Page:The first report, etc., of the Lichfield Society.djvu/14

 in much of their ancient magnificence, or the crumbling remains of monasteries or abbeys, which give so charming an interest to many of our English vales. But I prefer drawing my illustration of the historical associations of this study, from the facts which present themselves to any one who directs his observation to our old parish churches in almost every part of England.

Now, to one who is but moderately acquainted with the principles of Church-Architecture, there is many an old parish church which will furnish reminiscences of almost every age of English history, — at least, from the period when the Christian Church was first established in the land, and no one could claim the title of Thane, which is equivalent to that of Saxon gentleman, unless he had on his estate a parish church, with a bell turret attached to it. On entering an old church you will see, perhaps, near the door-way a venerable Font of unknown antiquity, coeval possibly (for we may allow some stretch of the imagination) with the first foundation of a church on the spot by St. Augustin, or St. Chad. Generation after generation has received Holy Baptism in that consecrated font, and many, we trust, are yet to follow in their steps. Advancing further you will observe, perhaps, a memorial of Norman times, an elaborately carved semicircular chancel arch, such, for instance, as that at Longdon church, with which most of you are acquainted, or the fine door-way of Tutbury, or, on a smaller scale, that at Kenilworth. The transept of Tamworth church furnishes some good specimens of the Norman style. These relics will serve to remind us of the days, when the Norman Barons having secured themselves in their strong holds, and established their feudal government, proceeded to turn their attention to building fit temples in which they and their dependents might worship God.

But under the Plantagenets the taste in Architecture began to improve in elegance, while it lost nothing in magnificence. And the next generation which took upon itself to improve the parish church, introduced the pointed arch, and other ornaments, which first shewed themselves in the shape of that species of Gothic which is called by architects the Early English style. You may sometimes look through the old Norman chancel arch, and see beyond it, the beautiful triple lancet window which is so peculiarly suited to the east end of the chancel, — emblematical, as no doubt it was, of the Holy Trinity. The finest specimen of this style in our neighbourhood is the old church at Stafford, which is now undergoing a thorough restoration, chiefly owing to the munificence of Mr. Watts Russel.