140 POWERSTOCK CHURCH AND CASTLfi. 



these facts I draw the following inference : This trackway was 

 the ancient line of communication between different tribes. If 

 at war or unfriendly, the tribe holding the fort at Powerstock 

 levied toll at or near Castle Mill. Whether this inference will 

 bear a severe criticism or not I leave to your superior judgment. 

 Pardon me for trespassing so long on your attention, and believe 

 me, Rev. and dear Sir, yours respectfully, JOHN JEFFORD. P.S. 

 From an examination of the contents of the tumuli examined, 

 Mr. Warne concludes that the tumuli in West Dorset are 

 amongst the most ancient in England." 



The following is a description of Powerstock Church by 

 Mr. C. E. Ponting, F.S.A., and the extracts from Pipe Rolls 

 relating to Powerstock Castle were communicated by Rev. W. 

 Miles Barnes : 



THE CHURCH OF S. MARY THE VIRGIN, POWERSTOCK. 



This church, as at present, consists of chancel, nave with north 

 and south aisles, south porch and western tower ; the north aisle 

 is, however, an addition made at the restoration of the church in 

 1859, when the remainder of the fabric was rebuilt with the 

 exception of the tower, the east end of the nave, the arcade 

 between the nave and south aisle, and the south doorway. 



The tower is of three stages in height, and the divisions are 

 marked by string courses. It has in the lower stage a western 

 door, with three-light window over (in addition to a modern 

 window in the north wall), and in the upper stage a two-light 

 window in each face of transitional type from the Decorated 

 to the Perpendicular. The lower stage is divided into two 

 by a set-off, which is very pronounced outside on the north and 

 inside on both north and south sides ; up to this point the walls 

 of the tower are Norman work, probably coeval with the chancel 

 arch. Late in the i4th century (circa 1380) the Norman tower 

 (which must have been higher than the set-off) was reduced to 

 this level, probably to get a sound base for the new work, the 

 buttresses and turret staircase were added on the outside, and the 

 tower carried up to its present height. It is interesting to note 



