The third night the rioters came more organized. Cooke played Richard III. with gloomy savagery, and was quite one of Kemble's peculiar pronunciations, and sober too, but no one listened to a word. Men blew trumpets and bugles, or executed dreadful shrieks on cat-calls. Carrier pigeons, with O. P. tickets on them, were flown on to the stage. Placards were hung over the boxes and on the chandeliers, with the following inscriptions :

VOL. IV.-JULY 12, 1873.]

THE ANTIQUARY.

was shown to visitors wound round a machine like that used to draw water from a well. It is now under the care of the Abbé Laffetay, and is exhibited under glass in a room in the public library.

The tapestry is thus described in an inventory of the possessions of the cathedral of Bayeux, taken by two canons of the church in September, 1476:-"Item, une tente tres longue et estrait de telle (toile) à broderie de ymages et escripteaulx, faisant representation du conquest d'Angleterre laquelle est tendue environ le nef de l'Eglise le jour et par les octaves des reliques." This is the only notice we have of it before the 18th century.

About the year 1721 M. Lancelot found in the library of M. Foucault a coloured drawing 40 feet long. He had no idea what the figures represented, thinking even it might be a medieval copy of some piece of sculpture. However, he figured and described it in a memoir presented to the Academy of Inscriptions and Belles Lettres in 1724. Père Montfaucon read the communication with interest, and through his agency it was identified as a copy of part of the Bayeux tapestry. He got permission to have the whole copied, and the drawings of his artist (Antoine Benoit) were afterwards engraved in his Monumens de la Monarchie Françoise (1730, Vol. ii.). Passing over a second memoir by M. Lancelot, of the same year, we come to Dr. Ducarel's description in his "Anglo-Norman Antiquities," 1767. This mainly consisted of Mr. S. Lethieullier's observations, taken during a long stay in Normandy. Bonaparte thought it would stir up the people to the invasion of England, and had it exhibited in Paris and other places. It narrowly escaped destruction during the Revolution, being actually demanded for covering the guns. But we must notice the history of its investigation in this country. The earliest paper published here was one by the Abbé de la Rue, who thought the tapestry the work of Matilda, daughter of Henry I. Soon after, Mr. Hudson Gurney + printed some remarks upon it; but before that, namely, in 1816, the Society of Antiquaries sent Mr. Charles A. Stothard to copy the same, reduced drawings from the fac-simile he executed, being published in the "Vetusta Monumenta," Vol. vi. His remarks upon it were published in the "Archæologia" in 1821.§ and were followed by Mr. Amyott's paper on the "Antiquity of the Tapestry," to both of which we shall presently refer. Dr. Dibdin gives a brief description, in his "Tour in France and Germany," 1821, 375-87; and sixteen years after Mr. Bolton Corney, in his "Illustrations to Disraeli's Curiosities of Literature," || advanced a new Since that period we have theory respecting its origin. Dr. Bruce's "Bayeux Tapestry Elucidated" (1856),¶ and Mr. J. R. Planché, not having time enough to prepare an elaborate paper for the Society of Antiquaries in illustration of Mr. Stothard's drawings, contributed a short one to the "Journal of the British Archæological Association" (xxiii. 134-56) in 1867.

Having thus described the literature of the subject, let us now notice the chief theories respecting the fabrication of the tapestry. Montfauçon, Ducarel, Pluquet,** Thierry, Amyott, Dr. Dibdin, Stothard, Dr. Bruce, and Planché, unite in upholding its antiquity, but Pluquet thinks it executed by order of Odo, Bishop of Bayeux. Montfauçon mentions the tradition that it was the work of Matilda, the

* Translated by Mr. J. Douce.
t Ibid., Vol. xviii.

"Archæologia,” xvii.

Son of Thomas, the R.A. Charles was a capital archæological
draughtsman, and five years after returning from Bayeux fell from a
window when tracing stained glass at Beer-Ferris church, Devonshire.
Vol. xix. 184.
Afterwards reprinted as

Bayeux Tapestry."

"Researches and Conjectures on the

The numerous coloured plates illustrating Dr. Bruce's work were
Vetusta Monumenta,"
reduced from those by Mr. Stothard, in the
and the book is extremely convenient for those who cannot purchase
that costly work published by the Society of Antiquaries.

