VOL. XVI.(1) EXCURSION—FOREST OF DEAN 35 
it. Whether the stone was ever associated with Druidical practices 
will probably never be definitely known, but the geologist has no 
difficulty in explaining how it comes to be in its present position. In 
the course of ages it has been separated from the main body of rock 
by forces which are still working, and huge masses of the conglomerate 
are to be found detached and tumbled almost to the margin of the 
banks of the Wye. 
Passing from this subject, Mr Richardson explained that in early 
days the Forest was of great extent, extending almost to the gates 
of Gloucester, but now it was reduced to twenty-two thousand acres, 
fifteen thousand of which were under cultivation as forest. It was not 
mentioned in the Domesday Survey, because the survey was issued 
from Gloucester, and the people of the Forest were exempt from pay- 
ing tributes on condition that they looked after the King’s land. Queen 
Elizabeth worked up the Forest industries, and because an alarm was 
made that the Spaniards might come over and burn the oaks which 
were intended to make ships to fight against them, placed Drake at a 
small farmhouse at Gatcombe, near the Severn Bridge. To near here 
Rayleigh also retired. At Gatcombe might be seen the royal coat of 
arms, only, instead of the British lion, they had the British lioness, out 
of compliment to Elizabeth. 
Needless to say, the very fine view to be obtained from the 
Buckstone was much enjoyed, and those present showed their apprecia- 
tion of Mr Richardson’s forethought in including it in the day’s 
itinerary by according him a hearty vote of thanks. Mr Gray, Dr 
Callaway, and Mr Carles, the president, spoke in eulogistic terms of 
the energy, ability, and courtesy shown by Mr Richardson, and of the 
great amount of work he does for the Club. 
Retracing their steps, the party proceeded to Staunton Church, 
where Mr Richardson read notes which he had culled from the afore- 
mentioned pamphlet. The nucleus of Staunton Church was erected 
about 1100, and consisted of an aisleless nave and chancel, which has 
been completely removed by later alterations, with the possible ex- 
ception of parts of its eastern angles and of the east wall of its nave. 
This appears to have been the plan of the church until about 1180, 
when a north aisle was added. The arcade opening to this aisle 
remains, but the north and west walls have long since disappeared. 
At this time, and when a new eastern end was built (which was com- 
pleted in 1200) little money was available, and consequently the work 
was simple and the progress slow. The work on the capitals of the 
arcade proceeded from east to west. This is shown by the capitals of 
the eastern end being of earlier dateghan those of the western. The 
arches of the three eastern bays are pointed ; those of the two western 
rounded ; but at the end of the twelfth century it should be remem- 
bered that either shape was used, and therefore an earlier date for the 
western arches cannot be assumed. Some ten years after the north 
aisle had been completed, and therefore about the year 1200, a 
chancel (which no longer remains), a central tower, and north and 
south transepts were added. In 1225 the church was enlarged by the 
D2 
