Ixxvi. ST. ^ELDHELM'S HEAD. 



claimed as St. Aklhelm's foundation ; but probably Worth had the best claim, 

 approximating nearest to the description " two miles from the sea." He called 

 attention to a number of curious architectural features and also to certain 

 resemblances between this church and that of Studland, both dedicated to St. 

 Nicholas of Myra, the patron saint of fishermen, and each being now mainly of 

 Norman work. 



Outside the church the Club observed the numerous stone 

 corbels under the eaves curiously and sometimes grotesquely 

 carved, as at Studland, and they were also amused by the tomb- 

 stone of Benjamin Jesty, of Downshay, the pioneer of vaccination, 

 who " was the first to introduce the cowpox by inoculation and, 

 from his great strength of mind, made the experiment upon his 

 wife and two sons ! " 



ST. ALDHELM'S CHAPEL. 



When the ACTING PRESIDENT had expressed the thanks of the 

 Club to the Vicar, the drive was resumed. 



Alighting at Renscombe Farm, the visitors proceeded to St. 

 yEldhelm's Head and entered the Norman building known as the 

 chapel. 



The ASSISTANT SECRETAKY, speaking at the Vicar's request, reminded the party 

 of the various legends purporting to account for the building of the chapel. The 

 present building, dating from about the middle of the 12th century, was square 

 on plan, with a stone roof of rib and panel vaulting, the ribs springing from one 

 stout pier in the centre. Both the shape of the building and the fact that the 

 orientation was not, as in the case of Christian churches generally, east and west, 

 had led some to assert that it was not built originally for a sacred purpose, but 

 rather as a primitive lighthouse or beaconhouse to warn mariners off that 

 dangerous head. The presence of a cross surmounting the roof should not 

 mislead them, since that cross was put up in 1873, when, the place having long 

 ceased to be used for worship and having fallen into disrepair, and been used in 

 turn as a storehouse and a stable, it was restored by Lord Eldon. The circular 

 projection on top of the roof, now occupied by the cross, is said to have been 

 originally used for the support of a beacon. But over against this affirmation of 

 a secular purpose should be put evidence of the use of the building as a chapel 

 centuries ago. In "The Deserted Village " the curate was "passing rich on forty 

 pounds a year"; but that record was beaten by the chaplain of St. Aldhelm's 

 Chapel, who was "passing rich" on fifty shillings a year. According to the 

 Pipe Rolls this chapel and also that of St. Mary iii the Castle of Corfe were 