** "Essai Historique sur la Vil deBayeux.”

Conqueror's queen, and her handmaids. The Abbé de la Rue is the ablest advocate of the 12th century theory, and to reconcile the Matilda tradition, they assign the tapestry has been followed by Hume and Lord Lyttelton. In order A third party, represented by Mr. Bolton Corney to the Empress Matilda, daughter of Henry I., who died in 1167. As we shall not and Dr. Lingard,† attribute it even to a later period, and believe it executed at the expense, and under the special superintendence, of the chapter of Bayeux. examine this latter theory at any great length, we will mendevised within the precincts of a church, it could not have tion it first. Mr. Corney maintains that if it had not been escaped female influence, and would not have contained such indications of celibatic feeling. He says that it has some 530 figures, three only of which represent females, and thinks that its size-exactly enough to reach round the nave of the church-and the time it was exhibited-not on the death of William or Matilda, but on the four des Reliques-point to local influence. The latter fact connects it with Odo (or Odon) the warlike Bishop of Bayeux, because he presented to the church some valuable reliquaries, and so the chapter would remember him. The advocates of the 12th century theory rely chiefly on the silence of Wace, the metrical historian, the absence of any mention in the inventory of the effects of William the Conqueror, taken in 1087, and in the will of Matilda, and, that had it been presented by her to the cathedral, it must have perished in the fire which nearly destroyed that edifice in 1106. Now, in the first place, Wace, who was a canon of Bayeux, and wrote a metrical account of the conquest circ. 1160, was, as Mr. Planché points out, born at Jersey and educated at Caen, where he wrote his "Roman du Rou" in 1169, and could never haye seen the old cathedral, out of which the treasures were "As well might we doubt the age of taken in 1106. Mr. Amyott's observations on this point are worthy of note. It should be remembered that the tapestry in the House of Lords, because historians have not derived from that source their narratives of the defeat of the Spanish Armada. monuments of this kind derive much of their importance from antiquity, and are never exalted to the rank of historical documents until time has mouldered away most of those which have had a better claim to that title." If the tradition respecting Queen Matilda's connection with the tapestry be correct, it is very unreasonable to expect to find it in the possession of the Conqueror four years after the death of his queen. Then it would not have been likely to appear in her will, because the cathedral of Bayeux was dedicated six years before her death, affording a considerable interval for its presentation.

One objection remains-that it would have been destroyed in the fire of 1106. That the fire was not so destructive as some have supposed, is probable, from the fact that the therefore it is reasonable to suppose that a considerable present church was not built until fifty-three years after, and portion of the edifice escaped. It is quite certain that all the church treasures did not then perish, for in the 1476 inventory-which contains the description of the tapestry quoted at the beginning of this paper-we have two robes There were also the chasuble of S. Regnodescribed as having been worn by William and his duchess on their marriage.§ and Odo the Bishop. We think these facts sufficient to bert, and the silver unicorns presented by the Conqueror show that those who maintain the superior antiquity of the tapestry have the best of the argument; and when we look

at the needlework itself, their position is materially strengthened.

enemy. In one scene ("Bruce," p. 130) we see him riding up to William to give in his report, and this inscription explains it-"Hic Willelm: dux interrogat Vital: si vidisset exercitum Haroldi."

