280 The Wiltshire Possessions of the Abbess of Shaftesbury. 

 DoNHEAD St. Andrew. 



Starting, then, from the 'Town of St. Edward/ as this place 

 (Shaftesbury) was usually called, the first estate belonging to the 

 Abbess that we shall visit will be Donhead. On our way, we pass 

 by Charlton, originally ceorla-tiin,, that is, ' the village of peasants,' 

 a name not unknown in other parts of Wilts, and here at least 

 appropriate, down to the middle of the last century, for not 

 till then was any house of a superior kind built in it. From time 

 immemorial this chapelr}"- has formed part of the Rectory of Don- 

 head St. Mary. It is named as such in the ' Liber Eegis,' and, in 

 1638, was represented as being without endowment. 



The ancient chapel, which was a small and plain structure, some 

 54 feet in length, and 20 in breadth, and consisted simply of a 

 chancel, nave, and south porch, was pulled down about 22 years ago, 

 and a new chapel erected on a site distant half-a-mile from the old 

 one, with a view to the more general convenience of the inhabitants 

 of the various hamlets of Combe, Ludwell, and Charlton, which 

 constitute the chapelry. The original site is preserved from com- 

 mon uses by being walled round and planted with larch and fir, and 

 the adjoining meadow by its name 'Chapel Mead' preserves the 

 memory of the ancient sanctuary. 



A singular custom prevailed in Charlton, even to the beginning 

 of the seventeenth century. Each inhabitant or householder was 

 accustomed to provide bread and wine for the Holy Communion, 

 and to bring the same " in several parcels and in divers pots, bottles, 

 or glasses to the Table of the Lord." Of this, a sufficient portion 

 was consecrated for the purpose of the Holy Sacrament, and the 

 rest reserved for the use of the curate. It was not until 1638 that 

 this usage was discontinued. A formal agreement was then drawn 

 up under the episcopal seal of Bishop Davenant, by which the 

 inhabitants of Donhead St, Mary " condescend and agree out of 

 zeal to God's service, and out of love and hearty aflfection to their 

 loving neighbours at Charlton, Combe, and Ludwell, that the 

 bread and wine for the Holy Communion at the Chapel of Charlton 

 shall be provided at the charge of the whole parish." The 



