich  or  great :  let  wealth,  rank,  birth. 
Sleep  undistinguish'd  in  the  earth  ; 
This  simple  urn  records  a  name, 
WTiich  shines  with  more  exalted  fame. 

Reader,  if  genius,  taste  refined, 
A  native  elegance  of  mind. 
If  virtue,  science,  manly  sense. 
If  wit,  that  never  gave  offence. 
The  clearest  head,  the  tenderest  heart. 
In  thy  esteem,  e'er  claimed  a  part — 
Ah  !  smite  thy  breast,  and  drop  a  tear. 
For  know  thy  Shenstone^s  dust  lies  here, 
R.  G.  S.  and  J.  Hodgetts. 
A.  0.  P. 

Shenstone  was  interred  in  the  Churchyard,  where  a  slab  covers  his 
remains,  from  whence  is  a  very  fine  view  of  the  Leasowes,  a  place  cre- 
ated by  his  fancy,  and  raised  to  celebrity  by  his  genius  and  taste,  where 
he  long  resided,  but  which  has  been  much  neglected  since  his  death. 

In  the  Chancel  is  also  a  massive  marble  monument,  erected  by  Lady 
Jane  Halliday  to  the  memory  of  her  deceased  husband.  Major  Halliday, 
of  the  Leasowes ;  and  in  the  Churchyard  is  an  epitaph,  written  by  Shen- 
stone, upon  Miss  Anne  Powell,  of  this  town,  a  lovely  young  lady,  who 
was  killed  by  a  fall  from  her  horse. 

The  Parish  contains,  besides  the  Church,  Chapels  of  Ease  at  Cradley 
and  at  Oldbury  St.  Nicholas.  The  Town  has  also  a  free  Grammar 
School,  endowed  with  lands  to  the  amount  of  200/. ;  the  mastership  is  in 
the  gift  of  twenty  feoffees,  and  to  be  held  by  a  graduate  of  one  of  the 
universities. 


%f}t  Cijutcj)  oi  g)t.  ^tttx  anti  ^t.  ^aul, 

LAVENHAM,  SUFFOLK; 

RECTOR, 
THE  REVEREND  WILLIAM  OKES,  M.A. 


1  HE  town  of  Lavenham,  or  Laneham,  as  it  is  sometimes  called,  is  si- 
tu&.ted  in  Babergh  Hundred,  seven  miles  from  Sudbury,  on  the  banks 
of  the  Breton,  a  river  which  falls  into  the  Stour,  a  boundary  of  the  Coun- 
ties of  Suffolk  and  Essex.  It  is  nearly  surroundpd  by  hills,  except  on 
the  south;  and  on  an  eminence,  at  the  west  end  of  the  town,  stands  the 
Church,  generally  considered  the  handsomest  in  the  county ;  it  is  a  Rec- 
tory in  the  Deanery  of  Sudbury,  and  Diocese  of  Norwich  :  the  Living  is 
now  in  the  patronage  of  Caius  College,  Cambridge.  The  Rev.  James 
Buck,  the  late  much  esteemed  Rector,  died  20th  January,  1825,  when 
the  Rev.  William  Okes  of  Caius  College,  was  appointed  to  the  Living. 
The  Rev.  Frederick  Croker  is  the  Curate. 

The  architecture  of  this  beautiful  fabric  is  not  entirely  of  one  period, 
the  Chancel  being  much  older  than  the  other  more  ornamented  parts  of 
the  building,  and  is  probably  as  early  as  Edward  III.  The  magnifi- 
cent Tower  and  Body  of  the  Church  were  erected  iu  the  reign  of  Henry 
VII.,  the  most  fertile  sera  for  the  pious  appropriation  of  the  wealth  of 
the  country  towards  repairing  and  rebuilding  ecclesiastical  structures. 
This  Church,  like  many  others  of  the  same  period,  is  adorned  upon  the 
surface  of  the  exterior  with  the  armorial  cognizances  of  the  Founders,  the 
Veres,  Earls  of  Oxford,  and  Lords  of  the  Manor  from  the  Conquest;  the 
principal  part  of  the  building  was,  however,  erected  by  the  munificence 
of  the  family  of  Spring,  opulent  Clothiers,-  who  resided  here  for  more 
than  a  century ;  and  by  means  of  a  profitable  trade,  rose  in  prosperity 
sufficient  to  enable  them  to  intermarry  with  the  high  born  family  of  Vere, 
and  became  the  ancestors  of  Sir  William  Spring,  Baronet,  of  Pakenham 
Hall,  in  this  County.  The  arms  of  Spring  is  profusely  carved  upon 
many  parts  of  the  edifice,  and  the  mullet,  or  spur  rowel,  an  heraldic 
badge  of  the  Vere  family,  is  equally  conspicuous  in  the  numerous  orna- 
mental decorations. 
1 


THE  CHURCH  OF  ST.  PETER  AND  ST.  PAUL,    LAVENHAM,    SUFFOLK. 


PL.\TE  I.— GENERAL  MEW  OP  THE  CIR'RCH  FROM  THE  SOUTH-E-^ST. 

The  Church  consists  of  a  very  stately  Tower  at  the  west  end,  a  Nave 
peculiarly  light  and  elegant,  together  with  its  north  and  south  aisles, 
and  a  Chancel ;  on  each  side  of  the  latter  is  a  spacious  and  beautiful 
Chapel.  Beyond  the  ancient  Chancel  is  a  Vestry,  built  by  Thomas 
Spring,  the  father  of  Thomas  Spring,  who  erected  the  Tower.  The  total 
length  of  the  building  is  one  hundred  and  fifty-six  feet  six  inches,  princi- 
pally constructed  of  free-stone  beautifully  wrought. 

The  Nave  of  the  Church  rises  above  the  aisles,  sufficient  to  admit  of  a 
clerestory,  containing  a  range  of  twelve  Windows,  of  rich  workmanship 
and  elegant  form,  three  lights  in  each,  the  upper  part  being  subdivided  by 
muUions  into  six.  The  Windows  of  the  north  and  south  aisles  are  of 
much  larger  dimensions,  being  divided  in  the  middle  by  a  transom  ; 
each  containing  eight  principal  lights  or  bays,  and  pierced  with  quatre- 
foilsiu  the  upper  part,  under  the  point  of  the  arch,  which  is  of  the  flat  kind, 
in  general  use  during  the  age  of  Henry  VIT.  ;  these  were  undoubtedly 
filled  with  stained  glass,  veiy  little  of  which  now  remains.  Between  all 
the  lower  windows  are  ornamental  buttresses.  Both  the  nave  and  aisles 
are  surmounted  by  a  fascia,  or  string  course,  consisting  of  a  deep  ca- 
vetto,  charged  with  boldly  sculptured  heads  of  animals,  convolved 
leaves  of  flowers,  &c. ;  above  which  is  a  most  beautiful  and  elaborate 
open-worked  parapet,  entirely  concealing  the  lead-work  of  the  roof. 
Each  crest  or  croupe  of  the  battlement  is  pierced,  and  displays  within 
an  open  pointed  arch,  a  sculptured  flower,  or  strawberry  leaf,  while  the 
curiously-formed  quatrefoil  panels,  beneath  each  loop  or  embrasure, 
are  charged  with  shields  and  mullets  alternately.  On  the  south  side 
of  the  Church,  near  the  west  end,  is  the  elegant  Porch,  and  at  the 
south-east  corner  of  the  Nave  is  a  large  staircase  Turret  of  a  polygonal 
form,  crowned  with  a  lofty  pinnacle,  the  numerous  angles  of  which  are 
profusely  covered  with  crockets. 

On  each  side  of  the  Chancel  is  a  very  elegant  Chapel,  containing  three 
large  and  handsome  windows  on  the  side,  also  an  east  window,  having 
the  west  end  of  each  connected  with  tlie  aisles  by  an  open  arch.  The 
Chapel,  on  the  north  side,  bears  the  following  inscription  upon  the  ex- 
terior under  the  battlements,  ^imoni.ti  2?rancl]j  ct  'jrlijabctac  ujrori^ 
ijii.^  qui  igtam  CapEllam  fieri  fcccrunt. 

The  Chapel,  on  the  south  side  of  the  Church,  seen  in  our  View^ 
was  erected  by  Thomas  Spring,  called  the  Rich  Clothier  of  Lanehani, 
and  bears  an  inscription  in  the  same  characters.     (Orate  prO  anilll'ia 

CljnmsE  Spring  ct  illicit  uiori.^  cju.s,  qui  i.stam  CapcIIam  fieri  fc=^ 
ctrunt  anno  ©otn.  Jliillimo.  teat.  Wt^i^nno  qumto. 

2 


*        7 


# 


*■ 


rawn  tv  J,  Ulerde . 


IzAVEKHAM  CHTURC:-- 


Tax   TO"Wra*TOB2B 


-  S'-rj^  Sc  XJ^Ka^juUh-^iASf  Farr.  ■ 


THE  CHURCH  OF  ST.  PETER  AND  ST.  PAUL,   LAVENHAM,   SUFFOLK. 

Between  the  windows  of  the  Chapels  are  graduated  buttresses,  orna- 
mented with  niches  and  canopies ;  they  rise  to  the  summit  of  the  battle- 
ments, and  were  originally  crowned  with  pinnacles,  now  demolished  : 
there  is  aa  entrance  to  each  Chapel  beneath  the  centre  window.  The 
Chancel  extends  beyond  these  Chapels,  the  East  Window  of  which 
is  curious  in  the  disposition  of  its  mullious.  Farther  eastward,  behind 
the  Altar,  is  the  Vestry. 

PLATE  II.— VIEW  OF  THE  TOWER  AND  PORCH  ON  THE  SOUTH  SIDE. 

The  Tower  is  very  large  and  lofty,  imposing  in  its  appearance,  and 
much  admired  for  the  simplicity  and  chastity  of  its  design,  as  well  as 
for  its  excellent  workmanship.  It  is  constructed  with  boulder,  or  stones 
in  a  rough  state,  quoiued  and  ornamented  with  wrought  stone,  having 
on  the  west  front  an  arch  of  entrance,  and  over  it  a  fine  window. 

The  whole  is  of  most  excellent  masonry,  and  elegant  in  its  propor- 
tions. The  Tower  is  forty-two  feet  in  diameter,  and  one  hundred  and 
forty-one  feet  high,  and  there  can  be  no  doubt  but  that  its  height  was 
originally  increased  by  pinnacles  at  the  angles.  This  commanding  alti- 
tude creates'an  interest  in  the  building,  when  viewed  from  a  distance,  an 
effect  no  doubt  intended  by  the  architect.  It  was  raised  about  the  same 
period  as  the  much  better  known  Tower  of  Magdalen  College,  at  Ox- 
ford, founded  in  1492,  and  completed  in  1498;  but  partakes  more  of 
massive  grandeur  than  Magdalen  Tower.  The  lofty  structure  is  divided 
into  four  stories  of  unequal  height,  the  uppermost,  containing  six  bells,  is 
adorned  on  each  side  by  a  large  and  handsome  window.  At  the  angles 
of  the  Tower  are  square  turrets,  buttressed  in  the  centre  of  each  out- 
ward face ;  that  on  the  north-east  contains  a  winding  staircase  leading 
to  the  top.  The  turrets  and  buttresses  are  panelled  with  small  pointed 
arches,  the  mouldings  of  which  are  still  as  sharp  and  perfect  as  the  day 
they  were  sculptured ;  the  pinnacles  are  gone  from  the  summit,  but  a 
most  beautiful  and  curiously  worked  parapet  still  remains  to  attest  that 
much  ornament  was  bestowed  upon  the  parts  now  destroyed ;  above 
the  upper  fascia,  at  the  base  of  the  pinnacles,  are  shields  bearing  the 
arms  of  the  founder,  in  all  twenty-four.  Thomas  Spring,  the  rich  clothier, 
who  died  in  1510,  was  at  the  expense  of  its  erection. 

The  Porch,  on  the  south  side,  is  one  of  those  elaborate  specimens  of 
architectural  ornament  not  uncommon  to  the  aera  of  Henry  VII.,  the 
spandrils  of  the  arch  of  entrance  are  each  charged  with  a  boar,  the  cogni- 
zance of  the  Veres  ;  from  the  Latin  Verres,  adopted  as  a  quaint  play  upon 
the  name;  immediately  over  the  Arch  is  a  richly  sculptured  canopied 
niche,  now  deprived  of  its  statue  ;  three  compartments  on  each  side  this 
niche  are  filled  with  escocheons,  each  bearing  quartered  coats  of  the 
arms  of  the  family;  these  are  surmounted  by  a  curiously  enriched  parapet. 
3 


THE  CHURCH  OF  ST.  PETER  AND  ST.  PAUL,    LAVENHAM,    SUFFOLK. 

This  Porch  is  supposed  to  have  been  erected  by  the  munificence  of 
John  Vera,  the  fourteenth  Earl  of  Oxford  of  that  family. 

PLATE  III.— VIEW  OF  THE  INTERIOR,  LOOKING  ACROSS  THE  CHOIR. 

The  entire  length  of  the  body  of  the  Church  is  ninety-four  feet,  six  inches, 
and  its  width,  including  the  aisles,  is  sixty-eight  feet.  The  light  and 
elegant  Nave  is  separated  from  the  north  and  south  aisles  by  six  pointed 
arches,  about  twelve  feet  wide,  and  contains  a  double  range  of  pews  on 
each  side,  allowing  ample  space  for  an  approach.  There  are  no  galleries 
to  disfigure  the  beautiful  symmetry  of  the  building. 

The  fine  west  Window  was  originally  open  to  the  body  of  theChurch 
by  a  pointed  arch,  nearly  as  high  as  the  ceiling,  on  the  east  side  of  the 
tower;  this  was  filled  in  by  a  Doric  screen  during  the  late  reign.  The 
Font,  placed  against  the  first  pillar,  on  the  north  side  of  the  Nave,  is  of 
an  octagonal  form,  the  cover  is  apparently  of  the  age  of  Henry  VII.  open- 
ing with  doors  in  front  like  a  closet.  A  small  organ  has  been  placed  on 
the  south  side  of  the  Choir,  tasteless  in  its  design,  and  unconnected  with 
any  part  of  the  building.  There  are  entrances  to  the  Church  both  in  the 
north  and  south  aisles.  On  the  west  side  of  the  north  door  is  a  small 
muial  monument  inlaid  with  brass,  representing  a  shield  of  arms,  bear- 
ing a  cross,  with  figures  of  a  man  and  woman ;  from  the  mouth  of  the 
man  proceeds  a  label,  inscribed  with  these  words  : 

3fn  manuji  tua^  55Dmine  commcnDo  ^picitum  mcum. 

Underneath  the  figures  are  these  lines  : — 

Contynnalle  prayse  their  lynnes  in  brass, 

Of  AUayue  Dister  here  ; 
A  clothier  virtuous  while  he  was 

In  Lavenham  many  a  yeare. 
For  as  in  lyfe  he  loved  best 

The  Poore  to  clothe  and  feede, 
So  with  the  riche  and  all  the  rette 

He  neighbourlie  agreed  ; 
And  did  appoint  before  he  died 

A  special  yearly  rent, 
Which  should  be  every  Whitsontide 

Amongst  the  poorest  spent. 

KT    OBIIT    ANNO    DOMINI    1534. 

No  donation  is  now  made  to  the  poor,  in  consequence  of  this  benefac- 
tion, and  all  trace  of  its  source  is  lost  in  obscurity.  Above  the  North 
Door  is  a  small  mural  monument  of  black  and  white  marble, 

'lo  the  memory  of  Sarah,  the  wife  of  John  Syer,  Gent.,  of  this  parish,  who  died 
JMay  9,  1770,  a;t.  50. 

4    . 


^Y  ^  ri  ]di».  t',-''  ■'■    ■  '  ^  C  iil  V 

VIEW  LOOKIHG  ACROSS  THE    CHOTH. 


THE    CHURCH  OF  ST.  PETER  AND  ST.  PAUL,   LAVENHAM,    SUFFOLK. 

On  the  wall,  farther  eastward,  are  the  following  lines,  probably  paiuted 
soon  after  the  Restoration,  and  now  nearly  obliterated. 

Thou,  Lord,  who  from  the  Spanish  spoate, 

And  from  the  Powder  blast. 
And  from  the  former  sicknesse  stroake. 

And  from  this  newly  part. 
Hast  saved  us,  and  our,  and  thine, 

So  many  as  survive. 
Oh,  do  not  of  thy  grace  divine, 

Our  feeble  souls  deprive. 
Lord,  bless  the  Parliamentall  Courte, 

Upper  and  lower  House, 
And,  when  to  Counsell  they  resorte. 

In  them  remember  us. 
From  King  that  sits  upon  the  throne. 

To  begars  in  the  streete. 
Let  all  their  by'-past  sins  bemoan, 

Before  thy  mercy  seate. 
That  we  and  our  posterity 

Safe  hid  under  thy  wing. 
May  ever  of  thy  verity. 

And  saving  mercy  sing. 

The  Chancel,  or  Sanctuary,  in  which  the  Altar  is  placed,  is  divided 
from  the  nave  by  a  fine  open  screen,  under  which  are  some  ancient 
stalls.  The  arms  of  King  George  II.,  an  emblem  of  royal  supremacy, 
is  placed  over  the  screen.  The  Altar-piece  is  Doric,  very  plain,  andmade 
of  oak.  On  the  north  side  of  the  Altar  is  a  very  noble  monument  com- 
posed of  marble  and  alabaster;  to  the  memory  of  the  Rev.  Henry  Copin- 
ger,  with  sculptured  figures  of  the  Priest,  his  wife,  and  their  twelve 
children  ;  above  them,  are  represented  two  angels  bearing  scrolls,  on  one 
of  which  is  written,  Dilccli,  accipite  coronam  vitte ;  on  the  other,  Mortui, 
venite  ad  judicium.  Upon  the  cornice,  over  one  angel,  is  inscribed, 
Novissimus  lectus  sepulchrum ;  over  the  other,  Viventes  sequentur  mortuos. 
Upon  the  top  of  this  monument  are  two  escutcheons,  one  baron  and 
femme,  the  other  with  many  quarterings  ;  and,  upon  a  tablet,  on  the  left 
side,  is  this  inscription : 

SACRUM    MEMORI.B 

Henrici  Coppingeri  antiquissima  Coppingeroru' 
Familia,  in  agro  hoc  Suftbleiensi,  oriundi,  hujus 
Ecclesiae  per  quadraginta  et  quinque  annos  Pastoris 
Paciiici,  Fidelissimi,  et  Vigilantissimi, 
Monumentura  hoc,  amoris  et  pietatis  ergo, 
•    •  Delectissima  uxor  Anna,  Marito  optime 

Mercnti,  heu  invita  superstes,  moerens  posuit. 
Amans  Maritus,  prole  foecundus  pater, 
Sancti  pins  Pastor  gregis, 


THE  CHURCH  OF  ST.  PETER  AND  ST.  PAUL,   LAVENHAM,   SUFFOLK. 

Qui  sensa  dextre  codicis  docuit  sacri, 

Nam  voce  quam  vita  majus 
Qui  larga  abunde  pavit  indigos  mauu 

Securus  aanons  domi. 
Hie  plenus  aunis,  plenior  Deo  jacet 

Secum  polo  gregem  trahens 
Mutus  jacet ;  sed  lingua  quse  vivo  decus 
Vitam  paravit  mortuo. 

Upon  a  tablet,  on  the  right  side  of  the  monument,  is  this  inscription  : 

This  monument  was  erected  at  the  sole 
Costs  of  Miss  Anne  Copinger,  in  memory  of  her  deare 
Husband,  the  Rev.  Learned  and  Godly  Divine 
Mr.  Henry  Copinger, 
Fourth  Sonne  of  Henry  Copinger,  of  Buxhall,  in  this  county,  Esq. 
By  Agues,  his  wife,  daughter  to  Sir  Thomas  Jermine, 
Of  Rushbrooke  Hall,  Knight; 
The  painful  and  vigilant  Rector  of  this  Church, 
By  the  space. of  forty-five  years; 
Prebendary  of  the  Metropolitan  Church  of  St.  Peter's,  in  Yorke  ; 
,         Lord  of  the  Towne, 
And  Patron  of  the  Church  of  Buxhall  aforesaide,  who  marryed  Ann,  daughter 
to  Henry  Fisher  of  Linne,  in  Norfolk,  Gent.,  and  by  her  had  eight  sonnes  and 
four  daughters,  and,  after  he  had  lived  godly  seventy-two  yeares,  dyed  peace- 
ably the  21st  of  Decern.  Anno  1622. 

This  monument  of  Dr.  Henry  Copinger  was  new  beautified  Anno  Domini  1712, 
by  Mrs.  Judith  Brinkley,  daughter  of  Thomas  Burly,  Gent.,  and  Margaret,  his 
wife,  third  daughter  and  co-heir  of  Ambrose  Copinger,  D.  D.,  by  Judith,  his  wife, 
only  daughter  of  Roger  Keddington,  Gent.,  which  Ambrose  was  second  son  of 
the  said  Henry,  and  also  Rector  of  this  parish,  and  of  Buxhall,  where  he  was 
buried. 

JUSTORUM    MEMORIA    BENEDICETUR. 

On  a  black  marble  slab,  is  inscribed  : — 

Under  this  stone  are  deposited  the  remains  of  the  Rev.  John  Squire,  M.  A., 
thirty-three  years  Rector  of  this  parish.  He  departed  this  life  upon  the  24th  of 
October,  1763,  aged  sixty-three  years,  and  also  of  Ann  Squire,  his  widow,  who 
died  upon  the  27th  of  February,  1779,  aged  sixty-seven  years  :  and  near  this  sjfot, 
are  interred  five  of  their  children. 

In  the  middle  of  the  Chancel,  on  a  flat  stone,  inlaid  with  brass,  before 
the  Altar,  is  the  figure  of  an  infant,  and  the  following  inscription  : 
Immatura  Morte,  nisi  quod  a  Deo  Opt.  Max.  ita  decretum,  ex  misera  hac  vita 
ereptus,  die  9  Julii,  diebus  e  nativitate  decern,  a  baptismo  quatuor,  Clopton 
D'Ewes  Armiger,  filius  et  hicres  apparens  Simonis  D'Ewes  equitis  Aurati,  et  do- 
minae  AnnaB  conjugis  su»  filia;  unica;  et  haeredis  Gulielmi  Clopton  militis ; 
beatam  cujus  animam,  fide  mediis  sibi  ipsi  optime  cognitis,  imbutam,  aaternus, 
ut  confidetur,  misericordiarum  pater  inter  beatara  sanctorum  chorum  in  coelos 
elocavit. 

Sir  Symonds  D'Ewes  was  then  Lord  of  the  Manor  of  Lavenham,  it 
having  been  alienated  to  that  family,  by  Edward,  Earl  of  Oxford,  in 
6 


Iiiavm  toy  J-  P-S  sale 


.n^iavtajjy  J.l-e^e^'s; 


BX-^s-S  T^  AT.C1MI  K-"  3IIOKSI»S    TO   tBI  TA5.1XT  OT    «»=■». 

StTFrOLK- 


Jj,„dm.liJ,Ji^Z2S!S.iyS£X,aUJi£omMSI£U-^*ir!^sll0l-^. 


THE  CHURCH  OF  ST.  PETER  AND  ST.  PAUL,    LAVENHAM,   SUFFOLK. 

the  reign  of  Elizabeth.   Richard  Moore,  Esq.,  of  Kentwell  Hall,  is  now 
the  possessor  of  the  Manor. 

In  the  Vestry,  situated  behind  the  Chancel,  is  an  ancient  tombstone, 
covering  the  remains  of  the  pious  founder  of  this  part  of  the  Church ; 
above  it  is  a  mural  monument  inlaid  with  figures  in  brass,  of  Thomas 
Spring,  bis  wife,  and  ten  children  :  over  their  heads  is  the  following  in- 
sc.ip'.ion  : 

<©cate  pro  animafau.si  Cljomte  Spring  qui  Jjoc  '^.e.^tibulum 
fieri  fecit  in  bita  ^ua,  ct  ^^argarita:  uroriiS  cju.^  qui  quiDem 
€|)omasi  obiit  jjicptimo  Die  mcn.si.b'  .^eptcmbrii^,  !sl.  ©.  XWb 

Ic^imo  cccclvvvbi.  ct  prarOicta  .JBacgarita  obiit, Oie 

at.  ©.  .IBilIesiimo  cccc[j:,lt.  <!lluorum  animabu.^  propitietur 
OEUiS.    Slmcn. 

PLATE  IV.— THE  ANCIENT  PEW  BELONGING  TO  THE  FAMILY  OF  SPRING 
AT  THE  EAST  END  OF  THE  NORTH  AISLE. 

Pews  were  not  used  as  a  general  accommodation  in  Churches  be- 
fore the  reformation  of  religion,  and  we  find  that  it  was  decreed  in 
a  synod  in  the  diocese  of  Exeter,  1284,  13  Edw.  I.,  that,  with  an  ex- 
ception of  uoble  persons  and  patrons,  no  one  should  in  future  claim  any 
seat;  but,  whoever  first  entered  a  Church  for  the  purpose  of  devotion, 
might  chuse  at  his  pleasure,  a  place  for  praying — vide  Archaologia, 
vol.  xii. 

This  splendid  Pew  appears  to  have  been  erected  in  the  reign  of 
Henry  VIII.,  a  few  years  previous  to  the  Reformation.  It  is  of  an  ob- 
long form,  enclosing  a  space  of  about  fifteen  feet  in  length,  by  eight  feet 
in  width,  built  entirely  of  oak,  and  never  was  painted;  indeed,  the 
workmanship  is  so  elaborate,  that  it  could  not  require  the  farther  enrich- 
ment of  colour  and  gilding. 

The  design  of  the  ornamental  part  is  quite  in  the  Tudor  style  ;  the 
pierced  work,  over  the  open  arches,  which  surround  it,  being  decorated 
with  the  arms  of  the  family  of  Spring,  a  chevron  between  three  mascles. 
At  each  angle  of  the  closure  is  a  large  pillar,  or  turret,  decorated  with 
small  niches,  pedestals,  and  canopies,  somewhat  in  the  manner  of  the 
screen  to  Henry  the  Seventh's  tomb  at  Westminster ;  largo  pillars  also 
divide  the  front  and  ends  into  principal  compartments,  which  are  again 
subdivided  by  smaller  twisted  and  reticulated  columns,  the  upper  parts 
of  the  double  arches  filled  with  complicated  tracery  and  arms ;  the 
whole  is  surmounted  by  a  series  of  projecting  Canopies  rising  in  a  num- 
ber of  small  pinnacles,  the  groining  of  which  is  curiously  formed  of  the 
most  delicate  carving ;  the  entire  work  is  executed  with  very  great 
freedom  and  boldness.  The  lower  part  of  the  Pew  is  panelled,  with- 
out much  carved  ornament. 
7 


THE  CHURCH  OF  ST.  PETER  AND  ST.  PAUL,    LAVENHAM,    SUFFOLK. 

A  similar  Pew  on  the  corresponding  site  in  the  south  Aisle  was 
erected  for  the  Earl  of  Oxford's  family,  the  ornamental  parts  of  which 
have  suffered  from  the  effects  of  time  and  wantonness. 

The  rafted  roof  of  the  Nave  and  Aisles  is  curious,  the  girders  are 
carved  in  foliage,  and  spring  from  tasteful  corbels,  representing  figures  ; 
the  capitals  of  the  columns,  from  which  the  arches  spring,  are  delicately 
sculptured  in  form  of  ducal  coronets  rising  in  strawberry  leaves. 

The  Chancel  Screen  and  its  ancient  roof  are  also  seen  in  the  plate ;  the 
latter  is  supported  by  cantilevers,  but  is  not  particularly  enriched.  The 
Screen  is  very  handsome,  consisting  of  a  series  of  open  arches  em- 
bellished with  crockets,  the  spandrils  filled  in  with  light  pierced  work, 
rich  and  various  in  its  design,  each  exhibiting  a  different  pattern  in  the 
curvature  of  the  tracery.  Other  funeral  monuments  in  the  Church,  not 
previously  described,  are 

Margarite 

Uxoris  observantissimjE 

Thomse  Denny  de  Lavenham 

In  comitatu  Suffolciffi  generosi. 

Quae  senio  fracta,  fatis  concessit 

Et  hie  tandem  requiescit 

In  pace. 

iEternam  ardenti  pietate 

Anhelavit  coronam 

Et  gratissimo  melioris  vita;  intuitu  freta 

Leta  dolorum  transivit  metam 

„    .     ..     .        (  JEts:  Christi  MDCCXX. 
Pnmo  die  Jumi,  Anno  ?  ivvttti 

(  Atatis  sua2  LXXvlil. 

Virtus  epitaphium  marmore 

Perennius. 

Here  also  lieth  the  body  of  Thos.  Denny,  Gent. 

Who  departed  this  life  March  9,  1716, 

Aged  78  Years. 

The  following  is  to  the  memory  of  Thomas  Sroythers,  Master  of  the 
Grammar  School  in  this  town  : 

H.  S.  E.  Reverendus  Thomas  Smythies,  A.  M.  Colcestria;  natus  et  educatus 
CoUegii  Sedneiensis  Cantab,  postea  socius.  Schola;  in  hac  villa  Grammaticalis, 
demum  moderator  felicis  ipse  ingemii  puerorura  ingenia  feliciter  excoluit  Ob.  sexto 
die  Novembris,  Anno  Salutis,  1746,  astatis  40. 

S.  M.  Maiite  uxoris  dilectissimse  et  optime  merentis  Thomae  Steward  filia;  natu 
maxima;  Joshua;  Gregsby  de  Burgo  Sancti  I'.dmundi  Armigeri,  cujus  virtutibus 
coniux  vere  ma-rens  heu!  Invitus  superstes  hoc  marraor  ex  amore  suo  dedicavit. 
Invaletudine  multos  per  annos  afflicta  fuit ;  doloris  maxime  acutos  animi  fortitu- 
dine  rara  et  sincera  pietate  sustinuit ;  tandem  fractis  viribus  summa  resignatione 
divinte  voluntati  submisit.  —  Vitje  bene  acta;  recordatione  laeta,  Et  futura  spe 
plena,  Animam  deo  reddidit,  die  tertio  Octobris,  1758,  anno  aetatis  34.  Hie 
etiam  sepulti  jacent  tres  filii  et  tres  filiae  Thorns  Steward  et  Maris  uxoris  ejus. 


fiSBTT 


M 


^t  JHargaret'S  Cfjtircf), 

LOWESTOFFE,   SUFFOLK; 

VICAR, 
REV.  RICHARD  LOCKWOOD. 


LowestCffe  is  situated  on  the  most  eastern  point  of  land  in  England, 
upon  an  eminence,  commanding  an  extensive  prospect  of  the  German 
Ocean,  and  -when  beheld  from  the  sea  has  the  noblest  and  most  beautiful 
appearance  of  any  place  on  the  coast,  between  Newcastle  and  London. 

The  Church,  built  of  flint  and  stone,  stands  about  half  a  mile  west  of 
the  town,  at  a  secure  distance  from  the  incursion  of  the  sea;  the  present 
edifice  is  supposed  to  have  been  erected  prior  to  1365,  and  is  kept  in 
repair  by  lands  belonging  to  it,  consisting  of  above  90  acres,  together 
with  several  tenements,  which  are  let  by  auction,  in  the  presence  of  the 
Minister  and  Churchwardens,  every  seven  years.  The  whole  building, 
from  west  to  east,  is  182  feet  long,  47  wide,  and  43  feet  high.  The 
height  of  the  Tower,  including  the  Spire,  which  is  50  feet,  is  120  feet. 

The  View  selected  for  the  illustration  of  this  edifice  is  taken  from  the 
south-east.  The  series  of  windows  on  the  south  are  divided  by  muUions, 
which  form  in  the  upper  parts  delicate  tracery ;  the  east  window  is  also 
admired  for  the  handsome  distribution  of  trefod-headed  arches,  of  which 
the  lights  are  composed.  And  the  buttresses  are  faced  with  architectu- 
ral ornaments  of  flint  and  stone,  curiously  fabricated,  in  a  method  pecu- 
liar to  this  county  and  Norfolk. 

A  Porch,  on  the  south  side,  forms  the  principal  entrance  to  the 
Church ;  over  it  is  a  room,  called  the  Maids'  Chamber,  after  a  tradi- 
tion that  two  maiden  sisters  retired  to  it,  for  the  purpose  of  rehgious 
seclusion.  It  is  farther  reported,  that  these  sisters,  whose  names  were 
Elizabeth  and  Katharine,  caused  two  wells,  between  the  Church  and  the 
Town,  to  be  dug  at  their  own  expense,  for  the  benefit  of  the  inhabitants, 
and  that  the  name  of  Basket  Wells  is  a  corruption  of  Bess  and  Kate. 

On  the  ceiling  of  the  Porch  is  a  carved  Boss,  representing  the  Trinity, 
also  two  shields,  charged  M'ith  the  emblems  of  the  Redemption. 

The  Nave,  or  Body  of  the  Church,  is  separated  from  the  side  Aisles 
by  lofty  handsome  pillars,  and  receives  additional  light  from  a  clerestory 
admitting  eight  windows  on  each  side.  At  the  entrance  of  the  Chancel 
was  formerly  a  Rood-loft,  the  ascent  to  which  was  discovered  a  few 
■  years  since  by  the  accidental  falling  of  some  stones  from  one  of  the  but- 
tresses on  the  south  side  of  the  Nave. 
1 


ST.    MARGARETS    CHURCH,    LOWESTOFFE. 

The  Chancel  is  remarkably  elegant,  no  expense  having  been  spared 
in  restoring  it  to  its  pristine  beauty.  The  East  Window  was  painted  and 
presented  to  the  Ciiurch  by  Mr.  Robert  Allen  of  this  town.  Beneath  a 
large  marble  slab,  in  the  middle  of  the  floor,  is  interred  Thomas  Scroope, 
Bishop  of  Dromore,  in  Ireland,  and  Vicar  of  this  parish,  who  died  here 
January  16,  1491.  The  bishop  was  descended  from  the  noble  family 
of  Scroope,  and  was  otherwise  named  Bradley,  from  the  place  of  his 
birth,  he  was  instituted  to  this  Vicarage  in  1478,  and  died  at  the  age 
of  very  little  less  than  100  years.  The  brass,  which  was  intended  to 
perpetuate  his  resemblance,  is  nearly  all  destroyed  and  taken  away. 

