XXII. ADDITIONAL EDITORIAL NOTES. 



TOLPIDDLE. 



RECOVERY OF A 12 CENTURY EFIIGY. For many years (probably 

 since the " restoration " of the Church in 1855) a large slab bearing the 

 upper part of a priest's figure has lain embedded in the turf to the 

 south of the chancel. The Rural Dean reported to the Bishop on more 

 than one occasion the desirability of bringing this valuable memorial 

 within the church. Thanks to the energy of the present Vicar, and 

 of Mr. W. de C. Prideaux (a prominent member of our Club), the work 

 was put in hand last year. The crowning achievement, however, has 

 been the discovery and removal of the remaining portion of the slab, 

 which has been built into the quoign of the Chancel wall. This year 

 the whole was put together, and now occupies a worthy resting-place 

 in the north transept of the church. 



The effigy is that of a priest in Eucharistic vestments. Around the 

 plinth is the following inscription, in typical characters of the 12th 

 century : SI QS AMAT. . . PM Q SARCOPHAGVM ISTVM. . . 

 DICAT PRESBITERO REQVIEM DA CRISTE PHILIPPO. 



The Club contributed 2 towards the cost of the work, which has 

 been admirably carried out. 



WHITCOMBE. 



At the Annual Meeting of the Club a short report was made of 

 some carved remains of a Cross of the 10th century, which has been 

 found in rebuilding the Chancel wall of the little Church at Whitcombe. 

 The Chancel is of the 13th century, built on to a much earlier nave ; 

 some portions of the north wall being apparently of pre-Norman date, 

 Many other portions of the Cross have now been found embedded in 

 the walls, but only three pieces seem to have any carving left on them. 



On stripping off the plaster inside the building, a number of mediaeval 

 paintings have come to light particularly, a very fine St. Christopher, 

 bearing the Christ Child on his shoulders and walking through the 

 water. The Child holds the orb in His left hand, and His right hand 

 rests upon the giant's head. Christopher carries the pine-tree staff in 

 his right hand, and in the water a large figure of a mermaid is seen. 



The Church is situated in the midst of an ancient earthwork. 



