LESTINGHAM. 411 



which though ancient are of no great consequence. 

 In the tower are three bells ; and in the nave of the 

 church is a bier of very ancient date. Some parts of 

 the walls in the interior of the church are adorned 

 with curious paintings. On the east wall of the 

 north aisle are represented St. Catherine, the 

 crucifixion, and, I think, the three Marys : but 

 tlie latter representation is indistinct. 



In the west of the nave several flat monuments 

 with ornamented crosses ; one of which has, in very 

 rude characters, the I. H. s., on the transverse of it. 

 Another, not far from the top of the stairs leading 

 down into the crypt, has belonged to one of the 

 Spaunton family ; the cross is very handsome, and the 

 inscription which goes all round the border is in 

 ancient capitals, much defaced ; but it seems to be 

 French, beginning with the words ION DE SPAN- 

 TON, and ending with PYR IHV CHRIST, for Jesus 

 Christ. This was probably the monument of that 

 de Spaunton who was an early benefactor to the 

 monks of St. Mary's, York, to whom this church 

 belonged. 



In the north wall of the chancel, in an arched 

 recess, is a piscina ; the use of which was, that if 

 a fly or insect should fall into the chalice or cup, 

 before consecration, it might be thrown together 

 with the wine into this receptacle ; but should it 

 happen afterwards, it was ordered to be burnt Super 

 Piscina. In the same wall is formed in a recess, a 

 stall or seat, which kind of seats were used by dig- 

 nified clergymen. In some old churches the chan- 

 cel contains three stalls and a piscina ; clear proofi^ 

 3K 



