26 Transactions of the 



present generation. There are many and diverse accounts as to 

 how these skulls got there, the most probable explanation being 

 that they were jDart of the remains of warriors slain in the neigh- 

 bouring battles, whose friends had placed them in the cave to save 

 the trouble of burying. 



The parish church of St Andrew, Cheddar, was erected between 

 the years 1350 and 1450. It is a fine, substantially-built edifice, 

 still in good preservation, standing in the midst of a churchyard 

 well stocked with ancient tombstones. On its east side is a large 

 yew-tree, with widely-spreading branches. These trees were 

 planted in churchyards for many centuries after the Conquest, 

 their branches being used not only for decorating the church on 

 festive and other occasions, but also for throwing on the bodies at 

 funerals. The leaves being always green were thought to resemble 

 the immortality of the soul, and new shoots appearing in spring, 

 after the boughs had been pruned, were likened to the resurrection 

 of the body. 



The church is 129 feet in length and 54 in breadth. It has a 

 square tower, 100 feet high, surrounded on the top by a parapet 

 of open carved stone-work, showing a quaint old gargoyle in each 

 corner. The belfry, containing five bells, has a fine ornamental 

 ceiling, divided into compartments. The inside of the church is 

 in keeping with the exterior, in that it is substantially built, 

 though not devoid of ornament. The nave is well lighted above 

 by six clerestory windows on each side, the ceiling being of oak, 

 in deep square sections, which in some places show traces of 

 gilding. 



On the south side of the nave is a grand old stone pulpit, richly 

 carved in the perpendicular style of architecture, and showing 

 evident traces of rich though inappropriate colouring. There are 

 four small side chapels, one of which is now used for the vestry- 

 room. 



The nave opens direct into the chancel, on the north side of 

 which, under a sculptured arch, and standing out from the wall, 

 is the tomb of Sir Thomas de Chedder, the supposed founder of 

 the church. A brass effigy of the knight is sunk in a large flat 

 tombstone, and it is in excellent preservation. Sir Thomas is 

 represented in full armour, which is apparently that of the four- 

 teenth century. On the floor at the side of the tomb lies the brass 

 of a lady, said to be Isabella, the wife of the above Sir Thomas, 

 a piece of brass having been found near it bearing the words 

 '3]5aI)Clla DOini'lia»' We took rubbings of the two brasses, 

 with the permission of the rector, and so are enabled to submit 

 them to your notice. 



