

By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. 73 



any in the neiglibourhood : and is traversed through its full length 

 very narrow winding lane crossed by gates, and overshadowed 

 by steep banks and old picturesque trees. Aubrey speaks of "other 

 old ways now lost, but some vestiges left :" amongst them, "a way by 

 the Pound and the Manor House leading northwards to Leigh 

 Dclamere, and southwards to AUington ; but of that no sign left." 

 This however, for some part of the distance northwards, still con- 

 tinues to be used as a bridle path through the fields ; and at 

 each end, both imder Easton Manor House, and at Leigh Delamere, 

 traces of the lane are distinct. 



Easton Percy appears to have stood in ancient times, on the 

 margin of a large unenclosed district. " It butted upon Cotswold,^ 

 which is a ploughed campania : and mem : that fourscore years ago" 

 (which would be about a.d. 1590,) " from Yatton Kaynell town's 

 end to the Parson's close adjoining Easton Grounds all was com- 

 mon : and Yatton and Easton did intercommon, and put in cattle 

 equally. Between the two parishes of Easton Piers and Castle 

 Combe much hath been enclosed in my remembrance, and every 

 day more and more,- so also, between Kington St. Michael and 

 Dracot Cerne all was common field : and the west field of Kington, 

 between Easton Piers and Haywood, was enclosed in 1664. The 

 North part of Wilts was in those days admirable for field sports : " 

 a si^ccics of celebrity which it still retains ; enclosures, stiff fences 

 and gates, to the contrary nothing withstanding. 



Easton Percy had once a Chapel, a grave yard, and village cross. 

 The Chapel was taken down about a.d. 1610. " It was but small •? 

 and had a Turret for two Tintinnabula as at Leigh Delamere, 

 Corston and Brokenborough. The toft where it stood is still called 

 " Chapel-hay," near to the Manner House. Tliey did bury here." 

 ( Aubrey.} " Chapel-land" is still the name of a ground about 100 

 yards N.W. of the Manor House. At the upper end of it, an uu- 

 cveinicss of surface marks the site of the building ; and in digging 

 holes for planting, human bones arc occasionally found. 



• Aubrey, The district now so callod is many miles distant from Easton. 



2 Nat. Hist, of Wilts, p. 101. 

 •■' And 80 its perfjuisitos. "a.d. 144G. Allowaucc to the Clerk for stiiiend, 4d." 



