WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY THE AUTHOR. 



By R, G. BROCKLEHURST. 



(Read Dec. 3rd, 1907.) 



HT 



HERE are some fine specimens of church towers in 

 Dorset, even though they may not be able to 

 compare with those of the neighbouring county 

 of Somerset. There is not, however, a great 

 variety of styles, as many of the Dorset towers 

 seem to have been added to, or, at all events, 

 completed about the same period the Perpen- 

 dicular. 



The examples illustrated in this paper are not by any means 

 all those of interest, but amongst them are some of fine effect 

 and excellent workmanship, although several towers have lost 

 imposing features and details, such as figures out of niches, 

 crockets, and finials. 



In North Dorset, Bradford Abbas tower can be selected as quite 

 one of the finest in the county. Of Perpendicular character, 

 the four angles are adorned with octagonal buttresses, 

 decreasing in dimensions as they go up, finally being crowned 

 with elegantly-carved finials, the angle containing the staircase 

 to the belfry being more prominent and elaborately finished. 

 On the west front are placed eleven niches, with fretted canopies, 



