72 REPORT OP MEETINGS FOR 1901 



Holystone Church. 



The Church of Holystone, consisting of nave and chancel, 

 is dedicated to St. Mary, and is in the gift of the Lord 

 Chancellor. 



The Church Plate consists of 4 pieces : — 



Chalice, 1735. Paten, 1853. 



Flagon, 1852. Almsdish, 1853. 



The bell that hangs in the cot at the west end of the 

 gable bears the following inscription: — "To the Parish of 

 Hallystane, the gift of Percival Clennell, Esq., deceased, 

 A.D. 1788." 



There is every reason to suppose, from structural remains, 

 as well as from documentary evidence, that originally a 

 Norman church stood on the present site. The lower portions 

 of the nave walls are ancient. The original window sills 

 are yet seen in situ about two feet beneath the new ones 

 in the south wall ; and built into the south wall of the 

 chancel are three sculptured grave slabs, probably commemo- 

 rating some of the princely Umfravilles, who for centuries 

 reigned as petty kings in Coquetdale and Redesdale. On 

 the north side of the chancel is a large 8t(jne coffin and 

 cover, entire, found at the restoration of 1848, and this, 

 through the pious care of the vicar, Aislabie Procter, was 

 allowed to remain untouched. Two old headstones, having 

 rudely cut crosses, stand in the churchyard amid others of 

 17th and 18th century quaintness. Several interesting 

 tombstones lie on the floor of the church near the font. One 

 is that of Wm. Pot, and his wife, Elinor Pot, of Farnham, 

 one of the leading families in the parish some three centuries 

 ago. Turbulent parishioners they must have been ; one 

 member of the family was summoned before the High Court 

 of Commission at Durham for brawling in Alwinton Church. 

 Another was rendered notorious by giving evidence against 

 King Charles I. Traces of the same family are found at 

 Hepple Woodhouses, Yardhope, Lanternside, and Sharperton. 

 The other refers to a member of an old and honourable 

 Northumbrian family, the Widdringtons of Widdrington. 

 A branch of this family had possession of Cartington, one 

 of whom was some time resident at Harbottle Castle as 