In  the  Chancel  is  also  interred  the  Hon.  James  Howard,  youngest 
son  of  Thomas,  Earl  of  Berkshire,  who  died  a;t.  23,  on  the  7th  of  June, 
166.5,  of  the  wounds  he  "received  the  preceding  day  in  the  sea-fight  with 
the  Dutch  off  this  town. 

On  the  first  step  of  the  Chancel,  on  a  white  marble  stone,  is  an  inscrip- 
tion for  the  Rev.  John  Tanner,  fifty-one  years  vicar  of  LowestofTe,  and 
brother  of  Dr.  Thomas  Tanner,  bishop  of  St.  Asaph,  author  of  the 
"  Notitia  Monastica  ;"  he  died  2'2d  Dec.  1759,  aet.  75.  The  Chancel  was 
repaired,  and  the  Nave  of  the  Church  was  paved  by  him.  The  Organ 
was  set  up  in  1778. 

At  the  west  end  of  the  Nave  is  a  lofty  narrow  arch,  supposed  to  have 
been  originally  used  as  the  Penitent's  Porch,  agreeably  to  the  custom  of 
the  ancient  church.  The  Font  is  particularly  curious,  but  has  been  much 
defaced  ;  several  figures  of  saints,  wth  which  it  had  been  adorned,  were 
damaged,  under  an  ordinance  of  the  Long  Parliament,  in  1644.  There  is  an 
ascent  of  three  steps  to  it,  the  uppermost  of  which  formerly  bore  an  in- 
scription, but  it  is  now  illegible.  In  the  south  Aisle  are  Monuments  to 
Thomas  Annot,  who  founded  the  Grammar  School  here  in  1570  ;  to  Rear 
Admiral  Usher,  ob.  1GG9  ;  John,  his  eldest  son,  ob.  1065 ;  to  Robert  his 
second  son,  ob.  1099,  set.  50;  Admiral  Sir  John  Ashby,  who  was  en. 
gaged  in  the  battles  at  Bautry  Bay,  Beachy  Head,  in  1689,  and  Cape 
la  Hogue,  in  1092,  he  died  12th  July,  1693 ;  another  of  his  nephew.  Vice 
Admiral  James  Mighells,  who  died  21st  March,  1733,  tet.  69;  and  a 
memorial  of  Captain  Thomas  Arnold,  who  died  31st  Auff.  1737,  aet.  58. 

In  the  Churchyard  is  interred  the  remains  of  the  Rev.  Robert  Potter, 
A.  IM.  Vicar  of  Lowestofte  and  Kessingland,  and  also  a  Prebendary  of 
Norwich,  who  died  the  8th  of  August,  1804,  a;t.  83.  The  literary  world 
is  indebted  to  him  for  the  best  poetical  versions  of  iEschvlus,  published  in 
1777,  Euripides  in  1781,  aud  of  Sophocles  in  1788.  A  plain  table  monu- 
ment to  his  memory  is  placed  against  the  north  wall  of  the  Chancel.  There 
is  also  in  the  Churchyard  a  handsome  pyramidal  Monument  to  the 
memory  of  John  Barker,  Esq.,  one  of  the  elder  Brethren  of  the  Trinity 
House,  who  was  a  great  benefactor  to  this  his  native  town ;  he  died 
Nov.  1,  1787,  xt.  80,  and  was  here  interred  with  great  funeral  pomp. 


*^ 


MELFORD,  SUFFOLK; 

RECTOR, 
THE  REV.  B.  FRANCIS,  M.  A. 


The  Town  of  Melfoid  is  situated  in  the  Hundred  of  Babergh,  four 
miles  from  Sudbury,  its  Church,  a  most  exquisite  specimen  of  architec- 
ture in  Edward  the  Fourth's  reign,  stands  upon  a  rising  ground  at  the 
northern  extremity  of  the  Town,  on  the  west  side  of  the  road  to  Bury. 
Formerly  the  Church  belonged  to  the  richly  endowed  Abbey  of  St. 
Edmund  at  that  place,  when  the  Abbot  occasionally  resided  at  Mel- 
ford  Hall,  on  the  east  side  of  the  Green,  which  Seat,  together  with  the 
advowson  of  the  Church,  after  the  Dissolution,  were  granted  to  Sir  Wil- 
liam Cordell,  Knight.  From  a  series  of  authentic  and  curious  manu- 
scripts, now  in  the  possession  of  the  Rev.  William  Tylney  Spurdens,  of 
North  Walsham,  in  Norfolk,  and  most  obligingly  communicated,  we  are 
happy  to  be  enabled  to  lay  before  our  readers  a  very  particular  account 
of  this  interesting  edifice  in  its  former  state.  The  first  MS.  we  transcribe 
is  dated  August,  1688,  and  appears  to  have  been  written  by  the  Rector 
of  the  Church  at  that  period. 

"  Much  about  the  middle  of  the  Parish  of  Melford,  al's  Long  Mel- 
ford,  in  Suffolk,  upon  an  Hill,  most  pleasant  for  air  and  prospect, 
there  standeth  a  large  and  beautiful  Church  called  Trinity  Church, 
because  dedicated  to  the  Holy  and  undivided  Trinity."  "  It  hath  3 
lies,  w'^''  from  the  North  wall  to  the  South  wall,  contain  together  iu 
breadth,  61  feet  6  inches.  Part  of  it  was  of  an  old  erection,  viz.  the 
whole  North  He,  the  Steeple,  a  great  part  of  the  Porch  and  p'haps 
the  East  end  of  the  South  He.  All  the  other  parts  are  of  a  much 
later  erection,  as  by  the  different  sort  of  building,  &  the  several  In- 
scriptions still  extant,  in  and  about  the  said  Church,  may  most  evi- 
dently appear."  "  The  Middle  Tie,  viz.  from  the  Steeple,  exclusive,  to 
the  East  end  of  the  Chancell,  hath  one  entire  advanced  Roofe,  in  length, 
152  feet  and  6  inches  ;  distant  from  the  pavement  beneath,  41  feet  and 
e  inches,  supported  on  each  side  with  ten  arched  Pillars,  separating  the 
said  Middle  He  from  the  2  other  lies,  which  are  in  height  24  feet,  and 
in  length  135  feet  and  4  inches. 
1 


TRINITY    CHURCH,    MELFORD,   SUFFOLK, 

"The Pious  Benefactours,  concerned  in  the  building  the  advanced  He 
may  be  known,  and,  let  their  memories  never  perish,  by  the  Inscriptions 
under  the  Battlements,  without  the  Church,  and  by  like  Inscriptions  in 
the  windows,  undemolished,  within  the  Church. 

"  From  the  Inscriptions  under  y'  Battlements  of  y'  advanced  He  with- 
out y'  Church,  beginning  on  the  North  side  :  and  here,  John  Clopton, 
Esqr.  worthily  deserves  to  have  his  memory  preserved,  a  zealous  & 
eminent  promoter  of  the  new  erection.  "  He  built  the  four  first  pillars 
and  arches  on  the  North  side,  counting  from  East  to  West,  whereof  one 
of  y"  is  in  y"  Nave  of  the  Church,  tho'  his  name  be  now  obliterated,  & 
by  time  &  weather  qxiite  eaten  out."  "  Though  y'  afores''  Inscription  be 
now  obliterated,  yet  several  persons  have  read  the  same,  y'  obliteration 
being  but  of  very  late  date,  and  in  particular,  the  present  Rector  of  y' 
Church,  who  hereby  sacredly  and  solemnly  affirms  that  y'  merit  of  the 
action  was  ascribed  to  one  or  more  of  y^  family  of  y'=  Cloptons,  and,  as 
he  remembreth  and  verily  believeth,  to  John  Clopton,  in  memory  and  good 
of  him,  his  wife,  his  children,  and  his  ancestors.  Nay,  to  this  very  day, 
though  y"  rest  be  obliterated  and  worn  out  ....  tOn  is  plain  to 
be  espyed  w*^""  insinuates  y'  Clopton  was  y"  Benefactor  for  y"^  building 
of  those  arches  and  pillars.  After  him,  this  Inscription  follows  :  Pray 
for  the  Soul  of  Rob'  Sparrow,  and  Marion  his  wife,  &  for  Thomas 
Cooper,  &  Margaret  his  wife,  of  whose  goods,  Mr.  Gyles  Dent,  John 
Clopton,  John  Smith,  and  Roger  Smith,  with  the  help  of  the  well  dispo- 
sed men  of  this  town,  did  these  6  arches  new  rear  Anno  D'ni  MCCCC 
....  &  1°.  "  Whereas  y'  full  account  of  the  Annus  D'ni  be  defaced, 
yet  by  reason  of  y"^  mention  of  Giles  Dent  in  the  Inscription  and  y'^  1° 
at  y''  end  of  y"  said  account,  it  is,  ought,  and  can  be  no  otherwise  y" 
Anno  D'ni  1481,  for  Mr.  Giles  Dent  was  instituted  into  y'  Rectory  of 
MelfordlS  Aprilis,  1474;  he  made  his  will  19  April,  1484,  nominating 
Rob'  Cutler  and  Thomas  Ellis  his  executors,  and  John  Clopton  his  su- 
pervisor :  on  July  y*  7th,  following,  he  adds  a  Codicil  to  it,  bequeath- 
ing all  y"  grain  of  his  Glebe,  and  his  Tithes,  to  be  disposed  of  in  cha- 
ritable uses.  Thomas  Aleyn,ars  Carver,  his  successor,  was  instituted  14 
Sept.  1484,  into  y'^  said  Parsonage,  and  therefore  there  being  1°  to  end 
y'  Annus  wherein  y^  North  side  of  that  advanced  He  vias  finished,  it 
could  be  no  other,  as  before  is  hinted,  thau  y'  Annus  D'ni  1481. 

"  From  y"  Inscriptions  under  y"^  Battlements  of  y'  s''  advanced  Isle  on 
y'  South  side  beginning  at  y'  West  end,  by  y''  Steeple,  \v'^  are  as  fol- 
lowcth :  Pray  for  y"  Souls  of  Roger  Moryel,  Margaret  and  Katha- 
rine his  wives,  of  whose  goods  the  said  Katharine,  John  Clopton,  Mas- 
ter William  Twaitys,  and  John  Smith,  did  these  0  arches  new  rear,  and 
did  make  the  pavement,  there  away.  Anno  D'ni  Millesimo  Quadringente- 
simo  primo.  Pray  for  y"  Soul  of  Thomas  Couper,  that  did  this  Arch 
rear.  Pray  for  y'  Soul  of  Lawrence  Martin,  and  Marion  his  wife,  and 


ili|iyfpyiti;i 


TRINITY   CHURCH,   MELFORD,    SUFFOLK. 

for  Richard  Martin,  and  Elizabeth,  and  Joan,  his  wives,  of  whose  goods 
these  Arches,  in  Chancel,  reared  Anno  D'ni  M.CCCCLl. 

"  From  the  Inscriptions  under  the  Battlements  of  the  South  Isle  with- 
out, from  the  Steeple  to  the  Porch  :  Pray  for  y'  Soul  of  Master  Giles 
Dent,  late  Parson  of  Melford,  of  whose  goods,  John  Clopton,  Robert 
Coteler,  and  Thomas  Elys,  did  this  Arch  make  and  glase,  and  the  Roofe 
over  y"=  Porch.  Pray  for  y' Soul  of  William  Clopton,  Margery  Clopton 
his  wife,  and  for  the  Soul  of  Alice  Clopton,  and  for  John  Clopton,  and 
for  all  those  Souls  that  y"  said  John  is  bound  to  pray  for. 

"  From  the  Porch  to  y'^  East  end  of  y'  said  South  Isle,  as  also  at  the 
East  end  thereof:  Pray  for  y'  Soul  of  Roger  Moryel,  of  whose  goods 
this  Arch  was  made.  Pray  for  y''  Soul  of  John  Keek,  and  for  his  Fader 
and  Moder,  of  whose  goods  this  Arch  was  made.  Pray  for  y'  Soul  of 
Thomas  Elys,  and  Joan  his  wife,  and  for  the  good  speed  of  Joan  Elys, 
makers  hereof.  Pray  for  y"  Soul  of  John  Pye,  and  Alice  his  wife,  of 
whose  goods  this  Arch  was  made,  and  these  twayn  windows  glased. 
Pray  for  y'  Soul  of  John  Dyst,  and  Alice,  and  for  y'  good  speed  of  Johu 
Dyst,  and  Christopher,  makers  hereof.  Pray  for  the  Souls  of  Law- 
rence Martin,  and  Marion  his  wife,  and  Elizabeth  Martin,  and  Joan, 
and  for  y'  good  estate  of  Richard  Martin  and  Roger  Martin,  and  their 

wives,  and  all  y"  children  of this  Isle  was 

made  Anno  D'ni  MiUesimo  CCCC"  LXXX°  &  IIII". 

"  The  Inscription  round  y'^  Chappel,  called  our  Lady's  Chappel :  Pray 
for  y°  Soul  of  John  Hill,  and  for  y' Soul  of  John  Clopton,  Esqrs.;  and  Pray 
for  the  Soul  of  John  Loveday  Butler,  w"' John  Clopton ;  of  whose  goods 
this  Chappel  is  imbaylished  by  his  executors.  Pray  for  y^  Soul  of 
William  Clopton,  Esqr.  Margery,  and  Margeiy,  his  wives,  and  for  all 
their  parents  and  children,  and  for  the  Soul  of  Alice  Clopton,  aud  for 
John  Clopton,  and  for  all  his  children,  and  for  y'  Souls  y'  the  said 
Johu  is  bound  to  pray  for,  which  did  this  Chappel  new  rear.  Anno  D'ni 
M  CCCC  LXXXX  HI.  Christus  sit  testis  haec  me  non  exhibuisse  ut 
merear  laudes,  sed  ut  Spiritus  memoretur.  Roger  Smith  &  Robert 
Smith." 

The  next  MS.  appears  to  be  of  tlie  same  date,  and  handwriting,  as 
the  former,  and  is  entitled, 

"  Benefactors,  as  by  the  Inscriptions  in  the  windows,  uudemolished, 
within  the  Church  of  Melford. 

"  The  East  window,  celebrated  formerly  for  its  Imagery,  and  painted 
glass,  hath  nothing  in  it  now  but  white  glass,  as  likewise  the  first 
window  on  the  Sputh  side  of  the  Church,  from  the  East,  lyeth  under 
the  same  defacement. 

"  The  Second  window,  on  the  same  side,  hath  at  the  very  top,  in  one 
light,  3).  ^-  M>.  '•  e.  Jesus  horn'  Salvator,  and  in  another  JJJ.  i.  e.  Maria, 
under  the  aforesaid  lesser  lights,  in  the  upper  part  of  the  said  window, 


,  TRINITY    CHURCH,    MELFORD,   SUFFOLK. 

in  the  first  pane  thereof,  nothing  but  white  glass.  In  the  other  two 
panes  thereof,  2  Kings  w"'  crowns  on  their  heads,  incircled  with  glory, 
liaving  globes  in  their  hands.  In  the  lower  part  of  the  said  window 
nothing  but  white  glass. 

The  Third  window,  on  the  very  top  of  it,  hath  5l'  ^-  ^-  'o  another 
light,  .flicrcp-  In  the  next  light  thereunto,  the  Martin's  clothmark,  which 
is  a  Globe,  with  a  cross,  and  streamer  on  the  top,  with  Jt.  on  the  one 
side,  and  JEl.  on  the  other,  and  in  the  next  light  .Hi.  pro  Maria,  ut  prius.  In 
the  upper  part  of  the  window,  beneath  these  lights,  there  are  3  Imageries, 
all  in  glory,  the  middle  whereof  is  supposed  to  be  the  Blessed  Virgin,  and 
all  of  them  encompassed  with  flower  de  luces ;  the  first  whereof  hath 
a  sword  in  his  right  hand,  and  a  book  in  his  left;  the  other,  a  long 
and  profuse  beard :    all  three  sitting  iu  chairs,  as  at  rest,  iu  glory. 

The  Fourth  window,  on  the  very  top  of  it,  hath  in  one  light  ^i- 1^-  <€>•  iu 
another  light,  JJicrcp,  in  another  jfti.  ut  prius.  In  the  upper  part  of  the 
said  window,  beneath  these  lights,  there  are  3  Imageries,  in  glory,  in  each 
pane,  one,  sitting  in  their  chairs,  as  at  rest,  the  3rd  whereof  hath  a 
black  cap  on  his  head,  a  blue  wardrobe,  and  seemingly  2  pencils  in  his 
hands.  In  the  3  panes,  of  the  lower  part  of  the  said  window,  nothing 
but  white  glass. 

"  The  Fifth  window  hath  on  the  top  of  it,  in  the  lesser  lights  ^i-  ^-  <f>7 
JlJctCp,  iS.  JjU.  with  his  clothmark,  and  JJi.  pro  Maria,  ut  prius.  In  the 
upper  part,  of  the  said  window,  beneath  these  3  lights,  an  Abbot,  or 
Bishop,  in  the  first  pane  thereof,  with  a  mitre  on  his  head,  a  Pope,  with 
his  triple  Crown,  in  the  second,  a  Cardinal,  with  his  hat  and  scarlet,  in 
the  next,  all  encircled  with  glory,  and  sitting  iu  chairs,  as  at  rest.  In  the 
lower  part  of  the  said  window,  and  in  the  first  pane  thereof,  a  Priest,  as 
is  supposed,  with  the  Tabernacle  in  his  hand,  in  the  second  pane,  Mary 
Magdalene,  with  her  hair  disshevel'd  &  her  box  of  spikenard  in  her  hand. 
In  the  3rd  pane,  the  Imagery  not  known.  Under  the  Imagery  of  the  four 
last  mentioned  windows,  in  the  upper  part,  there  are  these  words  written 

as  followcth Katarine  Margarete  uxorem  ejus,  & 

pro  a'iabusRoberte  Moryell  &  Alicie  uxoris  ejus de 

Hyene  &  pro  a'iabus  o'ium  hujus  .   .  .  Eccle'ife  in  Melford,  memoriam 

de  bonis  prrefati  Rogeri  Bee  fene vitriate  Anno  D'ni 

M°  CCCC  LX",  and  in  the  lower  part  of  the  Fourth  window,  last  men- 
tioned, under  the  Imagery  thereof,  there  is  written Rector 

hujus  Eccl'iEe  necnon  Matildi  Hyne  in  D'ni.  Bon.  fact. 

"The  Sixth  window,  which  is  the  first  in  the  Church,  all  the  former  be- 
ing in  the  Chancell,  hath,  in  the  lesser  lights  on  the  top  of  it,  3i-  l^-  ^• 
JBeccp,  IR.  ,IEI.  with  the  Martin's  clothmark  between,  and  M-  pro  Ma- 
ria, ut  prius.  Underneath  these  lights,  and  in  the  upper  part  of  the  said 
window,  in  the  first  pane,  nothing  but  white  glass  ;  the  second  pane  mostly 
white  glass  ;  the  third  pane,  St.  Vincent,  standing,  with  a  book  in  his 

4 


>«.^v 


-  6  -'P.^tJli  J6.£tnua  Sf  JSla^i^ary  -° 


TRINITY   CHURCH,    MELFORD,    SUFFOLK. 

band,  and  his  head  encircled  with  glory;  having,  on  one  side  of  his  face 
Sanctae,  and,  on  the  other  side,  Vincenti.     Under  the  aforesaid  3  panes 

this  inscription  remains Couper  and  Mary  his  wife. 

In  the  lower  part  of  the  said  window,  and  in  the  first  pane 

thereof,  a  King,  with  a  crown  on  his  head  and  a  sceptre  in  his  hand,  and 
a  flower  de  luce  on  each  side  of  his  head.  In  the  second  pane,  St. 
Christopher,  as  is  supposed,  sed  qu<ere.  In  the  third,  Mary  Magdalene, 
with  her  hair  dishevelled,  and  a  box  of  spikenard  in  her  hand.  Under 
which  three  pictures  there  is  written.  Orate  pro  animabus  .... 
.     .       re  Marione  ista  Ecc'sire  multipliciter  decorata  est  &  ornata. 

The  Seventh  window  hath,  in  the  lesser  lights  on  the  top  of  it,  5I-  ^-  <§■ 
.ItieCCp,  IS-  M-,  with  the  Martin's  clothmark  between,  and  JJl.  pro  Maria, 
ut  prius.  Underneath,  in  the  three  upper  panes,  there  are  three  several 
pictures  of  the  Blessed  Virgin,  alike  in  face  and  wardrobe.  By  the  face 
of  the  first  is  written  Maria,  by  the  face  of  the  second,  Alma  Dei  Geni- 
trix,  by  the  face  of  the  third,  Sancta,  the  rest  broken  ;  with  this  Subscrip- 
tion ....  Dent,  John  Clopton,  Esq.  John  Smith,  and  Roger  Smith, 
this  arch  did  repair  of  new.  In  the  lower  part  of  the  said  window,  and 
in  the  first  pane  thereof,  supposed  to  be  Joseph,  y'  spoused  husband  of 
the  Blessed  Virgin  ;  "in  the  second,  the  Virgin  herself,  with  the  new  born 
babe  in  one  hand,  a  sceptre  in  the  other,  and  a  crown  upon  her  head.  In 
the  third,  supposed  to  be  one  of  the  wise  men,  having  a  golden  cup  in 
o'ne  hand,  full  of  burning  incense,  and  in  the  other  a  bundle  of  myrrh,  sed 
de  his  quaere.  Subscribed,  Orate  pro  a'i'abus  Joannis  Wains,  Joha'nis 
Felt  &  Abigal  uxor  eo'ru,  fuit  optima  adjutrix  ....  novamfabri- 
cam  hujus  Ecc'siae. 

"The  Eighth  window,  in  the  lesser  lights  nothing;  underneath,  in  the 
first  pane,  of  the  upper  greater  lights,  towards  the  top,  Hie  Johannis;  un- 
der which,  is  Herod  and  his  wife ;  under  Herod,  a  woman  with  an  in- 
fant in  her  arms ;  under  his  wife,  St.  John  laid  along.  Historia  quaere. 
Under  the  said  prostrated  St.  John  is  written  8"='""  Johannes  ;  and,  under 
that,  the  soldiers  arresting  him.  In  the  second  pane,  St.  John  in  the 
Wilderness,  having  over  his  head  these  letters,  ecce  angum,  which, 
probably,  should  have  been  ecce  agnum.  In  the  third  pane,  St.  John 
baptizing  the  Holy  Jesus.  In  the  lower  part,  in  the  first  pane  thereof, 
the  soldier  with  the  sword  in  his  hand,  and  John  the  Baptist  lying  in  the 
prison  with  his  head  off;  underwritten,  '''"•  Johannes.  In  the  second 
pane,  Herod  the  Tetrarch,  and  Herodias  his  wife,  with  their  servants 
about  them,  their  daughter  kneeling  by,  presenting  a  charger  with  the 
Baptist's  head  in  it,  underwritten,  S*"'  Johannes  Baptista.  In  the  third 
pane,  St.  John  Baptist's  Disciples,  standing  about  the  trunk  of  his  body, 
in  order  to  their  having  been  to  his  buriall.  In  the  middle  whereof  is 
written,  in  letters  reversed,  S'"'  Johannes  Baptista ;  and,  at  the  bottom 


TRINITY    CHURCH,    MEtFORD,    SUFFOLK. 

of  the  said  window.  Orate  pro  animabus  Johannes  Smith  &  Margaret  & 
Agnete  ux 

"  The  Ninth  window,  in  the  lesser  lights,  in  the  top,  nothing.  In  the  first 
pane  of  the  upper  part,  underneath,  St.  Peter  with  his  key.  In  the  se- 
cond pane,  St.  Paul  with  his  sword.  In  the  third  pane,  St.  Andrew  with 
his  cross ;  and,  underneath  them.  Pray  for  the  soules  of  Rob'  Colet, 
Marion,  and  Margaret,  his  wives.  And  in  the  first  pane  of  the  lower 
part  of  the  said  window,  St.  John  with  a  cup  in  his  left  hand ;  in  the  se- 
cond, St.  James  the  Great  with  staff  and  his  scrip  ;  in  the  third  pane,  St. 
Simon  the  Zealot  with  his  spectacles  on  his  nose,  and  a  book  in  his 

hand ;  underneath  whom  there  is  written, of  whose 

goods  John  Clopton,  Thomas  Elys,  &  John  Haugh,  did  this  window 
glase. 

"The  Tenth  window,  in  the  lesser  lights,  on  the  top,  nothing.  In  the 
upper  part,  underneath  those  lesser  lights,  there  are  three  imageries,  sup- 
posed to  be  three  other  Apostles,  sed  de  his  quaere  ;  and  underneath 
them  is  written.  Pray  for  the  soules  of  Roger  Hoo,  Alson,  &  Elizabeth, 
his  wives ;  and  in  the  three  panes  of  the  lower  part  of  the  said  window 
are  three  more  Imageries,  the  first  and  last  being  almost  defaced,  the 
middle  one  wholly  remaining,  supposed  to  be  all  Apostles  ;  under  whom 
is  written,  Of  whose  goods  John  Clopton,  Mr.  Gyles  Dent,  and  Thomas 
Elys,  did  this  window  glase. 

"The  Eleventh  window,  in  the  lesser  lights  on  the  top  3i-ii^-.§.  advan- 
ced between  two  JO's  at  a  distance  below.  In  the  first  pane,  in  the  up- 
per part,  beneath  these  lesser  lights,  there  is  St.  Katherine  crowned, 
with  S'"  on  one  side  her  face,  and  Katherina  on  the  other.  In  the  se- 
cond pane,  the  imagery  defaced.  In  the  third  pane,  a  man  holding  in 
one  hand  a  book  open,  in  the  other  a  staff,  with  a  cross  on  the  top  of  it, 
by  which  there  is  written  M".  underneath  which  pane  is  written.  Pray 

for  the  soul  of In  the  first  pane  of 

the  lower  part  of  the  said  window,  St.  Peter  with  a  key  in  his  hand  ;  in 
the  second  and  third,  mitred  Bishops  with  their  croziers  in  their  hands. 
The  Subscription,  thereunto  belonging,  defaced. 

"The  Twelfth  window,  in  one  of  the  lesserlights  on  the  top  3-  J^-  <€>■>  in 
another  Help,  and,  in  the  first  pane  beneath,  the  imagery  defaced;  in 
the  second,  the  Blessed  Virgin,  her  babe  in  her  left  arm,  with  a  crown 
on  her  head,  and  a  sceptre  in  her  right  hand;  in  the  third,  a  Bishop, 
with  his  mitre  on  his  head,  and  a  crosier  in  his  left  hand.  In  the  lower 
part,  and  in  the  first  pane  thereof,  a  King  crowned,  with  his  sceptre  in 
one  hand  and  a  javelin  in  the  other.  In  the  second  pane,  St.  Cytha,  ha- 
ving her  head  encircled  with  glory,  and  on  one  side  of  her  face,  S'^,  and 
ou  the  other,  Cytha.  In  the  third  pane,  a  Priest  with  a  wand  in  his  hand, 
on  the  left  side  of  whose  face  there  fs  written  Ro'k,  and  just  above  his 
6 


TRINITY    CHURCH,    MELFORD,    SUFFOLK. 

knee  are  written  other  letters,  supposed  to  be  Kapball,  and  underneath 
the  said  window.  Orate  p'  a'i 'abus  Richardi  Wawyn  .... 

&  Katharine  uxor  suie     ....  

"The  Thirteenth  window,  in  the  lesser  lights  above,  is  written,  Sit  nomen 
Dm  Benedictum,  and  under  them,  in  the  first  pane,  Moses,  as  appears 
by  his  horns  on  his  head  ;  in  the  second  pane,  Aaron,  as  appears  by  his 
priestly  vestments;  in  the  third  pane,  Saul,  as  appears  by  his  mantle'- 
sad  de  h,s  01  bus  qu«re.  Tn  the  lower  part  of  the  said  window,  and  in 
the  first  pane  thereof,  St.  John  the  Evangelist,  and  by  him  is  written,  St. 
Johannes  Evangelista.  In  the  second  pane,  St.  Peter,  and  by  him  is 
written,  S-  Petrus.  In  the  third  pane,  St.  James,  and  by  him  is  written 
»     Jacobus;  and  under  them  is  written,  Orate     ....     his  Horset 

,  &proai'abus Johannis    .     .     .     Roberti 

•     •     •     .     Agnete  uxoris. 

The  Fourteenth  window,  in  the  lesser  lights  nothing.  In  the  first  pane 
hlS'  "PP^^P^rt.  beneath  those  lesser  lights,  a  picture  of  a  man,  whose 
hands  thighs,  and  legs  are  naked,  and  the  upper  part  defaced.  In  the 
second,  supposed  to  be  King  David.  In  the  third,  supposed  to  be  Kin« 
bolomon^  lu  the  lower  part  of  the  said  window,  and  the  first  pane,  the 
Blessed  Virgm,  wUh  our  Saviour  in  her  lap,  as  taken  from  the  cross, 
with  the  crown  of  thorns  on  his  head ;  in  the  second  pane,  Mary  Magda- 
len weeping,  sed  quaere;  in  the  third  pane,  our  Blessed  Saviour  naked, 
defactr'''"^"  "'  "''°"  •"''  ^''*^-     ^'''  Subscription  of  botii  parts 

"The  Fifteenth  window,  in  the  lesser  lights  fourcoats  of  arms,-de  quibus 
!!r%/R  P"' •''"■''  •'^"^^th  these  lesser  lights,   and  in  the  first 

pane,  St.  Bernard,  with  his  crozier,  and  by  him  is  written  S-«  Bernardus. 
lathe  second  pane,  our  Blessed  Saviour,  with  his  scarlet  robe,  and 
thorny  crown  The  third  pane,  nothing  but  white  glass.  At  the  foot  of 
them  IS  this  Subscription,  Orate  pro  bono  statu  Johannis  Pie  &  Alicie 
•     ■     -     ■     oi     .     .     .     statu  Johannis  Firmin  &     .     .  uxoris 

?nL  M    '''!;°^r",P'^^'  ""l  '^^  ^'"dow,  and  in  the  first  pane,  Supposed 
to  be  Mary  Magdalene.     In  the  second  pane,  nothing  but  white  glass. 
Jn  the  third  pane,  a  Priest.     At  the  bottom  of  ail     . 
VI VIS  &  mortuis     ....  ■     ■     •     ■     i>iu 

"The  Sixteenth  window,  in  the  lesser  lights,  on  the  top,  Nomen  est  D'ni 
Benedictum.  In  the  upper  part,  and  in  the  first  pane,  underneath  these 
l.g  Its,  nothing  but  white  glass.  In  the  second  pane,  a  Flower  Pot,  beset 
with  flowers  mutating  such  a  picture  in  the  thirty-second  page  of  the 
Virgin  Mane  s  OAce,  set  forth  by  Pope  Pius  5th,  the  book  "printed  at 
Antwerp,  in  the  Year  1598.  In  the  third  pane,  the  Blessed  Virgin,  sit- 
ting m  a  chair  and  encircled  with  tWs  inscription,  Ecce  Ancilla  D'ni  fiat 
imhi  In  the  lower  part  of  the  window,  in  the  first  pane,  nothing  but 
^vh,te  glass  ;  m  the  second,  nothing  also  but  white  glass.     In  the  third 


TRINITY    CHURCH,    MELFOKD,   SUFFOLK. 

pane,  a  Picture  of  a  Man,  somewhat  defaced,  holding  in  his  right  hand 
a  book,  and  in  his  left  hand  a  staff,  with  a  cross  on  the  top;  by  his  head 
written  S'""  Barthol,  sed  de  illo  qua;re.  Underneath  subscribed  .  .  . 
.     .     .     Isabella  uxor  ejus     .     .     . 

"  The  Seventeenth  window,  in  the  lesser  lights  nothing.  In  the  upper 
part,  and  in  the  first  pane  underneath  these  lights,  St.  Edmund  the  King, 
with  his  crown  on  his  head,  his  sceptre  in  liis  right  hand,  and  an  arrow 
in  his  left ;  under  his  feet  written  S'°'  Edmundus.  In  the  second  pane, 
part  of  an  imagery  subscribed  S'°"  Antonius.  In  the  third  pane  the 
imagerj'  defaced.  In  the  lower  part,  and  in  the  first  pane,  nothing  but 
white  glass ;  in  the  second  pane,  Saint  Katharine,  with  her  wheel ;  on 
the  one  side  of  her  face  written,  S",  and  on  the  other  Catherina.  In  the 
third  pane,  an  imagery  supposed  to  be  Saint  Barnabas  ;  on  one  side  of 
his  face  B.  on  the  other  side,  bas ,  sed  de  illo  quiere ;  underneath  which 

pane  is  written est  mor.  et  pro  bono  statu  Agnet  uxor 

ejus     ....     Johannis  et  Marione  uxor  ejus. 

"The  Eighteenth  window,  in  the  lesser  lights,  on  the  top,  two  Priests. 
In  the  upper  part,  and  in  the  three  panes,  underneath  these  aforesaid 
lesser  lights,  is  nothing  but  white  glass.  In  the  lower  part,  and  the  first 
pane,  St  Dennis  habited,  with  his  crozier  in  his  hand ;  on  one  side  of 
his  head,  Sancta;,  and  on  the  other  side  Deouisi.  In  the  two  other 
panes,  nothing  but  white  glass. 

"  In  the  Nineteenth  window,  which  is  the  window  on  the  south  side  next 
the  steeple,  in  the  lesser  lights,  on  the  top,  two  Coates  of  Arms.  The 
rest  of  the  window  hath  neither  imagery  nor  superscription. 

"  On  the  North  side  of  the  Church,  from  the  Steeple,  Eastward,  in 
the  First  window,  and  the  upper  lesser  light,  a  Coate  of  Arms.  In  the 
third  pane,  of  the  upper  part  of  the  said  window,  under  those  lesser 
lights,  the  head,  and  part  of  the  body,  of  a  woman ;  all  the  rest,  white 
glass. 

