236 A NOTE ON THE RESTORATION OF REPTON CHURCH. 



Another stone (Fig. 3) is the simple course of a round shaft or 

 small pillar: — 



Fig 3. 



7&in. in diameter, and 3m. in height. 



The fourth stone (Fig. 4) is part of a small hollowed stone 

 vessel or mortar, perhaps a hand -quern : — 



Fig 4. 



-^T^v 



6Jin. by 4m. 



It may be that these remains had some connection with the 

 buildings pertaining to the old Saxon Monastery, but it seems 

 more probable that they pertained to the old town of Repton ; 

 perhaps, as stone buildings would be So very exceptional, to the 

 residence of the Mercian kings. 



These stones were found a little to the west of the sycamore 

 tree, said to have been planted over the remarkable and extensive 

 interments and vaults discovered in 1687, and again opened in 

 1787.* Could not the year 1887 be signalised by further and 

 more observant excavations at Repton ? There can be no doubt 

 that very much yet remains to be learnt, and is simply below 

 ground, with respect to the ancient capital of Mercia and its 

 neighbourhood. If further excavation in the precincts of the 

 church and vicarage should not appear seemly or desirable, could 

 not our society obtain leave for systematic diggings at the 

 " Buries," that well-defined quadrangular earthwork between Repton 

 and the Trent ? 



See Bigsby's History of Repton, pp. 247, 248. 



