Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 7.djvu/42

28 be that of Bernard Newmarch, which stood under the great tower, was pulled down, and converted by the old women of Brecon into means for scrubbing their tubs and milk-pails. The transepts are Early English, and very imposing; the nave and aisles of much later date; the original font, probably the gift of the founders of the Abbey, is at the west end of the nave, and it is a very fine specimen, but mounted on a barbarous modern base. (See woodcut.) It appears older than anything that surrounds it. Near the altar in the chancel is a remarkable slab, in very high relief, of about four inches, surrounded with a deep projecting moulding of the same depth. The subject is a rood, with figures of souls in purgatory, beneath. The Priory was called "The Church of the Holy Rood," and this slab, which, from its relief, appears not suited to have been a monumental pavement stone, may, possibly, I think, have been gilt and coloured, forming a portion of the reredos to the high altar, to which it now lies adjacent. The nave is used on Sundays for Divine Service, and the Holy Communion is always administered in the chancel. This structure is worthy of careful inspection, and in general interest may compare with some of the finest architectural remains in the United Kingdom. (See the annexed illustration.)

Perhaps as interesting, though not so extensive, remains are to be seen on a visit to Christ's College, on the opposite and right bank of the Usk.

supposed to have been originally a monastery of Black Friars, lay and clerical, and to have been dedicated to St. Nicholas. Little of its early history is known, and none of the names of the Priors previous to the reign of Henry VIII., except one,—Richard David. There is reason, however, to believe, as stated in Johnes's "History of Brecon," that Thomas Beck, Bishop of St. David's in 1283, intended to commence a foundation of a similar character, at Llangador, in Caermarthenshire, under the invocation of St. Maurice. His intention, however, appears to have failed, and his suc-