Page:History of the Fylde of Lancashire (IA historyoffyldeof00portiala).pdf/311

 donation of his predecessor with a gift of the other mediety, to be appropriated after the decease of the person in possession, stipulating only that when the proprietorship became complete the conventual superiors should appoint a vicar at an annual salary of twenty marks. At the suppression of alien priories the church of Bispham was conveyed to the abbey of Syon, and remained attached to that foundation until the Reformation of Henry VIII.

The original church of Bispham, subsequently to the Norman invasion, was built of red sandstone, and comprised a low tower, a nave, and one aisle. A row of semicircular arches, resting on round, unornamented pillars, supported the double-gabled roof, which was raised to no great altitude from the ground; whilst the walls were penetrated by narrow lancet windows, three of which were placed at the east end. The pews were substantial benches of black oak. In 1773 this venerable structure was deprived of its flag roof and a slate one substituted, the walls at the same time being raised to their present height. During the alterations the pillars were removed and the interior thoroughly renovated, more modern windows being inserted a little later. There is a traditional statement that the church was erected by the monks of Furness, but beyond the sandstone of which it was built having in all probability come from that locality, there appears to be nothing to uphold such an idea. Over the main entrance may still be seen an unmistakable specimen of the Norman arch, until recent years covered with plaster, and in that way retained in a very fair state of preservation.

In 1553 a commission, whose object was to investigate "whether ye belles belongynge to certayne chapelles which be specified in a certayne shedule be now remayning at ye said chapelles, or in whose hands or custodie the same belles now be," visited Bispham, and issued the following report:—"William Thompson and Robert Anyan, of ye chapell of Byspham, sworne and examyned, deposen that one belle mentioned in ye said shedule was solde by Edwarde Parker, named in ye former commission, unto James Massie, gent., for ye some of ^s. ^d." Nothing is known respecting the number or ultimate destination of the peal alluded to. The belfry can now only boast a pair of bells.