Tin' Xi'tr /M/V.S,' : i.f* Ifixtor;/ and </.s .SVo/. ///. 



its doorway is cut a canopied niche, where stood the patron 

 saint, the Virgin, and above runs the string-course, supported 

 by its carved corbel-heads. But the whole building has been 

 unfortunately defaced by a rnoat and turretted wall, built as 

 a defence by one of the Montagues against French privateers, 

 as also by the modernized windows. 



Entering, we come into the guesten-hall, the may mi camera 

 arcuata, formerly hung with tapestry, where the minstrels enter- 

 tained the guests with songs or tales. Like all the other rooms, 

 it has been sadly modernized, though its fine groined roof, 

 springing from four shafts on each side, and a lancet window 

 in the east wall, still remain. Upstairs, too, is left some 

 oak panelling of Henry VIII.'s time, of the linen pattern, but 

 covered over with paint. Eastward, in the meadow adjoining, 

 stands the dormitory, better known in the village, from its 

 former occupants, as Burrnan's House. Passing through it, 

 we suddenly come upon the green quadrangle once surrounded 

 with cloisters, where the three arches leading into the chapter- 

 house still remain. The black Purbeck marble shafts, and 

 1 ands, and capitals, have, however, long since become weather- 

 worn and decayed, though the Binstead and Caen stone 

 still stands, here and there covered with ivy, crested with 

 wall-flowers, and white and crimson pinks, and rusted with 

 lichens. 



In the chapter-house are strewed the broken pillars which 

 supported the groined roof, and the broken stone-seats which 

 run round the inside, whilst on the floor lie a stone coftiu 

 and gravestones. To the north of it stand the ruins of the 

 sacristy, which had an entrance from the south transept 

 of the church, from which, also, a staircase led to the 

 scriptorium. 



66 



