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demesnetemp. King Edward II. The Thomasde Mortone commemorated 
by this monument was probably a son or grandson living in the time 
of Edward III., as the costume would seem to indicate. The organ 
occupies a little private chapel belonging to Bigfold or Bigfield Court, 
a house of the fifteenth century, about a mile from Compton Martin, 
The floor covers a stone to the memory of “ George Roynon, gentleman, 
the last of the house of Bigford 1637.” On the exterior the Norman 
windows with Transition mouldings should be noticed, and the figure 
heads underneath the parapet. The tower is a fine example of the 
same type as those of 8S. James, Taunton, and Bishop’s Lydiard, but 
inferior to both these, and seems to have succeeded an earlier Norman 
tower. The following extract from the Registry at Lambeth throws 
some light upon the enlargement or building of the church tower. 
From the Lambeth Register. 
The will (in Latin) date 1443, of “Thomas Sambroke, of Compton 
Martyn.” 
“ Body to be buried in the church of Compton Martyn. 
“Coram alta cruce :— 
“To William Roweetre, rector of that church, and my con- 
‘‘ fessor, XXS. 
“To the fabric of the said church, ad faciend. ibid. campanile, 
fda 
When the Church was enlarged the chancel vaulting was retained, 
and the enlargement of the chancel arch renders the vaulting more con- 
spicuous. The chief changes in the Church were made in the fifteenth 
century when the local Perpendicular style had come in. The original 
so defaced that the inscription could not be clearly made out. I saw the tomb 
soon after it was discovered, when it was in a perfect state of preservation, and 
before Mrs. Hewitt unfortunately put her painting brush upon it. Upon 
referring to 1 memorandum made at the time by myself I find the inscription is 
put down without question as reading ‘* Thos. de Mortone” (a family of that 
name held Morton in Compton Martin, as you are no doubt aware, temp. 
Edward IL., and probably for some time afterwards). I bave not seen the 
interior of the Church for some years, I think indeed only once since the 
monument in question has been placed in its present position and painted and 
defaced, According to my recollection the man is habited in a cotehardie of 
about the time of Edward III. 
ey hm 
