ANTIQUITIES. 167 



t in front of the lion, and i within the curl of its tail. Pro- 

 vokingly, the names of only two Priors are recorded, — William 

 Pope, A. D. 1444, and John Wales, 26 Hen. VUL, so that we 

 cannot appropriate the ring to its original possessor, who flou- 

 rished most likely in the 14th century. 



The ornamental engravings upon its otherwise plain exterior 

 surface are much worn away. On one side, near the seal, is a 

 representation of the three Persons of the Holy Trinity. The 

 First Person appears as an old man, — "the Ancient of Days:" 

 the Second, on a Crucifix held before him by the Father: the 

 Third, descending upon the Son in the form of a Dove. On the 

 other side of the seal is the B. V. Mary with the infant Jesus. 

 The third compartment, on the lower and narrowest part of the 

 hoop, is almost obliterated ; but from what remains of it we may 

 see, without any great stretch of the imagination, that it con- 

 tained St. Christopher, carrying our Lord upon his shoulders, 

 as in the many well-known paintings and engravings of him. 



I remain, Dear Mr. Austen, 



Yours most truly, 



JOHN M. GRESLEY. 

 Feb. 3rd, a. d. 1858. 



At the Domesday survey Holme, or Holn as it was anciently 

 written, was held in two separate parcels, the larger, which was 

 taxed for two hides and a virgate was the property of Walter de 

 Clavill, whilst the latter, held by Brictuin one of the King's 

 Thanes, contained but one hide. Both however were valued at 

 20s. As West Holme continued for several generations in the 

 Clavill family, it is not improbable that the land held by Brictuin 

 may be East Holme. We have no evidence as to who were its 

 possessors immediately subsequent to the time of the survey, nor 

 by whom it was given to the Priory of Montacute. Neither has 



