CORFE CASTLE AND STUDLAND. Ivii. 



between them. The other bells bear date 1736, with the founder's name, 

 William Knight. The roof of the nave is a modern erection (1848). On the 

 exterior there is a "corbel table." The west window is a modern insertion, as 

 are the two south windows. The inner doorway, with semi-circular arch, is 

 original. The north doorway is of similar character ; the two north windows are 

 both original. The original stone font remains. It is evident from various 

 signs, and from the crudeness of the original walls, that the building was 

 originally a heathen place of worship and that the Christian missioners 

 adapted this building to their use, and that it was reconstructed during 

 Norman times, and to a great extent it remains to-day as it was of old. 

 The church presents an interesting example of what is called the Twist, 

 namely, a divergence in the line of the choir from that of the nave, intended, 

 it is supposed, to convey to the spectator or worshipper an impression 

 of the inclination of our Lord's head on the Cross, but some think that it was 

 designed to improve the perspective. During the excavations which took place 

 at the restoration of the church in 1881 by Mr. W. M. Hardy, builder, of 

 Swanage, blunders of the early builders came to light sufficient to account for 

 the sinking of the fabric which caused the cracks in the arches of the tower. The 

 mortar of the ashlar work, piers, and arches consisted chiefly of lime and grit in 

 equal quantities, like that in the work at Corfe Castle ; but the mortar of the 

 south-west buttress, which may be assigned to the 14th century, was the best, 

 the mortar being as hard as cement. 



Conducting the party round the outside of the church, Mr. 

 Algeo pointed out a small doorway in the north wall of the 

 chancel, leading into a chamber in the tower. As there was no 

 rectory house, it is supposed, he said, that a travelling priest, 

 coming probably from Wareham, did duty here, and occupied 

 this priest's chamber. He then went on from Studland to 

 Worth. A consecration cross was observed carved on the north- 

 east angle of the chancel about five feet high above the plinth, 

 and another on the capital of the column in the interior on the 

 same level. More crosses are observable at different angles in 

 the chancel. 



THE BUSINESS MEETING. 



After tea at the Bankes' Arms Hotel a short Business Meeting 

 was held. There were nine candidates for Membership of the 

 Club, three of whom were elected. 



