BOOK OF DOVECOTES 



field, one of the episcopal residences of the dio- 

 cese. Its church is one of several in the county 

 in which the tower stands detached — in this in- 

 stance almost certainly with a view to defence. 

 A farmhouse on the site of a former Templar 

 preceptory retains the name of Temple Court; 

 and at Old Court a gateway of the palace, with 

 a cider cellar, once the episcopal refectory, re- 

 mains. Butwhatdoes;^d?^reniainistheolddove- 

 cote, wilfully destroyed in 1884. 



In a few cases only will dovecotes no longer 

 surviving be spoken of in this volume; but that 

 of Bosbury is particularly worthy of exemption 

 from this rule. In the Roll of the Household 

 Expenses of Bishop Swmfield, edited by Webb, 

 we have a minutely detailed and extremely 

 interesting account of the Bishop's itinerary, 

 disbursements, etc. , during a progress through 

 his diocese in the autumn and winter months 

 of 1 289-90. Mention is there made of pigeons 

 being taken — and paid for — from the dovecote 

 at Bosbury on three successive days during the 

 stay of Swinfield and his suite. Taking this re- 

 cord, together with Mr. Webb's statement that 

 the dovecote, which he had seen, resembled 

 52 



