of each arch, the mouldings of which are deeply recessed. Below this is another chantry chapel, now used as a VESTRY, having at the east end an early Norman light, and on the north a mullioned window of the fifteenth century. Under a low pointed arch beneath this window is a monumental tomb composed of alabaster, but sunk into the floor for economy of space: it bears the figures of a warrior and his lady in the act of devotion, supposed to represent Nicholas Stafford and his wife Katherine. The former was bailiff of the town in 1458, and died in 1471.

SOUTH TRANSEPT.

The window of this transept contains the figures of our Saviour, St. James the son of Alpheus, and St. Thaddeus; in the dexter compartments are those of St. Matthew the Evangelist, St. Paul, and St. Mark; and in the sinister those of St. John the Evangelist, St. Peter, and St. Luke. Underneath this window is "GULIELMUS GORSUCH ROWLAND A. M. HUJUS ECCLESLE JUDEX OFFICIALIS ET MINISTER HANC FENESTRAM FACIENDAM CURAVIT ANNO 1829.

The windows of this and the north transept were executed by Mr. D. Evans, of Shrewsbury, and may be considered as some of the finest specimens of the art in the kingdom, both as regards brilliancy and harmony of colours, beauty of design, and exquisite workmanship, whilst the "dim religious light" which they shed around, imparts an impressiveness of character that at once bespeaks the sacred purpose of the place as the House of Prayer.

Below the south window of this transept is a bold composition of monumental architecture, designed by Mr. J. Carline, consisting of three acute-angled crocketed canopies, crowned with a finial.

are enriched with foliage, and the

The labels of the arches

interior sweep fashioned

in the ogee manner.

From the lateral piers, and between each division of the arches, springs an elegant crocketted pinnacle panelled and finished by an open flower.

It is much to be wished that the correct taste displayed in these and other beautiful specimens of the decorated style of monumental architecture, recently erected in this church, was more generally manifested in the adaptation of monuments to the character of the buildings in which they are to be placed, instead of the unsightly tablets so commonly introduced, and which frequently contribute anything but ornament to our ancient churches.

the

From the south transept a fine Norman arch opens to

TRINITY CHAPEL,

which also has a communication with the chancel by an arch in the pointed style.

This building (57 feet by 30) was at first of smaller dimensions, as is evident from two lancet windows (beneath which are two very early loop holes) in the wall next to the south aisle. Immediately above the shelving portion still visible of the roof of the original chapel is a peculiar circular window.

The enlargement was effected by the Draper's Company soon after their incorporation in 1461, having therein a guild or fraternity to the Holy Trinity. Within the south wall is the sedilia formerly used by the officiating priests, and the remains of a piscina, all of which were once overspread with elegant canopies.

On the opposite side is a large pointed arch, now walled up. Under this is an altar tomb, the sides of which are divided by small buttresses in ornamental niches of the early decorated style. Above is a mutilated recumbent figure of a cross-legged knight in linked armour, supposed

to represent one of the LEYBURNES LORDS OF BERWICK, in this parish, and who died about the middle of the 14th century. The grave below was opened in 1816, and was composed of wrought masonry, when, after a little loose rubbish had been removed, some leg and thigh bones were discovered. On digging about three feet lower to the bottom of the tomb, a skeleton was found wrapped in leather, but without a head. This is conjectured to be the skeleton of Thomas Percy, Earl of Worcester, who was beheaded after the battle of Shrewsbury, and his head sent to London, while his body found an asylum in the tomb of a family which had become extinct.

This church, in 1232, was the scene of an assemblage of legates, convened by command of the Pope to hear charges which had been preferred against Llewelyn for repeated infractions of treaties. This negociation was at length left to six referees on the part of King Henry III. and four on that of the Welsh Prince, by which peace was maintained for a season.

66

When Charles the First visited this town in 1642, it is recorded he took a protestation and the sacrament upon it to defend the Protestant religion established by Queen Elizabeth and his royal father," which solemn scene, it is supposed, took place within this edifice, being the parish church of the mansion in which he was sojourning. King James the Second, it is also said, attended divine service here in 1687, after which he exercised the royal gift of healing by touching many persons for the king's evil.

THE MONUMENTS of particular interest having been already noticed in their proper situations, it need only be remarked that there are mural tablets commemorative of individuals connected with the families of LYSTER, LLOYD (of Rug, &c.), MORHALL, BLAKEWAY, &c. on the walls of the chancel, and several other memorials in the nave,

transepts, and chapel; which the extended description of this church, and the confined limits of the present work, will not permit further to enumerate.

The length of the building from east to west is 160 feet, breadth (including side aisles) 50 feet.

The tower contains a peal of ten bells, the harmony of which, it is considered, cannot be excelled by that of any peal in the kingdom: weight of tenor 21 cwt. 2 qrs. 17 lbs.

On the west wall of the steeple is an inscription to the memory of Thomas Cadman, who lost his life in a bold attempt to descend from the top of the spire by means of a rope, which he had fixed to it and brought down to the Gay meadow, on the other side of the river Severn. He fell near the Water-lane gate, Feb. 2, 1739, aged 28, at a time when the ground was iron and the Severn glass," owing, as the epitaph records, to

"A faulty cord being drawn too tight."

The parish of Saint Mary extends several miles in detached parts of the country, having within its boundaries five chapels of ease, viz. Albrighton, Astley, Berwick, Clive, and St. Michael's (Castle-foregate).

The church is a royal peculiar, and the official court has probate of all wills and cognizance of all other ecclesiastical matters arising within the parish. The living is a perpetual curacy, and was, previous to the late municipal act, in the presentation of the Corporation of Shrewsbury; and in the choice of a minister, the son of a burgess, who has been educated at the royal free grammar school, or (in case there be no burgess's son of that description) one born in the parish of Chirbury, with a qualification similar to the foregoing, is to have the preference.

SAINT ALKMUND'S CHURCH

is situate at a short distance from St. Mary's, and its cemetery adjoins that of St. Julian's.

The fine old cruciform church of this parish was inconsiderately destroyed in 1794, under a mistaken apprehension of its stability. The present building, with the exception of the tower and spire, which fortunately escaped the fate of the old church, was opened for divine service Nov. 8, 1795, at a cost of rather more than £3000.

The new structure is of Grinshill stone, and in the style called modern gothic, having six lofty pointed windows on each side, filled with slender mullions of cast-iron; between the windows are graduated buttresses.

The interior is handsomely fitted up, and the general effect pleasing, although not in strict conformity with a gothic building, wanting that sombre grandeur characteristic of this style of architecture. It is 82 feet long by 44 feet wide, with a small chancel terminated by a pointed window filled with enamelled glass emblematical of" EvanGELICAL FAITH," depicted in the character of a female figure in the attitude of kneeling upon a cross, with her arms extended, and eyes elevated towards a celestial crown which appears in the opening clouds. The countenance has an interesting expression of adoration, and the motto, "Be thou faithful unto death," &c. is inscribed on an open volume. The window was painted by the elder Egginton, and cost 200 guineas,

At the west end is a capacious gallery, containing a small fine-toned organ by Gray, of London, erected by a subscription in 1823.

The principal entrance to the church is in the base of the tower, under an elegant pointed arch recessed within a square aperture, on either side of which are niches, most