"  The  Second  window,  in  the  lesser  lights,  a  Coat  of  Arms.  In  the  se- 
cond pane  of  the  upper  part,  under  those  lights,  is  a  Woman ;  all  the 
rest  white  glass,  or  without  remark.  Underwritten,  in  a  confused  me- 
thod, .  .  .  pro  anima  Honorabilis  Dominae  ....  Ducissas ; 
according  to  JMr.  Rice's  Brevyary,  who  took  some  account  of  the 
Church  before  the  late  wars,  now  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  Robert  Torking- 
ton,  of  Brettenham,  Suft".,  it  is  thus  entered.  In  Fenestra  prope  Cam- 
panile, in  summitate  Ecclesise,  is  this  written,  Orate  pro  a'i'a  Honorabi- 
lis Principissje  Dom'  Elizab'  Ducissae  Suffolk.  In  the  said  window  are 
these  Armes,  De  la  Pole,  azure,  a  Jess  between  three  Leopards'  faces,  Or ; 
which  impaled  France  and  England,  which  was  the  daughter  of  Richard 
Plantagenet,  Duke  of  York,  sister  to  King  Edward  4th  and  to  Richard 
3d ;  she  was  wife  of  John  De  la  Pole,  Duke  of  Suffolk,  who  died  anno 
1429.     Qujere,  whether  these  two  first  windows  have  not  been  con- 


CHURCH   OF   THE    HOLY    TRINITY,    MELFORD,   SUFFOLK. 

founded  together.  In  the  lower  part  of  the  said  second  window,  in  the 
first  pane,  there  is  nothing  but  white  glass;  in  the  second  pane,  a  Wo- 
man, with  her  face  turned  backward  and  upward ;  in  the  third  pane, 
Howard,  in  his  Coat  Armour,  kneeling ;  under  whom  is  written,  Johannis 
Howard  Miles. 

"  The  Third  window  hath,  iu  the  lesser  upper  lights,  nothing ;  and  in  the 
three  under  lights  beneath  them,  nothing  but  white  glass ;  only  at  the 
foot  is  this  inscription,  Orate  pro  bono  statu  D'ni  Druris  .  .  .  .  ac 
pro  ...  .  Domine.  In  the  lower  part  of  the  said  window,  Wil- 
liam Clopton,  between  his  two  wives,  viz.  Juditha,  daughter  of  Grey,  of 

Bockenham,  and  Cockwell,  subscribed  Judita;  Clopton  fil 

Mar'  Clopton  til     .     .     .     Cockwell  ux     .     .     . 

"  The  Fourth  window,  iu  the  upper  part  of  the  glass,  very  much  defaced, 
but  represents  together  ....  Denliam  and  his  wife,  in  their  Coat 
Armour,  having  this  subscription  ....  bono  statu  D'ni  Denham 
....  D'na  uxore  sua.  see  Wecvcr's  Fun.  Mon.  fol.  609.  In  the 
lower  part  of  the  said  window,  Sir  William  Clopton  and  Dame  . 
Trussel,  his  wife  ;  viz.  in  the  first  pane,  Sir  William  Clopton,  kneeling, 
and  his  hands  as  praying,  subscribed  ^V  "  Clopton  Miles  ....  In 
the  second  pane,  Trussel,  his  wife,  uuderwritten,  Francisca  Clopton  ;  in 
the  third  pane,  the  glass  much  defaced,  but  the  picture  seems  to  be  Sir 
William  Clopton,  kneeling,  ut  prius,  having  this  subscription,  Willielmus 
Clopton  Miles     .     .     . 

"  The  Fifth  window,  in  the  upper  part,  Howard  impaling  Oxford,  in 
their  Coat  Armour,  under  which  is  written.  Orate  pro  bono  statu  D'ni 
Howard,  ac  pro  Domina  uxore  sua  ;  in  the  lower  part  thereof,  three  Clop- 
tons,  in  effigie,  kneeling,  subscribed  Walterius  Clopton  Miles,  Thomas 
Clopton  Miles,  Will'us  Clopton  de  Ashendon  Arraiger. 

"The Sixth  window,  in  the  upper  part  thereof,  there  are,  in  their  Coat 
Armours,  kneeling,  three  effigies,  whereof  two  are  supposed  to  be  one 
and  the  same  man,  and,  in  the  middle  of  them,  a  woman,  the  wife  to 
the  said  person;  and  under  them  is  written.  Orate  pro  bono  statu  D'ni 
Thoma:  Montgomery  Militis,  ac  pro  Dna  Dame  Phillippe  uxore  sua; 
their  Coat  Armour  gules,  a  chevron  ermin,  between  three  Jlouer  de  luces, 
or.  Sir  Thomas  Montgomery,  Knight  of  the  Garter,  in  Edward  4th's' 
time,  see  Weevers  Fun.  Man.  fol.  609.  In  the  under  part  of  the  said  win- 
dow Sir  Thomas  Clopton,  between  his  two  wives,*  one  the  daughter  of 
Walter  Clopton,  the  other  the  daughter  of  ....  Mylde  Arm 
.     .     bearing,  two  rings  gemmell  sable,  upon  the  upper  part  of  the  bend. 

"  The  Seventh  window,  in  the  upper  part,  the  effigies  of  three  Judges, 
thus  subscribed.  Pray  for  the  good  state  of  William  Howard,  Chief 
Justice  of  England;  and  for  Richard  Picot,  and  John  Haugh,  Justices 

*  The  remaining  part  of  this  account  of  the  painted  windows  is  from  another  MS.  in  a 
different  hand  to  the  former,  and  appears  to  be  of  older  date. 


CHURCH    OF  THE   HOLY   TRINITY,   MELFORD,   SUFFOLK. 

of  the  Law.  Howard  lived  in  King  Edward  the  First's  time,  and  the 
other  two  in  King  Edward  the  Fourth's  time.  In  the  lower  part,  William 
Clopton,  Esq.  between  his  two  wives,  Drurye  and  Frances,  and  un- 
derneath the  said  William  is  written,  W'.  Clopton,  Arm.  tilius  et  haeres, 
Thoraae  Clopton,  Militis  ;  and  under  the  first  wife  is  written.  Uxor  W'. 
Clopton,  filia  Drury  ;  underthe  second  wife,  hreres  Elie.  Francis. 

"  The  Eighth  window,  in  the  upper  part,  Reinsforth,  with  his  two 
wives,  under  whom  is  written,  as  followeth — Orate  pro  bono  statu  Lauren- 
tii  Reinsforth,  Militis,  et  Dnae  Hungerford,  et  Elysabetha;  Reinsforth, 
uxor  suaru'  et  filioru'  suor'  et  filioru"  suaru Beneath 


"  The  Ninth  window,  in  the  upper  part,  three  women  in  their  Coat  Ar- 
mour, having  this  following  inscription — Pray  for  the  Soul  of  Dame  Anne 
Hay,  and  specially  for  Dame  Margaret  Jeynani,  and  for  the  good  state  of 
Elysabeth  Walgrave ;  they  all  three  hear  Ermin,  a  f ess  sable,  between 
three  beehives,  or,  the  first  impaling  Argent,  afess  between  three  hjons' 
heads  erased,  or,  the  second  impayling  Walgrave,  the  third  impay- 
ling,  Or,  on  a  bend  gules,  three  martlctts  argent.  In  tha  lower  part,  two 
Cloptons  in  their  Coat  Armour,  and  Marrow,  the  wife  of  one  of  them,  in 
the  middle. 

"  The  Tenth  window,  in  the  upper  part  is  Joslin,  in  his  Lord  Mayor's 
Habit,  with  Clifford  and  his  wife  in  their  Coat  Armour,  under  whom 
are  written  as  followeth — Pray  for  the  Soul  of  Ralf  Joslin,  twice  Mayor 
of  London;  and  for  the  good  estate  of  Ben.  Clifford,  and  Dame  Elizabeth 
his  wife ;  the  said  Elizabeth  Clyfford  bears  Ermin,  three  barriiletts  dan- 
cette  sable.  In  the  lower  part  is  Elizabeth  Clopton  in  her  Coat  Ar- 
mour, between  Gedney  and  Cavendish,  which  are  supposed  to  be  her 
two  husbands,  under  whom  is  written  as  followeth — Orate  p'  a'i'a  Joan- 
nis  Gedney,  Mayoris  Civitatis  Londinensis  ....  Roberti  Caven- 
dish      et  Elizabethse,  uxoris  ejus  ac 

armig. 

"The  Eleventh  window,  in  the  upper  part  is  Montgomery  andDarcy,  and 
the  effigies  of  two  females,  viz.  Darcy  Argent,  two  cheff'rons  azure,  under 
whom  is  written.  Orate  p'  bono  statu  Anna;  Montgomerie  et  p"  a'i'abus 

D'na  Elinore  Gyvel,  Margarette  Gyvel  de orum  ami- 

corum  suorum.  In  the  lower  part  are  three  effigies,  Harliston  and  Alice 
his  wife,  and  Clopton,  under  whom  is  written  as  followeth — Orate  pro 
a'i'abus  Joannis  Harlistoni  senioris,  et  Aliciicuxoris  ejus,  tilije  W"  Clop- 
ton, et  pro  a'i'a  Joanuis  Harlistoni  filius  et  ha;res 

"  The  Twelfth  window,  in  the  upper  part  is  Azure,  an  estoile  icith  sixpoi7its 
argent  impaling  Argent,  on  afess  beticecn  three  trefoils  slipped,  gules,  an 
escallop  of  the  field  ;  and  Drury,  impaling  the  last  coat.    Three  etfigies,  a 

man  between  two  women,  inscribed pro  statu     .... 

armig.  et  pro  D'na  Anna  uxor  ejus  et per  uxoris  ejus. 

10 


CHURCH    OF  THE   HOLY   TRINITY,    MELFORD,    SUFFOLK. 

In  the  lower  part  three  effigies,  one  of  a  man,  the  other  two,  of  women  : 
on  the  man's  coat.  Argent,  on  a  chevron  sable,  a  cross  crosslet  of  the  field, 
and  Azure,  two  lyons  jiassant  guardant,  or,  on  the  first  woman's  coat,  the 
same,  impaling  Clopton.  On  the  second  woman,  the  same,  impaling 
Argent,  a  chcm-on  gules,  on  the  iipjyer  ■part,  two  torteauxes,  on  the  lotver 
part,  a  mullet  gules,  under  whom  is  written.  Orate  pro  auima  Joannis 

Denston,  et  pro  bono  statuCatherinae  uxor  ejus  fiUae 

Clopton  Arm.  ac  Annse  Brent,  filiae  et  ha;redis  p'fato  Joannis  et  Cat- 
riuaj. 

"  The  Thirteenth  window,  in  the  upper  part,  Peyton,  between  his  two 
wives,  in  a  Coat  Armour,  Clopton  and  Hilton,  under  whom  is  written, 
Orate  pro  a'i'abus  Thomae  Peyton  Armig.  senior,  et  Margarettae  et  Mar- 
garettae  uxor'  suarura.  Underneath,  Rookwood,  between  his  two  wives, 
Hilton  and  Clopton,  in  their  Coat  Armour  :  Uxor,  William  Rookwood, 
Thomae  Rookwood,  uxor  Thomaj  Rookwood,  fil.  de  Hilton,  filia  Wil- 
liam Rookwood,  filife  Joannis  Clopton. 

"  The  Fourteenth  window,  in  the  upper  part,  three  Angells,  St. Gabriel, 
St.  Michael,  St.  Raphael.  In  the  lower  part  three  effigies,  Curtior  be- 
tween his  two  wives,  in  Coat  Armour,  uxor  Thomae  Curtior,  Thomas 
Curtior,  Armiger,  Uxor  Thomae  Curtior,  Arm.  filius  Joannis  Scoynford, 
filius  et  hseres  Joannis  Curtior.     Joanuis  Clopton,  ArmiT. 

"  The  Fifteenth  window,  in  the  upper  part,  S""  Ducius,  with  his  left  hand 
lifted  up  as  praying,  S'""  Franciscus  holding  a  book  open,  with  both  hands, 
and  within  the  bend  of  his  right  arm,  a  staff  advanced ,  with  a  cross  on  the 
top,  Petrus  Mille.     At  their  feet.  Orate  pro  anima  Elizabethae  Drury  et 

Henrici  Hardman et  Willi.  Twaytes In 

the  lower  part  St.  George  with  his  red  cross  on  his  right  arm  and  in  his 
armour.  A  Priest  with  his  Censer  in  his  right  hand,  and  a  taper  in  his 
left.  Orate  pro,  et  pro  bono  statu  Joanuis  Story,  et  Joannis  Stannard,  Cle- 
riorum  et  Benefactorum. 

"  The  Sixteenth  window,  in  the  upper  part,  S*"' Andreas,  with  his  cross. 
The  Blessed  Virgin,  with  our  Saviour  in  her  lap,  as  taken  from  the  Cross, 
with  his  Crown  of  Thorns  on  his  head,  and  the  print  of  the  nails  in  his 
feet  and  hands.  St.  Gyles,  with  a  crosier  in  his  hand,  at  his  feet  S""iEgi- 
dus,  and  under  that,  Laudes  D'ni  in  jeternum  cantabo.  Orate  pro  anima 
Magistri  Ejidii  Dent,  quoiidam  Rectoris  hujus  Ecclesise.  In  the  lower 
part  nothing,  being  all  white  glass. 

"  The  Seventeenth  window,  S""Oswoldus,  S'"'  Edmundus,  S""Edwar- 
dus,  under  the  feet  of  St.  Oswald,  a  shaven  Monk;  and  under  St.  Ed- 
ward, and  St.  Edmund,  two  mitred  Abbots.  Underneath  is  written.  Orate 
pro  anima,  Edwardi  Hengham,  nuper  Abbatis  de  Bury,  et  pro  bono 
statu,  G.  Rawlesdon  Abbatis,  et  ll'ci.  Norton.  In  the  lower  part 
nothing. 
"  The  Eighteenth  window,  in  the  upper  part,  S»»  Anna,  with  a  child  in 
1! 


CHURCH    OF  THE   HOLY   TRINITY,   MELFORD,    SUFFOLK. 

lier  hand,  supposed  to  be  the  blessed  Virgin,  her  daughter.  The  Virgin 
Mary,  with  Crown  and  Sceptre,  and  her  Son,  the  blessed  Jesus,  in  her 
arms,  St.  Elizabeth,  with  John  Baptist  her  son,  in  her  arms,  at  their  feet, 
under  three  Coats  of  Arms,  is  written,  Elizabetha;  Diicissae  Suftoclise. 

Plate  1,  represents  the  whole  of  the  south  side  of  the  Church.  The 
ancient  Tower  has  been  replaced  by  a  structure,  diftering  greatly  in  style 
from  the  splendid  architecture  of  which  the  rest  of  the  building  partakes. 
It  was  erected  in  1725 ;  the  date  appears  on  the  key-stone,  over  the 
west  door. 

Plate  2,  a  view  of  the  Porch,  shewing  the  architectural  character  of 
the  Church,  more  in  detail,  with  the  manner  in  which  the  inscriptions  over 
the  windows,  &c.  are  introduced  ;  they  are  all  composed  of  flints,  care- 
fully inserted  in  the  stone-work. 

Plate  3,  is  a  view  of  the  Choir,  looking  east.  The  general  appear- 
ance at  this  point  is  striking ;  no  galleries  interfere  with  the  beautilul 
effect  of  the  architecture,  the  style  of  which  was  so  well  suited  to  the 
magnificence  and  splendour  of  the  ancient  service. 

The  following  curious  manuscript,  by  Roger  Martin,  Esq.  of  Melford 
Place,  who  lived  in  the  time  of  the  Reformation,  relates  many  interesting 
particulars  of  the  Religious  Ceremonies  observed  at  this  Church: 
"  The  State  of  Melford  Church  and  our  Ladle's  Chappel  at  the  East  end, 

as  I  did  hHoiv  it. 

"  Memorand.  At  the  back  of  the  High  Altar,  in  the  said  Church,  there 
was  a  goodly  mount,  made  of  one  great  Tree,  and  set  up  to  the  foot  of 
the  window  there,  carved  veiy  artificially,  with  The  Story  of  Christ's  Pas- 
sion, representing  the  horsemen  with  tlieir  swords,  and  the  footmen,  &c.  as 
they  used  Christ  on  the  Mount  of  Calvary,  all  being  fair  gilt,  and  lively 
and  beautifully  set  forth.  To  cover  and  keep  clean  all  the  which,  there 
were  very  fair  painted  boards,  made  to  shut  to,  which  were  opened 
upon  high  and  solemn  Feast  Days,  which  then  was  a  very  beautiful 
shew ;  which  painted  boards  were  there  set  up  again  in  Queen  Mary's 
time.  At  the  north  end  of  the  same  Altar,  there  was  a  goodly  gilt  Ta- 
bernacle, reaching  up  to  the  roof  of  the  Chancell,  in  the  which  there  was 
one  fair  large  gilt  image  of  The  Holy  Triidtij,  being  Patron  of  the  Church, 
besides  other  fair  images.     The  like  Tabernacle  was  at  the  south  end. 

"  There  was  also  in  ray  He,*  called  Jesus  He,  at  the  back  of  the  Altar, 
a  table  with  a  crucifix  on  it,  with  the  two  thieves  hanging,  on  every  side 
one,  which  is  in  my  House  decayed,  and  the  same  I  hope  my  heires  will 
repaire,  and  restore  again,  one  day.  There  was  also  two  fair  gilt  Taber- 
nacles, from  the  ground  up  to  the  roofe,  with  a  fair  Image  of  Jesus,  in  the 
Tabernacle  at  the  north  end  of  the  Altar,  holding  a  round  bawle  in  his 

•  Sec  Plate  4,  view  in  tlie  South  .\islc,  with  tlie  Pew  of  tJie  family  of  Martin. 
14 


MEJUFOKB     CMUJKCM, 

STTFrOLK. 


\' 


:  r3wntyj,p,lieale. 


Mas  1^1^ 'C 


Zn^ared  by'W.'Wallis. 

T71'  "TTT  •!»    |r<  TLJT 


CHURCH    OF   THE    HOLY    TRINITY,    MELFORD,    SUFFOLK. 

hand,  signifying,  I  think,  that  he  containeth  the  whole  round  world-  and 
in  the  Tabernacle  at  the  south  end,  there  was  a  fair  image  of  our  Blessed 
Lady,  having  the  afflicted  body  of  her  dear  son,  as  he  was  taken  down, 
off  the  Cross,  lying  along  in  her  lapp,  the  tears,  as  it  were,  running  down 
pitifully  upon  her  beautiful  cheeks,  as  it  seemed,  bedewing  the  said  sweet 
body  of  her  son,  and  therefore  named  The  Image  of  our  Lady  of  Pittu 

''  Memorand.  There  was  a  fair  Rood  Loft,  with  the  Rood,  Mary  and 
John  of  every  side,  and  with  a  fair  pair  of  Organs  standing  thereby 
which  Loft  extended  all  the  breadth  of  the  Church,  and  on  Good  Friday 
a  Priest,  then  standing  by  the  Rood,  sang  Tlie  Passion.  The  side  thereof 
towards  the  body  of  the  Church,  in  twelve  partitions  in  boards,  was  fair 
painted  with  the  images  of  the  twelve  Apostles. 

"  All  the  Roof  of  the  Church  was  beautified  with  fair  gilt  stars.  Fi- 
nally, in  the  Vestry,  where  there  were  many  rich  Copes  and  Suites  of 
vestments,  there  was  a  fair  Press,  with  fair  large  doors  to  shut  to  where- 
in there  were  made  devises  to  hang  on  all  the  Copes,  without  folding  or 
frumpling  of  them,  with  a  convenient  distance,  the  one  from  the  other. 

"  In  the  Quire,  there  was  a  fair  painted  frame  of  timber,  to  be  set  up 
about  Maunday  Thursday,  with  holes  for  a  number  of  fair  tapers  to  stand 
in  before  the  Sepulchre,  and  to  be  lighted  in  service  time.  Sometimes  it 
was  set  overthwart  the  Quire  before  the  High  Altar,*  the  Sepulchre  being 
alwaies  placed,  and  finely  garnished,  at  the  north  end  of  the  Hi<rh  Altar- 
between  that  and  Mr.  Clopton's  little  Chappel  there,  in  a  vacant  place  of 
the  wall,  I  think  upon  a  Tomb  of  one  of  his  ancestors,  the  said  frame 
with  the  tapers,  was  set  near  to  the  steps  going  up  to  the  said  Altar. 
Lastly,  it  was  used  to  be  set  up,  all  along  by  Mr.  Clopton's  He,  with  a 
door,  made  to  go  out  of  tiie  Rood  Loft  into  it. 

"  Upon  Palm  Sun.lay,  the  Blessed  Sacrament  was  carryed  in  Proces- 
sion about  the  Church-yard,  under  a  fair  Canopy,  borne  by  four  Yeomen  • 
the  Procession  coming  to  the  Church  Gate,  went  westward,  and  they  with 
the  Blessed  Sacrament,  went  eastward;  and  when  the  procession  came 
against  the  door  of  Mr.  Clopton's  He,  they,  with  the  Blessed  Sacrament 
and  with  a  little  bell  and  singing,  approached  at  the  east  end  of  our  La' 
die's  Chappel,  at  which  time  a  Boy,  with  a  thing  in  his  hand,  pointed  to' 
It,  signifying  a  Prophet,  as  I  think,  sang,  standing  upon  the  Tyrret  that  is 
on  the  said  Mr.  Clopton's  He  doore,  Ecce  Rex  tuus,  veuit,  4c. ;  and  then 
all  did  kneel  down,  and  then,  rising  up,  went  and  met  the  Sacrament  and 
so  then,  went  singing  together,  into  the  Church,  and  coming  near  the 
Porch,  a  Boy,  or  one  of  the  Clerks,  did  cast  over  among   the  Boys 
flowers,  and  singing  cakes,  &c. 

"  On  Corpus  Christi  day,  they  went  likewise  with  the  Blessed  Sacra- 

,h  */'^?v '  "  'J'"'"  """''  "*'  ^''"' '  "'"  "'*=  ^'""'  "P™  ""=  '"'«l>  ^iJ«^.  ^as  placed 
the  Sepulchrum  Donum,  mentioned  above.     Plate  6,  shews  the  beaufful  interior  of  the 
Clopton  Chapel,  with  the  arch  of  the  tomb,  upon  which  the  sepulchre  was  usually  erected 
13 


CHURCH   OF  THE   HOLY  TRINITY,   MELFORD,   SUFFOLK. 

ment,  in  Procession  about  the  Church  green,  in  copes  ;  and  I  think  also, 
they  went  in  Procession,  on  St.  Mark's  day,  about  the  said  green,  with 
handbells  ringing  before  them,  as  they  did  about  the  bounds  of  the  Town, 
in  Rogation  Week,  on  the  Monday,  one  way,  on  the  Tuesday,  another 
way,  and  on  the  Wednesday,  another,  praying  for  rain  or  fair  weather, 
as  the  time  required,  having  a  drinking  and  a  dinner  there,  upon  Munday, 
being  fast  day;  and  Tuesday,  being  a  fish  day,  they  had  a  breakfast  with 
butter  and  cheese,  &c.  at  the  Parsonage,  and  a  drinking  at  Mr.  Clopton's 
by  Kentwell,  at  his  Manor  of  Lutons,  near  the  pond  in  the  Park,  where 
there  was  a  little  Chappel,  I  think  of  St.  Anne,  for  that  was  their  longest 
perambulacion.  Upon  Wednesday,  being  fasting  day,  they  had  a  drinking 
at  Melford  Hall.  All  the  Quire  dined  there,  three  times  in  the  year  at  the 
least,  viz.  St.  Stephen's  Day,  Midlent  Sunday,  and  I  think,  upon  Easter 
Munday. 

"  On  St.  James's  Day,  Mass  being  sung  then  by  note,  and  the  Organs 
going  in  St.  James's  Chappel,  which  were  brought  into  my  House,  with 
the  Clock  and  Bell,  that  stood  there,  and  the  Organs  which  stood  upon 
the  Rood  Loft,  that  was  then  a  little  from  the  Rood,  which  Chappel 
hath  been  maintained  by  my  ancestors,  and  therefore  I  Will,  that  my 
heires,  when  time  serve,  shall  repair,  place  there,  and  maintain,  all  these 
things  again.  There  were  also  fair  stooles,  on  either  side,  such  as  are  in 
the  Church,  which  were  had  away,  by  .loim  King's  means,  who  was  Sir 
William  Cordell's  Baylif,  about  which  Chappel,  there  was  paled  in, 
round  about,  a  convenient  piece  of  the  Green,  for  one  to  walk  in. 

"  Memorand.  On  St.  James's  Even,  there  was  a  bonefire,  and  a  tub 
of  ale,  and  bread  then  given  to  the  poor,  auJ  before  my  doore,  there  were 
made,  three  other  bonefires,  viz.  on  Midsummer  Even,  on  thq  Even  of 
St.  Peter  and  Paul,  when  they  had  the  like  drinkings,  and  on  St.  Tho- 
mas's Even,  on  which,  if  it  fell  not  on  the  lish  day,  they  had  some  long 
pyes  of  mutton,  and  peasecods,  set  out  upon  boards,  with  the  aforesaid 
quantity  of  bread,  and  ale ;  and  in  all  these  bonefires,  some  of  the  friends 
and  more  civil  poor  neighbours  were  called  in,  and  sat  at  the  board,  with 
my  Grandfather,  who  had,  at  the  lighting  of  the  bonefires,  wax  tapers, 
with  balls  of  wax,  yellow  and  green,  set  up,  all  the  breadth  of  the  Hall, 
lighted  then,  and  burning  there,  before  the  image  of  St.  John  the  Baptist ; 
and  after  they  were  put  out,  a  watch  candle  was  lighted,  and  set  in  the 
midst  of  the  said  Hall,  upon  the  pavement,  burning  all  night. 

"  This  was  transcribed  by  Mr.  Jonathan  Moor,  by  my  order,  out  of 
certain  papers  written  by,  and  belonging  to  Mr.  Roger  Martin, 
of  Melford,  who  died  circ.  ann.  23d  Eliz.  1580.     These  papers 
were  showed  to  me,  by  Mr.  Valentine  Martin,  and  were  part  of 
the  large  MS.  book,  lately  wasted.       IS.  B.  12th  April,  1692." 
The  following  is  copied  from  another  Manuscript,  relating  entirely  to 
the  Furniture  and  Utensils  of  the  Church,  and  is,  perhaps,  the  most  cu- 
rious list  that  has  yet  been  printed  in  any  Work  : 
'      14 


CHURCH    OF   THE   HOLY   TRINITY,    MELFORD,    SUFFOLK. 

A  Note  of  the  Utensils  and  Furniture  belonging  to  Melford  Church,  and 
the  Chappel  adjoyning,  taken,  Aniw  1529,  and  transcribed  by  me  out  of 
a  paper  Book  belonging  to  Sir  Roger  Martin,  Baronet,  this  30th  day 
of  September,  1686.      Witness  my  hand,  Nath.  Bisbie. 

The  Account  made  by  John  Dyke  and  Robert  Cawston,  Wardens  of  the 
Church  of  Melford,  the  Wth  day  of  December,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord 
God  1529,  and  in  the  2\st  year  of  the  reign  of  King  Henry  VIII. 
FIRST    OF  THE  PLATE,    OKNAMENTS,    AND   GOODS,    BELONGING   TO 

THE   SAID   CHURCH.  „,      ,   . 

oz.     dwt. 

A  Chalice,  parcel  gilt,  weighing 13  0 

A  Chalice,  whole  gilt,  the  gift  of  Mr.  Kerver,  late  parson  of  Melford      ...  31  1 

A  Chalice,  parcel  gilt,  three  of  the  feet  broken;  belonging  to  Mr.  Clopton's  altar  II  0 

A  Chalice,  the  gift  of  Sir  Thomas  Turret,  late  priest  of  Jlelford,  parcel  gilt      .  9  3 

A  Chalice,  the  gift  of  Mawt  Barker,  belonging  to  Jesos  Altar,  parcel  gilt   .     .  21  3 

A  Chalice,  belonging  to  Jesus  Altar,  the  gift  of  Miriam  Coort 22  0 

A  Chalice,  the  gift  of  Jone  Ellis,  belonging  to  John  Hill's  altar,  parcel  gilt     .15  0 

A  Chalice,  double  gilt,  with  a  quadrant  crucifix  upon  the  foot 41|  0 

A  Chalice,  the  gift  of  Mr.  John  Clopton,  double  gilt,  with  his  arms  upon  the 

foot  of  the  backside 22^  0 

A  Chalice,  the  gift  of  John  Mason,  parcel  gilt 13  0 

A  Chalice,  the  gift  of  John  Hill,  gilt ,  .     .     .  20  0 

The  best  Chalice,  gilt 133i  0 

A  Chalice,  parcel  gilt,  which  was  some  time  in  the  keeping  of  Jeffery  Foot      .  20  0 
A  JUonstrar,  to  bear  in  the  Blessed  Sacrament,  the  gift  of  Mr.  John  Clopton, 
and  Sir  John  Langham,  Knt.,  and  their  wives,  of  silver  and  gilt,  with  a  cru- 
cifix of  gold • 13  0 

A  relique  of  the  Pillar  that  our  Saviour  Christ  was  bound  to,  the  gift  of  Sir 
William  Clopton,  Knt.,  inclosed  with  silver. 

Two  Basons  of  silver  and  parcel  gilt,  the  gift  of  John  Hill 132  0 

A  Silver  Pot,  the  gift  of  Jlother  Barrel 32  0 

A  Pax*  of  silver,  parcel  gilt,  witli  a  crucifix  of  iron lOl  0 

A  Pax,  the  gift  of  Robert  Jermjn,  parcel  gilt ISJ  0 

A  Pax,  the  gift  of  Isabel  Boolington,  parcel  gilt I3J  0 

A  Cross,  with  Mary  and  John,  clean  gilt 45i  0 

A  Cross,  the  gift  of  Robt.  Djster,  silver  and  gilt 53i  0 

A  Pix  of  silver,  and  parcel  gilt 2IJ  0 

A  Chrysmatorv  of  silver,  parcel  gilt,  for  oil  and  cream 22  0 

A  Little  Chrysmatory  of  silver  and  enamelled,  to  bear  in  the  Holy  Oil  of  ex- 
treme Unction,  which  cost  lOs.  Id above  1  0 

A  Ship  of  silver,  and  parcel  gilt,  the  gift  of  Foot 9i  0 

Another  Ship  of  silver,  parcel  gilt,  the  Batchellor's  gift 13j  0 

The  said  Ship  was  given  Anno  1517. 

Two  Silver  Candlesticks,  parcel  gilt,  the  gift  of  Old  John  Smith 61  0 

A  Censer,  the  gift  of  Trinity  Guild,  parcel  gilt 33j  0 

Another  Censer,  the  gift  of  our  Lady  Guild,  parcel  gilt 31i  0 

Two  Cruetts  of  silver,  parcel  gilt,  the  gift  of  young  John  Deek lOi  0 

Other  two  Cruetts  of  silver,  parcel  gilt,  the  gift  of  Mr.  Roger  Smith  ....  13i  0 


*  The  Pax,  a  piece  of  metal  with  the  picture  of  Jesus  Christ  upon  it,  was  solemnly  ten- 
dered to  all,  at  the  conclusion  of  the  Mass,  to  kiss,  typical  of  the  Kiss  of  Peace,    This  ce- 
remony is  now  universally  disused. 
IS 


CHURCH    OF  THE    HOLY  TRINITY,   MELFORD,   SUFFOLK. 

■  Hereafter,  specifieth  of  all  such  Jeicells,  with  other  ornaments,  pertaining 
to  Our  Lady  Chappel,  in  Melford  aforesaid. 

First,  a  Girdle,  the  gift  of  3Iad.  Broke,  of  silver,  and  enamelled  with  ten  Barrs,  and  the 

Corse  is  green,  weighing  with  the  Corse  12i  oz-     Now  it  is  stolen, 
A  Red  Girdle,  the  gift  of  Mad.  Tye,  weighing  with  the  Cross  4  oz.     Now  stolen. 
Ten  Langets  of  silver,  the  gift  of  the  said  Alice  Tye,  weighing  l^oz.  with  the  strings. 

RINGS    OF    SILVER   AND    SOME   GILT. 

Three  Rings  upon  the  Apron  of  Our  Lady.    Two  Little  Rings,  one  shelling  another. 

Four  Little  Rings  shelled  together,  in  silver. 

Upon  the  said  Apron,  a  spon  of  silver,  which  spon  was  broken,  to  set  in,  the  stones  about 

our  Lady. 
An  Ouch  of  gold,  and  enamelled,  with  one  stone  in  the  midst  of  it,  with  three  perls  about  if. 
A  Pair  of  Beads,  of  Coral,  with  the  Pater  Noster  of  silver,  and  upon  the  same  Beads 

one  piece  of  Coral,  closed  in  silver,  and  one  buckle  of  silver. 
A  Pair  of  small  Jett  Beads,  with  a  Button  of  silver  and  gilt,  for  the  Crede,  and  upon  the 

same  Beads  be  twenty-three  small  round  beads  of  silver. 
A  Stone,  enclosed  with  silver,  and  gilt,  with  the  Trinity  graven  on  the  backside. 
A  Lyon,  or  Lebard,  parcel  gilt,  with  a  chain  to  the  same. 
A  Piece  of  Corall,  closed  in  silver,  the  gift  of  Alice  Tye. 
A  Buckle,  with  ten  Stones,  set  in  the  same. 
A  Buckle  of  silver  and  gilt,  with  thirteen  square  chequers  upon  it. 
A  Buckle,  with  three  stones  in  it,  and  three  are  out. 
An  Agnus  Dei,  enclosed  in  silver  and  gilt. 

Two  other,  like  hoops,  with  either  of  them  four  branches  upon  them,  of  silver. 
Ten  other  small  buckles,  whereof  four  be  silver,  and  I  suppose  the  other  is  none. 
Upon  the  said  Apron  eleven  grants.      One  stone  closed  in  cloath.      In  small  pence,  21'J. 

ob.    A  little  Stone  closed  in  silver.     Sum  of  the  weight  of  all  these  Jewells  weighing 

with  the  Apron  22  oz. 

COATS  BELONGING  TO  OUR  LADY. 

