324 " Ludger shall Castle and its History." 



have seen in an old gazetteer, which somewhat curtly dismisses 

 Ludgershall with the remark that " it is celebrated for its tumuli 

 and is the resort of sportsmen." 



I must not forget to mention the market-cross which stands in 

 the middle of the village. The carving is almost effaced, but it is 

 just possible to make out the four subjects, viz., the Crucifixion, 

 the Ascension, the Three Marys, and " Feed my Lambs." Some 

 of its larger stones, I believe, form part of the foundation of the 

 opposite house, and its total demolition was happily prevented by a 

 stranger, who happened to be driving by at the time and who re- 

 monstrated with the local authorities on the subject. 



Trees there used to be in plenty, both elm and walnut, on either 

 side of the street, but in 1827 many were cut down by the steward 

 of the manor and the proceeds employed, I believe, in repairing the 

 house in which I myself at present reside. I am also indebted to 

 the jealousies and strifes of former inhabitants for the group of elms 

 in front of my windows. The story runs that an occupier of the 

 "Queen's Head'' hostelry, then the "George and the Dragon," 

 having a quarrel with a near neighbour who possessed a windmill, 

 promptly planted a belt of elms the windward side of it. The 

 windmill is no more. The trees have thriven. Truly " it is an 

 ill wind that blows nobody any good." 



The Church, dedicated to S. James, was probably founded as 

 early as the twelfth century, the north wall of the present nave 

 appearing to have formed a portion of the original Church. The 

 chancel and tower perhaps date from the middle of the thirteenth 

 century, the chancel especially having all the characteristics of a 

 simple village Church of that period. The north transept was built 

 about a century later, and was no doubt dedicated as a chantry, for 

 though the altar has, of course, been removed, the piscina still re- 

 mains. A window on the north side of the nave is also of the same 

 date as this transept. Still later the windows on the south side 

 were inserted, and probably about this period the high-pitched roofs 

 were replaced by others less lofty. It is very possible that the 

 south wall of the nave may have been re-built about this time. A 

 rood screen was also added at the entrance to the chancel ; portions 



