most probably the northern side; the numerous traces of pointed arches that occur throughout the eastern wall, prove that portion to have constituted another part; and the remarkable square projection at the south-western quarter of the building, has decidedly an appearance of having originally formed the lower portion of that tower, which, from the royal grant—as cited on page 59-we find then flanked this gateway at the south. Within, however, every thing is modern; the original structure having been gutted throughout.

Respecting the popular error, so unsatisfactorily noticed by Mr. Tindal on page 140 of his work, that the grand gateway of this abbey now stands at Coughton, the seat of the family of Throckmorton-it is proper to observe, notwithstanding the decisive testimony of Mr. Abingdon already cited, that after minute examination of that gateway, the writer is convinced that the tradition has arisen from the mere circumstance of Sir George Throckmorton having held the office of high-steward to the monastery at the period of its suppression; about which time he happened to enlarge his mansion, whether with or without materials from the dismantled abbey, is of no account. The gateway itself is certainly an imposing structure, having been intended as the entrance to the then moated manorhouse. But an experienced eye will instantly perceive the futility of supposing that the structure could have been erected, in any situation, prior to the reign of Henry the Eighth. As a description, it may be sufficient to remark that the building is about sixty feet high, square, strengthened at the angles by octangular turrets, and embattled throughout. Both fronts are divided into three compartments; the first is occupied by a lofty groined archway faced with obtusely pointed arches, bearing the arms of Throckmorton in the spandrils and at the crown; the upper stories include a spacious bay-window in each, partitioned by mullions, with their transoms plain. Between the windows, the arms and cognizances of Henry VIII. appear in stone.114

114 To refute another popular error, which has pronounced the richly stained glass in Coughton church to be the spoil of Evesham abbey-it is evident from Dugdale's Warwickshire that this splendid addition to the church was made, prior to the Dissolution, in compliance with the will of Robert Throckmorton, esq.-Compare Dugdale's Warwickshire, page 560.

North of the abbey gate, and in the stable-yard now adjoining, seems to have stood the Chapel of the Charnel-house, built in the fourteenth century and dedicated to the Virgin Mary by abbot De Bois; in which he placed her image, constructing also a chantry there, and appointing two chaplains to celebrate daily services in her honor, as well as masses for the souls of benefactors and others, mentioned by name. 115 As this chapel was distinct from either of the churches, being described as newly-erected in the cemetery and near the abbey gate, we consider it to have been built upon a crypt constructed for the reception of bones, of which an unusual number had probably been disturbed in the frequent interments caused by the fearful pestilence of 1348, which, as will hereafter be seen, ravaged this town and monastery. In the preceding century a similar structure had been completed near the monastery at Worcester, for a corresponding purpose.116 In removing an oak-framed tenement in 1832 from the site at Evesham, the remains of a subterranean structure having the appearance of a charnel-house are understood to have been found.

Adjoining the remains of the gatehouse, toward the south-west, stands a considerable portion of the almonry, almost in its original state; distinguished by a low pine or gable next the street including a large square window with plain mullions of stone. The appearance of this unobtrusive range of olden building, seen through the vista of the neat and quiet street to which it is a termination, and under the light of an evening sun shooting its mellowed rays across the green in front of it, is fitted to remind us of the poetic peacefulness of earlier days. The effect was till lately much aug

115 "De Sacerdotibus Celebrantibus in Capella ad Carnariam.”—Harleian MS. 3763 folio 16; also Tindal, page 194. Among the benefactors named, are--Thomas earl of Warwick, Guido his son, Ralph earl of Stafford, Roger March, John Beauchamp son of Richard lord La Holt, and John de Guyting of Evesham. Of the last individual it is noted that he had "sustained much labor and expence in the erection of the said chapel."

116 "He [Bp. de Bleis] built the chapel of the charnel-house between his cathedral church and palace, and under it he made a large crypt for the better depositing of the bones of the dead. He dedicated it to St. Thomas the Martyr, and ordained that mass should be daily said therein for the repose of his soul and of the souls of his predecessors and of all the faithful."-Dr. Thomas's Account of Bishops of Worcester, 4to. page 129.

mented by the rich hue of a stately walnut-tree that rose behind, canopying the old gable with its umbrageous arms, till a tempestuous wind destroyed the appropriate accompaniment. But it is in a projecting portion next the gardens that most of the original character is preserved. Here the basement story, which is stone-work, is in a considerable degree entire, although much of the upper part having shared the general destruction, is now supplied by timber-work and

plaistering. The lower apartment here is of considerable size, and was once wainscoted with oak; at the west is a characteristic fireplace, surmounted by a low pointed arch with carved spandrils, above which is a line of quaterfoils placed in squares, including the rose, portcullis, and other badges of Henry the Seventh. To the right of this fire-place, are considerable remains of what was once a very beautiful window, judging from the remains of tracery and a groined canopy in the head. The ceiling of the room is a modern addition, placed upon the old walls when broken down; so that we do not at present see its original height.

