138 REPORT OP MEETINGS FOR 1904 



vault supported by walls nine feet thick, whose original 

 doorway with a pointed arch in the South wall suggests 

 its belonging to the fourteenth century. In 1416 it 

 belonged to William Heron, a member of the illustrious 

 family which held Chipchase Ford and other strongholds. 

 During succeeding centuries it doubtless witnessed many 

 a scene of violence and bloodshed, but now through the 

 noble generosity of the wife of the late proprietor it has 

 been transformed into an almshouse, a tablet above the 

 doorway setting forth how " By the munificence and piety 

 of Lady Ravensworth, this ancient tower, which was 

 formerly used by the villagers as a place of refuge in 

 times of rapine and insecurity, was repaired and otherwise 

 embellished for the use and benefit of the deserving 

 poor, A.D. 1815." 



In the unavoidable absence of the vicar, the members 



were conducted through the parish church 

 Church of by the Eev. E. H. Brodhurst, curate of the 

 St. Bar- parish, who supplied much valuable in- 



tholomew. formation regarding its history and structure. 



It is dedicated to St. Bartholomew, who is 

 commemorated in a stained glass window at the West 

 end of the South aisle, and on whose festival, as it 

 chanced, the Club paid their visit to this ancient 

 place of worship. It occupies the site of a Saxon 

 church, a part of whose original walls is included 

 in the present building. Prior to the restoration 



of 1840, the hoary tower remained almost complete with 

 the exception of its battlements, illustrating the distinctive 

 features of Saxon masonry in the long and short structure 

 of the external angles of the building and in the rude 

 baluster between the upper windows. The existing remains 

 of the ancient edifice are noticeable in the lowest stage of 

 the tower, as well as in the return angles of the nave on 

 both the North an-l South sides. The tower rises abruptly 

 from the ground, without indication of base or plinth, and 

 the corner stones of it are built in the manner already 

 indicated, a long upright block alternating with a short 

 horizontal one considerably broader, which serves as a 

 boud-atoue to unite the rubble walling and hold it together, 



