CHURCHES IN THE RURAL DEANERY OF DORCHESTER. 67 



but it has been re-cut so as to be almost past recognition as 

 old work. 



22. FROME VAUCHURCH. 



A tiny church, yet not wanting in interesting features. The 

 plan of the church is Norman, or earlier. 



The chancel has been built recently. 



On the north side of the church is a doorway (built up) of late 

 12th century (Norman) workmanship. The familiar dog-tooth 

 ornament which appears in the moulding of the arch is an evidence 

 of the lateness of the work in the period. This is the first 

 Norman work I have met with in Ham Hill stone. 



The font may be of the same period. The basin, however, has 

 no trace of the staples for fastening the cover, which are generally 

 to be found in ancient fonts. 



Some of the nave windows, which are rudely cut, may have 

 been originally of the 14th century, and so may be the arch of 

 the porch, the head of which has been tampered with. These 

 have no special interest. 



The narrow chancel arch, as is shown by the foundation, was 

 formerly of the same width at the base as it is just below the 

 impost. The jambs have been cut away at some time and a pointed 

 head substituted for the ancient round head. The original arch is 

 not later than the Norman period ; the indented ornament on the 

 impost is of that period, and this may have been executed some 

 time after the erection of the arch, as was a similar indented 

 ornament on an impost of one of the arches in the triforium of the 

 Abbey Church of St. Alban's (plate 3). 



23. BRADFORD PEYERELL. 



The church was rebuilt in 1850 on the old foundations. A loth 

 century arch and the bowl of the font, which appears to have been 

 re-cut, are all that remain of the old church. The font is of 

 13th century character. 



The church, poor in other antiquities, is rich in painted glass. 

 On the north side of the chancel is a two light window of ancient 



