276 Notes on the Churches in the Neighbourhood of Warminster. 



(11) The head and shoulders of a female figure of the Eliza- 

 bethan period, probably taken from the Mompesson tomb 

 in the organ chamber, which formerly stood on the 

 south side of the chancel ; the front part of the monument^ 

 only, is now preserved — this is in excellent condition and 

 is of late Elizabethan character. 

 Sir R. C. Hoare ascribes the monument to John Mompesson, 

 Rector 1612 — 1645,^ but, as he did not die until 1645, it is too 

 early in style, and it is, as Dr. Ingram suggests, more probably 

 that of Sir Richard Mompesson, Knight, the owner of the manor, 

 and particularly so if the mutilated effigy formed part of it. The 

 arms, in duplicate, on the monument, are : " Mompesson, a lion 

 rampant, charged on the shoulder with a martlet or pinzon, impaling 

 the following coat : \. a fesae between three .... heads 

 erased; 1. jive lo%enges in fesse ; 3. three lions passant in pale ; 4. 

 as the first. The colours not known." [Sir R. C. Hoare.] 



In the gable of the chancel are stones inscribed ,322 and 1*^07 5 

 the former probably commemorates a re-building of the wall by 

 John Mompesson, Rector at that time. 



The tower is of three stages with embattled pai*apet and diagonal 

 buttresses; the type of work is debased Perpendicular, the belfry 

 windows are without cusping, the arch opening into the nave spans 

 the whole width of the tower, and the mouldings are not continued 

 down the jambs. 



The altar has a curious and interesting history, as to which I 

 quote fully from Mr. Ingram^s book : — 



" The interior of S. Mary's Church in Oxford being found in a disgraceful 

 state after the termination of the reign of the Puritans, Dr. Ealph Bathurst, 

 President of Trinity College and Dean of Wells, who was Vice-Chancellor soon 

 after the Restoration, gave £300 towards fitting it up in a decent manner for 

 University sermons. Sir Christopher Wren superintended the work. Among 

 other articles of oak carving was a pulpit which, in consequence of the alterations 

 lately made in the interior of that Church, by the kindness of a Fellow of IVIerton 

 CoHege came into the possession of the Author, who has availed himself of the 

 suggestion of the Rev. T. Miles, of Stockton, by converting it into a communion 

 table." 



' The last manorial rector — the advowson was given to S. John's College by 

 Sir Giles Mompesson in 1639, and Dr. Ingram quotes a letter from Archbishop 

 Laud to the college dated 20th June of that year recording it. 



