DALE ABBEY REPORT. 105 



2od., and the "rode alter in the Church and a rode there" 

 realized 2s ! The whole of the tile pavement had been removed, 

 but numerous specimens of the tiles, more or less perfect, were 

 turned up. Besides these, the following curiosities were found : — 

 Two Abbey tokens, a large and much corroded iron key, the 

 bronze corner clasps and one of the bosses of a book-cover, a 

 large brass lamp ring, an old razor, various pieces of ornamental 

 pottery, and several other miscellaneous articles. Numerous 

 mouldings were extracted from the rubbish, one being a fine 

 piece of "dog-tooth," query from the nave arcade; but, singular 

 to say, these and all others found have been covered with suc- 

 cessive coats of whitewash, which is in some cases nearly \ in. 

 thick. Should anyone doubt this being the work of the pre- 

 Reformation period, let it be borne in mind that the Abbey 

 Church was pulled down shortly after the surrender, and was not 

 therefore exposed to the tender mercies of a "beautifying" 

 generation. The south and east walls, as well as the high altar, 

 also bear traces of whitewash. 



The South Chapel was separated from the Choir by three 

 arches, supported by beautiful clustered piers, the bases of which 

 remain. The fourth, or easternmost bay, was divided from the 

 Choir by a solid wall, in which was constructed a sepulchral 

 recess with a fine canopied tomb. Many portions of this, as 

 sharp as when first cut, but whitewashed, were extracted from 

 the surrounding debris. The stone coffin of a founder evidently 

 occupied this recess, but is missing, although the leg-bones of 

 the occupant were left behind. Remains of the altar are to be 

 seen against the east wall. Numerous lengths of vaulting ribs 

 were found at this end of the chapel ; and others, together with 

 a fine shield-shaped keystone, turned up some distance off. As 

 these only suffice to cover one bay when placed together, I think 

 they may be safely asserted to belong to the most eastern bay, 

 especially as the bases and parts of the vaulting shafts, remain 

 in the N. E. angle. Beyond many mouldings and fragments of 

 encaustic tiles, the only interesting objects of interest found in 

 this long chapel are several very fine specimens of Early English 

 carving. 