We know that medieval artists, whether illustrating scenes from Holy Writ or profane history, invariably represented persons in the costume of their own time. Strutt We now pass on to consider the appearance of the points out that the wonderful unanimity of feeling on this tapestry itself. Accounts vary as to its exact length and point may be seen by comparing together a number of MSS. width, but we accept the measurement of Dr. Bruce, viz., known to have been executed at the same period, when the 227 feet long and 20 inches wide. The groundwork of the accuracy of the illuminator in giving the costumes and archi-whole is fine linen, turned brown by reason of its great age. tectural accessories he had every day before him will be The designs are wrought in coloured worsted. By-the-bye, apparent.* If, therefore, the Bayeux tapestry had been it is interesting to remember that the spun wool is called embroidered in the twelfth century, it is almost certain that worsted from the place of that name in Norfolk, where some it would have somewhere contained indications of the Flemings settled in 1327. The chief colours employed are costumes or customs of that time. On the contrary, every green, crimson, pink, and yellow; and though parts are portion of it points to the reign of the Conqueror, and we faded, the whole, considering its great age, is wonderfully are not aware that the smallest anachronism has been preserved. The stitches are made very long and laid side detected. Not only so, but some remarkable confirmations by side, and are fixed down at intervals by cross fastenings. of its early date have been noticed. One of these is re- Faces, and other flesh portions of the figures, are not stitched ferred to by Mr. Stothard. In the part of the tapestry in at all, and yet in this simple way the effects produced are which Harold is shown in the power of Guy, Earl of Pon- astonishing. Mr. Dawson Turner says :-" In point of drawthieu, Duke William and his people, in addition to shaven ing the figures are superior to the contemporary sculpture at upper lips, have nearly the whole of their heads so repre- St. George's and elsewhere, and the performance is not sented. It was doubtless "this fashion that made Harold's deficient in energy." The latter part of the sentence seems spies report that the Normans were an army of priests. But to us to underrate the spirit of the whole composition. in the time of Henry I. the clergy were continually attempt- From frequent rolling and unrolling, some parts of the work ing to restrain the habit of wearing the hair long, at that have been much injured, and Mr. Stothard could, in portions, time so fashionable. In that reign heraldic bearings assumed only trace the designs by means of the holes through which considerable importance. But in the tapestry the devices the stitches had passed. No part of the tapestry has been on the shields do not appear to be heraldic. No lion, fess, lost at the present beginning, because the border passes chevron, &c., appears; but, what is more important, no dis-down the side there; but this is not the case at the end, tinguished person twice bears the same device. We should which Mr. Stothard found "a mass of rags." It is somehave mentioned that, from the Saxon words and characters what uncertain, from the indications of the figures there, in the inscriptions, the tapestry has also been referred to whether the tapestry ended with the pursuit of the flying Matilda, Queen of Henry I. But it has been pointed out Saxons. Mr. Lancelot thinks it an unfinished work, but that the people of Bayeux were of Saxon origin, and even in we are inclined to think, with Mr. Hudson Gurney, that the tenth century spoke a Teutonic dialect; so that proves "it is an apologetical history of the claims of William to the nothing against its antiquity. crown of England, and of the breach of faith and fall of Harold, and is a perfect and finished action."*

Among representations of events of which no other record now exists, says a writer in the Penny Cyclopædia, are the Of course our space will not allow us to describe at any taking of Dinant, the war between the Duke of Normandy length the scenes depicted on this extraordinary piece of and Conan, Earl of Bretagne,§ and the service rendered by needlework; but we will endeavour, briefly, to point out some Harold to William during the war in Brittany. It is much of the most interesting of the seventy-two compartments into in favour of M. Pluquet's theory that the tapestry was which it is divided. Although the tapestry everywhere executed by order of Odo, Bishop of Bayeux; that Odo, depicts William and his claim in the most favourable light, after William and Harold, is the most prominent figure in we do not find any attempt to underrate Harold. In the it; and that Wadard, Turold,|| and Vital, expressly named, first scene the latter is represented conversing with Edward were Odo's officers, and afterwards held estates in England. the Confessor, in the palace at Westminster; and then, with Sir H. Ellis says that Wadard held property in six counties hawk on wrist, departing to Bosham, on the Sussex coast, under the Bishop; the lands of Vitalis were in Kent, and whence to embark for the Norman court. He does not do those of Turold in Essex, this being recorded in "Domesday so without praying in the church of that place; † and then, Survey." The scene in the tapestry, representing the carrying his dog in one hand and hawk in the other, after a landing of the Normans at Hastings, shows Wadard feast with his retainers, wades to the vessel. The winds mounted, and in a suit of mail, and attended by five inferiors. are not propitious, and he is cast on the territory of Guy One of the latter carries a pig, another leads a goat, a third (Wido in the inscription) Count of Ponthieu, and taken to slays an ox. Mr. Bolton Corney considers he was chief Belrem (Beauraine). Guy, seated on his chair of state, concommissary of the army, and was here directing his attend-fers with his prisoner, and a man-probably the jester-halfants to secure provisions necessary for the camp.* ** Vitalis seems to have been sent out to gather news respecting the

* "Manners, Customs, &c., of the Inhabitants of England," i. 3. + "Archæologia,” xix. 184.

John, a monk of Marmonstier, describes Geoffrey Plantagenet, on his marriage, holding a shield emblazoned with small golden lions, and he is so represented on an enamelled plate in the Mons Museum Guillaume de Jumieges hardly mentions this, and the description in the work of G. de Poitiers is by no means full. Mr. Bolton Corney thinks that the army on its return halted at Bayeux, and so the tapestry contains the fullest account of this expedition from the

words of the warriors themselves.

