2GG On Stamfordham Church, by Rev. J. F. Bigge, M.A. 



the poor, and had recently prosecuted some of the labourers 

 in the parish for stealing- turnips. Sheridan's sermon, which, 

 true to his word, he produced in the morning, was a 

 regular attack upon this gentleman. It was filled with all 

 sorts of pretended quotations from St. Paul and the Fathers ; 

 sentences denouncing illiberality, tyranny, and oppression 

 of the poor, some of them referring particularly to the 

 especial sinfulness of prosecutions for stealing turnips. Mr 

 O'Beirne, who had no time to read over the composition before 

 morning prayers, commenced his discourse, and went on till he 

 fairly drove the indignant squire out of the church. The 

 latter, indeed, was so savage at the personalities, that he made a 

 formal complaint to the Bishop of the Diocese. ' And how did the 

 matter end ' asked Hobhouse. ' Oh, just as such a thing should 

 end ' said Sheridan, ' O'Beirne got a better living.' " This was 

 the Vicarage of Stamfordham. 



He was succeeded by Edward Matt. Tharlow, who died in 

 1847, and was succeeded by myself. 



In 1848, the Church had fallen into a sad state of decay. It 

 was entirely taken down under the direction of Mr Benjamin 

 Ferry, the architect, all the stones of the pillars and arches where 

 old, were numbered and replaced when cleaned, in their former 

 positions. The tower, the chancel arch, which is very peculiar in 

 form, being almost of the shape of a horse's shoe, and a con- 

 siderable portion of the south wall of the chancel were left stand- 

 ing, and were not disturbed. 



On entering the porch some ancient grave crosses are inserted 

 in the walls, which were found during the restoration of the 

 Church, and are thus preserved from the destroying influence of 

 frost and rain. 



The two western pillars have ornamental caps, in imitation 

 probably of the Pillars Boaz and Jachin at the entrance of the 

 Porch of Solomon's temple, vide 1 Kings, 7, 21. The chancel is 

 far the most striking part of the church ; at the east end are three 

 very long-lancet windows, that in the centre being the longest. 

 Within the altar rail, in a niche in the north wall, is an effigy of 

 a priest in his robes ; in a similar niche, within an arch on the 

 south wall, is the figure of a crossed legged knight in armour, and 

 on his shield are six marlets, which proves him to have been one 

 of the illustrious house of Fenwick. Fenwick Tower is one mile 