First,  a  Coat  for  the  good  days,  of  cloth  of  tissue,  bordered  with  white ;  and  for  her  son, 

another  of  the  same,  in  like  case. 
A  Coat  of  crimson  velvet,  and  another  for  her  son,  in  like  case. 
A  Coat  of  white  damask,  and  another  for  her  son,  in  like  case,  bordered  about  with  green 

velvet. 
An  Altar  Cloth  of  white  branched  damask  of  the  same,  bordered  with  green  velvet. 
A  Vestment  of  green  satin.     Another  Vestment  of  white  fustian. 
A  printed  3Iass-book.    Two  Corporasses. 

COPES    AND   VESTMENTS    BELONGING   TO    MELFORD    CHURCH, 

As  hereafter  foUoweth  : 
First,  the  best  Cope  of  cloth  of  tissue,  the  gift  of  Simond  Smith. 
Another  Cope  of  cloth  of  tissue,  the  gift  of  Robert  Ilayward. 

A  Cope  of  red  velvet,  branched  with  gold,  with  the  suit  of  the  same,  called  the  Best  Suit. 
A  Cope  of  blue  velvet,  branched  with  gold,  with  a  suit  of  the  same. 
A  Cope  of  red  velvet,  w  ith  a  suit  of  the  same,  called  Cokkets  Suit. 
A  Cope  of  red  silk,  for  Good  Friday,  with  the  vestment  of  the  same. 
A  Cope  of  crimson  velvet,  the  gift  of  Will.  Deek,  and  i\Iargery,  his  wife. 
The  Suit  of  the  same,  the  gift  of  Mrs.  Nonnells  of  London. 
A  Suit  of  white  branched  damask,  with  two  Copes  to  tie  same. 
16 


CHURCH    OF   THE   HOLY   TRINITY,    MELFORD,    SUFFOLK. 

A  Suit,  overworn,  of  black  damask,  with  the  Cope  to  the  same. 

Two  Quire  Copes  of  blue  sattin. 

A  Cope  of  blue  velvet,  with  stairs. 

A  Vestment  of  red  velvet,  the  gift  of  John  Hills's  wife,  with  the  name  of  Jesus  in  many 
places,  written  in  gold,  of  the  same.     Belonging  to  John  Hills's  Altar. 

Two  old  Quire  Copes. 

A  Vestment  of  cloth  of  Bawdkin,  -with  birds,  called  the  Sunday  Vestment. 

A  Vestment  of  red  sarsnet,  the  gift  of  Miriam  Court,  belonging  to  Jesus  Altar. 

A  red  Vestment,  with  green  in  the  midst,  the  gift  of  Sir  Thomas  Turret,  Priest,  which  by 
his  Will,  must  be  in  keeping  of  Jlr.  Jlartins  Priest,  and  to  be  used  by  his  Priest,  and 
kept  in  the  Coffer  standing  in  Jesus  He,  which  Coffer,  or  Hutch,  was  of  the  said  Sir  Tho- 
mas's Gift.     Belonging  to  Jesus  Altar. 

A  Chasuble  and  two  Tunicles  of  red  silk,  with  birds,  whereof  the  Albs  be  in  decay.  Now, 
amended. 

Thirteen  single  Chasubles,  with  some  of  their  Albs  in  decay. 

A  Cope  of  green  velvet,  with  a  suit  of  the  same,  the  gift  of  Jone  Foot,  widow,  in  the  vear 
of  our  Lord  God  1516. 

ALTAR    CLOATHS. 

Two  Altar  Cloths  of  tissue  and  crimson  velvet,  the  gift  of  John  Smith. 

An  Altar  Cloth  of  white  damask  in  our  Lady  Chappel,  of  the  said  John  Smith's  gift. 

An  Altar  Cloth,  the  gift  of  Tliomas  Ellis  and  Roger  Fuller,  of  Cloth  of  Bawdkyn. 

An  Altar  Cloth,  of  blew  damask,  with  garters  upon  the  same  Cloth,  the  gift  of  Mr.  John 
Clopton,  with  all  such  cloths  of  silk  as  belongeth  to  the  Sepulchre, 

An  Altar  Cloth  of  silk,  with  blew  birds,  bordered  with  blew  velvet  and  blew  worsted,  the 
which  was  made  of  the  old  cloth  for  to  bear  over  the  Sacrament. 

MASS    BOOKS    PERTEINING   TO   YE    CHURCH. 

First,  Two  Jlass  Books  belonging  to  the  High  Altar. 
A  Mass  Book,  called  Jesus  Mass  Book. 
A  Mass  Book,  the  gift  of  John  Hill. 
A  Book,  the  gift  of  Mr.  Roger  Smith  and  Rich.  Butler. 
A  Mass  Book,  the  gift  of  Mr.  Thomas  Kerver,  late  Parson  of  Melford. 
Two  old  ]\Iass  Books,  one  at  St.  James's  Chappel,  and  the  other  in  the  Church. 
A  Mass  Book,  in  print,  belonging  to  Our  Lady's  Chappel. 

A  Mass  Book,  called  The  Red  Mass  Book,  with  many  relicks  on  the  same,  adorned  with 
Jewells  and  stones. 

ANTIPHONERS    OF  THE   SAID    CHURCH. 

A  great  Cowcher,  the  gift  of  Jlr.  Roger  Smith. 

A  great  Cowcher,  lying  before  the  Parish  Priest. 

A  great  Anliphoner,  lying  upon  the  north  side  of  the  Quire,  before  Jesus  Priest,  the  gift  of 

Sir  Thomas  Turret,  Priest. 
Three  other  Antiphoners,  lying  within  the  said  Quire,  with  two  old  Portuasses. 

GRAILS. 

Ten  Grails,  with  one  old  Graile, 

A  Written  Book  of  parchment  for  Priests  to  study  upon,  lying  in  our  Lady  Chappel,  tlie 
gift  of  Sir  John  Jent,  Priest. 

PROCESSIONERE. 

Nine  Processioners,  all  vrritten. 
A  Processionary,  the  gift  of  Sir  Robt.  Barret,  Priest. 
Three  jNIanuals,  one  written  and  two  in  print. 
17 


CHURCH    OF   THE    HOLY   TRINITY,    MELFORD,    SUFFOLK. 

Two  old  Martolages. 

One  Hj-mnal  noted,  in  paper,  the  gift  of  Sir  Richard  Dodington,  Priest. 

An  old  Ordinal. 

One  Hymnal  printed,  the  gift  of  Sir  Edw.  Tirrel,  Joh.  Hill's  priest. 

A  Processioner,  printed,  the  gift  of  Will.  King. 

ALTAR    CLOATHS    BELONGING   TO   YE   CHURCH. 

First,  Three  Altar  Cloths  for  every  day,  the  gift  of  Jone  Foot,  widow. 
Ten  Good  Altar  Cloaths,  whereof  the  three  best  be  the  gift  of  John  Foot. 
Twenty-two  Altar  Cloths,  which  are  simple. 
Two  Good  Altar  Cloths  belonging  to  our  Lady  Chappel. 

One  Altar  Cloth  of  diaper,  given  to  tlie  High  Altar  by  Mrs.  Chester,  1544.  In  another  hand- 
writing. 
First,  Ten  Towels  of  diaper,  good. 
Four  Towels  of  plain  cloth. 

CORPORASSES. 

First,  Ten  principal  Corporasses,  of  which  five,  one  was  of  the  gift  of  Mr.  John  Clopton, 
and  another  of  the  gift  of  my  Lady  Clopton  ;  the  third,  the  gift  of  Mrs.  Court ;  the 
fourth,  the  gift  of  Mrs.  Catharine  Foxmere ;  the  fifth,  the  gift  of  Mrs.  Jane  Clopton, 

One  Corjioras  belonging  to  St.  Ann's  Altar. 

Another  Corporas  to  Jesus  Altar. 

Another  Corporas  to  John  Hill's  Altar. 

Another  Corporas  to  St.  Edmund's  Altar. 

Two  Corporasses  belonging  to  the  Altar  of  our  Lady  Chappel. 

A  Cloth  of  blue  sUk  to  bear  over  the  Sacrament,  with  Chalices  of  gold  embroidered  thereon, 
the  gift  of  Robt.  Miller. 

Two  Corporasses,  with  their  cloths  of  crimson  velvet,  embroidered  with  gold. 

A  Corporas  Case,  with  the  Resurrection  upon  it,  embroidered  with  Images  of  gold  in- 
wardly. 

All  these  belong  to  the  High  Altar. 

Other  Corporasses  in  the  custody  of  the  Chantry  Priest. 

COVERLETS. 

First,  a  Coverlet  of  linnen  and  woollen,  for  the  Herse,  the  gift  of  Jone  Jent. 
A  Pall  Cloak,  very  simple. 

Four  Cloths,  to  lay  upon  the  Altai-,  of  black  buckram. 

An  old  Coverlet,  of  linen  and  woollen,  which  serves  to  pluck  before  the  Cross,  on  Palm 
Sunday. 

LATTYN    PERTAINING   TO   THE   CHURCH. 

Two  Great  Candlesticks. 

Two  Second  Candlesticks,  lately  bought,  which  are  called  Secondans. 
Two  Small  Candlesticks  to  the  High  Altar. 
Two  Small  Candlesticks  to  Jesus  Altar,  both  of  Lattyn. 

A  Candlestick  of  Lattin,  with  ten  branches,  standing  before  the  Image  of  Jesus. 
A  Candlestick. 

A  Candlestick,  ten  branches,  before  St.  Ann. 

A  Candlestick,  with  three  branches,  belonging  to  the  Trinity ;  and  now  the  said  Candle- 
stick standcth  before  the  Image  of  St.  Nicholas, 
A  Candlestick   with  ten  branches,  standing  before  the  High  Altar. 
18 


CHURCH    OF  THE   HOLY  TRINITY,    MELFORD,    SUFFOLK. 

Two  little  pretty  Candlesticks  of  Lattin,  belonging  to  John  Hill's  Altar. 
A  Candlestick  of  Lattin,  with  ten  branches,  now  in  the  Vestry. 
A  Candlestick  of  Lattin,  with  three  branches,  now  in  the  Vestry. 

HOLY  WATER   PAILES    OF   LATTIN. 
Two  Holy  Water  Pails  of  Lattin,  with  one  Holy  Water  stick  of  Lattin. 

BASONS   AND    EWER. 

Two  Basons  and  one  Ewer  of  Lattin. 

To  the  blessed  Sacrament  belong  two  Canopy  Cloths. 

Two  Great  Lectornes  of  Lattin  in  the  Quire,  whereof  two  of  the  feet  be  broken. 

One  Censer  of  copper  and  gilt. 

One  Ewer  of  pewter. 

A  Ladder,  the  gift  of  Giles  Ellis,  standing  at  the  steeple  door. 

Three  Cross  Staves,  twain  good  and  one  simple. 

CHESTS. 
A  Great  Chest,  upon  the  Vestry  Cellar,  with  two  great  locks  to  the  same,  of  iron,  the  gift 

of  Mr.  Clopton.      IVhich  two  great  locks  broken  by  the  thieves,  Jan.  13,  1531,  qua  die  spo- 

liatafuit  ista  ecclesia  Melfordiensis, 
Another  chest  upon  the  said  soler,  with  one  lock. 
Another  plain  Hutch  there,  with  one  lock. 
One  simple  Chest,  in  the  Vestry  beneath. 
Another  Chest  in  the  said  Vestry. 

Another  Chest  in  the  said  Vestry,  with  an  old  Chest,  to  lay  in  Copes,  all  in  the  keeping  of 

the  Sexton. 
At  Jesus  Altar,  a  Chest,  the  gift  of  Sir  Thomas  Turret,  priest. 
Another  Chest,  at  the  Quire  door,  and  now  in  the  Vesti-y. 
In  our  Lady's  Chappel,  two  old  Chests  in  decay. 
Another  Hutch,  in  St.  Ann's  Chappel. 

CROSSES. 

A  Cross,  of  copper  and  gilt,  for  the  week  days. 
A  simple  Cross,  without  ye  feet 

CROSS    CLOATHS. 

A  Cross  Cloth,  of  silk,  the  gift  of  Mr.  Roger  Martin. 

Another  Cross  Cloth,  the  gift  of  Mr.  Skern,  sometime  Parson  of  Melford. 

Three  other  Cross  Cloths,  simple,  with  one  simple  Cross  Cloth  of  silk,  with  three  cross 

staves. 
A  Cross  Cloth  of  silk,  the  Batchellor's  gift,  1530,  which  cost  lis.  8d. 
Two  streamers  of  silk,  one  the  Batchellor's  gift,  the  other  of  Corpus  Christi  Guild. 
Three  Banner  Cloths,  the  gift  of  tlie  Guild  of  our  Lady,  Corpus  Christi,  and  St.  Peter. 
A  Coffer,  the  gift  of  Sir  Will.  Hodson. 
Two  Candlesticks  of  Lattin,  standing  at  the  said  Altar. 
In  the  Vestry,  two  short  Ladders. 

In  the  Church-house,  a  Table  of  beech,  the  gift  of  Mr.  Roger  Martin. 
Two  otlier  Tables  lying  in  the  Mole,  with  one  Forme. 
One  Forme  in  our  Lady  Chappel,  the  gift  of  Jolm  Fuller. 

In  the  Church,  two  Lanterns,  to  go  with  a  Visitation,  and  one  of  them  is  in  decay. 
In  the  Church-house  is  another  Forme. 

At  the  High  Altar,  one  simple  Altai  Cloth  hanging  before  the  said  Altar,  for  every  day. 
One  for  Lent,  with  whips  and  with  angels. 

Before  the  Image  of  the  Trinity,  at  the  High  Altar,  one  white  Cloth. 
19 


CHURCH    OF   THE    HOLY    TRINITY,    MELFORD,    SUFFOLK. 

A  Cloth  of  Adam  and  Eve,  to  draw  before  the  High  Altar,  in  time  of  Lent,  called  The  Veil. 

Before  our  Lady,  one  cloth  of  blue. 

At  Jesus  Altar,  an  Altar  Cloth  painted,  the  gift  of  Maid  Aleyn  of  Bury. 

To  the  said  Altar,  a  Cloth  for  Lent,  painted  about  with  whips  and  Angels. 

One  Cloth,  before  the  Image  of  Jesus,  white. 

Afore  our  Lady  of  pyte,  at  the  said  Altar,  a  painted  Cloth. 

At  St.  Ann's  Altar,  a  stained  Altar  Cloth,  for  every  day. 

At  the  said  Altar,  two  Cloths,  stained  with  flowers. 

Afore  St.  Ann,  one  Cloth,  white. 

Afore  St.  Leonard,  one  Cloth,  white. 

At  John  Hill's  Altar,  one  simple  stained  Cloth. 

Over  the  said  Altar  is  a  good  stained  Cloth  of  the  Trinity,  the  gift  of  Robl.  Colett. 

At  St.  Edmund's  Altar  is  a  painted  Cloth  of  St.  Michael  and  our  Lady. 

Three  long  Cloths  hanging  before  the  Rood  Loft,  staiued,  or  painted,  with  the  dawnce  of 

Powlis. 
A  Cloth  hanging  before  the  Rood,  called  The  Veil,  very  simple. 
One  Cloth,  with  a  vallon,  before  the  Image  of  St.  Saviour,  white. 

A  Cloth,  the  gift  of  Jone  Foot,  hanging  before  the  Rood  Loft,  with  three  small  white  napkins. 
Before  St.  John  the  Baptist,  a  white  Cloth,  with  a  vallon. 
Afore  St.  John  the  Evangelist,  a  stained  Cloth. 
Before  St.  Peter,  a  new  white  Cloth. 

Before  St.  Anthony,  a  stained  Cloth,  with  part  of  the  Mount. 
Two  other  little  Cloths,  hanging  upon  two  Tabernacles. 
Before  St.  James,  a  white  Cloth. 
Before  St.  Catharine,  a  white  Cloth. 
Before  St.  Margaret,  a  stained  Cloth. 
Before  Mary  Magdalen,  a  Cloth. 
Before  St.  Edmund,  a  little  Cloth. 
Before  St.  Sythe,  a  white  Cloth. 
Before  St.  George,  two  drawn  Curtains,  stained. 
Before  St.  Thomas,  a  simple  Cloth. 
Before  the  Image  of  St.  Christopher,  one  Cloth,  white. 
Before  the  Images  of  St.  Andrew  and  St.  Loy,  one  Cloth,  white. 
Three  other  simple  Cloths,  to  cast  about  divers  Saints  in  the  Church,  some  of  them  stained, 

and  some  other,  to  the  sum  of  thirteen  Cloths. 
In  our  Lady  Chappel,  an  Altar  Cloth,  steiined. 
A  black  buckram  Cloth,  upon  the  Altar. 
A  stained  Cloth,  hanging  before  the  said  Altar. 
A  Cloth,  before  our  Lady  Tabernacle. 
Another  Cloth  on  the  other  side,  before  the  other  Tabernacle,  white,  and  both  Cloths  the 

gift  of  John  Barker  of  Acton. 
Altar  Cloths  of  sattin,  of  Hrydges  in  Panes,  and  with  flowers,  and  a  little  Image  of  Jesus 

in  the  midst  of  the  said  Cloth,  which  INIother  Thresser,  otherwise  called  dementi  Thres- 

sor,  widow,  bequeathed  and  gave  to  the  said  Altar  of  Jesus,  which  cost  31s.  Sd.  Anno 

D'ni,  1.526. 
Two  Altar  Cloths,  white,  the  gift  of  the  brothers  of  our  Lady  Guild,  in  the  year  of  our 

Lord  God  1529. 

Mem.  April  6,  1541.  There  was  given  to  the  Church  of  Melford,  two  stained 
Cloths,  whereof  the  one  hangeth  towards  Blr.  Martin's  He,  and  the  other  to  be  used  about 
the  Sepulchre  at  Easter  time,  and  also  a  red  Coverlet  for  a  fore  Cloth  to  the  High  Altar. 
This  tatter  sentence  is  written  in  another  hand, 

20  ^ 


CHURCH    OF  THE    HOLY    TRINITY,    MELFORn,    SUFFOLK. 

Between  two  of  the  windows  in  the  north  aisle,  within  the  wall,  is  in- 
serted a  curious  tablet  of  alabaster,  representing  the  Offering  of  the 
Magi ;  it  is  two  feet  long,  by  one  foot  and  a  half  high,  sculptured  in 
basso  relievo,  beautifully  executed.  The  Virgin  is  reclining  upon  a 
couch,  with  the  infant  Christ  standing  in  her  lap,  behind  the  Virgin  is  a 
female  figure,  perhaps  intended  for  Elizabeth.  The  three  Kings  are 
each  presenting  an  offering ;  he  who  is  nearest  to  Jesus  Christ,  holds 
in  his  left  hand  a  globular  vase,  while  with  his  right  he  salutes  the  new- 
born infant. 

On  the  south  side  of  the  altar  is  a  large  and  curious  monument  to  the 
memory  of  Sir  William  Cordell,  Knt.,  of  Melford  Hall,  Speaker  of  the 
House  of  Commons,  and  Master  of  the  Rolls,  in  the  time  of  Philip  and 
Mary,  and  Queen  Elizabeth,  who  married  Mary,  the  daughter  of  Ri- 
chard Clopton,  Esq.  of  Fore  Hall.  His  arms  are  Or,  a  chewon  eitnine 
between  three  griffins'  heads  erased  gules.  Upon  the  monument,  which  is 
shewn  in  Plate  IH.,  is  the  following  inscription  : — 

"  Hie  Gulielmus  habet  requiem  Cordellus,  avito 

Steramate  vir  clarus,  clarior  ingenio. 
la  studiis  primos  consumpsit  fortiter  annos, 

Mox  et  causarum  strenuus  Actor  erat ; 
Tanta  illi  Doctrina  inerat  facundia  tanta, 

Ut  Parliamenti  publica  lingua  foret ; 
Postea  factus  Eques,  Regins  Arcana  Maris 

Consilia  et  PatriaB  grande  subibat  onus. 
Factus  et  est  Gustos  Rotulorum  ;  urgente  senecta 

In  Christo  moriens  coepit  ad  astra  viam, 
Pauperibus  largus,  victum,  vestemq.  ministrans, 

Insuper  Hospitii  condidit  ille  Domum : 
Hunc  sensit  Princeps,  sensit  Respublica  tota 

Esse  virum  meritis  &  pietate  gravem, 
Vir  pius  &  Justus,  quem  non  a  transite  recti, 

Sive  odium  poterat  flectere,  sive  metus. 
Qui  quod  pollicitus  fuerat  servavit  et  idem 

Qui  vitare  malos  novit  amare  bonos. 
Firmus  Amicitise  Cultor ;  convictor  amcenus, 

Candidas  &  vitai  factus  ad  omue  decus  ; 
Nee  dubium  est,  qui  sic  vixit  vitamq.  reliquit, 

Quid  nunc  ccelicolos  spiritus  interagat." 

Plate  VT.  The  Clopton  Chapel,  or  Chantry,  upon  the  north  side  of 
the  Chancel,  is  one  of  the  most  interesting  portions  of  the  building.  On 
the  right  is  seen  the  piscina,  near  which  was  the  altar  for  the  officiating 
priests,  and  the  stalls,  or  seats,  for  their  occasional  accommodation  du- 
ring the  Mass,  which  was  offered  up  for  the  souls  of  the  deceased.  In 
front  is  also  seen  the  entrance  to  the  vault,  above  which  is  the  sepul- 
chral monument  of  John  Clopton,  Esq.  of  Kentwell  Hall,  Sheriff"  of  this 
County  in  1451,  and  who  died  in  1497.  The  arch  is  open  to  the  Chancel, 
21 


CHURCH    OF   THE   HOLY   TRINITY,   MELFORD,    SUFFOLK. 

and  the  slab  was  always  used  on  Good  Friday,  for  the  raising  of  the 
Sepulchre,  as  mentioned  in  Mr.  Martin's  Manuscript,  which  has  been 
previously  transcribed.  Over  this  Monument  and  the  Stalls,  is  a  series 
of  tabernacled  Niches.  But  what  is  most  curious,  is  the  richly  em- 
bellished roof  of  oak,  somewhat  flat,  the  beams  or  rafters  of  which  are 
painted  of  a  bright  red  colour,  while  the  panelled  surface  between  each 
is  of  a  delicate  azure,  studded  with  golden  stars.  Upon  the  rafters  are 
painted  a  number  of  small  labels,  inscribed  5I]U  JEtrcp,  and  iJ3ra 
JliCtCp,  alternately ;  between  them,  against  the  cornice,  is  a  succes- 
sion of  shields,  blazoned  with  the  arms  of  Clopton,  viz.  sable,  a  bend  er- 
mine between  two  cuttises,  dancette,  or,  impaling  the  Arms  of  the  various 
matches  of  the  family.  Below  these  shields  is  a  wide  scroll,  commenc- 
ing from  an  extended  hand  at  one  end,  and  continuing  all  round  the 
chapel,  containing  a  verj'  long  genealogical  inscription,  in  black  letter, 
partly  obliterated.  The  walls  appear  also  to  have  been  nearly  covered 
with  Scriptural  legends,  the  whole  extremely  curious  and  interesting,  as 
a  specimen  of  the  magnificent  decoration  anciently  applied  to  a  sepulchral 
chapel. 


22 


mint  (^resdi^'s  C!)urcf), 

SUDBURY,  SUFFOLK; 

PERPETUAL  CURATE. 
THE  REVEREND  H.W.  WILKINSON,  A.M. 


The  towu  of  Sudbury  is  situated  upon  the  Stour,  a  considerable  river, 
which  forms  the  southern  boundary  of  the  county,  and  consists  of  three 
parishes,  All  Saints',  St.  Gregory's,  and  St.  Peter's.  It  was  in  this  town 
that  Simon,  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  in  the  reign  of  Richard  II.  was 
born.  The  east  end  of  the  Church  of  St.  Gregory,  built  by  that  Prelate, 
is  prominent  in  our  view,  Plate  I.  which  is  taken  from  the  south  side; 
the  edifice  is  large,  and  comprises  a  nave,  north  and  south  aisles,  with 
a  chancel :  at  the  west  end  is  an  embattled  Tower.  The  Chapel  on  the 
south  side,  is  called  St.  Anne's  Chapel,  and  is  now  the  property  of  the 
Carter  family.  It  contains  two  large  raised  tombs,  covered  with  marble 
slabs.  Over  one  of  them  is  a  mural  monument  for  Thomas  Carter,  with 
an  English  inscription,  which  records  his  Benefactions  to  the  Church 
and  the  Poor.  On  one  side  of  the  tomb  below  this  Monument,  is  the 
following  singular  inscription. 

H4c  solitari^  cell4 

A  doloribus  et  procellis  mundi, 

Tutas  leconJuntur  reliquiae.    Tho^.  Carter,  gen . 

Marmore  contiguo  a  dextris  memorati, 

Qui  12"°.  Maii  Anno  Salutis  1706 

.(Etatis  suffi  68'°.  natalis  asterni  1"°. 

De  hac  vita  (ita  speramus)  migravit  in  Coelum 

Bonus  refertis  operibus. 

Vir  nominis  revera  colendi  probis  ornatus  moribus 

militate  hac  Opiniosissimil  fide  intemeratus. 
Ob  amplissima  beneficia  Ecclesia;  et  Pauperibus  coUatus. 
In  posterum  omnibus  merite  celebrandus. 
Viator 
Mirum  referam 
Quo  die  affiavit  animam  prtrdicttis  Titos.  Carter 
AaXs foramen  transivit  Camelus  Sudburiensis 
Vade 
Et  sis  dives  si  tuj'ac  similiter 
Vale. 

At  the  east  end  of  the  north  aisle  is  the  Vestry,  in  which  is  still  pre- 
served the  head  of  Simon  Sudbury,  who  was  buried  here;  the  magni- 
ficent tomb  erected  to  his  memory  in  Canterbury  Cathedral  being  only  a 
Cenotaph.  The  dried  flesh  remains  upon  the  bones  of  the  skull,  which  is 
placed  in  a  grated  recess,  and  on  the  falling  door  or  flap,  is  a  parchment, 
with  an  account  of  the  Archbishop,  written  in  an  old  hand,  as  follows : — 

"  The  head  of  Simon  Theobald,  who  was  bom  at  Sudbury,  and  thence  called  Simon  of 
1 


SAINT   GREGORY  S   CHURCH    SUDBURY,    SUFFOLK. 

Sudbury  ;  he  was  sent  when  but  a  youth  into  foreign  parts  to  study  the  civil  law,  where 
he  was  made  Doctor ;  he  visited  most  of  the  Universities  in  France,  and  was  made  Chap- 
lain to  Pope  Innocent,  and  Auditor  of  his  Rota,  a  Judge  of  the  Romish  court.  By  the  in- 
terest of  the  Pope  he  was  made  Chancellor  of  Salisbury  in  the  year  I36I.  He  was  after- 
wards Bishop  of  London,  and  in  the  year  1374,  he  was  translated  to  the  See  of  Canter- 
bury, and  made  Chancellor  of  England.  While  he  was  Bishop  of  London,  he  built  the 
upper  end  of  St.  Gregorie's  Church  at  Sudbury,  and  where  his  father's  house  stood  he 
erected  a  college  of  secular  priests,  and  endowed  it  with  the  yearly  revenue  of  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty-two  pounds,  eighteen  shillings,  and  was  at  length  barbarously  beheaded 
upon  Tower-hill  in  London,  by  the  rabble  in  ^Vat  Tyler's  rebellion  in  the  reign  of  Richard 
11.  1322. 

The  general  effect  of  the  interior  of  this  Church  is  fine.  Some  frag- 
ments of  the  painted  glass  with  which  it  appears  the  windows  were  for- 
merly adorned  still  remain  in  various  parts.  In  the  journal  of  William 
Dowsing,  the  parliamentary  visitor,  appointed  under  a  warrant  from  the 
Earl  of  Manchester  for  demolishing  the  superstitious  pictures  and  orna- 
ments of  Churches  within  this  county  in  1G43  and  1644,  is  the  following 
entry,  "  Gregory  Parish,  9th  January,  we  brake  down  ten  mighty  great 
angels  in  glass,  in  all  eighty."  Against  the  westernmost  pillar,  on  the  north 
side  of  the  Church  is  the  very  curious  octagonal  and  ancient  Baptismal 
font  represented  in  Plate  2;  the  cover  in  wood  of  rich  workmanship  is 
heightened  by  painting  and  gilding,  and  is  probably  of  the  date  of  Henry 
the  Sixth's  reign.  The  lower  compartment  opens  like  a  closet,  when  the 
ceremony  is  performed.  Tt  rises  in  arches  and  pinnacles  to  a  canopy, 
whence  the  whole  is  screened  from  the  dust  by  a  dark  blue  curtain.  The 
Font  is  of  stone,  and  appears  to  be  of  much  earlier  date  than  its  orna- 
mented cover.  The  roof  is  of  oak,  and  near  the  chancel  end  some  origi- 
nal tracery  remains,  with  a  series  of  angels  on  the  string  course.  Three  of 
the  bosses  in  the  north  Aisle  are  carved,  viz.  1.  The  Virgin,  within  a 
wreath  or  garland.  2.  A  Shield,  bearing  a  Boar  passant,  within  a 
border  engrailed.      3.  A  Tortile  Oak  Branch. 

The  Altar  is  very  plain,  having  only  the  monogram  I.  H.  S.  in  the 
centre,  and  over  the  decalogue  cherubim  heads.  Against  the  north  wall 
of  the  Aisle  is  an  elegant  monument  sculptured  by  John  Bacon,  junior, 
thus  inscribed : — 

.loannis  Newman,  A.i\I.  Parochife,  in  hoc  comitatu,  parvs  Cornearth  dictas,  nuper 
Rectoris,  mortalis  esse  desit  Augusti  die  10,  A.  D.  1814,  annus  natus  67.  Non  minus  in- 
tegritate  vita;,  quam  singulare  benevolentia,  notus  qualis  autem  erat  in  amicorum  cogna- 
torumque  pectoribus,  non  in  caduco  marmore  inscriptum  superest.  In  eodem  depositum 
est  tumulo  quod  quid  fuit  mortale  Priscills  et  Joannis  Gibbon,  supra  dicti,  u.voris  et  filii,  ilia 
obiit  Novembris  die  20,  A.D.  1803,  annos  natu  47,  hie  Februarii  1,  A.  D.  1805,  Annus 
natus  22. 

Under  this  monument  are  three  tombs,  coveied  with  large  black  mar- 
ble slabs,  in  memory  of  members  of  the  family  of  Warner,  1C97,  &c. 
Also  one  for  the  Carter  family,  dated  1088.  Close  to  the  slabs  is  a  very- 
large  stone,  thirteen  feet  long  by  six  feet  w  iJe,  with  indents  of  brasses, 
but  which  has  long  been  deprived  of  the  plates. 


Cj)t  C|)urt|)  of  ^t.  3o\)n  t\)t  Baptist. 

CROYDON,  SURREY ; 

VICAR, 
THE  REV.  J.  C.  LOCKWOOD,  M.  A. 


The  magnificent  Palace  of  the  Primate  of  all  England  procured  cele- 
brity to  this  town,  in  very  early  periods  of  history.  The  Archbishops 
of  Canterbury  have  possessed  the  manor  from  the  time  of  the  Norman 
Conquest,  and  Croydon  was  the  place  of  their  occasional  retirement,  when 
those  Prelates  enjoyed  their  utmost  plenitude  of  power,  and  the  enor- 
mous revenues  which  enabled  them  almost  to  equal  royalty  itself,  in  the 
splendour  of  their  establishment,  and  in  the  profusion  of  their  hospita- 
lity. The  Church,  from  the  earliest  time,  was  appropriated  to  the  Arch- 
bishopric, and  to  the  munificence  of  successive  Prelates  the  present 
building  doubtless  owes  its  existence.  The  ancient  Palace,  no  longer 
belonging  to  the  archbishops  of  Canterbury,  is  now  in  a  state  of  great 
dilapidation,  and  is  inhabited  by  Messrs.  Starey,  Bleachers,  &c.  ;  but 
the  Church  still  retains  its  primary  appearance,  and  has  been  selected 
for  the  attention  of  our  readers  as  one  of  the  finest  and  most  interesting 
examples  of  Ecclesiastical  architecture  in  this  county.  It  stands  at  the 
bottom  of  the  town,  contiguous  to  the  site  of  the  Palace,  a  portion  of 
which  was  added  to  the  Church-yard,  about  the  year  1808. 

Plate  1. — The  exterior  view,  represents  the  north  side  of  the  Church, 
which  consists  of  a  spacious  nave,  north  and  south  aisles,  and  chancel, 
extending  in  length  130  feet.  The  tower  at  the  west  end,  is  very  lofty, 
and  exceedingly  well-proportioned,  the  decorations  are  chaste  and  sim- 
ple, and  are  more  striking  from  the  justness  of  their  disposition,  than 
from  their  exuberance.  This  portion  of  the  edifice,  judging  from  the  shields 
bearing  the  arms  of  Abp.  Chichele,  which  occupy  the  spandrils  of  the 
arch  of  entrance,  was  erected  by  that  Prelate,  at  the  very  time  that  the 
pointed  style  had  attained  its  utmost  perfection.  The  Tower  is  built  of 
flint  and  stone,  and  contains  a  fine  peal  of  eight  bells,  and  a  clock.  It 
rises  to  the  height  of  four  stories,  and  with  the  exception  of  the  very 
fine  muUioned  window  over  the  door,  the  lower  divisions,  which  derive 
support  from  buttresses,  are  not  much  ornamented;  the  chief  decora- 
tion being  reserved  for  the  summit,  where  the  buttresses  terminate  in 
1 


ST.  JOHNS  CHURCH,  CROYDON,  SURREY. 

octangular  turrets,  surmounted  by  crocketted  pinuacles,  bearing  gilded 
vanes;  at  the  south-east  corner  is  the  Saint's  bell,  a  position  usually  as- 
signed to  it  in  the  Tower. 

This  handsome  Tower  underwent  a  thorough  repair  some  years  ago, 
when  those  parts  of  the  sculptural  ornament,  which  had  suffered  from  the 
devastation  of  time,  were  judiciously  restoied  with  Roman  Cement.  It 
is  recorded  by  the  following  inscription  over  the  door : 

THIS   TOWER   REPAIRED    IN    1807    AND    1808,   WILLIAM    BROWN 
AND   JOHN    PHILLIPSON,    CHURCHWARDENS. 

Both  on  the  north  and  south  side  is  a  Porch  of  entrance :  that  on  the 
north  bears  the  arms  of  Archbishop  Courtenay,  who  may  be  supposed  to 
have  erected  a  portion  of  the  Church  in  the  reign  of  Richard  IT. 

