Page:Sussex Archaeological Collections, volume 6.djvu/320

 Caen, but of an inferior grain. Care has been taken to preserve this venerable relic from destruction. At the cast end of the nave a remarkable object was brought to light. This is a piscina adapted for a pillar perforated throughout its entire



height. With the exception of (the shaft of) one found some years since in the free chapel within the castle of Hastings, I am not acquainted with any examples of the pillar piscina in Sussex, and they are everywhere uncommon. They seem peculiar to Norman architecture. The workmanship of the present specimen is very rare, and the design resembles a capital of Early English, or rather transition-Norman date. Its rough and "Ruskin-ish" character is faithfully conveyed in the engraving given above.

The font, and an abacus with Norman ornaments, sufficiently attest the period to which the "free chapel of Pevensey" belongs. Of its destruction we have no record, but there is sufficient evidence that it was burnt down—whether by accident or design it would be idle to conjecture. The font bears evident marks of the action of fire, such as will be remarked by any curious visitor to Rye Church, where the evidences of conflagration are alike afforded by present appearances and by historical record. The roof was of slates, very thick, marked with broad red veins, and unlike any other slate I have ever seen. A large mass of the roof seems