Miss Strickland, in "Queens of England," i. 66, with little reason, says that this Turold was a dwarf who designed the cartoon from which Matilda and her maidens worked.

concealed by a pillar, appears to be listening to the conversation. It is conjectured that it was he who carried to William tidings of Harold's condition. However this may be, a good bribe induced Guy to relinquish his prize, and Harold passed to the Norman court, to all intents and purposes, a prisoner still. In the hall of the palace, Harold addresses William and points to a number of soldiers behind him. Dr. Bruce asks if he is not requesting an escort to accompany a messenger of his to England to acquaint his friends of his release from captivity? We should rather think that he is interrogating his host about the retinue that William took good care should be about him to prevent his escape. The campaign in Brittany follows, in which Harold assists his host, who confers on him the honour of knight

VOL. IV.—JULY 12, 1873.)

THE ANTIQUARY.

hood. The Saxon was now more anxious than ever to de-try with wonderful clearness. Here William exhorts his solpart, and William prepared for the oath scene, hoping to diers, there Leofwin and Gurth, Harold's brothers, fall. A induce his guest to abandon his well-known hope of succeed- group of Saxons on a hill repel the advance of charging Harold is shown in the tapestry knights, intended perhaps to show the strong position the ing to the English crown. standing between a sort of portable shrine and an altar, with Saxons took up at first, and, unhappily for them, abandoned. an outstretched hand towards each. The shrine seems to be In one scene William raises his helmet to show that the in two portions and the lower is evidently covered with a report respecting his death is false; and after the Norman pall. It may be that the many relics of saints, which we stratagem of decoying the Saxons from their position, we are told William had collected from the Norman churches, see the fatal arrow piercing Harold's noble brain, and the We have thus endeavoured to were placed in this lower receptacle, and that Harold thought tapestry concludes with a representation of flying Saxons he was merely swearing upon an ordinary reliquary which and pursuing Normans. appears to be resting on this foundation. There can be no point out the leading features of interest in this remarkable doubt that he would not have been allowed to depart if he work, hoping that our readers may be induced to study the had not taken this oath to assist William to gain the English admirable fac-simile in the Albert Hall, exhibited in connecJOHN PIGGOT, F.S.A. crown. The next scene represents him and his followers tion with the International Exhibition. sailing to England, and then the earl stands in the court of his sovereign. Much discussion has taken place respecting the object of his visit to Normandy, whether it was for the purpose of bringing back the hostages who had been left with William, or to inform the Norman duke that Edward had selected him as his heir. At any rate, he comes to the king as one who has failed in his mission, and his bearing is strikingly different in the tapestry when he leaves for his journey and when he returns from it.

PORCHESTER CASTLE.

AT a recent meeting of the South of England Literary,
on the above subject was read by the Rev. E. Kell:-In
Philosophical, and Statistical Society, the following paper
giving a brief account of the locality and history of Porchester
to claim your attention. Its history does not abound in
Castle, I must premise that there are no striking incidents
bold adventure, long sieges, sallies of the garrison, and
marvellous exploits of defenders or assailants, but it is a
simple narrative of a fine old fortification, passing from the
possession of one people to another with the progress of
It lays claim, however, to great antiquity. Stowe states
political events in the country of which it formed a part.
that "tradition reporteth it as an old British fortress called
Caer Pelvis, formed by Gurgunstus, a son of Belin, in 375
B.C.," and doubtless its situation, on a tongue of land jutting
into the sea in a south-easterly direction, would easily point
out to the inhabitants the advantages of its position as a
place of defence.

The abbey church at Westminster follows, which had been fifteen years in building, and on which the sainted Confessor had expended a tenth of the real property of the kingdom. In order to indicate that the edifice was only just finished, a workman is placing a weathercock upon it. Built in the massive Norman style, and very different from Saxon churches, it was the first cruciform edifice in England. To it the remains of the Confessor are being conveyed in the next scene; and then follows his last interview with his attendants, and the preparation of the corpse for burial. Dr. Bruce thinks these scenes were purposely transposed so that the two latter might begin a new subject-the right of succession, to signify that Edward indicated his wish respecting William to his attendants. Curiously enough, Its name of Porchester is obviously of Roman origin, deHarold is not shown as seizing the crown, but it is given to him. The inscription is, "Hic dederunt Haroldo coronam rived from portus and castra. It was the great port of the regis," and when seated in state he is called "Rex Anglo- harbour to this part of the English coast, and was the Portus rum," without the addition of any of those offensive terms Magnus of the Roman Itineraries. From it a road went to in which the Norman chroniclers delighted. Stigand stands Clausentum and Winchester on the west, and another to by Harold, and is denominated archbishop, which he would Chichester on the east. It is said to have been the port at not have been if the tapestry had been executed at a later which Vespasian landed, who, in A.D. 63, reduced twenty period. Then comes a fiery star or comet, which puzzles a towns in this part of the kingdom and the Isle of Wight to number of people pointing at it. The Normans in Eng-subjection. In that early period the sea more deeply enland soon contrived to let William know what had taken circled it, and a Roman fleet might ride safely on its waters. place, and he lost no time in preparing his fleet for the in- The gradual decay of Porchester is attributed to the partial vasion. The Duke had the great advantage of the coun- desertion of the waters, which, on the other hand, led to the tenance of the Pope, who sent him a sacred banner and a rise and prosperity of the neighbouring town of Portsmouth. ring containing one of St. Peter's hairs. We soon note the The change in modern warfare also contributed to its decline, shipping of arms and stores, then the soldiers, and after-rendering it unavailable for purposes of defence. wards the fleet in full sail. About 60,000 warriors had been

