92 EXCAVATIONS ON THE SITE ON LAUNCESTON PEIOEY. 



erection of a gasometer, they commenced in May, 1888, to build 

 a boundary wall around their plot. Unfortunately this plot 

 proved, as we shall see, to contain the most sanctified portions 

 of the Priory site. On the 29th May it came to my knowledge 

 that in making excavations for the foundations of this boundary 

 wall, a piece of carved stone had been found. I at once asked 

 for, and obtained permission of the directors of the Gas 

 Company, to make deeper excavations, and in the course of a 

 few days a great number of similarly carved stones, and portions 

 of coloured floor tiles were discovered. The carved stones most 

 probably formed portions of the Choir Screen, and canopied 

 tombs in the Priory Church. 



During the month of June, the Chairman of the Gas Co., 

 (Dr. Thompson), caused further excavations to be made, disclos- 

 ing the bases of two beautiful Early English trefoil respond 

 columns, from which the north and south aisle arcade arches 

 sprang (the column on the south has since been erected in the 

 St. Thomas Churchyard adjoining, and that on the north remains 

 buried) ; and also the foundations of the south Chancel Chapel 

 (which I suggest was dedicated to the Virgin) with its altar in 

 situ ; and the wall which carried the Choir Screen, two large 

 fragments of which Screen were found. 



In July the Q-as Company commenced their deep excavations 

 for the gasholder, and uncovered the whole of the foundations 

 of the Presbytery, or Chancel, and the north Chancel Chapel, 

 which I suggest was dedicated to St. Gabriel. These side Chapels 

 had stone groined roofs, a great number of the groin stones 

 covered with coloured plastering, being discovered within their 

 walls ; but judging from the mass of decayed roofing-slates found 

 on the Presbytery site, I think it probable that its roof was of 

 timber. 



To the north, outside the Presbytery wall, were numerous 

 graves, about 5 feet below the original, or old ground line. 

 This was the Sextonshay, or Cemetery of the laity, the monks 

 being buried in the Cloister Square A walled tomb and other 

 graves, were also found within the walls. The walls of both 

 the Chapels and the Presbytery were of great thickness, and 

 supported by flat buttresses externally, the quoins and plinths 



