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of the surrounding deep foliage at their feet, were the prominent 

 features in a view rarely excelled in beauty. A descent through 

 the woods was then made, and after paying the usual toll at the 

 Cottage, the conveyances, which had been sent round to meet 

 the members, were re-mounted and after a drive of two miles 

 the much needed lunch, prepared at the Beaufort Arms, was 

 thought highly necessary before the further prosecution of 

 antiquarian research. To those entering the western portal of the 

 Abbey for the first time the view of the exquisite interior seems 

 unrivalled ; wall, pier, window and tracery seem so little injured 

 by time that one almost fancies the roof is only waiting 

 to be erected to restore the whole to its former state of chaste 

 beauty, even the large bosses at the intersection of the groining 

 are there ready to be raised into place — but perhaps its present 

 state of ruined preservation is better for pilgrims. Founded in 

 1131 by Walter de Clare, a Norman baron and relative of William 

 the Conqueror, but little, if anything, remains of that early date ; 

 all the chief architectural features of the present building date 

 from the 13th century. Roger de Bigod, Earl of Norfolk, to 

 whom the de Clare estates descended by marriage, commenced it 

 in 1269 ; and 1287 saw it finished for divine service. After the 

 dissolution in 1537, the monastic buildings and estates fell to the 

 share of the Earl of Worcester and through him to his descendant 

 the present Duke of Beaufort. The interor illustrates the 

 typical arrangements of the Cistercians. The nave which was 

 given up to the lay brethren has on its south side the remains of 

 the stone screens which shut out the lay brothers from the monks, 

 and was entered by a door-Avay still existing in the N.W. corner. 

 All the monastic ofiices are on the N. side ; the Chapter House 

 with its encaustic flooring recently uncovered, the Guest House, 

 Eefectory and elegant vaulted pulpit on its west side for the 

 reader, the buttery, kitchen, dormitories, and the Cloister Garth. 

 At the south side of the Garth, near the richly Decorated north 

 doorway to the nave, are two tombstones on one of which the in- 



