172 



Notes on Churches visited in 1898. 



considerable time, so that there is a difference of some thirty to 

 forty years between the work of the tower and that of the aisle 

 walls, which I put at about 1475 to 1480. 



1 will now describe the various parts more in detail. The tower 

 is a fine one, divided, externally, by string-courses into five stages 

 in height, and resting on a moulded plinth. The lower stage has 

 a good four-light west window with a doorway under ; the label 

 mould of the latter has the keystone and terminals carved to 

 represent angels holding shields. The middle stage is lighted by 

 small windows on north and south, and has a niche, from which 

 the figure is missing, over the west window. The belfry stage has 

 a two-light pointed window in each face ; the cornice is ornamented 

 by carved paterse and heads, and surmounted by an embattled 

 parapet. The tower has diagonal buttresses carried up at the 

 angles for the full height with four set-offs and terminating in 

 pinnacles consisting of beasts in a sitting attitude holding shields. 

 The west front of the tower being faced with ashlar, whilst the 

 other sides are of rubble, is a trick worthy of the nineteenth 

 century. Inside, the lower stage has a stone- vaulted ceiling, the 

 ribs of which are richly moulded, and the central eye surrounded 

 by carved paterae. The angle ribs of the groining are carried on 

 angle shafts rising from the base of the arch opening into the nave. 

 This arch is of two orders of hollows with the abacus of the angle 

 shafts continued round at the springing. 



On the west face of the tower there is an impression made by a 

 cannon-ball, said by local tradition to have been " fired from 

 Blunsdon Hill in Cromwell's time " 1 ; in this connection it is 



1 When the Society visited Highworth in 1898 it was mentioned that the 

 cannon-hall which caused this indentation had been preserved within the memory 

 of many in Highworth, and that it was known where it was. The opinion was 

 expressed that if possible it should be restored to the Church. The Vicar has now 

 effected this restoration, and it will be preserved in the Church for the future. 

 It seems that it was originally suspended in the Church, but that during " the 

 restoration," about thirty years ago, it was got rid of as old iron. It came into 

 the possession of Mr. Charles Higgs, who gave it to the late Mr. William Morris, 

 of the Swindon Advertiser. It has been at the Advertiser office ever since, 

 and has now been restored to the Church by the proprietors. It weighs 151b. 14oz. 

 Swindon Advertiser, reprinted in Devizes Gazette, December 15th, 1898. 



