at Basingstoke, by Charles the First. 63 
Of its general history various editions of Camden’s Britannia 
have told us that both Free Chapel and Guild were founded by 
William Lord Sandes! (Lord Chamberlain and Privy Councillor to 
_ Henry VIII) and Bishop Fox, in 1525, pursuant to royal license. 
“The Guild” was established for the promotion “ of works of piety, 
religion,and charity,” and as a firstfruit built this chapel and a school, 
_ where a priest was appointed to officiate and teach. 
As to the architectural beauties of the chapel an opinion may 
be formed from its ruins, and no doubt it was worthy of some 
admiration, “elegantly finished in the style of the florid Gothic 
degenerating into Greek.” Much was thought by Mr. Camden 
prophets, apostles, and disciples of Christ is very curiously described, 
with their several pictures.” * 
Lord Sandes,’ the founder, was buried here in 1542, though there 
is no trace now of his grave, or indeed of himself, beyond his 
arms coupled with those of his wife, Margery Bray—the heiress 
of the Brays—cut in the wall of the hexagonal tower at the south- 
west corner of the building. 
Soon after William Lord Sandes death the Guild appears to have 
entered troubled waters, and was dissolved either in the thirty-seventh 
year of Henry the Highth’s or early in Edward the Sixth’s reign. 
; But it was revived in 1556 (third and fourth years of Philip and 
Mary) and again became moribund under James the First. 
of the paintings within it. Upon the roof “the history of the 
1 Variously spelt—Sands, Sandes, and Sandys. 
2 Gibson’s “ Camden,” 1722. 
3 There is amongst the papers of Thurloe, Cromwell’s Secretary, vol. iii., p. 647, 
the following deposition relating to the Lord Sandes of 1654—1655, which would 
place the latter amongst the followers of Saint Hubert :— 
‘Wm, Roughton (Wroughton) the elder of Willcott in the County of Wilts confesseth, that 
twice or thrice he was in company with Major Clarke, Mr. Bowles, and others of the late Risers 
(the Rising ip the West, A.D. 1655), this last winter at hunting near Everlie, and dined with them 
at the said Everlie after their sport ended. He saith further, he had a son engaged in the re- 
bellion, as also that he sold the Lord Sandys at Ludgershall the day the rising was at Sarum (12th 
_ March, 1655) four horses of a good price, and went thither the same day on purpose to hunt with the 
said Lord Sandes. He denieth that he met on purpose with the said Clarke, Bowles, &c., to hunt 
(it had been prohibited by Order in Council), but accidentally as he was airing his horse upon the 
downs. 
“This acknowledgment was made by the above-mentioned Mr. Roughton unto me upon the 14th 
of July, 1655, and upon enquiry after him I find him to be a reputed Cavalier and to have been 
formerly questioned by Major Boteler. 
‘Ep, Houton.” 
