By Mr. Edward Kite. 



275 



opened May 2nd, 1862. It was found to have been previously- 

 rifled, and the sculptured slab or effigy which once covered it had 

 been removed. Among the rubbish within was an ancient iron 

 lock, with a hasp, much corroded, a handle, and some iron straps 

 containing short rivets, apparently the remains of a small box or 

 casket ; also one of the metatarsal bones of a human foot. 



The graves (f ) and (g) had also been previously rifled, but among 

 the'rubbish removed from the former was found a gold hoop ring, 

 of delicate workmanship, set with an unwrought emerald. 1 The 

 remaining grave (h) which lies immediately outside the North wall 

 of the apse was also opened and found to contain a perfect skeleton, 

 but without any accompanying relic. 



The aisle (d) on the North side of the main building is nearly 12 

 feet in width, and from the remaining base of an Altar to the East 

 end, it evidently was used as a Chapel. A narrow passage cut 

 through the solid wall (c) formed a connection between this and the 

 Presbytery, and the stone step at the entrance, deeply worn on 

 either side, plainly indicates the continual use to which it must 

 have been subjected. The floor is paved with encaustic tiles prin- 

 cipally heraldic, and apparently of the decorated period (14th 

 century). They are laid in squares, each formed of 4 tiles bearing 

 similar shields of arms, surrounded by a border of narrow tiles of a 

 green colour. The step in front of the Altar seems also to have been 

 paved with small plain tiles of a like description. The accom- 

 panying sketch shows the arrangement of the shields of arms, 

 amongst which are those of the family of Clare, Earls of Gloucester, 2 

 frequently found in large churches both in Wiltshire and the 

 neighbouring counties : also those of Montacute, Earls of Sarum, 

 Yere ? and others not identified. The projecting masonry (i) bears 



1 A very similar relic from the site of Mynchin Buckland Priory, co. Somerset, 

 set with an unwrought sapphire, is engraved in the Proceedings of the Somer- 

 setshire Archeeological Society, vol. x., p. 57. 



2 Kichard de Clare temp. Henry III. held the manor and hundred of Cranhorn, 

 together with the right of hunting in Cranborn Chace, a privilege which had 

 been obtained by one of his ancestors. A complaint was made against him by 

 the Abbesses of * Wilton, Shaftesbury, and Tarent, concerning his interference 



