REPORTS OF MEETINGS FOR 1909 47 



greater dimensions, which led to the conclusion that it had 

 been wholly transferred from the neighbouring military station 

 at Corstopitum, and re-erected in the sacred edifice, in 

 conformity with a practice not unknown where such a con- 

 venient quarry lay ready to the hands of the builders. To 

 all appearance the walls of the tower and of part of the West 

 gable are made up of stones from the same source, and may be 

 regarded as evidence of Saxon workmanship. For a long 

 season a tradition lingered that a Norman building succeeded 

 the original Church ; but wliat was rather hastily pronounced to 

 belong to that period, by reason of the elaborate chai-acter of 

 the door-way whi(;h forms the main entrance, is now referred to 

 the First Pointed style of architecture. The Church is cruci- 

 form, and consists of a nave, two aisles, North and South 

 transepts, a chancel, and a side chapel. In consequence of the 

 numerous alterations made upon it, no two of the principal 

 walls are at right angles to each other, and the chancel roof 

 exceeds in height that of the nave through having been raised to 

 the original pitch traceable on the included wall of the tower. 

 Three arches resting on octagonal pillars divide the nave from 

 the aisles, the South one of which was added probably about 

 the middle of the 12th century, and the North about the 

 beginning of the 13th. The chancel opens into the nave 

 through a singularly lofty and graceful arch, which attains 

 a height of 30 feet. The East window, which is modern, 

 is enriched with stained glass commemorative of the wife of 

 Mr John Grey. In the North aisle of the chancel are preserved 

 a number of grave-stones, a fragment of a Saxon gable cross, 

 probably belonging to the earliest building, and a quantity of 

 Roman remains. Through the kindness of Canon Lonsdale the 

 cluirch wardens' books were examined, and numerous references 

 to Lord Derwentwater and other celebrities of the period were 

 read with interest Facing the Church stands a square three- 

 storeyed Pele, which belonged to the vicars of Corbridge, and 

 was built in the reign of Edward II. It would appear to 

 liave been intended for a place of residence as well as of 

 defence, a small aperture on the West front allowing light to 

 fall upon what is believed to have been a stone book-rest, on 

 which the early vicars of Corbridge may have examined their 



