decking Stool at Wootton Bassett. 



129 



ancient walls were still in existence. As far as I am aware the 

 last encounter sustained by the ancient fortifications of Cricklade 

 was in the vain attempt of Prince Henry to recover Cricklade from 

 the hands of King Stephen. 



William Allan, M.A. 



P.S. — Since the above was written, I have had the pleasure of 

 receiving a communication on the subject from that eminent 

 archaeologist J. Y. Akerman, Esq. He says, " There can be little 

 doubt that the mound was formed by the Romans, probably co- 

 eval with the military road." Such an opinion from such an 

 authority is a weighty testimony to the opinion I have ventured to 

 express. — W. A. 



As the Wootton Bassett Cucking Stool has been described and 

 illustrated in the pages of the Wiltshire Magazine, (vol. i., p. 68, 

 and vol. vii., p. 25) it may be well to record the fact that there is 

 now living (May, 1869), a person who can distinctly remember 

 the last occasion on which it was used. His name is Thomas 

 Blanchett, now 91 years old, and residing at present in the Butt- 

 Hay, Wootton Bassett. He states that the punishment was in- 

 flicted in the Weir-pond (filled up in 1836), which was a short 

 distance to the west of the " Angel " and " Crown " Inns, in the 

 High Street. The culprit's name was Margaret (or Peggy) 

 Lawrence. Blanchett has a most vivid recollection of seeing her 

 gasp for breath on being drawn out of the water, when the handle 

 of the machine was pulled down by the two men who conveyed her 

 to the pond. He believes the occurrence took place about 1787. 

 Blanchett's wife is nearly 90 years old, and a strong hale woman. 

 They have been married 67 years. His mother reached the 

 patriarchal age of 99 years. 1 



W. F. Parsons. 



1 Since this paragraph was in type, the old man, Thomas Blanchett, who 

 gave the above information, has died, 



