36 



The Katuralist. 



from time to time, and preserved on the spot for the inspection of 

 visitors, combine to render Aldborough the most interesting Roman 

 station in the kingdom. In the centre of Aldborough stands a lofty 

 antique cross, formed of eight fluted columns, united by a foliated 

 capital, dating from the thirteenth or fourteenth century, which 

 formerly stood in the market-place at Boroughbridge, and is supposed 

 to commemorate the battle in 1322, when De Bohun, Earl of 

 Hereford, was killed while defending the bridge over the Ure at 

 Boroughbridge, by a spear thrust a crevice in the planking. 



At Aldborough, the church was first visited, the party being 

 received there by the vicar, the Rev. R. W. Marriott, M.A., who 

 pointed out the various objects in and about the church with a 

 courtesy which was fully appreciated by his visitors. He first pointed 

 out a carved figure of Mercury, built into the outside of the vestry 

 wall, and which, supposed to be about 1500 years old, certainly dates 

 from the time of the Roman settlement in the district. The carving, 

 although it has not withstood the ravages of time, is still in a 

 tolerable state of preservation. Inside the church were shown two 

 ancient communion plates, which are supposed to have been made in 

 the eighth or ninth century ; an ancient carving in oak of Daniel in the 

 lion's den, and a brazen effigy (bearing the name of Wills d'Aldeburghj 

 of a knight in plate armour, found in one of the pews in 1827. 

 Built into the wall of the church is a brass effigy, dated 1390, to one 

 of the Lords of Aldborough, and near it lies a family memorial stone 

 of the year 1475 — these two dates corresponding with the original 

 erection and earliest restoration of the church. The parish register 

 dates as far back as the reign of Henry viii. (1538), and amongst 

 other curious entries, contains one strongly abusive of Oliver Crom- 

 well. Another object of interest was a sort of gravestone in the church- 

 yard, on which was cut in relief the half-length figure of a female, 

 the hands being clasped upon the breast in an attitude of devotion. 

 Of this relic there are no records, but general conjecture tends to the 

 belief that it is of Anglo-Saxon origin. 



After partaking of refreshment, kindly provided by the vicar of 

 Aldborough, a visit was paid to the grounds of Aldborough Manor, 

 and to the " Museum Isurianum permission to visit which had very 

 kindly been given by Andrew S. Lawson, Esq., the Lord of the 

 Manor, and by his request the Rev. J. R. Lunn, B.D., vicar of 

 Marton-cum- Grafton, author of various papers,on the churches of the 

 district, acted as cicerone during this part of the excursion, 



(To he continued.) 



