134 



On the basement floor of the Town Hall two large octagonal stones were observed, 

 whose original locality and object are lost to tradition. Possibly they may have 

 been connected with an ancient market cross, although they can hardly be con- 

 sidered, as has been suggested, to have been the base and capital of the columnar 

 shaft. 



After dinner the following papers were read: — "Notes on Wagtails," by 

 VV. W. Fowler, Esq., M.A., Fellow of Lincoln College, 0.xford; and the "Geology 

 of the district," by the President, Rev. Wm. Elliot. These appropriate and highly 

 interesting papers speak for themselves, and form a valuable communication to 

 " The Transactions." The authors having been thanked, the Rev. Charles Wesley, 

 Rector of Grosmont, conducted the party over the Church. 



GROSMONT CHURCH. 



Built in the form of a Latin cross, consists of a nave and aisles, with a 

 porch on the north side, transepts, chancel with a chapel on its .south side, and 

 central tower surmounted by a spire. It is dedicated to St. Nicholas, and is 

 supposed to have been erected in the 13th Century by Eleanor of Provence, Queen 

 Consort of Henry III. The Crux arches, according to Mr. J. P. Seddon, under 

 whose supervision the recent restorations have been carried out, are of the 

 Transition period between the Norman and the Lancet, this being the earliest 

 style of architecture in the building. The chancel is fully developed Lancet. The 

 tracery and details of the chapel attached to the chancel, and called the Eleanor 

 Chapel, are Geometrical. The east window of the north transept with the internal 

 porch door indicate a later date. The western fajade, octagonal tower, and spire, 

 may be referred to the latter part of the 14th Century, and the porch to the 15th 

 Century. In the church is an unfinished effigy of gigantic proportions of Henry, 

 Earl of Lancaster, who was born at Grosmont, and surnamed Grismond, clad in 

 coat of mail, and bearing a kite shaped shield of the 13th Century. 



Restoration of the chancel, strengthening of the tower, and access to the 

 belfry by a staircase in the south-east angle of the tower, were a few years 

 ago executed by Mr. J. P. Seddon, F.R.I.B.A., supported chiefly by liberal 

 donations from Mr. J. E. W. Rolls, and his 'son, Mr. John Allen Rolls, of the 

 Hendre. The restorations of the nave and other parts of the building are now 

 being carried out, owing to large benefactions from the same gentlemen. 



The site of one of the obsolete punishments was visited in a lane called 

 Poorscript lane, west of the Church, where existed at the commencement of this 

 century, near a pond, that awe-inspiring instrument, the "ducking stool." 



The Rector generously provided tea for the large party, who spent what 

 remained of the time at their disposal by visiting the adjoining castle. 



GROSMONT CASTLE. 

 Is traditionally spoken of as the "Castle of the Red Rose " ; the red rose, it 

 must be remembered, was the badge of the Lancastrians. It was named Rosslyu 

 Castle, a corruption of the Celtic word Rossllwyn, a rose bush. Probably 



