96 Plympton in the Olden Time, by James Hine, F.K I.B.A. 
and built of granite, in large blocks, and there is not that sharp 
and elegant detail in this as in the earlier work. 
S. Mary's is a pretty and picturesque church now ; but it was 
probably more than two hundred years before the granite began to 
tone down, and the ivy and lichen to cling to it, — neither as a 
rule " take kindly," as the saying is in Devonshire, to granite. 
The limits of this paper will not allow of my giving anything 
like a detailed description of Plympton S. Mary Church, Full 
justice has already been done this edifice by the late Rev. W. I. 
Coppard, who was largely instrumental in its being restored. The 
Early Decorated chancel — with its fine east window, and elaborate 
sedilia and piscina — is one of the best specimens of the period 
in the county. Not the least interesting part of the church is the 
south porch and parvise over, which the late Mr, H. H. Treby took 
most commendable pains to restore. The groining of the porch 
is admirable, though in the re-dressing and chiseling of the ribs 
and bosses, the original character of the work has been partially 
impaired. In restorations, much is lost through the desire to see 
things look fresh and new. 
In the Strode, or S. Catherine chapel, is the monument of Sir 
William Strode, with the effigies of the knight and his two 
wives : — 
" Mary, incarnate virtue, sonl and skin 
Both pure, whom death nor life convinced of sin, 
Had daughters like 7 Pleiades, but she 
Was a prime star of greatest charity." 
And over the knight, — 
" Treade soft, for if you wake this knight alone, 
You raise an host, religion's champion. 
His country's staff, right hold distributor, 
His neighbour's guard, the poor man's almoner. 
Who dies with works about him as he did. 
Shall rise attended most triumphantly." 
The Town Church of Plympton, originally dedicated to Thomas 
a Becket, but, when rebuilt in the 15th century, to S. Maurice, 