The  Chancel,  properly  so  called,  has  been  restored  in  good  taste, 
which  is  denoted  by  the  following  inscription  at  the  east  end.  "  This 
Chancel  end  was  repaired  and  beautified  by  Alexander  Caldcleugh, 
Esq.  in  the  year  1808."  St.  Nicholas',  or  the  Bishop's  Chapel,  at  the 
east  end  of  the  South  Aisle,  was  repaired  in  1815,  and  St.  Mary's,  or 
Heron's  Chapel,  at  the  east  end  of  the  North  Aisle,  was  repaired  in  1817. 

The  interior  of  this  Church,  vide  Plate  2,  embracing  the  view  of  the 
Nave  and  Chancel,  presents  a  most  noble  appearance  ;  the  Nave  is  se- 
parated from  the  Aisles  on  either  side  by  light  clustered  columns, 
supporting  pointed  arches  :  towards  the  east  end,  near  the  Pulpit,  is  a 
column  of  white  marble,  with  an  inscription  written  by  Glover,  the  au- 
thor of  Leonidas,  in  memory  of  Philippa  Bourdieu,  who  died  24th 
June,  1780,  xt.  50.  A  marble  tablet,  under  tlie  above,  records  the  death 
of  James  Bourdieu,  Esq.  of  Coombe,  in  this  county,  3d  Nov.  1802,  a?t.  90. 
On  the  wall  between  the  Nave  and  the  Chancel,  is  a  column  of  white 
marble,  supporting  a  funereal  urn,  in  memory  of  Anne,  wife  of  John  Bour- 
dieu, of  Golden-square,  London,  who  died  23d  March,  1798,  act  31. 

The  Organ,  over  the  western  entrance,  was  built  by  Avery,  in  1794, 
who  always  considered  it  as  his  greatest  work.  Some  additions  and 
improvements  to  this  instrument  were  afterwards  made  by  Elliot,  and 
in  its  present  state  it  may  justly  be  deemed  a  perfect  specimen  of  the  art. 
The  Font  in  Heron's  Chapel,  of  an  octagon  form,  has  been  lately  re- 
stored, after  having  been  laid  aside  for  some  time ;  it  is  probably  coeval 
w  ith  the  church ;  the  quatrefoil  panels  on  its  sides  arc  filled  with  roses, 
in  one  is  a  lion's  head. 

In  the  Chancel  were  formerly  twelve  ancient  wooden  stalls,  of  curious 
workmanship,  which  were  removed  to  afford  space  for  above  a  hundred 
children  of  the  School  of  Industry,  who  now  have  seats  here.  On  the 
south  side  of  the  Altar  is  the  large  and  handsome  monument  of  Edmund 
Grindall,  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  born  in  1519,  at  Hensingham,  a 
small  village  in  Cumberland.   Under  the  patronage  of  Cecil,  he  attained 

2 


riravTiK  jrNf'ni 


'INTEBJOTl  I-OOSIV-^    1:aST 


*^r 


ST.  JOHN  S  CHUKCH,  CROYDON,  SURREY. 

successively  the  sees  of  London,  York,  and  Canterbury:  in  1582,  he 
retired  to  Croydon  where  he  died,  July  6,  1583.  Upon  the  tomb  are  re- 
presented his  arms,  viz.  Quarterly,  or  and  azure,  a  ci-oss  quartered,  ermine 
and  or,  between  four  peahens,  collared  and  counterchanged,  impaled  veith 
some  of  his  ecclesiastical  dignities. 

On  the  north  wall  of  the  Chancel  are  tombs  to  John  Pynsent,  Esq. 
Prothonotary.^  ob.  iOth  August,  16G8;  arms,  gules  on  a  chevron  en- 
grailed, three  mullets  argent.  And  to  Maister  Henry  Mill,  and  Eliz.  his 
wife,  ob.  1575.  In  the  middle  of  the  chancel  is  a  marble  slab,  inlaid 
with  brass,  bearing  this  inscription  : — "  Hie  jacet  Egidiiis  Seymer,  qui 
obiit  xxii  die  Decemis  Anno  Dui.  mccccxxx.  cujus  aie  propicietur 
Deus. 

Plate  3  represents  the  Chantry,  dedicated  to  St.  Nicholas,  now  called 
the  Bishop's  Chapel,  at  the  east  end  of  the  South  Aisle  ;  this  Chapel  ap- 
pears to  have  been  founded  about  the  year  1450,  by  Richard  Weldon, 
Esq.  and  Elizabeth  his  wife,  in  whose  family  the  presentation  of  the  in- 
cumbent continued,  until  its  dissolution,  in  the  first  year  of  the  reign  of 
King  Edward  VI. ;  notwithstanding  which,  it  is  always  said  to  have  been 
founded  for  the  repose  of  the  soul  of  John  Staflbrd,  Bishop  of  Bath  and 
Wells,  who,  after  Chichele's  death,  was  translated  to  the  See  of  Canter- 
bury; and  for  William  Oliver;  Vicar  of  this  Church,  who  probably  gave 
some  lands  to  the  Chantry  for  the  support  of  the  officiating  Priest,  the 
total  income  of  whom  was  14/.  I4s. 

The  three  very  handsome  monuments  of  Whitgift,  Warham,  and 
Sheldon,  shewn  in  the  Engraving,  are  upon  the  south  side  of  the 
Bishop's  Chapel,  the  centre  Tomb  is  the  most  ancient;  the  inscriptions, 
as  well  as  the  portraitures,  of  brass  inlaid,  have  been  sacrilegiously  torn 
from  it,  leaving  it  in  some  degree  uncertain  for  whom  it  was  erected, 
but  from  the  style,  and  from  the  armorial  bearings  with  which  it  is 
adorned,  may  be  presumed  to  commemorate  Thomas  Warham,  Esq., 
the  father  of  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury  of  that  name,  who  died  at 
his  seat  at  Haling  House,  near  this  town,  in  1478,  and  by  will  ordered 
his  body  to  be  buried  in  St.  Nicholas'  Chantry,  before  the  image  of  our 
Lady  of  Pity,  bequeathing  legacies  for  masses,  cVc.  with  a  distribution 
of  torches  to  be  used  at  his  Mouth's  Mind,  at  which  time  it  was  usual 
to  have  the  funeral  sermon  preached.  The  Haling  estate  was  after- 
wards exchanged  by  Archbishop  Warham  with  Henry  VIII.  for  other 
lands.  The  tomb  is  inserted  in  the  wall,  and  is  adorned  upon  its  base 
with  three  shields  of  arms,  within  quatrefoils,  viz.  1.  Gules,  a  jess  or, 
in  chief  a  goat's  head  couped  argent,  attired  of  the  second,  in  base  three 
escallop  shells  of  the  third,  for  Warham.  2.  Warham,  quartering  party 
per  pale  two  bars.  3.  Two  bars  as  before.  Over  the  tomb  is  raised 
an  obtusely  pointed  arch,  flanked  by  small  angular  pillars,  and  sur- 
mounted by  an  ornamented  cornice,  or  moulding,  the  foliage  upon  which 
3 


ST.  John's  church,  croydon,  surrey. 

is  finely  sculptured.  The  soffit  of  the  arch  is  divided  into  trefoil-headed 
panels,  with  small  qiiatrefoils  at  regular  distances.  At  the  back  of  the 
recess  are  the  indents  of  figures  of  a  man  and  a  woman,  with  labels 
issuing  out  of  their  mouths.  Above  the  whole  are  three  shields,  one 
in  the  centre  and  one  on  each  pillar,  corresponding  in  their  heraldic 
bearings  with  those  on  the  basement :  over  the  centre  shield  is  a  helmet 
and  mantling,  but  the  crest  is  now  broken  off. 

The  costly  monument  on  the  side  towards  the  east  is  that  of  John 
Whitgift,  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  who  died  at  Lambeth  Palace, 
Feb.  28,  1604.  His  funeral,  which  took  place  on  the  27th  of  March 
following,  was  attended  by  the  Earl  of  Worcester  and  the  Lord  Zouche, 
who  bore  the  pall,  and  Dr.  Babington,  Bishop  of  Worcester,  who 
preached  the  funeral  sermon. 

The  monument  of  this  much  celebrated  character  is  remarkable  as  the 
exact  counterpart  of  that  of  his  immediate  predecessor.  Archbishop 
Griudal,  who  lies  entombed  on  the  south  side  of  the  altar,  and  both  of  them 
very  nearly  resemble  the  sepulchral  memorial  of  John  Lord  Russel,  in 
St.  Edmund's  Chapel,  Westminster  Abbey.  The  archbishop  is  here  re- 
presented upon  a  sarcophagus,  in  his  clerical  robes,  with  his  hands  raised, 
as  in  prayer.  The  figure  has  been  repainted,  but  in  a  very  coarse  un- 
feeling manner,  doing  no  credit  to  the  workman  employed,  who,  to  judge 
from  this  specimen,  was  selected  from  the  lowest  grade.  The  sarco- 
phagus is  placed  within  an  arched  recess,  the  spandrils  of  which  are 
sculptured  with  female  figures,  bearing  wreaths  of  laurel  and  branches  of 
palm.  At  the  ends  of  the  tomb  are  Corinthian  columns  supporting  an  en- 
riched entablature  surmounted  by  three  shields  of  arms  ;  the  centre  is 
the  largest,  and  bears  the  arms  of  the  archbishopric  of  Canterbury,  im- 
paling. Argent,  on  a  cross  Jletiry  sable,  Jive  bezants,  for  Whitgift.  The 
shield  on  the  dexter  side  bears  the  arms  of  the  bishopric  of  Worcester, 
impaling  Whitgift;  and  on  the  sinister  shield  is  the  arms  of  the  Deanery 
of  Canterbury,  impaling  those  of  Whitgift.  The  sotHt  of  the  arch,  under 
which  the  figure  reposes,  is  panelled,  with  roses  in  the  centre  of  each. 
At  the  back  are  two  genii,  one  bearing  a  spade,  the  other  a  torch,  em- 
blems of  mortality,  and  holding  a  tablet  within  a  frame,  with  the  following 
inscription  upon  it,  written  by  his  Grace's  chaplain  : 

POST  TENEBRAS  SPERO  LUCEM. 

'Whitgifta  Eborum  Grirasbeia  ad  littora  nomen 
Whilgifta  emisit  felix  hoc  nomine  Grimsbei. 
Hinc  natus,  non  natus  ad  banc  mox  mittitur  hospes 
Londinum  :  inde  novam  te,  Cantabrigia  matrem 
Insequitur,  supraque  fidem  suavi  ubere  crescit. 
Petro  fit  socius  Pembro.     Triadique  magister 
Fitque  matri,  Cathedraique  Professor  utrique 
'  £  Cathedra  Lincolaa  suum  petit  esse  Decanum, 


ST,  JOHN'S   CHURCH,   CROYDON,   SURREY. 

Mox  Wigorn  petit  esse  suum,  fit  Episcopus  illic  : 
Proprseaes  Patriae,  quo  nunquam  acceptior  alter. 
Post  annos  plus  sex  summum  petit  Anglia  patrem  ; 
Plus  quam  bis  denos  fuit  Archiepiscopus  annos 
Charior  Eliza  dubium  est  an  Regi  Jacobo. 
Consul  utrique  fuit — Sis  tu,  Croidona  testis 
Pauperibus  quam  charus  erat,  queis  nubile  struxit 
Hospitium,  puerisque  scholam,  dotemque  reliquit. 
Coelibis  hxc  vitae  soboles  qus  nota  per  annos 
Septuaginta  duos  nullo  enumerabitur  ffivo. 
Invidia  hsec  cernens  moritur  ;  Patientia  vincens 
Ad  summum  evecto  seternum  dat  lumen  honori." 

In  a  compartment  below  the  above,  are  the  following  lines  : 

"  Magna  Senatoris  sunt  nomina,  pondera  et  xqua 

Nominibus,  quem  non  utraque  juncta  premunf! 
Prssulis  aeeedat  si  summum  nomen  ad  ista 

Pondera  quis  ferat,  aut  perferat  ilia  diu  1 
Pax  vivo  grata  est,  mens  recti  conscia  paeem 

Fert  animo,  haec  mortem  non  metuisse  dedit. 
Mors  requiem  membris,  animaj  coelestia  donat 

Gaudia ;  sic  potuit  vincere  qui  patitur. 

Gratia  non  miro  si  fit  divina  Johannis 

Qui  jacet  hie,  solus  credito  gratus  erat. 
Nee  magis  immerito  Whitgiftus  dicitur  idem ; 

Candor  in  eloquio,  pectore  candor  erat, 
Candida  pauperibus  posuit  loca,  Candida  musis; 

E  terris  moriens  Candida  dona  tulit," 

The  other  tomb  represented  upon  this  plate  is  a  most  sumptuous  pile 
to  the  memory  of  Archbishop  Sheldon,  who  died  in  the  Palace  here, 
November  9,  1677,  in  the  80th  year  of  his  age,  and  was  buried  in  this 
Church  by  his  own  particular  directions.  The  general  appearance  of 
this  monument,  which  is  much  admired  for  the  excellence  of  the  execu- 
tion, exhibits  a  great  want  of  taste  in  the  violent  contrast  of  black  and 
white  in  the  material  of  which  it  is  composed,  but  which  was  undoubt- 
edly adopted  to  increase  the  general  effect,  and  display  the  superior 
workmanship,  principally  in  white  marble,  to  the  best  advantage.  The 
black  marble  Altar  Tomb,  which  forms  the  base  of  this  Monument,  is 
accordingly  panelled  with  white  marble,  most  beautifully  sculptured  with 
the  sad  emblems  of  mortality,  human  skulls  and  bones,  apparently  heaped 
together  with  remorseless  indifference,  the  osteology  is  indeed  uncom- 
monly fine  :  upon  a  large  slab  is  a  most  exquisite  statue  of  Sheldon  him- 
self, in  his  Archiepiscopal  vestments,  reclining  upon  his  left  arm,  with 
his  mitre  on  his  head,  and  his  crozier  in  his  right  hand.  There  is  a  won- 
derful grace  in  the  composition  and  character  of  this  figure,  and  the  execu- 
tion has  been  remarked  as  most  admirable.  The  head  of  the  Archbishop 
is  really  quite  a  masterpiece  of  sculpture.  This  fine  monument  has  been 
5 


ST.   JOHN'S    CHURCH,   CROYDON,    SURREY. 

unjustly  ascribed  to  foreigners,  but  is  entirely  the  performance  of  Joseph 
Latham,  the  city  mason,  of  whom  no  other  works  are  known. 

The  Monument  rises  to  a  considerable  height  above  the  principal 
figure,  and  is  surmounted  by  a  funereal  urn,  flaming.  Underneath  are 
two  Genii,  supporting  the  arms  of  the  Archbishopric  of  Canterbury, 
impaling,  argent,  on  a  chevron  gnlcs,  three  sheldrakes  of  the  first ,  on  a  can- 
ton of  the  second,  a  rose  of  the  last,  for  Sheldon :  under  it  his  motto,  FOR- 
TITER  ET  SUAVITER,  and  at  the  back,  within  a  guideron  tablet  of  white 
marble,  is  the  following  inscription  : — 

"Hie  jacet  Gilbertus  Sheldon,  Antiqua  Sheldoniorum  familia,  in  A^o  Staffordi- 
ensi  natus,  Oxonii  bonis  Uteris  eruditus,  S.  Sta  Theologiae  Doctor  insignis ; 
Coll.  Omnium  Animarum  Custos,  prudens,  fidelis,  Academic  Cancellarius  muni6- 
centissimus,  Regii  Oratorii,  Clericus  Car.  Imo  B'mo  Martyri  Charissimus,  sub 
Serenissimo  R.  Carolo  2ndo  MDCLX.  magno  illo  Instaurationis  Anno,  Sacelli 
Palatini  Decanus,  Londiniensis  Episcopus;  MDCLXII.  in  Secretioris  Concilii 
ordinem  cooptatus;  IMDCLXIII.  ad  dignitatis  Arehiepiscopalis  apicem  evectus. 
Vir  omnibus  negotiis  par,  omnibus  titulis  superior,  in  rebus  adversis  magnus, 
in  prosperis  bonus,  utriusque  Fortunas  Dominus  ;  Pauperum  Parens,  Literatorum 
Patronus,  Eeclesia;  Stator.  De  tanto  viro  parva  dicere  non  expedit ;  multa  non 
opus  est ;  norunt  Prssentes.  Posteri  vis  credent :  Octogenarius  Animam  piam  et 
Coelo  maturam  Deo  reddidit  V.  Id  Novembris,  MDCLWII. 

At  the  end  of  the  Archbishop's  Monument  is  a  marble  slab  to  the  me- 
mory of  Sir  Joseph  Sheldon,  Knt.,  the  eldest  son  of  Ralph  Sheldon,  Esq., 
who  was  the  eldest  brother  of  Gilbert,  Archbishop  of  Canterbury.  He 
died  16th  August,  1681,  a>t.  50.  Under  a  slab  in  front  is  buried  Daniel 
Sheldon,  Esq.,  son  of  the  above  Ralph,  who  died  14th  February,  1G98, 
set.  65,  and  Judith  his  daughter,  who  died  Dec.  6th,  17-25,  a:t.  47.  Ano- 
ther slab  covers  the  body  pf  Roger  Sheldon,  Esq.,  son  of  Ralph,  the 
elder  brother  of  the  Archbishop.     He  died  unmarried.  May  30,  1710, 

aet.  71. 

There  are  also  marble  slabs  in  this  Chantry  for  Abp.  AVake,  Potter, 
and  Herring.  Tiie  first,  now  concealed  by  a  Tew,  bears  this  inscription  : 
"  Depositum  Gulielmi  Wake,  Archiepiscopi  Cantuarieusis,  qui  obiit  XXI\'.  Janu- 
arii  Anno  Dom.  JIDCCXXXVI.  a;tatis  suiE  LXXIX.  et  EtheUlreda-,  uxoris  ejus, 
qua:  obiit  XI.  .\prilis,  MDCCXXXV.  aitatis  sua:  LXII." 

The  slab  which  covers  the  remains  of  Potter  is  also  concealed  by  the 
erection  of  pews  in  this  part  of  the  Church  ;  but  a  neat  marble  tablet  is 
now  affixed  on  the  wall,  nearly  opposite  Sheldon's  3Ionumeut,  and  is 
thus  inscribed  : — 

"  Beneath  are  deposited  the  remains  of  the  Most  Reverend  John  Potter,  D.  D., 
Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  who  died  October  X.  BIDCCXLVII.,  in  the  LXXIV. 
year  of  his  age." 

Another  slab  records — 

"  Here  lieth  the  body  of  the  Slost  Reverend  Thomas  Herring,  Archbishop  of  Can- 
terbury, who  died  March  13,  1757,  aged  64." 
6 


ST.  John's  church,  croydon,  surrey. 

There  were  also  the  following  sepulchral  brasses  in  slabs  of  marble  : — 
Elizabeth,  daughter  of  John  Kynge,  and  Clementi  his  wife,  who  died 
17th  November,  A.D.  1689,  aet.  21. 

Richard  Yeoman,  Farmer,  of  Waddon  Courte,  ob.  26th  December, 
1590,  aet.  90 ;  and  Thomas  Yeomans,  ob.  April  1st,  1602. 

Another,  with  figures  of  Thomas  Walshe  of  Croydon,  Gent.,  and 
Katherine  his  wife,  daughter  of  William  Butler  of  Tyes,  in  Sussex,  Gent. ; 
he  died  30th  August,  1690. 

Against  the  east  wall  of  St.  Nicholas',  or  the  Bishop's  Chapel,  is  a  mo- 
nument of  marble,  with  a  kneeling  figure  at  a  prie  dieu,  inscribed  with 
these  words,  "  Ossa  Michaelis  sunt  hie  sita  Murgatroida,  da  pia  poste- 
ritas,  ut  vere  quiete  cubent."  On  a  black  marble  tablet  beneath  is  a 
long  inscription  in  Latin,  by  which  it  appears  that  he  was  Steward  and 
Secretary  to  Archbishop  Whitgift,  and  died  3rd  April,  1608,  aet.  56. 

Under  it  is  another  tomb  for  Elizabeth  Bradbury,  daughter  to  Wil- 
liam Whitgift  of  Clavering  in  Essex,  second  brother  to  the  Archbishop, 
who  died  'iCth  June,  1612,  a?t.  38. 

And  a  black  marble  slab  under  Whitgift's  tomb,  records  the  memory 
of  Lady  Elizabeth  Gresham,  late  wife  of  Sir  ^Villiam  Gresham,  Knt, 
who  died  9th  December,  1632,  and  lieth  here  interred,  the  marble  was 
here  placed  by  her  only  daughter,  H.  G. 

The  other  Chantry  Chapel,  at  the  east  end  of  the  North  Aisle,  and 
dedicated  to  the  Virgin  Mary,  called  Heron's  Chapel,  is  said  to  have 
been  founded  by  Sir  Reginald  de  Cobham,  Lord  Cobham,  of  Sterborough 
Castle,  in  this  county,  for  the  repose  of  his  soul,  that  of  his  wife  Joan, 
the  daughter  of  Maurice  de  Berkeley;  those  of  his  children,  and  of  all 
Christian  people ;  the  presentation  of  the  priest  was  at  the  same  time 
vested  in  twelve  of  the  principal  inhabitants  of  Croydon  :  the  first  chap- 
lain that  occurs  in  the  register  of  Archbishop  Arundel,  is  John  Parke, 
in  the  year  1402. 

Sir  Reginald  Cobham  had  a  principal  command  in  the  English  Army 
at  the  Battles  of  Cressy  and  Poitiers,  in  the  time  of  Edward  III.,  in 
whose  reign  he  was  summoned  to  Parliament  as  a  Baron. 

Under  a  small  raised  tomb,  in  this  Aisle,  was  buried  Elye  Daveye, 
Citizen  and  Merchant  of  London,  who  died  4th  December,  1445 ;  he 
founded  an  alms-house  for  seven  poor  people  in  Croydon. 

This  part  of  the  Church,  now  generally  known  by  the  name  of  Heron's 
Chapel,  is  so  called  from  a  large  monument  against  the  north  wall,  as- 
cended by  three  steps,  representing  a  man  in  armour  kneeling  at  a  desk, 
on  which  is  a  book  opened  ;  he  is  attended  by  his  five  sons  :  his  wife  in 
the  same  manner,  is  attended  by  eight  daughters  ;  and  the  following  is 
the  inscription:  "  Tumulus  Nicholai  Herone,  Equitis,  sepuiti,  primo  die 
septem,  1566. 

There  is  also  a  slab  to  the  memory  of  Marmaduke  Wyvel,  Esq.,  se- 

7 


ST.    JOHN'S   CHURCH,   CROYDON,    SURREY. 

cond  son  to  Sir  Marmaduke  Wyvel,  of  Constable-Burton,  ^it.  and 
Bart.,  who  died  20tli  August,  1623,  aet.  60;  and  to  3Iarmaduke  Wyvel, 
Esq.,  second  son  to  Sir  M.  Wyvel,  Bart.,  who  died  2nd  January,  1678, 
aet.  86. 

The  town  of  Croydon  is  in  Wallington  Hundred,  ten  miles  from  Lon- 
don, pleasantly  situated  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Bansted  Downs.  At  the 
entrance  of  the  town  is  an  hospital,  founded  and  endowed  by  Archbishop 
Whitgift,  for  a  warden  and  decayed  house-keepers  of  Croydon  and 
Lambeth  parishes,  with  a  school  for  boys  and  girls,  and  a  house  for  the 
master,  who  is  required  to  be  a  clergyman.  Institutions  of  this  nature 
arose  upon  the  dissolution  of  monasteries,  in  the  gTants  of  property  to 
which,  the  support  of  the  poor  was  frequently  made  a  condition ;  this 
hospital  of  the  Holy  Trinity  is  one  of  many  instances  of  the  benevolence 
and  humanity  of  Whitgift,  who  was  the  third  Archbishop  of  Canterbury 
after  the  Reformation.  The  building  was  commenced  in  the  year  1596, 
and  wholly  completed  about  1602  Never  having  been  rebuilt,  it  still 
retains  the  architectural  character  of  that  interesting  period  of  our  history 
— the  reign  of  Queen  Elizabeth.  At  the  west  end  of  the  Chapel  is  pre- 
served a  very  fine  portrait  of  the  founder,  inscribed  in  gold  letters,  with 
the  follo\ving  expressive  lines : — 

Feci  quod  potui ;  potui  quod,  Christe,  dedisti ; 

Improba  fac  melius,  si  potes,  Invidia-: 
Has  Triadi  Sancte  primo  qui  struxerat  aedes, 

lUius  en  veraui  Frssulis  sifigiem. 


UORTH  WEST  V.JZW 


CljurcJ)  of  tf)e  f|ol^  %xinit^, 

STRATFORD-UPON-AVON,  WARWICKSHIRE ; 

VICAR, 
THE  REV.  JAMES  DAVENPORT,  D,  D. 


The  town  of  Stratford-upon-Avon,  illustrious  in  British  topography  as 
the  birth-place  of  Shakspeare,  is  situated  on  the  south-western  border 
of  the  county  of  Warwick,  on  a  gentle  ascent  from  the  banks  of  the 
Avon,  which  rises  in  a  small  spring  at  Naseby,  in  Northamptonshire; 
and  continuing  its  meandering  course  in  a  south-westerly  direction,  ap- 
proaches Stratford  in  a  wide  and  proudly-swelling  stream,  unequalled  in 
any  other  part  of  its  course.  The  town  is  distant  eight  miles  south-west 
from  Warwick,  and  ninety-four  miles  north-west  from  London.  The 
Church  stands  at  its  south-eastern  extremity,  from  which  it  is  ap- 
proached by  a  paved  walk,  under  an  avenue  of  lime-trees,  which  have 
been  made  to  form  a  complete  arcade. 

This  Church  was  originally  a  Rectory,  in  the  patronage  of  the  Bishops 
of  Worcester,  in  whose  diocese  it  is  situate  ;  and  was  purchased  in  the 
tenth  year  of  Edward  III.,  anno  1337,  of  Simon  Montacute,  the  then 
Bishop,  by  John  de  Stratford,  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  and  presented 
to  the  chantry  which  he  had  'previously  founded  in  the  Chapel  of  St. 
Thomas  the  Martyr,  adjoining  the  south  aisle  of  the  Church,  which  aisle 
he  had  rebuilt  at  Iris  own  expense.  The  chantry  consisted  of  five  priests, 
of  whom  the  warden  and  sub-warden  were  perpetual,  while  the  others 
were  elected  and  removed  at  the  warden's  pleasure.  Many  privileges 
and  immunities  were  procured  for  it,  by  the  Archbishop,  from  Edward 
III. ;  and  the  founder,  with  other  benevolent  persons,  settled  various  re- 
venues upon  it,  arising  from  property  in  Stratford  and  other  places.  In 
the  year  1353,  Ralph  de  Stratford,  Bishop  of  London,  and  nephew  of 
the  Archbishop,  erected  a  large  substantial  mansion  of  stone,  afterwards 
called  the  College,  adjoining  to  the  western  side  of  the  Church-yard,  as 
a  residence  for  the  priests. 

To  the  workmen  engaged  in  this  building,  consisting  of  ten  carpenters, 
and  ten  masons,  with  their  servants,  special  protection  was  granted  by 
the  King's  letters  patent,  until  the  edifice  should  be  finished.  An  ample 
charter,  with  many  additional  privUeges,  was  granted  to  the  priests  by 
Henry  V.,  in  the  first  year  of  his  reign ;  and  at  some  period  in  the  reign 
of  that  monarch,  it  acquired  the  title  of  a  Collegiate  Church,  for,  in  the 
first  year  of  Henry  VI.  anno  1423,  Richard  Praty,  afterwards  Bishop 
1 


CHURCH    OF   THE   HOLY   TRINITY, 

of  Chichester,  was  appointed  warden,  by  the  style  of  '  Dean  of  the  Col- 
legiate Church.'  Thomas  Balsall,  D.  D.  who  was  appointed  Dean  in 
1465,  rebuilt  the  beautiful  choir  of  the  Church,  as  it  now  exists ;  and 
dying  in  1491,  was  succeeded  by  Kalph  CoUingwode,  D.  D.  and  Dean  of 
Lichfield;  who,  desirous  of  giving  full  effect  to  the  work  commenced  by 
his  predecessor,  instituted,  with  the  assent  of  Sylvester  Gygles,  then 
Bishop  of  Worcester,  four  boy  choristers,  nominated  and  admitted  by 
the  warden,  to  be  daily  assisting  in  the  celebration  of  divine  service  in 
the  Church,  and  for  whose  maintenance  he  conveyed  to  the  foundation 
certain  lands  in  Stratford,  Drayton,  and  Binton,  all  in  Warwickshire. 

The  College  had  not  long  been  thus  completed  and  endowed,  when 
the  celebrated  Valor  Ecclesiasticus  was  made,  in  1535,  by  order  of 
Henry  "VIII. ;  in  which  it  was  valued,  together  with  the  Church,  at  the 
annual  sum  of  128Z.  9s.  \d. ;  and  in  the  survey  taken  at  the  suppression, 
in  1546,  their  value  was  certified  at  nearly  the  same  amount.  On  the 
dissolution  of  the  College,  the  Church  was  erected  into  a  Vicarage,  with 
the  jurisdiction  of  a  peculiar  ;  and  it  continued  in  the  gift  of  the  succeed- 
ing Bishops  of  Worcester,  as  lords  of  the  Manor  of  Stratford,  until  the 
third  year  of  Edward  VI.,  when  Nicholas  Heath,  at  that  time  Bishop, 
sold  it  to  John  Dudley,  Earl  of  Warwick,  afterwards  Duke  of  Northum- 
berland, upon  whose  attainder  by  Queen  Mary,  it  came  to  the  crown, 
and  was  presented  to  by  the  succeeding  Lords  of  the  Manor.  The 
Duchess  of  Dorset  is  at  present  the  Patroness. 

Stratford  Church  is  a  cruciform  structure,  consisting  of  a  nave  and 
side  aisles,  a  transept  or  cross  aisle,  and  a  chancel  or  choir  ;  with  a  tow- 
er rising  from  the  centre  of  the  cross.  The  precise  period  of  its  erection 
has  not  been  recorded ;  Leland  conjectures  that  it  occupies  the  site  of 
an  ancient  monastery,  which  appears  to  have  existed  here  three  centuries 
prior  to  the  Norman  invasion,  and  he  states  as  a  supposition,  that  it  was 
rebuilt  by  Archbishop  Stratford.  Camden,  in  his  Britannia,  explicitly  af- 
firms, that  it  was  erected  by  that  prelate ;  but  Dugdale  says,  that  the 
south  aisle  only  was  built  by  him,  and  refers  it,  though  erroneously,  to 
the  time  of  the  Conqueror. 

The  avenue  of  trees  leading  to  the  Church  from  the  town,  terminates 
at  the  north  entrance  into  the  nave,  which  consists  of  a  handsome 
porch,  buttressed  and  embattled,  and  apparently  of  a  later  date  than 
the  adjoining  aisle.  Above  the  door  is  a  pointed  window,  which  is 
now  covered  with  a  tablet  commemorating  the  paving  of  the  avenue, 
but  which  formerly  gave  light  to  a  small  room  over  the  porch,  the 
entrance  to  which  is  by  a  staircase  in  the  north  aisle.  This  room, 
it  is  probable,  was  the  muniment  or  record  chamber.  The  nave  is  a 
noble  structure,  supported  on  each  side  by  six  pointed  arches,  M'hich 
rise  from  hexagonal  columns :  above  these  the  sides  are  divided  into 
twelve  compartments,  forming  twelve  clerestory  pointed  windows.  The 
principal  entrance  into  this  part  of  the  Church  is  at  the  west  end, 
•2 


\ 


j  • 


STRATFORD-UPON-AVON. 

under  a  deeply-recessed  pointed  arch,  over  which  are  three  conjoined 
niches,  crowned  by  elegant  and  lofty  canopies.  Above  is  the  great 
western  window,  which  is  nearly  equal  in  width  to  the  nave  itself,  and 
is  beautifully  divided  by  muUions  and  tracery.  The  features  of  this 
western  part  of  the  Church  are  correctly  depicted  in  Plate  I.  Under 
the  great  window  is  the  font,  a  large  fluted  vase  of  blue  marble,  placed 
there  at  the  commencement  of  the  last  century.  The  nave  terminates  at 
the  western  arch  of  the  tower,  which  is  now  occupied  by  the  organ, 
built  by  Thomas  Swarebrick  about  the  year  1728,  and  provided  for  this 
Church  by  subscription.  In  the  space  beneath  the  organ-loft  there  were 
formerly  two  altars ;  one  on  the  north  side  dedicated  to  the  Holy  Tri- 
nity, and  the  other  on  the  south  consecrated  to  the  service  of  St.  Peter 
and  St.  Paul.  A  third  altar  formerly  existed  in  this  Church,  dedicated 
to  St.  Andrew,  but  its  situation  is  unknown.  The  roof  of  the  nave  was 
formerly  surrounded  by  ornamented  battlements,  enriched  by  pinnacles ; 
which  were  taken  down  in  1764,  and  rebuilt  in  a  very  inferior  style. 

At  the  eastern  extremity  of  the  north  aisle  was  a  chapel  dedicated  to 
the  Virgin  Mary,  which  was  used  by  the  brotherhood  of  the  Holy  Cross, 
founded  at  Stratford  in  1269,  by  whom  this  aisle  was  repaired  in  the 
reign  of  Henry  V.  The  three  steps  which  led  to  the  altar  still  remain. 
The  chapel  is  now  wholly  oocupied  by  monuments,  principally  of  the 
Clopton  family,  who  derive  their  surname  from  the  manor  and  mansion- 
house  of  Clopton  in  the  parish  of  Stratford,  of  which  they  have  continued 
in  possession  for  upwards  of  five  hundred  years.  The  most  ancient  mo- 
nument, of  which  Plate  III.  gives  an  accurate  delineation,  is  on  the  south 
side  of  this  aisle;  it- consists  of  an  altar-tomb,  beneath  an  obtusely- 
pointed  arch  richly  decorated,  and  sustained  by  four  elegant  octagonal 
pillars.  The  tomb  itself  is  constructed  of  freestone,  and  is  ornamented 
with  pannels  inclosing  shields.  It  is  covered  by  a  large  slab  of  marble, 
without  either  etfigy  or  inscription  ;  but  it  is  believed  to  be  a  cenotaph 
commemorating  Sir  Hugh  Clopton,  who  was  Lord  Mayor  of  London  in 
1492.  On  the  opposite  side  of  the  chapel  is  another  raised  monument, 
also  represented  in  Plate  III.,  sustaining  two  recumbent  figures  in  white 
marble,  of  William  Clopton,  Esq.,  who  died  in  1592,  and  Anne  his  wife, 
who  died  in  1596.  He  is  represented  in  armour,  his  head  reclining  on  a 
crested  helmet ;  and  has  his  sword  and  gauntlets  by  his  side,  and  a  lion 
at  his  feet. 

