268 Notes on the Churches in the Neighbourhood of Warminster. 



said to have been brought from Bishopstrow, and it is clear that the 

 frame was not made for this tower, but was adapted to fit it.' 



Bishopstrow. 



This Church is dedicated to S. Aldhelmj who is believed to have 

 visited this place. 



It is certain that a very early Church existed here, and Sir 

 Richard Colt Hoare* gives a ground- plan of it, showing a semi- 

 circular apse without an east window (as at Manningford Bruce), 

 the chancel being lighted by windows placed north-east and south- 

 east. 



There is no trace of this early work visible in the present structure, 

 the earliest part of which is the tower and spire, probably added to 

 the Saxon Church circa 1430. The proportions of the tower are 

 much injured by a raising of the ground outside and the floor inside 

 to the extent of about 2^ft. — the base being thus hidden — but 

 it is a charming bit of work. It has diagonal buttresses, small 

 two-light windows in each side of the belfry stage, and a most 

 graceful spire rising from within an embattled parapet, and having 

 a traceried and embattled band around at mid-height ; as well as a 

 fillet carried up the angles. The west doorway is quite modern, 

 and it is doubtful whether one existed here originally. 



The remainder of the Church was re-built in 1757, and a stone 

 tablet in the south wall is inscribed : — 



D. 0. M. 



Ecclesia de Bishopstrow. 



A. B. imis fundamentis restaurata est 



A. R. S. H. MDCCLVII. 



It is noteworthy that in work of this period a string-course of a 

 good Gothic type should have been used. 



The windows, copings, &c., have been since again re-modelled. 



There is now only one bell, but tradition says that the three at 

 Norton Bavant were removed from this Church. 



' This tower, which had become badly dilapidated, is now (June, 1894) under- 

 going restoration, owing to the liberality of Mrs. Torrance, of Norton House. 

 * Modern Wilts— Warminster, p. 74. 



