351 
permission of Mr. Evans, was thrown open to the Field Club. 
The visitors were conducted through the innumerable rooms, and 
admired the tapestry and the skilful manner whereby Inigo Jones 
had converted a Gothic monastery into a palatial residence. Forde 
Abbey was built in 1148 for some Cistercian monks, but the only 
remnant of the original building now standing is the chapter 
house. In 1539 it was surrendered to King Henry VIII. by 
Bishop Chard, the last abbot, and its annual revenues then were 
reckoned, according to Dugdale, at £374 10s. 6d. The church 
of the Abbey has entirely gone. It measured 295ft. by 60ft., 
and was dedicated in 1239. The cloister, of which only the 
north walk remains, is 82ft. in length, and is now used as a 
conservatory. The kitchen is still used as such. The tower. has 
three stories, with splendid oriels to the upper two. The 
refectory has four square headed perpendicular windows, with 
elegant tracery, and five similar are now blocked up by the later 
buildings of Inigo Jones. In 1539 it was given by Henry VIII. 
to Sir Richard Pollard, and since his time it has successively 
been held by the families of Poulett, Roswell, Prideaux, Gwynn, 
Miles and Evans, Mr. William Herbert Evans, F.R.G.S., M.A., 
D.L., J.P., being the present owner. After making a circuit of 
the exterior of the Abbey the excursionists returned via Temple- 
combe, and reached Bath at 9.5 p.m., after a day’s trip of 126 
miles, and with pleasant reminiscences of the very instructive 
objects of antiquarian interest which they had been enabled to view. 
Raglan and Goodrich Castles, Symonds Yat and Ross.—The second 
- excursion of the season took place on May 31st and June Ist, and 
was attended by 13 members of the Field Club. The weather 
was most favourable, with an almost tropical temperature. The 
thunderstorms fortunately passed over the localities visited by the 
club previous to the arrival of the excursionists, so that the steep 
paths at Symonds Yat and streets at Ross were found cleared of 
all dust and soil. Leaving Bath by G.W.R. at 9.5 am., on: 
May 31st, a saloon carriage was awaiting the 13 members at 
Y 
