Page:Notes on the churches in the counties of Kent, Sussex, and Surrey.djvu/448

376 a cross with a lamb at his feet, to which the quotation from Horsfield's Sussex at page 245 must apply. The building contains (at least) Norm., E.E., and Dec. work. High up in exterior of north wall of tower is a round arch, as if standing in the clouds, of very similar character, as to general contour, mouldings not being distinguishable, with other examples deemed to be of Saxon construction. Vestiges of a similar ornament are clearly traceable in a corresponding position in the southern side, and the arch of a window at the same height in the west wall is formed with thin, unhewn stones. The tower arch also, and the south doorway deserve notice, particularly the former. From consideration of these peculiarities I am disposed to add Jevington Church to the list of possible specimens of Anglo-Saxon architecture.

184. .—Though the name Lordstreet (see p. 262) cannot be positively identified at this day in the neighbourhood of Northiam, it has been ascertained, that a farm between Staple Cross and Northiam is now called Lordine, formerly Lording, whence the portion of the public road in the vicinity was known as Lording Street, no very distant approach to the Domesday Book appellation.

194. .—On the northern side of the castle, at the western extremity of the large breach in the wall, recently discovered appearances seem to indicate a postern gate in the original Roman work, the crown of the arch being constructed with red mortar. The size of the gate has not been ascertained, and perhaps cannot be, since one side belonged to the prostrated portion of the wall.

198. .—Chancel, central tower with tapering shingled spire, nave, north and south aisles, and south porch. Building apparently E.E., but a round-headed door and an adjacent window in north wall may imply an original Norm. date. Chancel has been rebuilt. Porch of timber, ancient with alterations. Under tower some rather elaborately carved screen-work. Frame of a circular window visible in north wall of nave above roof of aisle. South aisle covered by an extension of nave roof. Windows generally insertions, some being wooden casements. Church on the whole very good, but has been sadly treated, and the side walls have been with difficulty prevented from falling outwards.

212. .—In this village has recently been discovered an antiquity of not very common occurrence. It is a plate of copper, nine inches long by four inches and a half wide, having on the face an engraving of the crucifixion with a figure on each side, and two angels above, beside various other ornaments. The sunken parts of the copper have evidently been filled with enamel, of which small portions of different colours still remain. The projecting parts have been injured from the care of former possessors to scour the metal bright. The work is that of Limoges, the date late in the twelfth or early in the thirteenth century, and the plate has been attached to either a bookcover or a reliquary. Two other examples, both in excellent preservation, are known to exist in this country, one, in every respect nearly identical with the above, in a private collection, the other in the Museum at York. The specimen now described was purchased at the sale of the effects of a cottager lately deceased, whose surviving brother, aged above 70 years, well remembers it in the custody of his mother, who stated, that it was dug up in Rottingdean churchyard, at what period cannot now be ascertained, though most probably within the last hundred years.

217. .—This church well deserves attention. It has chancel, with another on each side of equal length, central tower, with transepts, or more properly aisles, nave, north and south aisles, and south porch, the latter now converted into a vestry, There are portions in every style, commencing with Norm., and including remains of good Dec. screens. The history of the building being