271 



heathen in character than Worcestershire, and in absence of evidence, there 

 can be no necessity to bring a band of "miscreants from the other side of the 

 hills" to account for the martyrdom of St. Werstan. If the saint was murdered 

 at all it was at Malvern, and we must take exception to the gratuitous assump- 

 tion that a band of miscreants out of Herefordshire did the deed from hatred 

 to Christianity. 



There was formerly a place on the side of the hill called "The Her- 

 mitage," beneath which was a rude crypt containing a few stone cofRns, and 

 this was probably the site of St. Werstan'a oratory, but the erection of new 

 buildings has destroyed all traces of it. 



Besides the story of St. Werstan, the Malvern windows record the founda- 

 tion of the actual Priory Church by St. Aldwin in 1084 ; also the grant to 

 the same prior by William thejConqueror ; the sanction of St. Wulstan, Bishop 

 of Worcester ; and the acts of donation by William, Exrl of Gloucester, lord of 

 the forest of JIalvern ; Bernard, Earl of Hereford ; and Osbern Poncius, bene- 

 factions which materially contributed to the establishment of this religious 

 house. 



On the other painted windows, which represent Scripture subjects, it 

 is unnecessary to enlarge, particularly as the glass in both the great east and 

 west windows has been much disarranged, but the colours and artistic skill 

 shown in the work is in many instances admirable. In the wim-Iow of the 

 north transept, which was put up in the reign of Henry VII., and which has 

 some portions of its imagery entire, are kneeling figures of Prince Arthur 

 aad Sir Reginald Bray. 



All that remains of the original Norman church are the round arches and 

 short columns of the nave, the rest of the builJing is of subsequent date, and 

 between the reigns of Henry VI. and Henry VII., some work or other was 

 always in progress. While the foundation of the priory is written in the 

 emblazoned glass, the glazed mural tiles show by the dates upon them how the 

 interior of the church was re-edified and beautified. The eastern parts were 

 finished first, and the various altars dedicated by Bishop Carpenter in 14G0. 

 The tower in the latest style of Gothic was built apparently by the same 

 arehitect that designed the tower of Gloucester Cathedral, for both are very 

 similar. Of the Lady Chapel, nothing now remains except the bosses of the 

 vaulting discovered in the crypt. These are of an earlior date than any part 

 of the present building except the nave, and seem to tell a tale of constant 

 I>rogressive work from the foundation to the time of Henry VII. 



When Mr. Munn had concluded his paper, the company present slowly 

 perambulated the church, particularly observing the glnzed tiles which have 

 been replaced on the walla, and which have benefactors' coats of arms upon 

 them, as well as cui'ious legends and devices, the instruments of the Passion, 

 the sacred piscis, &c. The tracery of the great east window is seen to be 



