Page:Notes on the churches in the counties of Kent, Sussex, and Surrey.djvu/397

Rh it had been done by a blast of gunpowder. The workmen had quitted the spot about a quarter of an hour. Three of the bells had been taken down, the other fell with the steeple." A note at 298 states, that the church had been repaired in 1734 and 1735. Also at 69 it is remarked, "Stukely’s Itinerary says,—Qu. Whether Trinity church had not a round chancel?"—St. Mary’s, though sadly injured, is a very interesting building, comprising nave with north and south aisles, three chancels, and tower between the nave and its chancel, The oldest part of this church is late, or perhaps Tr., Norm. The high chancel, which is raised considerably above the nave, has been shortened, to afford more space for the adjoining street. The end is now square, with a large Perp. window, but if is groined with E.E. work. The side chancels are rounded at the ends externally, but the southern is rendered square within by a Perp. wooden screen on a stone substructure, still remaining in good condition, and presenting a rare example of the ancient reredos.—St. Nicholas seems to have shared in the treatment of Trinity church. It is asserted, (Russell's Guildford,) that about A.D. 1700 (a "hundred years since") a new tower was erected (Foot note. "It had a round tower, said John Apark, a very old inhabitant.”) The ancient structure being greatly decayed in the foundation and other parts, and from its low situation often overflowed, in 1796 a brief, under which two hundred pounds were collected, was obtained for its thorough repair, when the old pillars and arches were removed, and the floor raised three feet, the church being reopened in 1800. Thirty-two years afterwards the building was in such a condition, that it was necessary to take it down entirely, the present church being then erected, in little better taste than that of the Holy Trinity.—In the parish of St. Nicholas, on an eminence above the river Wey, stand the ruins of the desecrated chapel of St. Catherine.—A house of Friars Preachers at Guildford, or Langley prope Guildford, was founded by Elinor, Q. of K. Henry lll. (Monast. VI, 1493.) A house of Crutched Friars in Guildford is mentioned only by Speed. (Ib. 1587.)

Of the priory, on the northern side of the town, some portion existed early in the present century in such a state of preservation, that it was converted into quarters for the officers, when barracks were constructed on the site during the war. After the peace of 1814, 1815, as in numerous other instances, the barracks were sold by the government for the value of the