1903 Archeeology 167 



to be seen. On the floor (not in their original positions) are 

 two (Templars') tomb-slabs ] — one carved with a cross flory, 

 and the other with a plain Latin cross (and chalice on it) ; 

 but both are on three steps to mark the three grades in the 

 Order — viz., Knights, Priests, 2 and Serving Brethren. The 

 communion-rails are of old oak reel pattern. Here let me 

 point out that these rails are not in their original positions, 

 as marks or cuttings are seen at the ends, telling the 

 observer that they were parts of other similar rails now 

 used for the reading-desks. These may have possibly 

 formed the railings about " the table," which, according 

 to the Communion Rubrick, "shall stand in the body of 

 the church." The oak table-top in the tower may have 

 been " the table," as it plainly indicates a very carefully 

 finished and bound-up-at-the-ends piece of work, now fixed 

 to very rude round legs. The said oak top undoubtedly 

 did not belong to the legs, nor was it always attached to 

 them. The table-top as a whole was portable, and prob- 

 ably rested on trestles. 



1 Besides these there are seven other tomb-slabs (whole or part), with cross 

 flory, scattered about in the church, chapel, or tower. Those with cross flory (I 

 presume) were tomb-slabs of knights ; but the one with a plain Latin cross (and 

 chalice on it) would be the tomb-slab of a priest of the Order. 



2 "The bull of Pope Alexander, ' Omne datum optimum,' allowed them to 

 admit within their fraternity as many honest and godly clerks and priests as they 

 conscientiously required. These were to be subject to no person, power, or other 

 authority, except their own chapter ; but to pay perfect obedience in all matters 

 and upon all occasions only to the Grand Master at Jerusalem, as their master 

 and bishop. Like other monastic establishments, they obtained from pious and 

 charitable people all the advowsons within their reach, and frequently retained 

 the tithe and glebe in their own hands, deputing a priest of the Order to perform 

 divine service and administer the sacraments." — ' Archreologia,' vol. xxxi. 



Richard de Swinfield (Swynfeild), Bishop of Hereford, was at Garway in 1288- 

 1289, not as the bishop of the diocese on an episcopal visitation. See Register 

 Ric. de Swynfeild, Ep. Hereford, f. lxiv, a. Garway was extra-diocesan even 

 under the Hospitallers, for they resisted the visitation of Richard Mayhew, or 

 Mayo, Bishop of Hereford, in the early part of the sixteenth century. Moreover, 

 Garway Church claimed the privilege of Sanctuary: several papal bulls sternly 

 forbade any one laying hands either upon the persons or property of those flying 

 for refuge to Templars' churches. The Rev. M. G. Watkins wrote, "It is on 

 record that the Prior of Monmouth took refuge in the basement" of the church 

 tower. 



