|
e done to the ornamental
fittings up of the building.
Near to the church is the well of St. Lawrence, the water of which is now
conveyed to a pump; bearing this inscription upon it:--
This water here caught
In sort, as you see,
From a spring is brought
Three score foot and three.
Gybson hath it sought
From St. Lawrence's well,
And his charge this wrought
Who _now_ here doth dwell.
Thy ease was his cost, not small--
Vouchsafed well of those
Which thankful be, his work to see,
And thereto be no foes.
From St. Lawrence's belfry, the curfew is rung at eight each evening.
St. Gregory's contains an altar tomb, with a long Latin inscription to
the memory of Sir Francis Bacon, a judge in the court of King's bench, in
the time of Charles II.
On the communion table is an inscription to Francis Watson, a pedlar, who
painted and marbled all the pillars of the altar, adorned it, and railed
the front.
St. John's _Madder Market_ owes its distinctive name to the market
formerly held on its north side, for the sale of _madder_, an article
used in dying. Margaret, Duchess of Norfolk, the widow of Thomas Duke of
Norfolk, beheaded by the command of Queen Elizabeth, lies buried in the
choir of the church.
St. Andrews, the second church in point of architectural beauty, stands
upon the site of one founded prior to the Conquest. Its eastern window
bears traces of sad havoc having gone on in the midst of the scriptural
scenes it was intended to depict.
At the east end of the two aisles are doors entering from the porches,
and over them verses.
Over the south aisle door--
This church was builded of Timber, Stone and Bricks,
In the year of our Lord XV hundred and six,
And lately translated from extreme Idolatry
A thousand five hundred and seven and forty.
And in the first year of our noble King Edward
The Gospel in parliament was mightily set forward.
Thanks be to God. Anno Dom. 1547, December.
Over the north aisle door--
As the good king Josiah, being tender of age,
Purged the realm from all idolatry,
Even so our noble Queen, and counsel sage,
Set up the Gospel and banished Popery.
At twenty-four years she began her reign,
And about forty four did it maintain.
Glory be given to God.
There were formerly brass effigies of John Gilbert and his wife, with
_seventeen_ of their children.
St
|