Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 8.djvu/430

 332 PROCEEDINGS AT MEETINGS OF The Descent of the Earldom of Gloucester, from Robert, natural son of Henry I. By John Gough Nichols, Esq., F.S.A. In the section of Antiquities, the chair was taken by Edward Hawkins, Esq., and a communication was read, addressed by Henry Harrod, Esq, of Norwich, and accompanying a series of beautiful illumi- nated drawings, sent for exhibition by the kindness of Dawson Turner, Esq. They represented ancient stained glass at Martham, near Yarmouth, with portions of the series, formerly at that place, which Mr. Harrod had succeeded in tracing to the adjacent church of Mulbarton. They had been removed by a former incumbent. Mr. Dawson Turner sent also a drawing of a very singular Roman fictile vase, the neck having the form of a female head ; it was recently disinterred at Burgh Castle. Professor Buckman gave an account of some very early sculptures, discovered at Daglingworth Church, Gloucestershire, and exhibited drawings. George Ormerod, Esq., D.C.L., of Sedbury Park, communicated a notice of the discovery of Roman remains near Chepstow, and of the vestiges of Roman occupation in that locality. He kindly presented to the society an altar, found in a tumulus on Tidenham Chase, and sent by him for exhibition in the Museum. A covered cup of crystal mounted with silver gilt, was exhibited to the meeting by Mr. Quicke, of Bristol, who detailed the singular circumstances of its discovery in the cloisters of the church at Hill Court, Gloucestershire. Mr. E. W. Godwin gave a notice of a singular and ancient coffin-lid, in St. Philip's church, Bristol, ornamented at the side with circular inter- secting arches. It was supposed to be of the twelfth century. Mr. Daniel Parsons laid before the meeting a collection of Heraldic book-plates, and offered some remarks on their introduction and early use. Mr. Franks read some observations on Heraldic pavement tiles, existing in churches in Somersetshire, communicated to the Institute by Mr. Lewis Way, and illustrated by numerous drawings. In connection with the same subject, Mr. Franks gave a notice of the unique pavement of Spanish tiles, properly designated as azuleios, existing in the Mayor's Chapel. They are enamelled in various colours, and closely resemble specimens brought from the Alcazar, at Seville. They appear to be of the times of the Emperor Charles V., and were probably procured by some Bristol merchant who traded with Spain. In the Architectural section, Mr. Markland again presided. Mr. Pope stated some interesting facts regarding the former state of the Chapter House, in which the section was assembled ; he described the discovery of many curious interments, and vestiges of ancient date, during the removal of the old floor, and the arrangement of the room in its present state. He gave alf an account of certain remains of an earlier Norman nave, bases and plinths, brought to light, in the course of works under his direction, on the South side, within the walls of the cathedral. A memoir was then read by Mr. John Bindon, on the destroyed and desecrated ecclesiastical buildings in Bristol, as indicated on a map of the city which he had prepared, after careful research. He exhibited numerous sketches of the remains, which from time to time had been brought to light. Mr. Charles Wicks, of Leicester, read some remarks on Church towers and spires, more especially as illustrated by those in Somersetshire, the