In the corridor adjoining, there is an ancient receptacle for a

cresset or lamp. It is formed of stone, with open sides surmounted by a spiral canopy, the style of which appropriates its construction to the thirteenth century. But here again, a modern ceiling placed upon the broken walls, has interfered with the original appearance. At the opposite end of this passage we find a considerable portion of another ancient apartment; which, from the enormous opening of its fire-place sustained by a huge transverse beam, may reasonably be supposed to have been employed in culinary preparation for the almonry guests, as well as for the poor and infirm among the townspeople. According to Mr. E. J. Rudge, a further portion of the almonry toward the east was taken down about the year 1786.117

Eastward of these remains stands a considerable portion of the garner, but covered with a modern roof and now converted into cottages; and near it are vestiges of the storehouse, which "abutted upon the tower of the abbey-gate north, and the garner south, and upon the almery west." 118 The boundary wall, which may be traced from below the almonry down to the bank of the river, and already noticed as the work of abbot Chyryton, completes the present vestiges of this once extensive abbey and its architectural accompaniments.

The stews that supplied the convent with fish during the frequent periods when its members were forbidden to partake of meat, were situated eastward of the cemetery. Three of these pools are still remaining. One is supplied with water from the spring that formerly flowed through an ancient fountain noticed in one of the conventual manuscripts as that of St. Ecgwin, and described as situated here.119 Whether this fountain anciently received worship,. we cannot say, but the 26th canon of archbishop Anselm, so late as the reign of Henry I. expressly forbad worship to be paid to fountains. The site of this well is visible upon the margin of the nearest pond. The farthest pool must have been very capacious, though now employed as an osier-bed. The embankments and sluices are throughout nearly entire. In these ponds were deposited the fish, principally eels, in which the occupiers of the different mills upon

117 Short Account of the History and Antiquities of Evesham, page 63. 118 First Grant to Philip Hoby esq. 119 Cottonian Register, Vespasian B xvii.

the river, belonging to the abbey, were bound to pay their rents. On viewing the singularly beautiful eminence above, known as the cross-churchyard, the spectator cannot but regret that these ponds are not so far preserved as to become-what they then immediately would be additional ornaments in a plot of ground so eligible as a breathing-place to the numerous inmates who possess not the advantage of an open garden near their residence in the town. We have thought much and often of the further 'capabilities' of this spot, in connection with the subject of planting. Whether at any future period the burgesses will desire to obtain a lease of the ground, as a place for recreation,-we must wait to know.

Among the fragments of the monastery, which we are bound to notice, is some delicately carved panelling of oak, preserved in a summer-house upon premises of the late Mr. Lavender in Highstreet, built early in the last century by Mr. Thomas Cookes. The panels are oblong and are seven in number, separated by mullions which include small effigies carrying shields, standing under spiral canopies. Tracery in unison with that employed in windows of the Tudor style occurs in the head of each panel, and also in the surbase. In the latter situation the central panel presents within an enriched quatrefoil the addition of a mitre and crosier in pale, with the monogram C. L. which at once identifies it with the additions made in abbot Lichfield's time to his church and monastery. The panels would seem to have formed part of a wainscot within one of the private apartments of the abbot, and the reader may judge of their appearance from the die which we have employed as a frame to the gilt title stamped upon the back of this volume.

The last subject that connects us with the internal arrangements of the conventual establishment is a chair of state, of dimensions suited to contain the lordly abbot in the plenitude of his array. It is of oak. The back arches above the head, the arm-pieces fall concavely, and the workmanship is nearly plain, excepting a rich band of vine-branches, interspersed with birds and quadrupeds, which forms a luxuriant border round the back and arms. On the latter two youthful figures emerge from out the foliage, like dryads "peeping forth from alleys green," and on the angles rise two chimera with ecclesiastical-looking heads. The height of this massy piece of furniture is 5 feet 6, and the width 3 feet 9 inches. The style

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