Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 2.djvu/215

Rh structure by the Rev. Arthur Hussey, as mentioned in the Proceeding's, Nov. 13, 1844. (Archæol. Journ., vol. i. p. 393.) Mr. Belcher stated that in the southern wall, within the porch, and just over the "consecration stone," mentioned by Mr. Hussey, is to be seen an inscribed stone with the following legend.

The last line of this legend evidently should be read thus—"Wilfrit fundavit, bonus Adam renovavit," but the two last syllables of the concluding word appear, for want of space, to have been inserted at the close of the fifth line—, the letter serving as a reference. This mode of supplying a deficiency in space, technically termed "hooking up," is used in MSS., but very singular as occurring on an inscribed stone.

In the northern wall is to be seen a second inscribed stone, which has suffered from the injuries of time, and the letters appear to have been retouched. Mr. Belcher read the inscription thus,

✠ ĀDĀM : DE : PORTV : BENEDICĀT : SOLIS : AB : ORTV : GENS : CRVCE : SIGNĀTA : (Ā : QVO) SVM : SIC : RENOVĀTĀ :

The letters between brackets in the last line, which he supposed might be supplied by the words Ā QVO, are nearly effaced. These legends apparently record the rebuilding, by Adam de Portu, of a church founded at Warnford by Wilfrid, as Mr. Wyndham supposed, between the years 679 and 685. (Archæologia, vol. v. p. 363.) They have been given, but inaccurately, by Bishop Gibson in his additions to Camden, and by Pegge, in the Sylloge of the remaining authentic inscriptions, relative to the erection of our English churches, (Bibliotheca Topog. Britann., No. xli. pp. 11, 25.) The inscription ran thus, according to Bishop Gibson: