Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 2.djvu/263

Rh remains of the rood-screen elaborately painted and gilt, as also are the bosses and other parts of the roof. The font, however, indicates the existence here of a Norman church, which in all probability was erected after the Conquest, in the place of the ancient oratory of earlier times. This, I imagine, is the history of many parish churches in Cornwall, but usually the later structure appears to have been built upon the site of the ancient one, excepting when it was desirable to make choice of a better foundation. At St. Piran, and St. Gwythian, the sand rendered it necessary to seek another spot; at Madron and Gulval, the waters of the moor, and probably the same inconvenience in this valley, occasioned the original site to be deserted; the church of St. Levan's is built on the side of a rising hill near the spot where the ancient oratory stood. The patron saint is supposed to be St. Levine, who was martyred by the Saxons whilst visiting the interior of the country. She came to Cornwall from Ireland with St. Buryan, St. Breaca, and other Christians, who founded churches in this neighbourhood. A mile eastward from this church, at the next coombe or valley opening to the sea, near Forth Kernou, may be seen the remains of another oratory, adjoining to a tenement called Trereen. It is about 18 ft. by 9 ft., situated beside a little stream, and built in the same manner as the oratories already noticed. It is now used as a pig-stye, and in the partitions I noticed a cut stone, the only fragment of the kind which I saw in these oratories; it measured about 3 ft. 6 in. square, was chamfered at one angle, and had probably been one of the jambs of the door.

From this place I passed on to the parish of St. Buryan, where, by the assistance of the good host of Boskennal, I visited the oratory of St. Dellyn, which is situated close upon the sea. This building is somewhat larger than the other oratories, measuring about 37 ft. by 16; it is built beside a stream, and lies, as do all the ruins I have visited, east and west.

It was impossible to examine this oratory, encumbered as it is with rubbish and brambles, and converted into a cow-house. The present occupier of the tenement, however, informed me, that his father used to say there was a stone table at the "higher end," on which some people had told him the minister in ancient times used to stand to preach, and also