Between  the  monuments  just  described,  as  likewise  shewn  in  the  same 
Plate,  is  another  in  memory  of  George  Carew,  Earl  of  Totness,  and 
Baron  of  Clopton,  and  Joice  his  Countess,  who  was  eldest  daughter  of 
the  above-named  William  Clopton,  Esq.  Under  a  spacious  ornamented 
arch,  supported  by  Corinthian  columns,  are  their  figures  in  alabaster, 
painted  to  resemble  life.  The  Earl  is  represented  in  armour,  over  which 
is  his  mantle  of  estate ;  he  has  a  coronet  on  his  head,  and  a  lion  couchaut 
at  his  feet.  The  front  of  the  tomb  is  of  white  marble,  sculptured  with 
3 


CHURCH    OF   THE    HOLY   TRfNITV, 

warlike  engines  and  insignia,  emblematical  of  the  Earl's  office  as  Master 
General  of  the  Ordnance  to  Queen  Elizabeth.  Over  the  arch,  on  a  large 
escutcheon,  are  his  armorial  bearings,  with  their  quarterings.  Within 
the  arch  are  the  three  following  inscriptions: 

"  Thomas  Staffordvs,  strenwa  milit\-m  dvctor,  in  Hibernia,  et  merifo  svo,  eqves 
avratvs ;  serenissimis  Magns  Britaniae  Regibvs  .Tacobo  et  Carolo,  eonmq. 
conivgibvs,  Aame  et  Henriettje-MarisE,  ob  6delem  praestitam  operam  inter 
domesticos  chairs,  quia  c\Tn  iUvstri  comite  ejvsq.  conivge  div  familiariter 
vixit,  hie  pariter  reqviescere  volvit,  donee  Christi  redemptoris  voce,  ad  ster- 
nam  gloriam  indvendam,  raa  cvm  trivmphati  beaton-m  coelis  resvscitabitvr 
svperstitib' — valedixit  ano.  ab  exhibito  in  came  Wessia  s^'pra  millesimv' .... 
sexcentess  .  postqvam  omnibvs  notis  gratis  annos  vixisset " 

D.  O.  M. 
et  memoriae  sacrvm, 
Qvi  in  spem  imortalitatis,  mortales  hie  deposvit  exwias,  Georgivs  Ca- 
nEw  ■  antiqvissima,  nobillissimaq.  ortvs  prosapise,  eadem  scilicet  mascvia 
stirpe  qva  illvstrissimse  Giraldinorvm  in  Hibernia,  et  Windesoriensivm 
in  Anglia,  familije,  a  Carew  Castro  in  Agro  Pembrochiensi,  cognomen  sor- 
titvs  est.  Ab  inevnte  state  bellicis  stvdiis  invtritvs,  ordines  in  Hibernia 
adhvc  iwenis  contra  rebellem  Desmoniae  comitem  primvm  dvxit.  Postea  Eli- 
zabeths foelicissimae  memoriae  regins,  in  eodem  regno,  consiliarivs,  et  tor- 
mentorvm  bellicorvm  praefectvs  fvit ;  qvo  etiam  mvnere,  in  variis  expedi- 
tionibvs,  in  ilia  praesenim  louge  celeberriiui,  qva  Gades  Hispaniae  expvgna- 
tae  svnt,  anno  m.d.xcvi.  foeliciter  perfvnctvs  est.  Demvm,  c\Tn  Hibernia 
vniversa  domesticas  rebellionis  et  Hispanicae  invasionis  incendio  flagraret, 
Momoniffi  praefectus,  per  integrvm  triennivm  contra  hostes,  tam  intemos  qvaun 
extemos,  mvlta  fortiter  £deliterq.  gessit.  Tandem  in  Angliam  revocatvs  a 
Jacobo  Magnae  Britannia  Rege,  ad  Baronis  de  Ciopton  dignitatem  evectvs, 
Annae  Reginae  procamerarivs  et  thesavrarivs,  tormentor\Tn  bellicorvm  per  to- 
tam  Angliam  Praefectus,  Garnseiae  insvlae  gvbemator  constitvtvs,  et  in  secre- 
tioris  consilii  senatvra  cooptatvs  est.  Jacobo  deinde  ad  ccelestem  patriam 
evocato  ;  Carolo  filio  vsq.  adeo  charus  fvit,  vt  inter  alia  non  vvlgaria  bene- 
Toli,  affectvs  indicia,  ab  eo  Comitis  de  Totnes  honore  solenni  investitvra  ex- 
ornattis  fverit.  Tantus  \Tr,  natalivm  splendore  illvstris,  belli  et  pacis  artibvs 
omatissimvs,  magnos  honores  propria  virtvte  consecvtus,  cvm  ad  plenam  et 
advltam  senectvtem  pervenisset,  pie,  placideq.  animam  deo  creatori  reddidit, 
Londini,  in  sdibus  Sabavdi* ;  anno  dominicae  incamationis,  jvxta  Anglica- 
nam  compvtationem,  m.dc.xxix.  Die  Martiixxvij.  Vixit  annos  Ixxiii.  menses 
fere  decem. 

Joisia  Ciopton,  cvivs  efEgies,  hie  cernitw,  ex  antiqva  Cloptonorvm  fa- 
milia,  filia  primogcnita  el  haeres,  ex  semisse,  Gvlielmi  Ciopton  de  Ciop- 
ton armigeri,  conivx  moestissima  viri  charissimi,  et  optime  meriti  (cum  quo 
vixit  annos  xlix)  memorix  pariter  ac  svae,  in  spem  foelicissimae  resvrrec- 
tionis  monumentu.  hoc,  pro  si-premo  mvnere,  non  sine  lachrimis,  consecia- 
vit.  Ilia  vixit  annos  78,  et  14°.  die  Februar ;  obiit,  ano.  dni.  incamat. 
M.DC.  36." 

Sir  Thomas  Stafford  is  said  to  have  been  a  natural  son  of  the  Earl  of 

Totness,  to  whom,  when  President  of  Munster,  he  was  secretary,  and 

whose  Pacata  Hibernia  he  published,  after  its  author's  decease.     He 

was  gentleman  usher  to  Queen  Henrietta  iMaria;  and  he  appears  to 

4 


STRATFORD-UPON-AVON. 

have  enjoyed  a  very  intimate  friendship  with  the  great  Earl  of  Cork. 
He  desired  to  be  buried  near  his  intimate  friends,  the  Earl  and  Countess 
of  Totness  ;  but  his  wish  seems  not  to  have  been  complied  with,  for 
the  blanks  in  the  inscription,  which,  as  well  as  those  for  his  friends,  ap- 
pears to  have  been  written  by  himself,  were  never  filled  up  with  the 
time  of  his  death ;  nor  is  there  any  entry  of  his  burial  in  the  church 
register.     He  survived  both  the  Earl  and  the  Countess. 

"  Of  the  life  and  actions  of  the  Earl  of  Totness,"  observes  Mr.  Wheler, 
from  whose  History  of,  and  Guide  to  Stratford-upon-Avon,  our  mate- 
rials for  this  account  of  the  Church  have  principally  been  derived,  "  a  bet- 
ter account  in  a  compressed  form  cannot  be  given,  than  from  the  second 
inscription  on  the  monument,  [as  above]  which  is  a  vigorous  and  ani- 
mated composition.  He  was  descended  from  a  most  ancient  and  noble 
lineage,  (in  the  male  line  of  the  illustrious  family  of  the  Fitz-Geralds,  in 
Ireland,  and  the  Windsors,  in  England,)  who  originally  derived  their 
surname  from  Carew  Castle,  in  Pembrokeshire.  From  his  youth  he 
was  bred  to  the  study  of  the  art  of  war,  and  very  early  in  life  obtained 
the  command  of  the  army  in  Ireland,  against  the  rebellious  Earl  of  Des- 
mond. By  Queen  Elizabeth,  he  was  made  a  Privy  Counsellor,  and 
Master  of  the  Ordnance  in  that  kingdom,  under  whom  he  was  a  fortu- 
nate commander  in  several  expeditions ;  especially  in  that  memorable 
one  when  the  Spaniards  were  driven  from  Cadiz  in  the  year  1596:  and 
when  Ireland  was  inflamed  by  domestic  rebellion,  and  the  Spanish  in- 
vasion, as  Governor  of  ]Munster  for  the  space  of  three  years,  he  bravely 
and  successfully  defended  that  unhappy  country  against  its  enemies,  in- 
ternal and  foreign.  Being  at  length  recalled  into  England,  he  was  ad- 
vanced by  King  James  to  the  dignity  of  Baron  of  Clopton,  and  made 
vice-chamberlain  and  treasurer  to  Anne  his  Queen  ;  Master  of  the  Ord- 
nance throughout  England,  Governor  of  the  Island  of  Guernsey,  and  a 
member  of  the  Privy  Council.  By  Charles  the  First  he  was  no  less 
esteemed ;  and  among  other  not  common  proofs  of  his  regard,  he  was 
by  him  solemnly  invested  with  the  dignity  of  Earl  of  Totness.  Upon 
such  a  man,  illustrious  by  the  splendour  of  his  birth,  and  adorned  with 
qualities  that  rendered  him  so  serviceable  to  his  country  in  war  and  peace, 
were  bestowed  these  honours,  the  just  reward  of  his  virtues.  He  died 
without  issue,  the  27th  of  March,  1629,  in  the  74th  year  of  his  age ; 
to  whose  memory,  his  sorrowful  wife,  with  whom  he  lived  forty-nine 
years,  erected  this  monument,  as  her  last  gift  to  the  memory  of  the  best 
of  husbands  and  of  men.  She  died  upon  the  14th  of  February,  1636, 
aged  78." 

On  a  small  tablet  aflixed  to  the  wall,  between  the  monument  of  the 
Earl  and  Countess  of  Totness,  and  that  presumed  to  be  Sir  Hugh  Clop- 
ton's,  is  represented  a  woman  kneeling  at  a  desk,  in  commemoration  of 
Amy  Smith,  who  was  for  forty  years  waiting  gentlewoman  to  the  Coun- 
tess. The  inscription  is  as  follows : 
5 


CHURCH   OF  THE   HOLY   TRINITY, 

"  Heere  lyeth  interred  ye.  body  of  Mris.  Amy  Smith,  who  (being  abovt  ye.  age 
of  60  yeares,  and  a  maide,)  departed  this  life,  at  Nonsvch  in  Svrrey,  the 
13th  day  of  Sep.  Ao.  dni.  1626.  She  attended  vpon  the  Right  Hoble  Joyce, 
Ladie  Carew,  Covntesse  of  Totnes,  as  her  waiting  gentlewoman,  ye.  space 
of  40  years  together.  Being  very  desirovs  in  her  life  tyme,  that  after  her 
death  she  might  be  laide  in  this  Chvrch  of  Stratford,  where  her  lady  ye.  sayd 
Covntesse  also  herselfe  intended  to  be  bvried  ;  and  accordinglie  to  fvlfiU  her 
request,  &  for  her  so  long  trew  and  faithfvl  servise,  ye.  saide  Right  Hoble 
Covntesse,  as  an  evident  toaken  of  her  affection  towards  her,  not  onely 
cavsed  her  body  to  be  brovght  from  Nonsvch  heitlier,  &  here  honorably 
bvryed,  bvt  also  did  cavse  this  monvnient  and  svperscription  to  be  erected, 
in  a  gratefuU  memorie  of  her,  whom  she  had  fovn  so  good  a  servant." 

Against  the  east  wall  is  the  monument  of  Sir  Edward  Walker,  Knt. 
Garter  King  at  Arms,  one  of  those  faithful  royalists  who  suffered  so 
much  in  the  cause  of  the  unhappy  Charles.  His  fidelity  was  rewarded, 
after  the  Restoration,  by  the  above  dignity  :  he  died  suddenly  at  White- 
hall, on  the  20th  of  February,  1676,  aged  65.  There  are  other  monu- 
ments in  memory  of  various  branches  of  the  Clopton  family. 

The  south  aisle  as  represented  in  Plate  II.,  is  strengthened  with  but- 
tresses, terminating  in  foliaged  pinnacles;  and  at  the  south-western  angle 
is  a  circular  staircase,  which  has  the  appearance,  externally,  of  an  oc- 
tagonal embattled  tower.  This  aisle  was  built  by  John  de  Stratford,  in 
the  early  part  of  the  fourteenth  century.  At  the  east  end  he  erected  a 
Chapel,  which  he  dedicated  to  St.  Thomas  a  Becket,  the  ascent  to  the 
altar  of  which  still  remains,  and  near  it,  in  the  south  wall,  are  three  va- 
cant canopied  niches.  Upon  the  front  of  the  central  canopy  is  sculptured 
a  Pelican,  feeding  her  young  with  the  blood  from  her  breast,  symbolical 
of  the  Passion  of  Christ.  Against  the  eastern  wall  of  this  aisle  is  a  large 
monument  to  the  memory  of  Sir  Reginald  Forster,  Bart.,  and  Dame 
Mary,  his  wife,  daughter  of  Edward  Nash,  Esq.,  of  East  Greenwich,  in 
Kent.  The  transept,  according  to  Dugdale,  was  eVected  towards  the 
close  of  the  fifteenth  century,  by  the  executors  of  Sir  Hugh  Clopton  ;  but 
as  its  architectural  characters  resemble  those  of  the  Tower,  which  is  cer- 
tainly of  much  greater  antiquity  than  that  period,  it  was  most  probably 
only  repaired  by  them.  Until  1773,  the  southern  extremity  of  the  transept 
was  used  as  the  sacristy,  but  a  small  brick  building  was  then  erected 
for  that  purpose,  in  a  tasteless  style,  against  the  eastern  side  of  the  tran- 
sept, and  the  southern  wall  of  the  chancel.  The  most  ancient  of  the 
monuments  in  the  transept  is  at  the  south  end,  against  the  western  wall. 
It  consists  of  a  raised  altar-tomb,  within  an  arch,  and  rudely  sculptured, 
over  which  are  four  inscriptions,  now  almost  obliterated.  The  first  is 
in  the  Hebrew  language,  being  the  twenty-first  verse  of  the  first  chap- 
ter of  Job,  expressive  of  the  instability  of  human  affairs.  The  second 
inscription  is  in  Greek ;  it  states  that  the  earth  and  this  tomb  cover  the 
corporeal  part  of  the  deceased,  and  that  the  heavens  possess  his  spirit 
and  soul.  The  third  and  fourth  inscriptions  are  as  follows: 
6 


^ 
^ 


STRATFORD-UPON-AVON. 

"  Hie  nvtritvs  erat,  uatvs,  nvnc  hie  jacet  Hillvs 
Hicqve  magistratvs  fama  ter  muuere  fvnctvs, 
Cvmqve  bonos  aunos  vixisset  septvaginta 
Ad  terram  corpvs,  sed  mens  migravit  ad  astra. 

Heare  borne,  heare  lived,  heare  died,  and  bvried  heare, 

Lieth  Richarde  Hil,  thrise  bailif  of  this  Borrow  ; 

Too  matrones  of  good  fame,  he  married  in  Codes  feare. 

And  now  releast  in  joi,  he  reasts  from  worldlie  sorrow. 

Heare  Ueth  Intombd  the  corps  of  Richarde  Hill, 

A  Woollen  Draper  beeing  in  his  time, 

Whose  virtves  live,  whose  fame  dooth  florish  stil, 

Thovgh  hee  Hpsnlvfrl  br  to  dvst  and  Slime. 

A  mirror  he,  and  parterne  mat  he  made,  ' 

For  svch  as  shall  svckcead  him  in  that  trade  ; 

He  did  not  vse  to  sweare,  to  glose,  eathei  faigne, 

His  brother  to  defravde  in  barganioge  ; 

Hee  woold  not  strive  to  get  excessive  gaine 

In  ani  cloath  or  other  kinde  of  thinge  : 

His  servant,  S.  1.  this  trveth  can  testifie, 

A  witness  that  beheld  it  with  mi  eie." 

The  tomb  does  not  bear  any  date,  but  it  appears  from  the  register, 
that  Mr.  Richard  Hill,  Alderman,  was  buried  on  the  17th  of  December, 
1593.  In  the  transept,  likewise,  among  many  other  monuments  of  no 
particular  interest,  is  a  memorial  to  Mr.  Nathaniel  Mason,  an  attorney 
of  Stratford,  the  inscription  of  which,  in  not  inelegant  Latin,  was  com- 
posed by  Somervile  the  poet. 

The  chancel,  the  eastern  part  of  which  is  represented  in  Plate  IV., 
is  the  most  beautiful  as  well  as  the  most  perfect  division  of  this  Church, 
and  was  erected  between  the  years  1465  and  1491,  by  Thomas  Balsall, 
D.  D.,  who  then  held  the  office  of  Dean.  It  is  separated  from  the  tran- 
sept by  an  oaken  screen,  which  originally  formed  a  part  of  the  ancient 
rood-loft ;  and  which  was  glazed  in  the  year  1813.  Five  large  orna- 
mented windows  on  each  side,  give  light  to  the  chancel ;  they  were  for- 
merly decorated  with  painted  glass,  the  remains  of  which  were  taken 
out  in  the  year  1790,  and  transferred  to  the  centre  of  the  great  eastern 
window,  where  they  still  remain,  though  in  a  very  confused  state.  On 
each  side  of  the  eastern  window  is  a  niche,  boldly  finished  in  the 
Florid  style  of  pointed  architecture.  In  the  south  wall,  near  the  altar, 
are  three  similar  niches,  conjoined,  in  which  were  placed  the  concessus, 
or  seats,  for  the  priests  officiating  at  mass ;  and  immediately  adjoining 
them  is  the  piscina.  These  objects  are  all  shewn  in  the  Plate.  On 
each  side  of  the  chancel  is  a  range  of  stalls  belonging  to  the  ancient 
choir,  remarkable  for  the  grotesque  carvings  which  ornament  the  lower 
part  of  each  seat. 

Erected  against  the  north  wall,  within  the  communion  rail,  is  a  curious 
altar-tomb,  of  alabaster,  to  the  memory  of  Dean  Balsall,  who  died  in 

7 


CHURCH    OF  THE   HOLY   TRINITY, 

1491.  The  front  is  divided  into  five  compartments,  in  each  of  which  is 
sculptured  some  remarkable  event  in  the  history  of  our  Saviour :  1st 
The  Flagellation;  2nd.  The  Leading  to  the  Crucifixion;  3rd.  The  Cru- 
cifixion ;  4th.  The  Entombment ;  5th.  The  Resurrection.  At  the  west 
e«d  are  two  niches,  in  one  of  which  is  the  figure  of  a  saint,  and  in  the 
other  are  three  figures  of  doubtful  appropriation.  At  the  east  end  are 
likewise  two  niches,  one  containing  the  figure  of  a  saint,  and  the  other 
three  figures,  one  of  which  appears  to  represent  St.  James.  This  tomb, 
which  has  formerly  been  painted,  is  seven  feet  six  inches  in  length,  by 
about  three  feet  si:x  iuchco  in  Uolght,  and  is  covered  by  a  slab  of  mar- 
ble, in  which  an  engraved  brass  figure  of  Dean  Balsall,  and  an  inscrip- 
tion, were  originally  inlaid,  but  have  been  long  since  torn  away.  The 
letters  t.  ti.  the  initials  of  his  name,  and  iJ)  U,  carved  in  stone,  still  re- 
main in  several  places.  Against  the  eastern  wall  of  the  chancel  is  a 
monument,  in  memory  of  John  Combe,  Esq.,  the  subject  of  a  well- 
known  satirical  epitapli,  ascribed  to  Shakspeare ;  he  died  on  the  10th 
of  July,  1614. 

On  the  uorth  wall,  near  the  tomb  of  Dean  Balsall,  and  elevated  about 
five  feet  from  the  pavement,  over  the  spot  which  enshrines  his  remains, 
is  the  monument  of  William  Shakspeare,  likewise  depicted  in  Plate 
IV.  A  bust  represents  the  immortal  bard  in  the  attitude  of  poetic  inspi- 
ration, with  a  pen  in  his  right  hand,  a  cushion  before  him,  and  his  left  hand 
resting  on  a  scroll.  It  is  placed  under  an  arch  and  entablature,  supported 
by  Corinthian  columns  of  black  marble,  with  gilded  bases  and  capitals. 
This  bust  was  originally  painted  to  resemble  life ;  the  eyes  being  of  a  light 
hazel,  and  the  hair  and  beard  auburn.  The  dress  consisted  of  a  scarlet 
doublet,  over  which  was  a  loose  black  gown  without  sleeves ;  the  upper 
part  of  the  cushion  before  him  was  green,  and  the  lower  part  crimson, 
with  gilt  tassels.  In  the  year  1748,  the  monument  was  repaired,  and  the 
bust  carefully  repainted,  the  expenses  being  defrayed  by  the  receipts  aris- 
ing from  the  performance  of  Othello,  in  the  Old  Town  Hall,  on  the  9th 
of  September,  1746 ;  the  play  was  performed  by  a  company  under  the 
management  of  Mr.  John  Ward,  the  grandfather  of  Messrs.  J.  and  C 
Kemble,  and  of  Mrs.  Siddons,  a  notice  of  whom  will  be  found  in  our 
account  of  Leominster  Church,  where  he  was  buried.  In  1793,  the 
bust,  as  well  as  the  two  figures  on  each  side  of  the  arms,  was  painted 
white,  at  the  request  of  the  late  Mr.  Malone  ;  an  act  of  barbarous  taste, 
which  was  severely  satirized  in  an  epigram,  written  in  the  album  kept  in 
the  chancel,  and  which  has  often  been  repeated.  Above  the  entablature, 
and  surmounted  by  a  death's  head,  are  the  Poet's  armorial  bearings ; 
viz.  or,  on  a  bend  sable,  a  tilting  spear  of  the  first,  point  upwards 
headed  argent : — crest,  upon  an  esquire's  helmet,  a  falcon  rising,  argent, 
supporting  a  spear  in  pale  or. 

On  each  side  of  the  sort  of  pier  containing  the  arms,  is  a  figure  of  a 
8 


STRATFORD-UPON-AVON. 

child  in  a  sitting  posture  ;  that  on  the  right  holds  a  spade,  and  that  On 
the  left,  whose  eyes  are  closed,  an  inverted  torch,  with  his  right 
hand  resting  on  a  skull.  Under  the  bust,  between  the  bases  of  the  co- 
lumns, are  the  following  inscriptions  : 

ludicio  Pylivm,  genio  Socratem,  arte  Maronem, 

Terra  tegit,  Populus  meeret,  Olympvs  habet. 

Stay  passenger,  why  goest  thov  by  so  fast. 
Read,  if  thou  canst,  whom  envious  death  hath  plast 
Within  this  monvment,  Shakspeare,  with  whome 
Qvick  Nature  dide  ;  whose  name  doth  deck  ys.  tombe 
Far  more  then  cost ;  sith  all  yt.  he  hath  writt, 
Leaves  living  art,  bvt  page  to  serve  his  witt. 

Obiit  Ano.  Uoi.  1616.  ^tatis  53,  Die  23.  Ap. 

Below  the  monument,  upon  the  stone  covering  the  Poet's  grave,  are 
the  subjoined  curious  lines,  said  to  have  been  written  by  himself: 

Good  fiend  for  Jesvs  sake  forbeare, 
To  digg  the  dvst  encloased  heare  ; 
Bleste  be  ye.  man  yt.  spares  thes  stones, 
And  cvrst  be  he  yt.  moves  my  bones. 

Tt  has  been  presumed  from  the  imprecation  in  these  lines,  and  from 
some  passages  in  Hamlet,  and  in  Romeo  and  Juliet,  that  Shakspeare 
held  in  great  horror  the  custom  of  removing  bones  from  the  grave  to  the 
charnel-house  ;  he  might  perhaps  have  been  witness  of  the  practice  in 
this  Church,  and  in  viewing  the  immense  pile  of  human  bones  deposited 
in  the  charnel-house,  which  we  shall  presently  describe,  might  have  ap- 
prehended that  his  own  relics  would  eventually  be  added  to  them.  They 
have  however  remained  undisturbed. 

Considerable  discussion  has  taken  place  respecting  the  authenticity  of 
the  bust  in  Shakspeare's  monument,  as  a  portrait  of  the  Poet ;  but  on  a 
review  of  the  circumstances  attending  its  history  and  erection,  it  seems 
most  probable  that  it  may  be  relied  upon  as  an  accurate  representation 
of  our  Bard :  it  was  probably  erected  at  the  charge  of  his  son-in-law. 
Dr.  Hall,  a  learned  and  skilful  physician ;  and  some  verses  addressed 
to  the  Poet's  memory  by  Leonard  Digges,  which  are  among  the  few  tri- 
butes of  that  kind  prefixed  to  the  first  folio  edition  of  his  plays,  prove 
it  to  have  been  erected  within  seven  years  after  his  decease. 

Mr.  Wheler,  in  his  Guide  to  Stratford,  has  discussed  the  probability  of 
this  bust's  having  been  sculptured  by  Thomas  Stanton,  who  carved  the 
monumental  busts  of  Richard  and  Judith  Combe,  likewise  in  the  chan- 
cel; and  who  is  also  conjectured  to  have  executed  the  monument  of  Lord 
Totness,  already  described.  The  probable  conclusion  is,  that  it  was 
sculptured  by  him  :  and  as  the  similarity  of  style  observable  in  the  two 
monuments  indicates  them  to  have  been  the  works  of  the  same  artist, 
the  strong  resemblance  which  the  figure  of  Lord  Totness  bears  to  the 
9 


CHURCH    OF   THE   HOLY    TRINITY, 

paintings  of  that  nobleman,  is  adverted  to  by  Mr.  Whaler,  as  corrobo- 
rative evidence  of  the  fidelity  of  Shakspeare's  bust,  as  a  likeness. 

An  elegant  work  has  just  appeared  (March,  1824,)  from  the  pen  of 
Mr.  Boaden,in  which  the  evidence  on  which  the  various  representations  of 
Shakspeare  claim  to  be  received  as  authentic  portraits,  is  minutely  ex- 
amined ;  the  following  remarks  on  the  "  Stratford  Bust"  are  extracted 
from  the  section  on  that  subject. 

"  The  first  remark  that  occurs  on  viewing  this  bust  is,  that  it  presents 
our  Bard  in  the  act  of  composition,  and  iu  his  gayest  mood.  The  vis 
coinica  so  brightens  his  countenance,  that  it  is  hardly  a  stretch  of  fancy 
to  suppose  him  in  the  actual  creation  of  FalstafF  himself.  Very  sure  I 
am,  that  the  figure  must  long  have  continued  a  source  of  infinite  delight 
to  those  who  had  enjoyed  his  convivial  qualities.  Among  this  circle,  it 
is  nearly  certain  the  artist  himself  was  to  be  reckoned.  The  performance 
is  not  too  good  for  a  native  sculptor.  .  .  .  The  contour  of  the  head  is 
well  given.  The  lips  are  very  carefully  carved  ;  but  the  eyes  appear  to 
me  to  be  of  a  very  poor  character;  the  curves  of  the  lids  have  no  grace — 
the  eyes  themselves  have  no  protecting  prominences  of  bone,  and  the 
whole  of  this  important  feature  is  tame  and  superficial.  The  nose  is  thin 
and  delicate,  like  that  of  the  Chandos  head ;  but  I  am  afraid  a  little 
curtailed,  to  allow  for  an  enormous  interval  between  the  point  of  it  and 
the  mouth,  which  is  occupied  by  very  solid  mustaches,  curved  and 
turned  up,  as  objects  of  some  importance  in  that  whiskered  age.  Yet  I 
must  acknowledge,  that  the  distance  between  the  mouth  and  nose  is  ra- 
ther greater  than  is  common,  in  both  the  folio  head  and  the  Chandos 
picture.  There  was  perhaps  some  exaggeration  here  in  the  bust :  viewed 
in  front,  it  consequently  looks  irregular  and  out  of  drawing — in  profile, 
this  disparity  is  somewhat  recovered. 

"  From  what  picture  it  was  taken  we  are  not  informed.  It  was  not  from 
the  Chandos  head — the  costume  is  totally  different.  It  was  not  from 
Droeshout's  original,  for  the  same  reason  ;  and  for  another,  assigned  in 
its  proper  place.  It  has  been  suggested,  that  it  might  have  had  the  cer- 
tain model  of  a  mask  taken  from  the  face  of  the  deceased  ;  and  on  this 
point,  our  sculptors  express  dift'erent  opinions.  However,  with  all  abate- 
ments as  to  the  artist's  skill,  who  was  neither  a  NoUekens  nor  a  Chan- 
trey,  he  most  probably  had  so  many  means  of  right  information,  worked 
so  near  the  Bard's  time,  and  was  so  conscious  of  the  importance  of  his 
task,  that  this  must  always  be  regarded  as  a  pleasing  and  faithful,  if  not 
a  flattering  resemblance  of  the  great  poet." 

The  series  of  engravings  given  by  Mr.  Boaden,  is  to  be  held  as  con- 
taining, in  his  opinion,  "  every  thing  that  on  any  authority  can  be  called 
Shakspeare  ;  and  they  each  of  them,  alone,  possess  very  strong  evidence 
of  authenticity.  Droeshout's  print  is  attested  by  Ben  Jonson,  and  by 
his  partners  in  the  theatre.  The  Stratford  monument  was  erected  by  his 
10 


STRATFORD-UPON-AVON. 

son-in-law,  Dr.  Hall,  and  executed  probably  by  Thomas  Stanton,  who 
could  not  but  know  his  person,  and  probably  had  some  cast  to  Work 
from.  The  Chandos  picture  is  traced  up  to  Taylor,  the  poet's  Hamlet, 
and  was,  no  doubt,  painted  by  Burbage.  The  head  by  Cornelius  Jan- 
sen,  is  marked  by  that  painter  decidedly  Shakspeare,  and  every  rea- 
sonable presumption  assures  us  that  it  was  painted  for  Lord  Southamp- 
ton. The  head  by  Marshall  seems  to  have  been  copied  by  him  from 
a  head  by  Payne,  who  reduced  that  by  Droeshout,  with  some  vari- 
ations in  the  dress  and  attitude."  What  light  these  portraits  throw 
upon  each  other,  and  thus  verify  the  whole,  Mr.  Boaden  has  brought 
most  strikingly  before  the  spectator,  by  shewing  the  heads  as  nearly 
as  was  practicable,  in  the  same  size,  and  in  the  same  direction :  and 
the  rational  deduction  from  a  comparison  of  them,  and  of  the  evidence 
by  which  they  are  supported,  undoubtedly  is,  that  they  are  all  authentic 
portraits  of  Shakspeare. 

To  return  from  the  digression  into  which  we  have  been  led  by  this  in- 
teresting subject  :— 

Between  Shakspeare's  grave  and  the  north  wall  are  buried  the  remains 
of  his  widow,  to  whom  is  the  following  inscription,  engraved  on  a  brass 
plate  affixed  to  the  grave-stone. 

"  Heere  lyeth  interred  the  body  of  Anne,  wife  of  William  Shakespeare,  who 
depted  this  life  the  6th  day  of  Avgv,  1623,  being  of  the  age  of  67  yeares. 
"  Vbera,  tu  mater,  tu  lac  vitamq.  dedisti, 
Vse  mihi ;  pro  tanto  munere  saxa  dabo! 
Quam  mallem,  amoueat  lapidem,  bonus  Angel'  ore' 

Exeat  ut  Christi  Corpus,  imago  tua ; 
Sed  nil  vota  valent,  venias  cito  Christe,  restirget, 
Clausa  licet  tumulo  mater,  et  astra  petet. 

On  the  opposite  side  of  the  Poet's  grave  are  those  of  several  other 
members  of  his  family:  viz.  Dr.  John  Hall,  and  Susannah  his  wife,  the 
Poet's  eldest  daughter,  who,  as  the  grave-stone  formerly  set  forth,  was 
"  witty  above  her  sex;"  he  died  on  the  25th  of  November,  1635,  aged 
60,  and  she  on  the  11th  of  July,  1649,  aged  66.;  and  Thomas  Nash, 
Esq.,  who  married  Elizabeth  their  only  child,  and  died  on  the  4th  of 
April,  1647,  aged  53. 

There  are  in  the  chancel,  as  well  as  in  the  other  divisions  of  this  Church, 
numerous  monuments  of  inferior  interest ;  and  throughout  the  edifice  the 
pavement  is  covered  with  the  almost  obliterated  memorials  of  the  dead. 

On  the  northern  side  of  the  chancel,  just  beyond  the  stalls,  is  an  or- 
namented door-way,  formerly  the  entrance  into  the  crypt  or  charnel- 
house,  which,  from  its  style  of  architecture,  the  early  Norman,  appears 
to  have  been  the  most  ancient  part  of  the  Church  It  was  taken  down 
in  1800,  in  consequence  of  its  dilapidated  condition  ;  and  the  immense 
pile  of  bones  it  contained  was  carefully  arched  over. 
11 


STRATFORD-UPON-AVON    CHURCH. 

The  tower  rises  from  four  pointed  arches,  sustained  by  massive  clus- 
tered pillars ;  and  contains  six  musical  bells.  It  was  originally  crowned 
by  a  timber  spire,  covered  with  lead,  and  about  forty-two  feet  in  height : 
this  was  taken  down  in  1763,  and  the  present  spire  of  Warwick  hewn 
stone  erected  in  the  following  year,  by  an  architect  from  Warwick. 

