Ixiv. MiLTOi^ ABBEY MEETING. 



" Chapels on the top of a hill were often dedicated to St. Catherine of 

 Alexandria on account of the legend which tells that St. Catherine's body was 

 buried by angels on Mount Sinai. Other instances elsewhere of this dedication 

 with its connection still remain {e.g., St. Catherine's Chapel at Abbotsbury in 

 this county). The little church so dedicated at Milton did its work in Saxon 

 times, and then underwent a considerable restoration in Norman days. It also 

 underwent a lesser restoration in the early part of the 16th century. As it stands 

 at present, it consists of a nave and chancel, measuring in all about 60 feet long 

 and 20 feet broad. The main walls (which are very thick) and the door arches 

 are Norman. On the west jamb of the south door is a curious and rare 

 inscription relating to an ' Indulgeucia ;' * on the east jamb is an ancient 

 incised consecration cross. The west front was taken down for some reason in 

 the 18th century and an imitation Norman front erected, and at this time an 

 effigy of a monk in his habit (lying along and resting on his liauds, looking down 

 at the Abbey below), was destroyed. Some paintings also perisl;ed at this time. 

 The chancel was also partly rebuilt and the roof heightened, but the Transition- 

 Norman chancel arch was preserved. On the south side of the altar is a pedestal 

 for a statue. The encaustic tiles in the chancel were removed from MUton Abbey 

 in the year 1865. Some of these ancient tiles are heraldic and contain the arms 

 of the see of Exeter, the Earls of Cornwall, Gloucester, and Hertford, and others 

 (three lions passant, a shield vaire, another checquee, three swans, a cross 

 between four lions rampant within a bordure engrailed). A tile, manufactured 

 at Malvern, has an inscription and date 1456. Besides all these there are two 

 knights ou horseback (one with a spear, the other with a sword), a stag and 

 hound, a dog in front of a tree, a star with six points, and other more ordinary 

 patterns. In pre-Refoi-mation days King Athelstan's Chapel was used by the 

 monks of Milton, and was also largely visited by pilgrims who came to claiui the 

 ' indulgence ' pertaining to ' this holy place.' But, after the Reformation, it 

 was allowed to decny and to become desecrated. In the 18th century there is a 

 record that it was being used as a pigeon-house. Then, when more houses were 

 needed in the parish, the ' Chapel Royal ' was turned into a labourer's cottage ; 

 the interior was whitewashed and a ceiling added ; the chancel became a bedroom 

 and the nave a living room, with a kitchen grate and chimney affixed. After- 

 wards the little church was used as a carpenter's workshop, and then as a lumber 

 store. But, in 1901, the neglected chapel was cleaned out ; and, through the 

 generosity of the Lord of the Manor of Milton (Mr. Everard Hambro), the 

 building is now being most conservatively restored. Thus, the little church, 

 which commemorates a very critical event in the early history of England, is 

 being saved from further desecration and decay, and King Athelstan's Chapel of 

 St. Catherine will once again be used as a House of God while remaining a 

 valuable historic relic of Saxon days." 



*• The inscription will be given in fac simile with notes in the next volume of 

 the "Transactions." — Ed. 



