XXXVIil REPORT. 
rudely scratched on it. Perhaps that unearthed skull beneath the carved stone 
was part of the skeleton of Lawrence le Leche, who was instituted to Steetley 
the year before the great plagne of 1349, during which 77 priests in Derbyshire 
died, and 22 resigned. It is not difficult to imagine him, like Mr. Mompesson, 
at Eyam, in 1666, refusing to quit his post, comforting the sick and dying, or 
restoring them to health by that medical skill which had earned for him the 
title of ‘‘le leche.” Then, after seven years’ service he died, and, in the 
humility of his self-devotion, chose, like St. Swithin, at Winchester, to be 
buried before the porch, so that the people whom he had so faithfully served 
during his life might tread upon his bones as they passed within to pray. 
Dying, he left no name, no epitaph on his tomb, only a hand, eternally to bless. 
It was a happy omen to find, when we began to restore, a holy hand that 
blessed us from the grave. To these ancient graves are now added new ones ; 
a few little children, and two old men who made their first and last Communion 
here before they died. 
The chancel arch forms a kind of frame, through which the second arch and 
the lovely apse are seen. It gives an effect of solemn depth and rich beauty. 
The arch is triple. The inmost design is the zig-zag, the next the battlement, 
and the third is ‘‘an escalloped border over reticulated cones.” The two 
pillars on the north side are richly carved, one with a double-bodied lion, the 
other with a St. George and the Dragon. The winged dragon, his long 
sweeping tail curled round the next capital and terminating in foliage, tramples 
on a prostrate lady. The warrior, in a complete suit of armour, strides to the 
rescue. His left hand thrusts a kite-shaped shield against the monster’s 
mouth, and his right hand, grasping a long broadsword, is stretched out behind 
him to deal a death-blow. The chancel is paved with stone, as it was 
anciently. The aumbrey in the north wall contains a specimen of the stone 
tiles with which the chapel was once roofed. An old copper key, a piece of 
wrought iron, and a silver penny of the reign of Richard II. are the only other 
things found here. In Lysons’ Afagna Britannia (vol. v., pp. ccxxii-iii.) are 
shown two doors opposite each other in the chancel, evidently cut for the 
convenience of the pigs or sheep that once lived inside. The decorated 
window in the south side is the only feature later than the Norman period. 
The apse has a stone vaulted roof, supported by four ribs resting on engaged 
pillars. In the centre, where the ribs meet, immediately over the altar, is a 
medallion containing the ‘‘ Lamb as it had been slain.” The capitals of the 
pillars are elaborately carved. On the left is represented the tree of know- 
ledge, loaded with fruit. Round it curls the serpent, and on either side stand 
Adam and Eve ; an emblem of temptation and defeat, On the right are seen 
two doves ; a symbol of peace after resisted temptation. The two together 
suggest and teach the wisdom of the serpent and the harmlessness of the dove. 
Some remains of the colour can still be seen on the capital of the south pillar 