We have no record of any events during Roman occupathreatened or bribed to accompany the duke in the small tion, and little that can be depended on in Saxon times. vessels of the time. We have mentioned Wadard's ap- The Saxon chief Portha landed here in 501, and with his pearance when directing the foraging party on landing sons Biot and Megla, made himself master of the country, William has a feast prepared, of which he partakes with his founding the kingdom of Wessex, and no doubt using this chief officers. One is much struck with the order and dis- fortress for the support of his power. It is very uncertain, cipline everywhere apparent in the Norman host. Work-however, whether any portion of the present building can be men are then seen fortifying the camp; and this Dr. Bruce referred to Saxon times. We have no positive information considers was close by the railway station at Hastings. of its state till we come to the great storehouse of local 99 a hall, and The great battle of Hastings has been so often described knowledge, Doomsday Book, in which an account is given of that it is unnecessary to give particulars here. Suffice it to Porchester, which is described simply as "aula, say that the tapestry shows a remarkable agreement with its manor is valued at 67. But no mention is made of a keep. the statements of the most reliable chroniclers. The chief From this circumstance, and the style of its architecture, it occurrences of that hard-fought day are depicted on the tapes is considered to be of Norman construction, and was probably built in the time of King Stephen or one of the first two Henries, when so many other castles were erected in this country.

*This comet reappeared in 1531, 1607, 1682, and 1759, and is called Halley's comet, because that astronomer pointed out when it might a great star [which] apbe expected. Wace calls the 1066 comet peared, shining for 14 days with three long rays streaming towards the earth, such a star as is wont to be seen when a kingdom is about to change its king."

Porchester Castle was built, after the usual form of Roman fortifications-quadrangular. It is 612 feet on the north and south sides, and 610 on the east and west sides. The

east and south sides front the sea, and were thus protected by it from attack. The west and north sides were defended by a strong vallum and a foss, which still admits the water at high tide. The usual width of the Roman wall which surrounds the area is 6 feet, and the height 15 feet, having a passage round it which once was complete. There are eighteen circular towers of different sizes constructed on the wall, including those of the keep.

There are two entrances to this Roman fortification, one on the west and another opposite to it on the east, now surmounted by Norman towers in a state of decay; and there were two sallyports. Connected with the old water-spouts on the east side of the west entrance are the relics of two time-worn figures, something like Egyptian Sphinxes. The present towers, constructed at the east and west entrances, contained apartments for the accommodation of the guards of the fortress, and are of Norman origin.

The construction of the walls should be observed, as characteristic of the Roman mode of building in bonding courses. It was customary with this people to insert at certain intervals layers of tiles between the stones of the wall, to give it more stability. In the instance of Porchester the bonding stones are formed of a coarse limestone instead of tile, in this particular resembling the walls of Silchester, as well in the composition of the cement employed as in the construction. From the alteration of the walls in successive periods, and from the inroads of time, irregularity prevails in the present construction of the walls, and the bonding courses cannot always be traced. The best places for seeing the arrangement of these courses are in parts of the northern and southern sides.

The keep is built in the form of a parallelogram, 65 feet by 115 feet. Its walls are 7 feet 4 inches thick. It consists of four stories: the upper room has four small Norman windows, and was probably the principal apartment of the constable or governor of Porchester. The other stories are lighted by loop windows, only large enough, one would think, to make "darkness visible." Yet this place was frequently occupied by royal personages, and it well indicates the poorness of their domestic accommodation. It was settled on Queen Margaret as a part of her dower by Edward I. The two dungeons in the basement are 40 feet long, and are separated by a wall, which runs up the centre of the keep, dividing it into two parts. In this respect it resembles the keeps of the castles of Rochester, Colchester, Dover, and Castle Rising. The exterior is faced with Caen stone, carefully dressed in regularly-sized blocks.

