138 A TOPOGRAPHICAL 



adorned by one of the finest spires in the kingdom, and which may 

 be seen at the distance of several miles. The interior of the edifice 

 has two chancels, separated by a handsome screen. In the large 

 gothic window of the north chancel is the representation of St. 

 Mark. In the middle of the south chancel is a magnificent monu- 

 ment of alabaster, in honour of Sir John Vernon and his lady, both 

 of whom died in the year 1545. 



The north chancel contains a large handsome mural monument, 

 executed by that celebrated sculptor Rysbrach. It is of mixed 

 marble, with two Ionic columns ; the inscription between them is to 

 the memory of Sir Charles Pye, Bart, and supports a pediment 

 adorned with the arms of the family. 



Harlaston is a considerable hamlet in this parish, about two miles 

 west of the mother church. There is a mill here, on the river Meese, 

 which is here the boundary between this county and Derbyshire. 

 The chapel is a small ancient structure, with a low wooden spire. 



THORP-CONSTANTINE is a small village, situated about two miles 

 to the south of Clifton. The church, dedicated to St. Constantine, is 

 small and neat : it is a rectory in the deanery of Tamworth. 



Statfold is a compact manor, classed in the south division of 

 Offlow hundred, though separated from the rest of it by intervening 

 parts of the north division. 



In the year 1550 this manor came by marriage into the Wolferston 

 family, Humphrey Wolferston being then united with Catherine, 

 daughter and heiress of John Stanley, the former proprietor. The 

 present owner of this estate is Samuel Pipe Wolferston, Esq. The 

 manor-house was built in 1571, by Francis Wolferston, Esq. who 

 also built an octagonal turret as an observatory. The grounds are 

 pleasant, and adorned with flourishing trees ; and though the situ- 

 ation is comparatively flat, yet not less than 38 churches and 

 chapels may be seen from the top of the observatory. The soil is 

 in general a strong clay loam, inclined to wet, and difficult to drain; 

 yet when properly managed it is productive of good wheat, barley, 

 oats, and beans : the oak timber is excellent. The church is a 

 small stone structure without a steeple. 



TAMWORTH. 



Tamworth is situated at the confluence of the Anker and the 

 Tame. The latter river, which is much the largest of the two, gives 

 name to the town, and divides it nearly into two equal parts, one of 

 which is in Warwickshire, and the other in Staffordshire. 



