Page:Notes on the churches in the counties of Kent, Sussex, and Surrey.djvu/126

90 name nor date; an angel with a trumpet summons a female figure, who appears, at half length, rising with joined hands, and a scroll proceeding from her mouth, "Behold, O Lord, I come willingly," in black letter; beneath is an altar-tomb with the upper slab removed, containing a corpse wrapped in a shroud, which is tied closely above the head, from whence a long end is pendant, giving to the body in some degree the shape of a fish, vesica piscis; the whole bearing a strong resemblance to a similar subject in a mural painting, which was discovered in the early part of 1845 in the church of Mid-Lavant, Sussex. In Leigh church are some remains of linen panelling, only remarkable for an ornamental border, which is not usual.

193. .—The church consists of chancel, nave, north aisle with a chancel reaching about half way up the other, late Perp. vestry on the north side of the chancel, and square west tower with battlements and stair turret. Both chancels seem to be E.E. with alterations. In the principal chancel are sixteen oaken stalls in sound condition, but neglected. The piscina here is rather curious, being in a Tudor-arched recess about three feet wide, if not more. In the wall of the chancel is the effigy of a priest, as in a coffin, and inserted resting on the right side. Also a handsome oak lectern, with linen panelling on the sides. The font is Dec. and good. Of the remainder of the church some is Dec., some Perp. The pulpit is elaborately carved in oak, probably dating early in the seventeenth century. The churchyard is entered by a lych gate. On the south side of the chancel of this church is a stone seat, or rather chair, with solid arms, and a cinquefoil-headed canopy, the back being a recess in the wall. On the left hand is a lower seat, very small, and totally devoid of ornament. The Lenham seat, though remarkable, is less completely a chair than one remaining in the Saxon church of Corhampton, Hants, which is a genuine arm-chair, formed of solid slabs of stone, and detached from the wall, apparently coeval with the edifice, to which it belongs. Its position was across the southern extremity of the altar rails, but it has been placed within them, nearer to the eastern wall.

It is observed (Val. Eccl.) that the vicar of Lenhani provided a priest to serve the chapel of Royton; which (according to Harris) was founded by Rob. de Royton, on the family estate of the same name in this parish, about the end of the reign of K. Henry III. The ruins of the chapel are mentioned by Hasted. Royton Farm is still commonly called "Royton Chapel;" but I could