272 Ancient Chapels, 8fc., in Co. Wilts. 



Co its ham, (IIimdred of Chippenham.) There is much indistinct- 

 ness about the ancient ecclesiastical establishments here. Men- 

 tion is made of an Alien Priory, dependent as a Cell upon St. 

 Stephen's at Caen, to which the Rectorial tithe belonged. 

 Also of another (but query if it were not the same), a Cell to 

 the monastery of Marmoustier at Tours. Corsham Rectory 

 was afterwards given to the monastery of Syon in Middlesex, 

 and ultimately to Philip Moore. 



Of a " Nunnery " at Corsham, traditionally talked of by 

 the inhabitants in Aubrey's time, [see Tanner, note, p. 602] 

 there is no known history. The same may be said of a " Chapel 

 of St. Bartholomew," imagined to have been " at the north 

 end of the church-yard." The parish church is dedicated to 

 that Saint. 



The north chancel in the parish church is sometimes called 

 "Hanharu's Aisle," from a family of that name formerly 

 owners of Neston in this parish. But it was no doubt built 

 by the Tropenell family, still earlier owners of Neston. It is 

 described in Wilts Collections, Aubrey & Jackson, p. 81, 

 82. I have never seen any notice of any endowment of this 

 chapel. 



" Our Lady Lands." A benefactor, whose name has not survived, 

 gave, before the Reformation, certain lands by feoffment " to 

 the finding of a priest within the parish church of Corsham 

 to assist the Yicar : which lands were given for that intent 

 because the vicarage was so small a living that he was not able 

 to hire a curate to keep him." In 1547 (1 Edw. VI.) William 

 Lewys, aged 60 years, was this stipendiary Imcumbent. He 

 was called " Our Lady's Priest," and performed divine service, 

 said masses, &c. in the church and chapel there for the soul of 

 the said benefactor. A chalice, and other goods and ornaments 

 belonging to this service were in the hands of the feoffees of 

 the lands in 1547. 



These lands are well known in Corsham as the f< Feoffee 

 Lands." The income arising from them has been for many 

 years applied, not to the purpose for which they were origin- 