Southwick. The structure of the church was cruciform, with a low tower at the intersection. The south transept has been removed, if it ever were completed, and other alterations have taken place in the reign of Queen Anne, whose benefactions to the church are recorded in the interior, under her Royal arms.

The Norman character of the edifice is observable in the circular doors and windows, and in the zigzag and other ornaments. Unfortunately, a portion of the great west window is blocked up, but the part which remains and the door are rich specimens of the Norman style. Within the church at the east is a monument of Sir Thomas Cornwallis Groom, porter to Elizabeth and James I., painted in vermilion colour, and a curious Norman font, on which on one side is represented the baptism of our Saviour.

Porchester Castle was a favourite place of residence of King John, and Edward II. visited it several times. Edward I. and Henry III. also had some intercourse with it, and Queen Elizabeth several times held her court at Porchester.

There is little known of the successive constables of the Castle; but the names of twenty-four, ranging from 1205 to 1464, and including the Earls of Arundel and Worcester, are given in the British Archæological Institute Proceedings for 1845.

Queries.

ROBERT TIDIR.-In the Beauchamp Tower, Tower of London, among the curious inscriptions cut on the walls by unfortunate persons who have been immured in that fortress, will be found the name of "Robart Tidir," inscribed in very curiously shaped characters, but without any date. The "Short Sketch of the Beauchamp Tower," sold in the building for sixpence, says "we are unable to give any account of this person." Is it not, however, extremely probable that the unhappy prisoner was a member of the Tudor family? Might not the name have been occasionally spelt Tidir? It was certainly spelt Tydder sometimes, for in Richard III.'s proclamation, dated June 23, 1485, the Earl of Richmond (afterwards Henry VII.) is spoken of as "one Henry Tydder, son of Edmund Tydder, son of Owen Tydder," and the Earl of Pembroke is styled "Jasper Tydder, son of Owen Tydder." I should be glad to hear some expression of opinion on the subject.

T. BUCHANAN.

The royal arms are visible over the entrance to the dungeon. From the top of the keep a most commanding view may be obtained of the whole port, embracing Portsdownhill, the adjacent towns of Gosport and Portsmouth, Spithead, the Isle of Wight, and extending eastward as far as the spire of Chichester Cathedral. In approaching the keep from the outer ballium you pass through the barbican, in which were massive gates, two portcullises, and the place of barricade, altogether amounting to 114 feet, before the inner ballium is reached. In this part, now called the Norman Court, are a Thus translated by Mr. Thomas Wright: number of buildings of ages varying from the early Norman period to the time of Henry VIII., and which are supposed to have been erected for the accommodation of the constables of the fort and their attendants. On the south of

"THE ROLL OF CAERLAVEROCK."-In the "Roll of Caerlaverock" the arms of Sir Simon de Fresel, or Fraser, are given as Sable, semée of roses argent; and a rhyming chronicler tells us in his Norman-French, that,

the Norman Court is what is considered to have been the banqueting hall; on the west of it is Queen Elizabeth's drawing-room, and on the north-east is her tower. On the east of the court the barons' hall is situated, of the date of the early part of the sixteenth century.

The parish church, dedicated to St. Mary, is situated on the outer ballium towards the south-east, and is conjectured to have been the sacellum of the Roman Prætorium. It was built by Henry I. in 1133, and was originally intended for the Augustinian monks; but as the monks and the soldiers of the garrison were not likely to be the best friends, in twenty years the monastery was removed to

"Symon Fresel, de cele gent,
Le ot noire à rosettes de argent."

"Simon de Fresel, of that company,

Bore black with roses of silver."

No such arms appear to be now borne by any family bearing three cinquefoils argent. I should be glad of any information the name of Fraser, or Frazer. All appear to bear-Azure, throwing light on the question of when the change was made from sable to azure, and from roses to cinquefoils.

In the same "Roll occur the arms of Eurmenions de la Brette. They are simply gules, without any charge whatshield, which is, I believe, unique in the annals of heraldry? Does any family of the Bretts now bear this singular

ever.

H. KING.

CREMATION OF HUMAN DEAD.-When did this practice cease and determine in our country? I have met with a