86 
rectors from 1346 to the present day have been duly entered in 
the Sarum register. 
Passing through the courtyard of the manor, and the immense 
barns still standing, a walk of half a mile brought the party to one 
of the most interesting objects of antiquarian notice in Wiltshire, 
called Chapel Plaster, now undergoing restoration to its original 
condition, under the architectural skill of Mr. Thomas Browne, 
of the firm of Messrs. Browne and Gill, Fountain buildings. 
Mr. Browne being a member of the Field Club, and present on 
this occasion, gave the party a valuable paper on the peculiarities 
of the structure (printed at page 8). The first mention of the 
existence of this chapel is to be found in Leland’s “ Itinerary,” 1538, 
wherein he states :—‘“ From Coseham to Haselbyry is about 2 
miles. I left on the lift hand on the toppe of a litle hille a 
heremitage withyn a litle as I turned down to Hazilbyri.” 
Aubrey, the antiquarian in 1660, mentions it as “ The Chapel 
of Playsters.” Tradition has it that it was built in 1460 as a 
hospice for pilgrims travelling from Malmesbury to Glastonbury. 
What the origin of its name may be is dubious, as it is built of 
stone not plaster. Some say it may have been built by an 
individual named Plaister, others that a pilgrim may have been 
denominated a plaister in the local “patois,” but the more 
probable derivation is from the Anglo-Saxon ‘‘ Plegstow” (the 
village green), and the late talented antiquarian of Wiltshire, the 
Rev. J. E. Jackson, refers on this matter to the “ Plestor Oak,” 
mentioned by Gilbert White in his “ Selborne.” The same roots 
may be seen also in the Plaistow marshes in Essex and the village 
of Plaistow in Kent. 
The structure of the chapel is small, 30 feet by 10, with 
Perpendicular windows, a bell-cot, and handsome niche over the 
west door, the latter not central, and now covered by a porch 
added subsequently. When funds come in, the wooden floor still 
dividing the nave and chancel into two stories, will be removed, 
and the whole restored to its pristine condition, as a mission room 
