Visited by the Society in August, 1888. 159 



it was raised as a span-roof about 1460, when a large three-light 

 window was inserted, probably to light an altar there, this window 

 has, however, been recently much reduced in height. The tower 

 was, doubtless, built at the time that this alteration was made in 

 the aisles. The beautiful rood-screen may also be assigned to that 

 date ; the parapet of it had been preserved almost intact, and with 

 sufficient evidence of the colouring to enable it to be re-produced. 

 Parts of the lower framing, too — as also some of the traceried heads 

 — were found, sufficient to indicate the original design. 



Throughout all these alterations no attempt had been made to 

 interfere with the small upper openings in the Saxon wall, further 

 than by inserting a three-light window on the south side near the 

 east end to light the rood-loft, and another on the same side to light 

 the western gallery. These were done away with when the modern 

 clerestory windows were inserted. The nave retains its original roof. 



Turning to the chancel — this was probably erected early in the 

 fourteenth century, and no insertions (excepting the ambulatory) 

 were made in it until the recent addition of an organ chamber. 

 The work of this part is of a poor type of Decorated with very 

 weak tracery and buttresses. The porch which existed before the 

 present one, was late Gothic with depressed arch and niche over. 

 Neither the porch nor south aisle had buttresses. The font is of 

 late <Norman design and very rude workmanship, although the shape 

 is earlier. The sculpture represents a bishop (with crosier) wearing 

 a mitre, and with a book in his left hand : on each side is a dragon 

 pulling at his robes. 



In 1828 the Norman arcades gave way to those we see at present; 

 copied, it is said, from those at Calne ; and it is to the credit of 

 the workmen of that time that even in cutting out for these lofty 

 arches the Saxon wall above was retained. 



Thursday, August 9th, 1888. 



Church of S. Nicholas. Bromham. 



Like two of the Churches which we saw yesterday, the nucleus 

 of this building is early work— in this case very early Norman, and 