The  dimensions  of  Stratford  Church  are  as  follows  :— The  Nave  is 
103  feet  long,  28  wide,  50  high;  Side  Aisles,  each,  103  long,  20  wide, 
25  high ;  Transept,  94  long,  28  wide,  30  high  ;  Chaiicel,  66  long,  28  wide, 
40  high;  Total  length,  from  East  to  West,  197;  Tower,  28  square,  80 
high;  Spire,  83  high. 

The  living  of  Stratford  is  a  discharged  Vicarage,  valued  in  the  King's 
Books  at  20/. 

Subjoined  is  a  representation  of  the  remaining  part  of  the  ancient 
Font  of  Stratford  Church,  which  originally  stood  in  the  south  aisle, 
opposite  the  door,  nearly  under  the  second  arch  of  the  nave  from  the 
west.  It  has  been  noticed  that  the  Font  now  in  use  was  put  up  at  the 
commencement  of  the  last  century,  at  which  period  this  portion  of  the 
ancient  one  was  removed  to  the  residence,  in  Church  Street,  of  Thomas 
Paine,  the  then  Parish  Clerk,  who  died  in  1747.  In  this  situation  it 
remained  until  1823 ;  but  having  since  its  removal  from  the  Church  been 
applied  to  the  ignoble  purpose  of  a  Water  Cistern,  until  the  present 
owner,  Capt.  Saunders,  of  Stratford,  obtained  possession  of  it,  it  had 
sustained  considerable  injury:  although  from  the  cavities  made  for  receiv- 
ing an  iron  brace,  or  hoop,  it  appears  to  have  suffered  more  severely  from 
the  destructive  hand  of  fanaticism,  at  the  period  of  the  Civil  Wars,  when 
several  other  ornaments  of  the  Church  were  mutilated  or  demolished. — 
It  is  conjectured  that  the  Font  was  set  up  in  the  reign  of  Edward  III., 
when  John  de  Stratford,  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  erected  the  south 
aisle  in  which  it  was  situated  ;  but  this  mutilated  relic  (of  which  the  base 
and  shaft  are  lost)  derives  greater  interest  from  the  probability,  if  not  the 
certainty,  of  its  having  been  the  Font  wherein  the  Bard  of  Avon  and  his 
family  were  baptized. 


12 


T^Ts^rsi  tyTATWallis 


Cjje  Cj)iirci)  oi  g)t.  imr  anti  ^u  ^aul, 

MARLBOROUGH,  WILTSHIRE; 

RECTOR, 
THE  REV.  BARTHOLOMEW  BUCKERFIELD,  M.  A. 


The  Town  of  Marlborough,  or  as  it  was  anciently  called,  Marleberg, 
and  sometimes  Marlebridge,  is  situated  75  miles  west  of  London,  on  the 
great  road  to  Bath  and  Bristol.  The  pleasant  valley  in  which  it  is 
built  is  watered  by  the  Kennet,  and  bounded  to  the  north  and  west  by 
that  extensive  tract  of  land  known  by  the  name  of  the  Marlborough 
Downs,  whilst  the  noble  forest  of  Savernake  occupies  the  south-eastern 
district.  The  Town  itself  is  of  great  antiquity,  and  is  supposed  to  have 
been  built  on  or  near  the  site  of  the  Roman  station,  Cunetio.  There  are 
also  remains  of  several  religious  houses,  particularly  a  priory  of  the  order 
of  St.  Augustin,  which  subsisted  before  the  reign  of  King  John.  It  was 
a  royal  foundation  dedicated  to  St.  Margaret.  At  present  Marlborough 
is  a  small  but  flourishing  town,  containing  about  4,000  inhabitants, 
and  divided  into  two  parishes.  The  churches  stand  at  either  extremity 
of  a  broad,  handsome  street,  which  gives  them  an  imposing  appearance. 
That  of  St.  Mary  the  Virgin  is  toward  the  East.  The  Church  of  St. 
Peter  and  St.  Paul,  at  the  western  extremity  of  the  Town,  forms  a  fine 
termination  to  the  main  street,  already  alluded  to.  It  was  probably 
erected  early  in  the  fifteenth  century,  as  we  find  in  the  church  manu- 
scripts, bearing  date  from  1555  to  1701,  that  in  the  year  1576  it  was 
found  necessary  to  "  new  buyld  the  pynnakels  of  the  tovvre."  Now  as 
the  pinnacles  of  this  Church  are  of  a  very  substantial  form,  and  better 
calculated  to  withstand  the  fury  of  the  tempest  than  such  exposed  parts 
frequently  are ;  and  as  there  is  every  reason  to  suppose  that  they  were 
originally  built  in  the  same  form,  we  may  safely  conclude  that  the  original 
pinnacles  did  stand,  without  need  of  being  rebuilt,  for  a  century  or  more, 
which  will  carry  back  the  existence  of  the  Church  to  at  least  the  begin- 
ning of  the  fifteenth  century. 

Plate  I.  The  Tower  of  this  Church  forms  a  very  beautiful  object 
to  the  surrounding  neighbourhood,  from  whatever  point  it  may  be 
viewed.  It  is  finely  proportioned,  and  consists  of  three  stories,  exclusive 
of  the  battlements.  The  angles  are  ornamented  with  graduated  octan- 
gular turrets,  surmounted  with  pinnacles,  each  bearing  a  vane.  The 
whole  rises  to  the  height  of  116  feet.  A  staircase  to  the  top  is  concealed 
in  the  south-east  turret.  The  walls  are  cased  with  a  species  of  free- 
1 


ST.  PETER    AND    ST.  PAUL,    MARLBOROUGH,    WILTSHIRE. 

stone,  very  capable  of  resisting  the  attacks  of  the  atmosphere.  The 
Church  consists,  besides  the  Tower,  of  a  Nave,  with  side  Aisles,  a  Chan- 
cel, and  convenient  Vestries ;  the  exterior  length  is  131  feet,  and  the 
breadth  53.  There  is  no  appearance  of  the  Church  having  undergone 
any  material  alteration  since  its  first  erection,  and  consequently  it  pre- 
serves much  of  its  original  character.  The  principal  entrance  to  the 
Church  is  through  a  porch  on  the  south  side,  near  the  Tower.  This 
may  possibly  be  a  later  erection  than  the  rest  of  the  building.  There 
were  also  four  other  entrances,  two  of  which  are  walled  up,  and  one  on 
either  side  of  the  Chancel  is  left  open. 

Plate  II. — This  View  includes  a  great  portion  of  the  Church,  com- 
prehending the  Nave,  Aisles,  and  part  of  the  Chaucel.  The  internal 
length,  including  the  Chancel  and  the  old  Vestry,  is  120  feet;  and  the 
breadth,  including  the  Aisles,  is  47  ft.  Gin.  The  Nave,  exclusive  of  the 
Chancel  and  old  Vestry,  is  66  ft.  6  in.  Iqng. 

The  clustered  pillars  of  the  Nave,  separating  it  from  the  Aisles,  have 
a  particularly  light  appearance.  They  are  generally  12  feet  distant  from 
each  other,  though  the  distance,  especially  in  the  south  range,  is  by 
no  means  regular,  nor  are  the  pillars  in  the  two  ranges  respectively  op- 
posite to  each  other.  The  light  is  admitted  through  plain  but  hand- 
some and  uniform  muUioned  windows  in  the  Aisles.  The  Pulpit,  of  an 
octagonal  shape,  and  the  Reading-desk,  are  situated  against  the  first  pillar 
of  the  Nave,  from  the  Chancel :  they  are  of  oak,  handsomely  carved 
and  panelled.  Opposite  are  the  seats  of  the  mayor,  justices,  and  bur- 
gesses of  the  town.  The  roof  of  the  Nave  is  ceiled  in  compartments, 
ornamented  with  quatre-foils  and  other  devices,  richly  gilt,  at  the  inter- 
sections. The  Chancel  is  vaulted  with  stone,  as  is  also  the  roof  of  the 
porch,  over  which  is  a  small  room  about  nine  feet  square.  In  the  wall 
of  the  north  Aisle  are  appearances  of  there  having  been  formerly  a  stair- 
case leading  to  the  rood  loft.  At  the  west  end  of  the  Nave  is  a  hand- 
some Gallery  of  oak,  which  was  probably  erected  as  long  ago  as  the 
year  1625.  Above  it  stands  a  fine-toued  organ,  given  to  the  Church  in 
1820,  by  the  late  N.  Merriman,  Esq. 

Amongst  the  Monuments  in  this  Church  the  most  ancient  are  the  fol- 
lowing. One  against  the  north  wall  of  the  Chaucel  to  the  memory  of 
three  children  of  the  Lord  Chief  Justice  Hyde.  It  represents  two  small 
figures  kneeling,  opposite  to  each  other,  with  a  sort  of  desk  and  books 
between  them.     On  a  tablet  underneath  is  the  following  inscription  : 

HERE  LYE  THE  BODIES  OF  TWO  SONNES  AND  A  DAVGHTER,  OF  S*"  NICOLAS 
HYDE,  KNIGHT,  LO.  CHEIFE  IVSTICE  OF  \'  KINGS-BENCH,  AND  OF  y'  LADYE 
MARYE,  HIS  WIFE  :  THAT  IS  ROBERT,  BVRIED  24  IAN'^,  1626.  FRANCIS,  BV- 
BIED    28    lAN'y,   1626,    ELIZABETH,    BVRIED    28    FEBRv''',    1626. 

WEE    SHALL    COE   TO    THEM,    BVT    THEY    SHALL    NOT    RLTVRNt    TO    VS.     2  Sam. 
12.    23. 


ST.  PETER    AND    ST.  PAUL,    MARLBOROUGH,   WILTSHIRE. 

Arms,  azure,  a  chevron,  charged  with  a  mullet  gnles,  between  three 
fusils,  or. 

On  the  wall  is  also  a  large  marble  monument  to  the  memory  of  one 
of  the  Coghills.     On  the  same  wall  is  an  inscription  for 

Aan  Savery,  daughter  of  Farewell  Perry,  M.  A.  (many  years  rector  of  this  Pa- 
rish,) and  wife  to  Servington  Savery,  A.M.  ob.  June  5,  1734,  at.  45. 

Opposite  to  this  is  a  large  mural  monument,  of  Sienna  marble,  with 
white  marble  tablets,  to  the  memory  of  several  members  of  the  Clavering 
family,  of  whom  the  reverend  Robert  Clavering,  M.  A.  of  Ch.  Ch.  Ox- 
ford, was  rector  of  this  parish,  and  vicar  of  Preshute. 

On  the  first  pillar  in  the  nave  on  the  south  side  is  a  marble  monument, 
to 

HUMFREDI  WALL  Gen  :  Ob.  29,  die  Jan.  Anno  Dom.  1719.  .Etat.  suae  75. 

MARTHA  Uxor  ejus  Ob.  Apr.  1698,  Ai.ta.U  41.  Filia  Wilhelmi  Tarrant,  Gen. 

Qui  ob.  19  Maij  1631  .Etat.  63.  Et  Maria;  conjugis  ejus  Ob.  Feb.  1686,  .Etat.  62. 

Elisabetha  etiam  uxor  ejus  2''"  Filiae  ThomjE  Chamberlayne  Armig'.  De  Odding- 

ton  in  AgTo  Gloucestrensi  Obijt  4°  die  Nov.  1725,  /Etatis  83. 

In  this  Church  are  also  interred  the  families  of  Lipyeat,  Baylye, 
Dansie,  Westmacott,  Dalrymple,  Brathwaite,  Hawkes,  Merriman,  Hal- 
comb,  Warner,  Pinckney,   Hancock,  &c.  &c. 

The  ground  story  of  the  tower  has  lately  been  converted  into  a  hand- 
some vestry  room,  about  fourteen  feet  square,  the  vaulting  of  which  is 
ribbed  and  groined  in  a  style  of  great  beauty. 

In  the  floor  is  inserted  a  highly  polished  black  marble  slab,  of  great 
size,  bearing  the  following  inscription  in  massive  letters  of  brass. 

'^  O  S  A   ITaTgi,  Xj   Tiw,  Xj  YIubv.  'Ayiu,   fl;  it  ufxn,  X;  »w»,  k^  afi.      Afunt. 

H.      s.      J. 

IN   SPE  GLORI.E  IMMORTALIS  EXUVI/E   MORTALES 

FRAN.    FRANCIS    UXORIS,  RIG.    FRANCIS,    FILIl, 

MART.    ID.    A.D.    MDCCLXVII.  MART.    KAL.  V.    A.  D.  MDCCLXXIX. 

VIXIT    ANN.  LVI.  VIXIT    ANN.  XXXIX. 


GUL.    FRANCIS,    MARITI,  FRAN.    FRANCIS,    FILIS, 

I>EC.    NON.    VI.  KAL.    JUN.    XVI. 

A.D.    MDCCLXXXIV.  A.D.    MDCCC.XVI. 

^IXIT    ANN.    LXXVI.  |  VIXIT.    ANN.  LXIX. 

QUIESCANT  IN  PACE. 

L.  P. 

CAR.    FRANCIS.    S. 

A.  D.  MDCCCXVII. 


ST.    PETER   AND    ST.    PAUL,    MARLBOROUGH,   WILTSHIRE. 

Underneath  the  inscription,  which  is  much  admired  for  its  classic  ele- 
gance, are  the  arms  of  Francis,  Argent,  a  chevron  between  three  eagles 
displayed,  gules. 

There  are  several  black  marble,  and  other  slabs,  on  which  are  the  im- 
pressions of  brass  figures  and  inscriptions,  but  these  have  long  been  lost. 

Within  the  communion  rail,  a  black  marble  slab  records  the  death  of 
the  Rev.  Edward  Cressett,  in  the  following  words  : — 

Here  lies  the  body  of  Edward  Cressett,  51.  A.  of  Oriel  Coll.  in  Oxford,  practicer 
of  Physic,  who  lived  a  most  affectionate  son  of  the  Church  of  England,  and  be- 
queathed 160i.  to  be  improved  to  the  equal  and  perpetual  benefit  of  the  minister 
of  this  church,  and  the  minister  of  St.  Mary's  in  this  Towne,  whilst  continuing  as 
then  by  law  established,  but  when  otherwise,  then  to  the  alms  house  in  the  marsh 
there.  He  exchanged  this  life  for  a  better,  Aprill  12th,  1693,  and  in  yeare  of  his 
age  108. 

Marlborough  is  in  the  Hundred  of  Selkleigh,  and  the  diocese  and 
deanery  of  Sarum.  St.  Mary's  church  is  a  vicarage,  valued  in  the 
King's  books  at  10/.  9s.  lOrf.  and  is  in  the  patronage  of  the  Dean.  St. 
Peter's  is  a  rectory  valued  at  12/.,  and  is  in  the  gift  of  the  Bishop. 

Dimensions  of  St.  Peter's  Church,  Marlborough. 


ft.    in. 


25 


Height  of  first  story  of  Tower  to 

the  moulding  33 

Second         Do.        Do.    25 
Third           Do.         Do. 
From  thence  to  top  of  Battle- 
ments   

From   Battlements  to   stone 

ball  of  pinnacles 20 

Of    weather-cock,     spindles, 

and  copper  balls 6 

Length,  whole  of  Church  : 

Interior    120 

Of  Body,  exclusive  of  Chan- 
cel, Old  Vestrj-,  &c 66 

Of  Chancel 19 

OfOldVesU-y 26 

Breadth,  whole  of  Church  : 

Interior    47 


6     0 


ft. 
OfNave 19 

Of  Side  Aisles 12 

Porch,   inside,   12ft.  6in.  by  9ft. 

Outside  east  and  west. ...     13 
Ditto,  outside  side  next  the  Tower, 

6ft.  ;  next  the  Church 12 

Tower,   square    of  inside  ground 

Boor  (New  Vestry) 14 

Square  of  1st  Do.  (Belfry). .     14 
Square  of  2nd  and  3rd  Do. 
clock  loft  and  bell  chamber     14 
Externally  tliere  only  appear  3  stories. 
Internally  there  are  4  floors,  viz. 
The  Ground  Floor  is  the  Vestry. 
1st       Do.  Belfry. 

2nd      Do.  Clock  loft. 

3rd       Do.  Bell  chamber. 


1 


> 


V  . 


CJ)e  C!)urdj  oi  m  faints, 

EVESHAM,    WORCESTERSHIRE; 

VICAR, 
THE  REV.  H.  P.  COOPER. 


1  HE  Vale  of  Evesham,  now  so  remarkable  for  its  beauty  and  fertility, 
was  once  equally  celebrated  for  the  magnificent  Abbey,  traditionally 
founded,  as  early  as  the  year  709,  by  St.  Egwin,  for  Benedictine  monks, 
and  dedicated  to  the  Virgin  Mary.  •  All  Saints  Church,  as  well  as 
that  of  St.  Lawrence,  now  in  ruins,  which  stands  near  it,  was  origi- 
nally appropriated  to  the  Abbey,  as  a  subordinate  Chapel.  The 
Priest  who  officiated  therein  was  called  a  Chaplain,  and  had  the  same 
allowance  daily  from  the  Cellar  and  Buttery,  as  the  rest  of  the  Monks  of 
the  Abbey. 

The  Church  stands  near  an  ancient  Gateway,  within  the  Cemetery 
of  the  two  Parishes  of  All  Saints  and  St.  Lawrence,  which  is  a  large 
square  planted  with  trees.  The  exact  date  of  its  erection  is  not  known, 
but  it  is  mentioned  in  a  deed  about  1226.  At  the  west  end  is  an  em- 
battled Tower  with  small  pinnacles  at  the  angles,  and  in  a  style  of 
architecture  which  corresponds  greatly  with  that  period  ;  it  is  surmounted 
by  an  octagonal  spire,  terminated  with  a  vane.  The  Porch,  12  feet 
by  10,  projecting  from  the  base  of  the  Tower,  built  by  Clement  Lich- 
field, Abbot  in  the  reign  of  Henry  VIII,  is  of  very  beautiful  construc- 
tion, ornamented  with  a  series  of  trefoil-headed  arches  on  its  exterior, 
and  is  adorned  with  an  open  worked  parapet.  The  annexed  View  ex- 
hibits the  general  character  of  the  building,  and  includes  nearly  the 
whole  south  side  of  the  Church.  The  pointed  windows  of  the  Nave  are 
divided  into  three  trefoil-headed  lights,  with  quatrefoil  compartments 
above ;  but  in  the  south  aisle,  or  projecting  portion  seen  in  the  Plate,  the 
windows  are  larger  and  more  lofty  :  the  lights  are  here  divided  by  tran- 
soms, and  the  embattled  parapet  is  pierced  with  small  light  arches,  while 
the  buttresses  partake  of  a  more  ornamental  style  of  architecture.  The 
body  of  the  Church  is  nearly  130  feet  in  length,  and  its  greatest  breadth 
including  the  north  and  south  aisles,  is  73  feet.  The  Aisles  are  sepa- 
rated from  the  body  by  four  Arches  of  unequal  dimensions,  those  at 
the  east  end  being  nearly  double  the  size  of  the  rest.  Against  the  East 
wall  of  the  Chancel  is  a  monument  to  the  Rev.  John  Mitchell,  LL.  B., 
vicar  of  this  Church,  who  died  Sept.  9,  1724,  a:t.  41 ;  Sarah,  his  wife, 
and  three  children.  Arms,  party  per  pale,  sable  and  argent,  a  chevron 
1 


ALL  SAINTS,    EVESHAM,    WORCESTERSHIRE. 

between  tivo  heads  erased,  connterchanged  of  the  field,  Mitchell,  impaling 
■paly  of  six,  argent  and  gules  a  bend  or.  On  the  North  side  of  the 
Chancel  is  a  small  monument  to  Adam  Cave,  Gent,  ob.  18  Oct.  1698, 
set.  29,  arms,  vert,fretty  argent ;  and  others  to  the  same  family. 

About  the  middle  of  the  South  Aisle  is  the  sepulchral  Chapel  of  Cle- 
ment Lichfield,  the  55th  Abbot  of  Evesham,  who  after  having  endowed 
his  Convent  with  many  elegant  ornaments,  and  useful  additions,  had 
the  mortification  to  witness  the  total  demolition  of  all.  He  was  elected 
28th  Dec.  1513,  and  resigned  in  1533,  in  favor  of  Philip  Hawford,  who 
was  then  created  Abbot  for  the  sole  purpose  of  surrendering  the  Abbey 
to  the  crown,  which  event  took  place  17th  Nov.  that  same  year,  when 
its  site  was  granted  by  Henry  VIH.,  to  Sir  Philip  Hobby,  Kt.,  for  the 
sum  of  891/.  10s.;  and  the  splendid  edifice  erected  before  the  reign  of 
Henry  III.,  was  soon  afterwards  demolished,  except  the  handsome 
Tower  erected  by  Clement  Lichfield,  which  is  117  feet  high,  and  con- 
tains a  peal  of  eight  bells,  there  being  but  one  in  the  Spire  of  the  Church. 
The  Abbot  after  his  resignation  retired  to  Oftenhani,  a  country  resid- 
ence of  the  Abbot's  near  this  place,  where  it  is  most  probable  he  died. 
He  is  buried  in  this  Chapel  built  by  himself,  on  the  south  side  of  the 
Church.     It  is  16  feet  by  13  in  extent,  and  of  beautiful  florid  architec- 

ture.  On  the  fretted  Ceiling  are  the  initals,  rtf%  upon  an  escutcheon. 
The  Abbot's  monument  is  now  defaced,  but  is  described  in  Habington's 
MSS.  collected  in  the  reign  of  Charles  I.,  towards  a  History  of  the 
County  :  "  At  the  entrance  of  this  Chapel,  lyeth  humbled  on  the  ground, 
the  resemblance  of  an  Abbot,  truly  great,  in  leaving  the  dignity  of  his 
high  place,  and  wise,  when,  foreseeing  the  storm  that  overthrew  this 
with  other  Religious  Houses,  he  struck  sail  to  avoid  shipwreck.  His 
resemblance  is  engraved  at  the  altar,  in  prayer.  On  his  right  hand,  Et 
in  virlule  tua  judica  me.  Below  on  one  side,  Quia  in  inferno  nulla  est 
redcmplio.  On  the  opposite.  Miserere  mei  Dens,  et  salva  me.  Under- 
neath his  feet,  an  inscription,  which  was  also  painted  on  one  of  the  win- 
dows, Orate  pro  Anima  Domini  Clement  is  Lichfield  Sacerdotis,  emus 
tempore  Nova  Turris  Evcshamensis  cedificata  est.  He  was  buried,  as 
appears  by  the  Register  book,  October  9,  1546." 

The  North  Aisle  was  formerly  called  Derby  Chapel,  and  its  windows 
were  adorned  in  stained  glass,  with  the  well  known  cognizance  of  the 
^taideys,  as  Lords  of  the  Isle  of  Man  ;  viz.  Gules  three  armed,  legs  con- 
joined argent,  three  times  repeated,  together  with  the  armorial  coats  of 
Sudeley,  Mortimer,  and  others,  with  that  of  the  Abbey  of  Evesham  : 
azure,  a  chain  in  chevron,  with  a  ring  on  the  dexter  and  a  Horse  lock  on 
the  sinister,  between  three  mitres  or;  all  which  are  now  destroyed. 


GREAT  MALVERN,  WORCESTERSHIRE ; 

VICAR, 
THE  REV.  HENRY  CARD,  D.D.  F.R.S.  F.A.S.  F.R.S.L. 


On  the  eastern  declivity  of  the  Malvern  Bills,  near  the  entrance  of  the 
valley  between  the  Worcestershire  Beacon  and  North  Hill,  is  situated 
the  healthful  and  picturesque  Village  of  Great  Malvern.  The  build- 
ings are  pleasantly  interspersed  amidst  orchards,  gardens,  and  planta- 
tions ;  and  the  scenery  of  the  neighbourhood  combines,  in  their  happiest 
union,  the  romantic,  the  beautiful,  and  the  sublime.  Hygeia  presides 
over  its  springs ;  and  the  lyre  of  Poesy  has  frequently  been  strung  in 
admiration  of  its  varied  charms. 

But  it  is  not  to  its  situation  alone,  nor  to  the  delightful  prospects 
which  its  vicinity  affords,  that  Malvern  is  indebted  for  its  attractions. 
The  salubrity  of  its  Wells,  and  the  interest  excited  by  its  Church, 
which  exhibits  in  its  Architecture  a  very  beautiful  example  of  the  latest 
period  of  the  Pointed  Style,  furnish  additional  sources  of  healthful  plea- 
sure, and  mental  gratification. 

Malvern  has  long  been  celebrated  in  Ecclesiastical  History ;  and  the 
Village  itself  owes  its  origin  to  an  Hennitage,  or  Priory,  which  ac- 
cording to  Thomas,  who  wrote  an  account  of  its  Antiquities  and  Church, 
in  Latin,  (temp.  James  I.)  was  founded  here,  "  in  the  wild  forest,"  an- 
terior to  the  Norman  Invasion.  This  establishment  was  for  Seculars  ; 
and  our  author  states  that  Urso  D'Abitot,  or  D'Abtot,  a  Norman 
Baron,  who  possessed  considerable  estates  in  this  County,  was  the 
founder.  In  this  Thomas  has  been  contradicted,  there  being  no  men- 
tion of  D'Abtot's  name  in  either  of  the  two  Charters  granted  to  the 
Priory  by  King  Henry  the  First.  If  not  the  founder,  however,  it  is 
evident  that  Urso  was  a  benefactor  very  soon  after  the  Conquest ;  there 
being  extant  a  rather  curious  grant  made  by  him  to  the  Malvern  brother- 
hood, (vide  Nash's  Hist,  of  Worcestershire,  vol.  ii.  p.  266,  note,)  to 
which,  among  the  witnesses,  is  '  Athelisa  Vicecomitissa,'  the  Sheriff's 
Lady,  his  own  wife.  That  some  kind  of  a  religious  house  was  founded 
here  prior  to  the  Conquest,  is  apparent  from  a  Charter  of  Henry  the 
1 


First's,  referred  to  iu  Dugdale's  Monasticon,  which  mentions  that  it  was 
endowed  by  King  Edward  the  Confessor. 

A  somewhat  different  account  of  this  foundation  has  been  given  in 
Nash's  History,  viz.  '■  Before  the  Conquest,  Malvern  was  a  wilder- 
ness thick  set  with  trees,  and  some  Monks,  who  aspired  to  greater  sanc- 
tity, retired  [thither]  from  the  Priory  of  Worcester,  and  became  Her- 
mits. The  enthusiasm  spread  so  rapidly  that  their  number  soon  in- 
creased to  three  hundred;  when,  forming  themselves  into  a  Society, 
they  agreed  to  live  according  to  the  Order  of  St.  Benedict,  and  elected 
Aldwin,  one  of  their  company,  to  be  Superior."  Nash  refers  to  William 
of  Malmsbury,  as  his  authority  for  this  statement ;  but  in  respect  to  the 
number  of  brethren  congregated  under  Aldwin,  or  Aldewine,  he  is  in- 
correct;  Malmsbury 's  words  being,—'  TTsque  ad /jf'cenarium  numerum,' 
that  is,  thirt)',  and  not  frccenarium,  or  three  hundred.  He  was  proba- 
bly misled  by  Habyugton,  the  author  of  an  account  of  this  Priory, 
which  was  dedicated  to  Queen  Elizabeth,  and  printed  in  lo9G;  and 
in  which  Habyngdon  has  fallen  into  the  same  mistake. 

In  the  "  Anital.  Wigoniienses,'  Aldwin  is  expressly  called  tlie/oz;nrfer, 
from  the  circumstance,  as  Habyngton  rationally  conjectures,  of  his  hav- 
ing "  begged  of  the  charity  of  others,  as  much  as  perfected  this  founda- 
tion." He  appears  to  have  been  one  of  the  Anchorites  at  Malvern ; — 
and  about  the  year  1083,  he  was  persuaded  by  St.  Wolstan,  Bishop  of 
W^orcester,  to  become  a  Benedictine  Monk,  instead  of  making  a  pilgrim- 
age to  Jerusalem,  as  he  had  previously  intended,  with  assurances  that 
his  place  at  Malvern  would  be  wonderfully  favoured  by  God  :  these  as- 
surances he  is  said  to  have  lived  to  see  fulfilled  in  a  very  considerable 
degree ;  the  benefactions  which  he  obtained  by  his  zeal  having  enabled 
him  to  found  a  Priory  and  Church  for  thirty  monks,  in  honour  of  the 
Virgin  Mary.  One  of  the  principal  benefactors  was  Gislebertus  Ciispi- 
nus.  Abbot  of  Westminster,  who,  with  the  consent  of  his  Convent,  as- 
signed several  estates  and  manors  to  the  new  foundation  ;  stipulating, 
as  it  should  seem,  that  the  future  patronage  of  the  Priory  should  be- 
long to  his  own  establishment :  hence  the  Abbots  of  Westminster  al- 
ways claimed  the  approval  and  confirmation  of  the  Priors  of  Malvern; 
though  it  was  not  without  many  disputes  that  they  maintained  their  pri- 
vileges, Malvern,  therefore,  was  regarded  as  a  subordinate  Cell  to  the 
Abbey  Church ;  and  the  Dean  and  Chapter  of  Westminster  have  lands 
in  its  vicinity  at  the  present  time. 

Henry  the  First  was  a  considerable  donor  to  this  Priory;  besides  con- 
firming all  former  grants  by  his  Charter,  dated  in  1127,  he  bestowed 
various  lands  upon  its  inmates.  In  1159,  William  Burdett  gave  to  God, 
and  St.  Mary  of  Malvern,  all  the  land  he  had  in  Aucott  in  ^Varwick- 
shire,  with  the  mill,  &c.  and  other  possessions,  for  the  foundation  of  a 
Cell  for  four  monks.  Another  Cell,  subordinate  to  Malvern,  was  after- 
wards founded  at  Brockbury,  in  the  parish  of  Colwall,  in  Hereford- 
shire. 


Bishop  Latimer,  about  the  period  of  the  dissolution,  petitioned  that 
two  or  three  religious  houses  in  each  county,  and  in  particular,  that  of 
Great  Malvern,  might  remain,  and  their  revenues  be  applied  to  the 
purposes  of  education  ;  but  this  was  overruled  by  the  cupidity  of  Henry 
the  Eighth's  counsellors.  When  the  Priory  was  dissolved,  the  value 
of  its  possessions  was  estimated,  according  to  Dugdale,  at  308Z.  Is.  5Jd. ; 
and  according  to  Speed,  at  375Z.  0s.6rf.  In  the  thirty-sixth  of  Henry  VIII., 
the  Priory  demesne  was  granted  to  William  Pinnock,  who  transferred  it 
to  John  Knotesford,  Sergeant  at  Arms,  by  whose  descendants  it  was  sold 
to  James  Oliver,  of  the  city  of  Worcester,  aboirt  the  year  1774.  Queen 
Elizabeth,  in  her  thirty-first  year,  granted  to  Richard  Braythewayte, 
and  Roger  Bromley,  and  their  heirs,  all  the  tythes  of  lambs,  pigs,  calves, 
eggs,  hemp,  and  flax,  and  the  oblations  of  the  Parish,  and  of  the  Chap- 
pel  of  St.  Leonard,  on  condition  of  their  paying  8/.  yearly  to  the  Vicar, 
and  8s.  2d.  to  the  archdeacon  of  Worcester,  "  in  respect  of  a  synodal 
and  procuration,  issuing  out  of  the  said  tythes."  The  Priory  Gateway 
still  remains  in  tolerable  preservation ;  together  with  an  ancient  and 
somewhat  curious  wooden  edifice,  supposed  to  have  been  the  Refectory 
and  Audit  Hall,  which  has  been  converted  into  a  barn  with  stabling. 

The  Church  is  a  large  and  spacious  structure,  built  in  the  form  of  a 
cross,  and  having  a  lofty  tower  rising  from  the  intersection  of  the  nave 
and  transept.  Formerly,  two  Chapels  were  attached  to  it,  which  have 
been  destroyed ;  viz.  one  at  the  east  end,  consecrated  to  the  Virgin 
Mary ;  and  another  on  the  south  side.  After'the  conveyance  of  the 
Priory  demesne  to  John  Knotesford,  Esq.,  as  mentioned  above,  this 
edifice  was  purchased  from  him  by  the  inhabitants  of  Malvern  for  200Z., 
and  made  parochial.  The  Patron  of  the  Living  is  Edward  Foley,  Esq., 
of  Stoke  Edith  Park,  in  Herefordshire. 

The  more  ancient  parts  of  this  fabric,  which  are  principally  confined 
to  the  massive  columns  and  arches  of  the  nave,  are  of  early  Norman 
architecture ;  but  the  rest  of  the  building  is  in  the  pointed  style  of  Henry 
the  Seventh's  time.  That  munificent  Patron  of  the  arts.  Sir  Reginald 
Bray,  K.  G.,  who  was  a  native  of  St.  John's,  Worcester,  was  the  archi- 
tect; and  under  his  superintendance  the  Church  assumed  that  appearance 
.  and  character  which  have  rendered  it  the  admiration  of  every  person  con- 
versant in  elegant  design,  and  ingenious  workmanship.  Sir  Reginald's 
great  abilities,  and  his  zealous  attachment  to  the  Lancastrian  cause,  oc- 
casioned him  to  enjoy  the  entire  friendship  of  his  Sovereign  ;  and  Henry 
himself,  his  Queen,  and  his  family,  are  reported  to  have  assisted  him  in 
renovating  and  embellishing  this  interesting  pile.  The  painted  and 
stained  glass  that  formerly  adorned  the  windows,  and  of  which  many 
beautiful  specimens  still  remain,  though  greatly  misplaced  and  mutilated, 
are,  in  particular,  stated  to  have  been  executed  at  the  charge  of  those 
illustrious  personages. 

