CROSS-LEGGED EFFIGIES IN DORSET. 19 



of the XlVth century, and some antiquarians believe them to be 

 of two Chidiocks, of Chidiock, father and son, and that the 

 said effigies were moved from the Franciscan chapel at its 

 suppression." 



In Trent Church, near Yeovil, is a cross-legged effigy 

 supposed to commemorate one Roger Wyke. Trent was 

 fomerly in Somerset, and the following extract is from Mr. 

 John Batten's paper on "Trent" in the Proceedings of the 

 * Somerset Archaeological Society : 



" Under the recessed arches in the north wall of this chapel 

 are two stone effigies, which Collinson erroneously attributes to 

 the Gerrard family. The western effigy represents a man in 

 plate armour of the period of Edward III. He wears on his 

 head a conical bascinet with a camail attached, and he rests on 

 his tilting helmet, the crest of which is defaced ; on the elbows 

 and knees are strapped elbow pieces and knee caps ; the legs are 

 cased in greaves ; the feet, girt with heavy spurs, rest on a dog 

 statant. Attached to the girdle is his great sword on the left 

 side and a short dagger on the right. There is no shield. His 

 hands are raised on his breast in prayer. The face is exposed 

 with a moustache on the upper lip ; signs of colouring are 

 slightly apparent .on the surface. There is no record or 

 tradition assisting us to identify this figure, and I gave up the 

 case as hopeless until a second examination. Then, on looking 

 closely at the tilting helmet, I discovered that, although only a 

 fragment of the crest remained, it was certainly the body of a 

 duck or goose. Now the arms of Wyke are a chevron between 

 three barnacles, or solan geese, close, and the effigy is, I venture 

 to suggest, that of Roger Wyke, the first husband of Joan 

 Chasteleyn, owner of one-third of the manor, who died between 

 56 Edward III. and I. Henry IV." 



The other effigy in this church is curious, being draped in a 

 close tunic, with a belt and sword, and Mr. Batten suggests that 

 it may be that of a son of Roger and Joan Wyke. 



* Vol. XX., Ft. 2, pp. 133-4. 



