same personages who figure so conspicuously in the early history of Coventry. Leofric was duke or governor of Mercia, being a fourth of the kingdom, in the reign of Canute II. His possessions in the midland counties were consequently vast; and in the downhill of life himself and consort seem to have propitiated the church by large endowments and foundations.453 No part of the church at Bengeworth appears to be of earlier construction than the thirteenth century, unless we may except the font; during that period, then, we may consider it to have been erected by the abbots of Evesham, soon after their purchase of the manor in gross. And although its situation cannot be the site of that cemetery in Bengeworth which abbot D'Andeville is said to have constructed after his demolition of the castle here—yet there is little doubt but that the ruins of that demolished fortress furnished much of the material employed in the present church. The structure, which is of somewhat irregular form, includes a nave, a chancel with lateral aisles, and a transept-like chapel projecting from the north. At the west stand its tower and spire, both of the plainest form, but distinguished by the peculiar arrangement of four unadorned pinnacles at its base, as well as by the vestiges of four others which have in time past occupied the angles of the parapet. This approach toward a like peculiarity in St. Lawrence's church, as well as the string-course beneath the parapet, confirm our supposition that the same century beheld the completion of both these structures. The porch is included within the area of the tower, and finishes with a groined vault. Its inner arch deserves attention, as being at present the only specimen of the semi-circular or Norman style occurring in either of the churches in the town; though we are by no means disposed to refer this, perhaps accidental or convenient, form to the early period when that style was predominant. A small recess occurs here, near the inner door, originally a receptacle for the holy-water with which the ancient worshippers affused themselves upon entering the church. The nave is at pre 452 Ego Leofricus comes manifesto in brevi isto, quod terram quæ vocatur Heamtune, ad monasterium de Evesham dedi : et misi in illam ecclesiam quam ego et conjux mea Godgyve ibidem in honore sanctæ et individuæ Trinitatis pro animabus nostris devotè ædificavimus."-Cottonian MS. Vesp. B xxiv. previously cited on p. 34. 453 See Dugdale's Warwickshire, pp. 86-7 for an array of these pious deeds. sent destitute of aisles; but the chancel retains these accompaniments, at north and south. They are separated from the centre, on either side, by two obtusely pointed arches of the thirteenth century, resting on plain and slender columns of octagonal form. Small clere-story windows are inserted above; and open quatrefoils are wrought within the girders of the oak-framed roof. Traces of four several altars are at present visible within this church. The first is in the chancel, where, in a spacious niche within the southern wall the piscina and credence-table employed in the ancient service, both remain. The former of these received the rinsings of the sacred vessels, and the latter sustained the ampullæ or cruets that severally contained the water and the wine, which the Romish church-commemorating "the water and the blood" that issued from the Redeemer's side-deems requisite to be mingled, prior to their consecration, in the eucharistic chalice. These appurtenances, together with the dais or elevated portion of the floor, were here appropriated to the high-altar of the church, at which the office of the greater mass was performed. A similar recess to that already noticed, points out the situation of a second altar, appropriated to private masses, in honor of particular saints, or for the repose of departed souls. This is near to the further window of the northern aisle; and there, upon a platform ascended by a step, a portion of this altar still remains. This vestige is the more remarkable, because when some years since search was made through the kingdom for an original altar, to serve as a model for erecting one in the chapel of the Tower, nothing earlier than the Reformation could be found. This relic is of stone, finished by a simple cornice, and stands within the angle formed by the east and southern walls. Its height is four feet, and its length three, by eighteen inches wide. Had this width continued throughout, it would not then have admitted the arrangements required in the service of the mass. But this we conclude was obviated by a projection in the centre; leaving the present, with a destroyed but corresponding section, as wings on either side: a form, we believe, not unusual in such erections. Thus : At the close of this chapter a more graphic representation is introduced. In the chapel on the north, and at the eastern end of the southern aisle, slight vestiges of the remaining altars may be discerned. * * The font is at present stationed at the east of the northern aisle. To this spot it must have been removed since the Reformation: as baptism is, in the Romish communion, performed either within or near the porch; thus typifying the admission of the candidate, thereby, to the privileges of the christian church. This font is by far the oldest in the town; for its rude appearance and spacious cavity would almost suffice to connect it with the conversion of the Anglo-saxon pagans of the place. There is more of regularity in the construction of the southern aisle than in any other division of the church; and Mr. Abingdon, in his manuscript account, has preserved an inscription, at that time remaining in its eastern window, which leads us to regard this portion of the fabric as added during the abbacy of William de Chyryton, who presided in the monastery of Evesham from 1316 to 1344. His name, in the character of a benefactor, thus appeared among the painted windows of this aisle, which had at least been glazed at his expense -"Orate pro animabus Willielmi Chyryton * The remainder was even in Abingdon's time defaced. In the same aisle is placed the costly monument of Mr. Deacle, the founder of the free-school, adorned with his effigy recumbent in marble and enveloped in the aldermanic gown. We smile at the incongruity of a christian figure extended on the sarcophagus of heathenism; but we have positively nothing else to offer by way of statuary throughout the town! The gratitude of the inmates not having hitherto sufficed to raise-either in their market-place, cross-churchyard, or hall—a statue even to Bishop Ecgwin, the founder of their town; to say nothing of Eoves, his swineherd, to whom they owe the whole. Suffice it then to observe that this figure is respectable, as connected with the period of its execution, when our monumental effigies-having doffed the coat of mail and set aside the attitude of devotion-were content to lounge about our churches in court dress, using tombs in lieu of couches. The inscription is plain and suitable. We only quarrel with the heraldic insignia, which some ill-judging executor has perched upon the summit. Mr. Deacle |