During  the  lapse  of  centuries,  and  through  the  culpable  neglect  of 
those  who  ought  to  have  attended  to  its  preservation,  this  Church  be- 
.3 


came  greatly  dilapidated ;  so  much  so,  indeed,  that  about  the  year 
1788,  it  is  described  as  being  in  such  a  ruinous  state,  "  that  it  could 
not  be  used  with  either  convenience  or  safety ;  the  roof,  when  it  rained, 
admitting  much  water;  the  seats  being  mouldy  and  decayed  ;  the  walls 
and  floor  dreadfully  damp,  (for  some  parts  of  the  Church  were  subject  to 
be  flooded,)  and  the  ivy  allowed  to  pierce  through  the  broken  windows, 
and  cover  a  large  portion  of  the  east  end  of  the  fabric."  In  this  forlorn 
state  it  continued  till  about  the  years  1012  and  1013,  when  the  roof  and 
ceiling  were  repaired,  and  the  ivy  entirely  cut  away;  the  expenses  being 
defrayed  by  a  subscription  principally  raised  among  the  nobility  and 
gentry  of  the  surrounding  country.  Much,  however,  yet  remained  to  be 
done;  when  in  a  propitious  hour,  in  101.5,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Card  wasin- 
ducted  to  this  Vicarage  ;  and  that  gentleman  immediately  directed  his 
attention  to  the  repairs  which  were  still  requisite.  Through  his  activity 
and  zeal,  a  further  subscription  was  obtained;  and  the  Church,  within 
three  years  afterwards,  was  placed  in  that  complete  state  of  reparation 
and  improvement  in  which  it  now  appears. 

From  many  points  of  view  this  structure  is  seen  to  great  advantage, 
and  particularly  from  the  north,  as  represented  in  Plate  I.  The  tower, 
which  rises  to  the  elevation  of  124  feet,  is  finely  ornamented  with  a 
pierced  battlement,  and  corresponding  pinnacles,  which  are  rather  pecu- 
liarly designed,  as  may  be  seen  in  the  engraving.  Elegant  tracery  adorns 
the  windows ;  and  the  open-work  of  the  embattlements  westward  from  the 
transept,  gives  an  agreeable  lightness  to  the  upper  part  of  the  walls.  On 
the  north  side,  there  is  a  considerable  descent  to  the  Church,  from  the 
irregularity  of  the  ground.  In  the  tower  are  six  bells  and  a  set  of  chimes. 

The  interior  has  a  neat  and  impressive  character  :  its  length  is  173 
feet,  and  its  breadth  63  feet;  the  height  of  the  nave  is  63  feet.  When 
the  sun's  rays  are  beheld  streaming  through  the  rich  tints  of  its  coloured 
glass,  the  effiect  is  very  fine.  The  nave  is  neatly  pewed ;  and  in  a 
handsome  galleiy  near  the  entrance  in  the  north-aisle  is  a  good  organ. 
On  the  front  of  the  gallery  are  the  arms  of  her  late  royal  highness  the 
Princess  Charlotte  of  Wales,  together  with  those  of  his  serene  highness 
Prince  Leopold,  her  husband.  The  pews  of  Earl  Beauchamp  and  Ed- 
ward Foley,  Esq.  are  respectively  ornamented,  in  front,  with  their  armo-. 
rial  bearings.  On  each  side  the  chancel,  are  placed  the  ancient  stalls  of 
the  monks,  the  under  parts,  or  siib-sella,  of  which  exhibit  various 
grotesque  and  other  carvings  in  basso-relievo.  Among  them  are  the 
following  subjects ;  which  have  been  rudely  etched  by  the  late  John 
Carter,  in  the  second  Volume  of  his  "  Ancient  Sculpture  and  Painting." 
— 1.  A  Man  on  his  death-bed,  with  a  Priest  at  his  head  and  a  Doctor 
at  his  feet,  to  whom  he  is  offering  bags  of  wealth  to  secure  their  aid.  2. 
A  Monk  driving  away  the  Devil,  by  propelling  wind  into  his  fundament 
with  a  pair  of  bellows.  3.  A  Gardener  holding  a  staff  and  garden-hook 
with  plants,  <S:c.  by  his  side.  4.  A  Man  with  a  basket  of  fruit  on  his 
right  arm  :  in  his  left  hand  he  holds  up  a  pine.  5.  A  Male  figure  sus- 
4 


taining  a  large  goblet  in  each  hand  ;  probably  meant  as  an  emblem  of 
gluttony,  bis  belly  appearing  to  swag  on  the  table  before  him,  upon 
which  are  remains  of  a  repast.     G.  An  Angel  playing  on  a  cittern. 

The  altar-piece  consists  of  an  entablature  supported  by  columns  of  the 
Ionic  order,  in  the  pannels  between  which,  the  Lord's  Prayer,  the 
Creed,  and  the  Commandments  are  neatly  painted.  Near  it,  on  each  side, 
are  ranged  a  number  of  the  curiously  inscribed  Tiles,  which  formed  a 
part  of  the  pavement  of  the  ancient  Church,  intermixed  with  others  on 
which  the  armorial  bearings  of  divers  benefactors  were  represented. 
Each  tile  is  about  five  inches  and  a  quarter  square,  in  superficial  extent ; 
and  nearly  an  inch  and  a  half  in  thickness.  They  are  mostly  of  a  dark 
red,  or  brown  colour  :  the  arms  and  letters  have  been  impressed  on  them 
when  soft,  and  the  indents  afterwards  filled  up  with  a  different  coloured 
clay ;  as  orange,  &c.  The  inscription  on  the  greater  number  of  the  tiles 
is  as  follows : 

€\)tnU  .  mon  .  jii  .  (iffe  . 
mat  .  not  .  cu  .  enDure  . 
pat.  poia  .  Do.sit.  jii.  ^tlt 
of  .  pat  .  potu  .  art  .  ^utre  . 
but  .  pat  .  poto  .  gebiiot  . 
un  .  to  .  pi  .  ^tctm  .  cure  . 
anti  .  cu  .  \)\t  .  abailc  .  pc  . 
tjit  .  i.^  .  but  .  abcnture  . 

When  divested  of  its  obsolete  orthography,  this  inscription  might  be 
rendered  thus  : — Think,  man  !  tliy  life  will  not  endure  for  ever.  What 
thou  dost  thyself,  of  that  thou  art  certain  ;  but  what  thou  leavest  to  thy 
executors'  care,  it  is  but  a  chance  that  it  will  ever  avail  thee. — Another 
tile  of  the  same  kind  is  fixed  against  the  large  column  on  the  north  side, 
near  the  entrance  to  the  chancel;  and  various  others,  collected  from  dif- 
ferent parts  of  the  floor  during  the  late  repairs,  have  been  used  for  facing 
a  low  semicircular  wall  at  the  east  end  of  the  Church.  Among  the  ar- 
morial bearings  on  these  tiles  were  those  of  Edward  the  Confessor, 
and  of  many  ancient  baronial  families ;  particularly  Bohun,  Earl  of 
Northampton ;  Beauchamp,  Earl  of  Warwick ;  Mortimer,  Earl  of 
March ;  Clare,  Earl  of  Gloucester  ;  and  Beauchamp,  of  Powick.  Ac- 
cording to  Nash,  the  date  of  the  tiles  about  the  choir,  is  1463 ;  viz.  36th 
of  Henry  the  J»ixth. 

Most,  if  not  all  of  the  windows  of  this  edifice  were  very  richly  embel- 
lished with  painted  glass,  on  which  numerous  subjects  from  Scripture 
were  depicted ;  and  likewise  the  etfigies  of  benefactors  with  their  arms 
on  their  surcoats.  Though  much  of  it  has  been  destroyed,  from  culpable 
neglect,  and  wilful  devastation,  there  is  still  sufficient  remaining  to  attest 
its  original  splendour ;  but  the  difl'erent  series  of  historical  representa- 
tions are  in  every  instance  incomplete ;  and  only  a  few  of  the  portraits 
now  exist. 


In  the  sixteen  lower  compartments  of  the  great  east  wiudow,  were  tha 
principal  events  of  our  Saviour's  life  and  passion  ;  but  nearly  the  whole 
has  been  broken ;  and  the  remaining  fragments  are  so  confusedly  mis- 
placed that  no  subject  can  be  traced.  In  the  upper  divisions  are  the 
twelve  Apostles,  with  other  figures.  This  window  is  shewn  in  Plate  III., 
the  view  being  taken  from  the  north  side  of  the  Church,  near  the  entrance 
of  the  transept. 

In  the  third  window  from  the  east,  on  the  north  side,  are  the  arms  of 
Westminster  Abbey ;  together  with  several  transactions  of  the  Monk 
Aldwin,  relating  to  his  procuring  Letters  Patent  for  the  foundation  of 
this  Church  from  Pope  Gregory  the  Seventh  and  William  the  Conqueror. 
In  the  fourth  window,  the  Crucifixion  is  represented  in  three  divisions  : 
in  the  centre  is  Jesus  upon  the  cross,  on  the  right  is  St.  John  the  Evange- 
list and  the  Virgin  Mary,  and  on  the  left,  the  Centurion  speaking  to  his 
soldiers.  In  the  fifth  window  is  a  seraph,  a  cherub,  and  an  avch-augel:  se- 
veral figures  were  removed  from  this  part  into  the  west  window,  when 
the  latter  was  glazed  during  the  recent  improvements.  In  the  ninth 
window  is  St.  Peter,  but  greatly  mutilated. 

In  the  great  west  wiudow  was  origiually  a  representation  of  the  Day 
of  Judgment,  said  to  have  been  "  not  inferior  to  the  paintings  of  Michael 
Angelo."  The  whole  however  was  demolished  by  unruly  bovs,  who, 
whilst  the  Church  remained  in  its  dilapidated  state,  were  wilfully  suffered 
to  throw  stones  at  the  various  figures  thereon  delineated.  Under  the 
directions  of  the  present  Vicar,  aided  by  a  benefaction  of  50/.  from  the 
late  Princess  Charlotte  of  Wales,  and  Prince  Leopold,  her  consort,  this 
window  has  been  again  resplendently  filled  with  painted  glass,  brought 
from  less  observable  situations  in  other  parts  of  the  Church.  The  prin- 
cipal recognized  figures  are  St.  Lawrence  and  St.  George,  the  others 
are  Popes,  Bishops,  Saints,  <i:c. 

In  the  fourth  window  from  the  east,  on  the  south  side,  are  twelve 
Scriptural  subjects,  commencing  with  the  Creation,  and  ending  with  the 
infancy  of  Cain,  viz.  1.  The  Almighty  forming  the  earth  out  of  a  chaos 
of  confused  atoms.  2.  God  creating  the  moon  and  the  stars.  3,  4,  and 
5.  God  creating  the  plants,  the  fowls  of  the  air,  and  the  trees  and 
beasts  of  the  field.  6.  God  creating  Man  out  of  the  dust  of  the  ground. 
7.  Adam  in  a  deep  sleep,  and  God  taking  a  rib  from  his  left  side  to  create 
Woman.  8.  God  leading  Adam  and  Eve  into  Paradise.  9.  Adam 
and  Eve  eating  the  forbidden  fruit.  10.  Adam  and  Eve  hiding  them- 
selves among  the  trees  in  the  garden.  11.  The  Angel  of  the  Lord  ex- 
pelling Adam  and  Eve  from  Paradise.  12.  Adam  tilling  the  ground, 
and  Eve  witli  Cain  upon  her  knee. 

In  the  fifth  window  was  the  history  of  Noah,  but  the  only  subjects 
not  utterly  mutilated,  are  these  : — the  Almighty  appearing  to  Xoah,  and 
commanding  him  to  build  an  Ark;  and  Noah  sending  out  the  Dove  to 
see  if  the  Deluge  had  subsided.  In  the  sixth  window  were  the  stories  of 
Abraham  and  Isaac,  but  the  only  events  now  intelligible  are  as  follow : 
6 


GffiEAT  MAJLVEBN  CHUmCH, 

VfOKCESTERSHlRE  °^ 

1  -nars  Sead  tJLeKaix^.fhjteja'TarKha^n..Surry. 


— God  appealing  to  Abraham ;  Abraham  taking  Sarah  to  wife  ;  Abra- 
ham putting  out  Hagar,  the  bondwoman ;  Abraham  journeying  to 
Mount  Moriah;  and  Isaac  sending  Esau  for  venison.  In  the  seventh 
window  was  the  history  of  Joseph,  but  no  more  than  two  subjects  are 
now  distinguishable,  viz. —Joseph's  dream,  that  the  sun,  moon,  and 
stars,  were  making  obeisance  to  him  ;  and  Joseph  sold  by  his  brethren 
to  the  Midianites.  The  eighth  window  was  occupied  with  various  sub- 
jects from  the  history  of  the  Israelites,  but  nothing  intelligible  can  now 
be  traced. 

The  north  end  of  the  transept,  (which  is  delineated  in  Plate  II,) 
opens  from  the  chancel  by  a  high  pointed  arch,  having  numerous  mould- 
ings rising  from  light  shafts  :  at  the  sides  are  various  compartments  of 
handsome  panneling.  The  large  window  in  Jesus  Chapel,  which  forms 
the  extremity  of  the  transept,  exhibits  some  elegant  remains  of  the 
painted  glass  with  which  it  was  once  filled.  Several  of  the  compart- 
ments were  blown  out  in  the  time  of  James  the  First,  when  much  was 
broken,  and  the  rest  was  never  properly  replaced.  In  the  upper  large 
compartments  were  represented  in  a  circle,  (the  traces  of  which  may 
still  be  seen,  as  shewn  in  the  accompanying  print,)  the  Father,  Sou,  and 
Holy  Ghost,  placing  a  crown  on  the  head  of  the  Virgin  Mary  :  around 
them  were  the  angelic  choirs  praising  God  on  various  instruments.  In 
one  of  the  upper  divisions  to  the  right  of  the  circle,  is  the  Offering  of  the 
Magi ;  and,  on  the  the  left  of  it,  are  Adam  and  Eve  praying  in  the  midst 
of  the  Infernal  spirits,  with  our  Saviour  taking  the  hand  of  Adam  to  lead 
him  forth.  In  other  divisions,  were,  formerly,  Christ  received  into  Hea- 
ven, and  St.  Michael  combating  with  Satan. 

Besides  the  above,  there  were  also  the  figures  of  Henry  the  Seventh 
armed  and  crowned ;  Elizabeth  his  Queen  ;  the  Princes  Arthur  and 
Henry,  their  sons ;  Sir  Reginald  Bray,  K.  G. ;  Sir  John  Savage,  and 
Thomas  Lovell,  Esq.;  all  of  whom  were  Henry's  privy-counsellors.  The 
figures  of  Prince  Henry  and  Sir  Reginald  Bray  alone  remain  per- 
fect; there  is  likewise  the  lower  part  of  that  of  the  Queen,  but  in  a  re- 
versed position.  They  were  all  on  their  knees,  praying;  and  under 
them  was  this  inscription  :  Orate  pro  bono  statu  nobilissimi  et  excellen- 
tessimi  regis  Heurici  Septimi  et  Elizabcthee  regince  ac  domini  Arthuri 
principis  filii  eorundem,  ncc  non  predilectissime  consortis  sue  et  suorum 
trium  militum. 

Prince  Henry  is  represented  under  a  canopy  of  state  richly  orna- 
mented with  flowing  drapery,  diversely  embroidered.  He  is  kneeling 
on  two  cushions,  tasselled,  placed  on  a  ground  of  small  squares,  che- 
quered black  and  yellow.  Before  him,  on  a  desk  or  table,  covered 
with  tapestry,  is  an  open  book,  on  a  cushion  fringed  and  tasselled  :  on 
the  book  lies  a  sceptre.  He  wears  a  shirt  of  mail,  but  is  otherwise  in 
compleat  plate  armour,  except  an  helmet.  On  the  breast  of  his  surcoat, 
are  the  arms  of  France  and  England,  quarterly;  and  the  same  arms  are 
on  his  right  shoulder :  round  his  neck  is  a  file  of  three  points,  argent. 
7 


On  his  head  is  an  open  coronet;  from  which  his  hair  descends  in  long 
ringlets.  The  scabbard  of  his  sword  is  much  ornamented.  His  spurs 
are  very  long  ;  but  the  points  of  the  rowels  are  short.  The  canopy  is 
surrounded  by  angels,  sounding  musical  instruments,  as  sackbuts,  bag- 
pipes, and  citterns  played  on  by  a  small  stick,  or  plectrum. 

Sir  Reginald  Bray  is  kneeling  on  a  crimson  cushion,  under  a  very 
rich  Gothic  canopy,  or  tabernacle,  within  a  niche  ;  the  latter  is  variously 
ornamented  in  compartments  of  a  screen-like  appearance,  blue,  yellow, 
and  crimson.  He  is  in  plate  armour,  and  a  shirt  of  mail,  but  without 
his  helmet.  His  sword  has  a  richly  wrought  scabbard,  but  it  is  not  so 
long  as  that  of  Prince  Henry  :  the  rowels  of  his  spurs  have  long  points. 
Before  him,  on  a  desk  and  cushion,  fringed  and  tasselled,  is  an  open 
book  :  the  cushion  is  embroidered  with  his  name,  in  Latin.  On  the 
breast  and  shoulder  of  his  surcoat,  are  his  arms,  viz.  arg.  a  chevr.  betw. 
three  eagles'  legs,  sab.  erased  d  la  cuisse,  Gu.  At  his  back  is  a  richly- 
wrought  shrine,  or  reliquary. 

Each  of  the  above  paintings  is  three  feet  two  inches  in  height :  they 
were  engraved  by  Strutt,  for  his  "  Manners,  Customs,"  &c.,  but  that  of 
Prince  Henry  is  erroneously  called  Henry  the  Seventh.  They  have 
been  engraved  also  by  the  late  John  Carter,  who  made  drawings  from 
them  on  the  spot,  in  the  year  1788:  his  engravings,  coloured  like  the 
originals,  were  published  in  the  second  volume  of  his  "  Ancient  Sculp- 
ture and  Painting."  The  Nativity,  the  Marriage  of  Canaan,  and  Christ 
sitting  among  the  Doctors  in  the  Temple,  are  also  included  in  this 
window ;  together  with  other  confused  pieces  now  uuintelligible. 

The  west  window  of  this  Chapel,  which  consists  of  nine  divisions,  con- 
tains the  finest  paintings  in  the  Church,  with  the  exception  of  the  two 
figures  just  described.  They  are  all  entire,  and  include  among  others, 
the  following  subjects ;  the  Salutation  of  Elizabeth  ;  the  Visitation  of 
the  Angel  to  Mary  ;  the  Nativity  ;  the  Presentation  in  the  Temple  ;  the 
Blind  restored  to  Sight ;  the  Resurrection  of  Lazarus ;  the  Multitude  fol- 
lowing our  Saviour ;  and  the  Last  Supper. 

In  the  Vicar's  Chapel  at  the  east  end  of  the  north  aisle,  is  a  small 
window,  which  in  the  year  1820,  was  elegantly  filled  up  with  painted 
and  stained  glass  ;  on  which  is  depicted  the  arms  of  forty-six  benefactors 
to  the  recent  repairs  of  this  Church  :  below  the  window  is  this  inscrip- 
tion : — 

Stranger,  thou  beholdest  here  the  Armorial  bearings  of  those  who 
chiefly  aided  the  Vicar,  Henry  Card,  in  restoring  the  interior  of 
this  venerable  fabric  ;  and  hanng  done  this  pious  deed,  they  fur- 
ther consented  to  his  wishes  of  placing  their  Arms  in  this  window, 
as  commemorative  of  it.    A.  D.  1820. 

Among   the  few  remarkable  monuments    in  this  structure  there  is 

one  of  unquestionable  antiquity,  but  the  person  whom  it  represents  is 

unknown.     It  is  a  mutilated  statue  of  a  Knight,  now  placed  in  a  recess 

at  the  north  end  of  Jesus  Chapel,  whither  it  was  removed,  at  the  com- 

8 


Ir^wnLy-LENeale. 


GBEAT 


En.5?avedbyiLeKeTa. 


mencemen   of  the  late  repairs,  from  alow  and  simple  tomb,  or  pedestal 
m  the  south  aisle.     Carter,  who  states  that  no  similar  figure  hlT 
fallen  under  his  observation,  describes  it  as  being  arra^^^^^^^ 
mo,.of  the  Conqueror's  time,  having  a  long  surc.olt  oTert     tZII 
hand  .armed  with  a  battle-axe ;  the  left  holds  a  circular  shield    or  t'ar 
get,  and  from  under  it  hangs  a  sword.     The  feet  har.  K       T' . 
above  the  ankles.     In  another  recess  in  the  same  Ch       « 
stone,  ofacoffin-likeform,  -n  melry  of  Prri^S: 'X  ""'^^^^^ 

1711,  in  the  Priory  garden,  about  three  feet  from  the  church-wall      tL 
inscription  is  in  monkish  rhyme,  as  follows :-  ^^^ 

Philosophvs  dignvs  bonvs  Astrolo-vs,  Lotheringvs 
A  ir  pivs  ac  hvmilis,  monachvs,  Prior  hvivs  ovilis ' 
Hic  jacet  in  cista,  Geometricvs  ae  Abacista 
Doctor  Walchervs;  flet,  plebs,  dolet  ™diqTe  clerv,  ■ 
Hvic  Ivx  prima  mori  dedit  Octobris  seniori ; 
Vivat  vt  in  coelis  exoret  qvis  qve  fidelis.     m'cx^xv 

eftgy  of  his  lady,  and  at  their  feet  is  Anne,  their  eldest  of  five  daughters 
by  whom  this  monument  was  erected  :  he  died  on  the  23d  of  Novemb  ' 
1599.     Various  slabs  for  the  ancient  family  of  Lvtron    &r  \Z  , 

^   ets  for  more  recent  interments,  are  incluLd  mTe  ;em L  ng  s^' 
ehral  memorials.     In  the  wall  of  the  south  aisle  is  an  enriched  circular 
a  ch,  which  some  have  supposed  to  have  been  a  confessional,  b  t  it  i 
'  In  thf  ::  tf  "°^^  ^"  ^  '^^-^  --  --P-d  by  an  ancie'nt  tomb 

Gervase  of  Canterbury,  in  his  MS.  Chronicle,  as  quoted  in  Tanner's 
NotUia.  mentions  this  Church  as  dedicated  to  St.  Michael  as  well  as  to 
the  Virgin:  it  is  likewise  called  St.  Michael  Malvern,  in  an  o  irina" 
charter  preserved  in  the  British  Museum,  referred  to  by  the  edit  f" 
the  new  edition  of  Dugdale's  Monasticon. 

The  old  Parish  Church  was  dedicated  to  St.  Thomas  the  AnostlP 
Church        ?  t'""*'^P'"^^^"'  ^'^"^'='''  ^'  thenorth  westangfe'^:;i'e 

o?eTm"rii\T:r2r " '-''''  ''^^-^  ^^  -^^^^  -  '^- 

Although  Great  Malvern  was  a  cell  to  the  Abbey  of  Westminster 

sta^rr";  ^PP*^"  ^°  ^^^^^  ^'='^'^'  -  ^^^^  mfnagemen   of "1 ; 
estates,  &c.  as  an  independent  corporation 

Chi!"  ""'7/  ''■"'•"  '""""'''  ^^'^'^°^'  '»  '^^  Dissertation  on  Ancient 
Charters  and  Instilments  prefixed  to  his  Formulare  Anglicanum,  "  sle 


Demises  were  made,  which  appear  pretty  singular.  Thus  Herbert,  Ab- 
bat  of  Westminster,  granted  to  the  Monks  of  Malvern,  Manerium  de 
Powicd  ad  Firmam,  pro  xxiiii.  libris  per  annum;  Heec  peatnia  per  iiii 
terminos  reddenda  est,  scilicet,  Sfc;  Et  tamdiu  tencant,  quamdiu  obedientes 
fuerint  et  subjecti  [nostrce]  Matri  Ecclesite,  et  de  hue  obedientid  f  de- 
liter  servierint ;  Et  illas  Consnetudines  liabcat  Abbas,  in  codem  Manerio, 
qnas  habet  in  omnibus  aliis  Mancriis  quic  similiter  sunt  ad  Firmam.  Ex. 
Orig.  Cyrogr.  in  archiv.  S.  Petri  A\'estm." 

According  to  the  population  Act  of  1821,  the  Parish  of  Great  Malvern 
contained  313  houses:  the  number  of  inhabitants  was  1,5GB;  of  whom 
760  were  males,  and  818  females. 


10 


««1 


^t  (Giles's  CJurci). 

LITTLE  MALVERN,  WORCESTERSHIRE. 

PERPETUAL    CURATE, 
THE  REV.  EDWARD  WOODYATT,  B.  A. 


Little  Malvern,  a  small  Village  about  three  miles  southward  from 
Great  Malvern,  is  situated  on  a  woody  slope  near  the  entrance  of  an  ex- 
tensive recess  or  hollow,  in  the  range  of  hills  of  which  the  Herefordshire 
Beacon  forms  such  a  conspicuous  object.  According  to  the  return  made 
to  the  Privy  Council  by  Bishop  Sandys,  in  the  reign  of  Queen  Eliza- 
beth, this  parish  contained  thirty-seven  families,  but  at  the  present  time 
there  are  fifteen  only.  The  number  of  inhabitants,  as  taken  under  the 
Population  Act  of  1821,  was  sixty-seven ;  viz.  thirty-three  males  and 
thirty-four  females,  most  of  whom  are  employed  in  agriculture. 

In  the  Anglo-Norman  times,  this  district  was  little  otherwise  than  an 
umbrageous  wilderness,  well  calculated  for  privacy  and  seclusion. 
Here,  therefore,  about  the  year  1171,  two  brothers,  named  Joceline  and 
Edred,  founded  a  small  Benedictine  Priory,  for  themselves  and  a  few 
other  monks  who  had  separated  from  the  Priory  at  Worcester,  to  which 
this  cell  became  subordinate.  The  new  establishment  was  dedicated  to 
St.  Giles,  and  it  continued  till  the  dissolution  of  the  lesser  monasteries 
in  1538,  at  which  period  it  contained  a  prior  and  seven  monks.  Tts  pos- 
sessions, which  were  valued  at  981.  per  annum,  were  afterwards  granted 
to  Richard  Andrews  and  Nicholas  Temple. 

The  present  Cliurch,  which  is  that  which  belonged  to  the  Priory,  was 
built  on  the  site  of  the  more  ancient  edifice  about  the  year  1482,  temp. 
Hen,  VII.,  by  the  influence  of  that  celebrated  prelate  and  architect, 
John  Alcocke,  Bishop  of  Worcester.  It  was  originally  constructed  in 
the  form  of  a  cross,  having  an  embattled  tower  rising  from  the  centre  ; 
but  the  transept  has  long  been  in  ruins  and  partly  destroyed,  and  the 
other  divisions  of  the  building  are  much  dilapidated.  From  several 
points  of  view  it  forms  a  picturesque  and  striking  object,  particularly 
when  its  pointed  windows  and  rich  tracery  are  seen  in  combination  with 
the  mantling  ivj-  that  has  been  suflered  to  overspread  a  portion  of  the 
exterior  walls.  In  descending  the  hilly  road  from  Ledbury,  the  eye 
glances  over  the  Tower  of  the  Church,  (whicii  appears  to  rise  from  thick 
woods),  and  penetrates  into  Gloucestershire,  the  intermediate  country 
being  finely  variegated.  The  variety  of  ground  and  scenery  compre- 
hended in  this  prospect,  renders  it  exceedingly  interesting.  Cottle  has 
thus  noticed  the  Church  in  his  Poem  on  Malvern  Hills : 
1 


Just  peeping  from  a  woody  covert  near 

The  Lesser  ftlalvern  stands.     Sequestered  Church  ' 

The  spot  around  tliee  speaks  of  quietness. 

Down  at  the  mountain's  base  thou  long  hast  brav'd 

The  vernal  tempest  and  December's  storms ; 

Yet  at  this  tranquil  time  most  fair  thou  art. 

The  aged  oaks  around,  and  towering  elms, 

In  wild  luxuriance  spread  their  stately  limbs  ; 

And  true  to  friendship,  ward  each  angry  blast. 

That,  howling  through  the  valley,  sweeps  along 

To  thy  dark  battlements. 

On  each  side  of  the  upper  division  of  the  Tower  is  a  handsome  win- 
dow, separated  into  two  lights  by  a  mullion,  and  having  a  quatrefoil 
and  other  tracery  near  the  apex.  The  adjoining  walls  are  wrought  into 
tracery,  displaying  some  bold  overhanging  mouldings.  It  seems  pro- 
bable, from  its  appearance,  that  the  present  roof  is  far  more  modern 
than  the  other  parts  of  the  building. 

The  interior  of  the  Church  (vide  Plate  II.)  is  plain  and  uninviting,  al- 
though indications  of  former  splendor  still  remain  in  its  vestiges  of  painted 
glass  and  armorial  blazonry.  Some  rude  seats,  with  a  few  pews,  or  ra- 
ther boxes,  in  the  nave,  and  some  old  stalls  on  each  side  the  chancel, 
are  the  inadequate  accommodations  for  its  numerous  congregation  during 
divine  service.  A  wooden  screen,  that  has  been  perforated  in  the  Go- 
thic style,  in  compartments,  but  is  now  much  broken,  separates  the  nave 
from  the  chancel.  Nearly  over  it,  extending  from  wall  to  wall,  is  a  beau- 
tifully-carved beam,  exhibiting  foliage,  finely  relieved  and  uuder-cut. 
In  an  angle  near  the  stalls  on  the  north  side,  is  a  grotesque  carving. 
The  east  window  is  ornamented  with  very  elegant  tracery,  dividing  it  into 
numerous  lights,  the  principal  of  which  are  trefoil- headed :  quatrefoils 
and  other  forms  complete  the  design.  In  the  upper  divisions  are  several 
armorial  shields  in  stained  glass ;  and  in  the  lower  compartments  are  the 
remains  of  some  figures,  which  are  stated  to  have  been  portraits  of  the 
Queen  and  part  of  the  family  of  Edward  the  Fourth.  In  the  pavement 
are  several  wrought  tiles,  on  one  or  two  of  which  the  same  inscription 
may  be  traced  as  that  already  given  in  the  account  of  Great  Malvern 
Church.  The  Font,  which  is  of  stone,  and  of  an  octagonal  form,  stands 
among  the  pews  on  the  north  side  of  the  nave. 

The  sepulchral  memorials  are  principally  confined  to  a  few  mural  tab- 
lets of  little  importance  ;  but  there  were  formerly  some  monuments  here 
of  considerable  antiquity.  Ilabyngdon  says,  that  in  his  time  (viz.  Queen 
Elizabeth's  reign)  '*  there  lay  in  the  south  aisle  a  Knight,  or  crusader,  all 
armed  saving  his  face,  his  right  hand  on  his  sword,  and  his  legs  crossed : 
on  his  right  hand  lay  his  Lady,  with  her  arms  crossed."  He  imagined 
this  latter  position  to  indicate  that  the  lady  had  accompanied  her  hus- 
band, in  his  military-religious  pilgrimage  to  the  Holy  Land. 

The  Church  is  a  perpetual  curacy.     The  living  is  in  the  gift  of  Mrs. 
Wakeman,  of  Little  Malvern,  who  is  a  Roman  Catholic,  and  therefore 
incapable  of  presenting;  she  has,  however,  the  nomination  to  the  living, 
and  the  presentation  is  made  by  the  Right  Hon.  the  Earl  Somers. 
2 


Dra-\\Ti  byJPNeale. 


riL."]T"ivoi  1"  H.  Lp  Kfmx 


ILiLii  Ji   ii.,ir.   ;'-t^'-x2.v  iajM!     v'ittllJBlCM  , 
wc  R  crsrsn  ss/at. 


•^■ 


INDEX  TO  THE  SECOND  VOLUME 

OF  VIEWS  OF  CHURCHES. 
'  TITLE.     Composition  of  Monumental  Remains. 

Bortijampton^ibi^. 

*  BULWICK  CHURCH South  Side. 

»  KETTERING  DITTO Tower  and  Spibe. 

<©JCfOrO!Si3JCC. 
"  OXFORD,  ALL  SAINTS       .....     North  Side. 
'  DITTO,  ST.  PETER'S,  IN  THE  EAST     Pi.  I.  Exterior. 

DITTO       .     , II.  Interior,  looking  East. 

7  DITTO,  ST.  MARY  MAGDALEN   .    .    Pl.  I.  Exterior. 

'  DITTO n.  The  Font. 

9  DITTO,  ST.  MARY'S Pl.  L  Exterior. 

"•  DITTO IL  Interior, 

"  WITNEY  CHURCH North  Side. 

'■'  SHREWSBURY,  ABBEY  CHURCH     .     Pl.  I.  West  Front. 

"DITTO n.  East  End. 

'*  DITTO IXI.  Monuments. 

>s  HALES  OWEN  CHURCH Font. 

<t>uffolft. 

IS  LAVENHAM  CHURCH Pl.  L  Exterior. 

"  DITTO        IL  The  Porch. 

'8  DITTO III.  View  looking  across  the  Choir. 

'^  DITTO IV.  Ancient  Pews. 

'^0  LOWESTOFF  CHURCH Sodth-East  View. 

•"  MELFORD  CHURCH Pl.  L  Exterior. 

«  DITTO II.  The  Porch. 

"'  DITTO III.  View  loosing  East. 

"  DITTO IV.  Ancient  Pews. 


*■'  MELFORD   CHURCH V.  View  across  the  Cboiu. 

«  DITTO VI.  Clohton  Chapel. 

27  SUDBURY,  ST.  GREGORY'S  CHURCH     Pl.  T. 

2S  DITTO II.  Font. 

"  CROYDON  CHURCH Pl.  I.  The  North  Side. 

30  DITTO II.  The  Nave  AND  Chancel. 

31  DITTO 111.    ]\l0Nl'MENT  OF  WnlTGIFT,    &C.  ScC. 

!l?flrtoich,!Sl]irc. 

se  STRATFORD-UPON-AVON  CHURCH     Pl.  1.  North-AVesi  View. 

33  DITTO II.  South  Side. 

3+  DITTO III.  North  Aisle. 

35  DITTO ...     IV,  Chancel  and  Monument  of  Shakspeare. 

36  DITTO ViGN.  The  Old  Font. 

IBilt.sljirf. 

-■>7  MARLBOROUGH  CHURCH  .     .    .    .     Pl.  I.  South-East  View. 
3«  DITTO II.  Interior. 

IDorcejStersitire. 

s°  EVESHAM,  ALL  SAINTS  CHURCH     .    South  Sii;e. 

•*"  GREAT  MALVERN  CHURCH    .     .     .     Pl.  I.  The  Noith  Side. 

*<   DITTO n.  Jesus  Ci.apel. 

*"-  DITTO III.  The  Choir. 

<^  LITTLE  ]\L\LVERN  CHURCH    .     .     .     Pl.  I.  South-East  View. 
■>■*  DITTO II.  Intfrioh,  East  End. 


1 
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