"CROYLAND is one of the islands in that track of East Marshlands which, rising from the centre of the kingdom, runs upwards of 100 miles, and discharges itself, with its waters augmented by many rivers, into the sea. The island is formed by the waters of Shepishee on the east, Nene on the west, Southee on the south, and Ascendyk on the north :" it comprehends a track four leagues in length and three in breadth.

This place was first inhabited by an anchorite, who retired from a successful profession of arms to lead a life of devotion: in process of time a church was built here in honour of the hermit, who was then dignified with the title of saint.

Croyland is chiefly remarkable for its sumptuous abbey, which gave rise to the town, the abbot being permitted by the charter of Ethelbald, who founded

the monastery, to build a town for the convenience of the monks.

The famous Bridge of Croyland is accounted one of the greatest curiosities in Europe. It is said to have been built under the direction of the abbots, for no particular use that is now apparent, but merely to display the skill of the architect, and to excite the admiration of travellers and pilgrims who visited the abbey of Croyland for devotional purposes. It stands in a bog, and though great sums must have been expended in its erection, yet its ascent is so steep that neither carriages nor horsemen can pass over it. The form is triangular, rising from three segments of a circle and meeting in a point at the top; the arches are pointed, and the whole is in good preservation.

THE remains of this Abbey, now converted into a pleasing country residence, are situated on the banks of the Thames, nearly opposite to the town of Great Marlow, in Buckinghamshire, and distant about two miles from Henley. It was erected by William Montacute, earl of Salisbury, in the year 1338, for canons regular of the order of St. Augustine. In 1596 it was surrendered to Henry VIII.; its revenues at that period were valued at 2854. 118. per annum. The following year it was refounded by that monarch, and more amply endowed for the maintenance of thirteen monks of the order of St. Benedict, and an abbot, who enjoyed the privilege of sitting in parliament. This was dissolved however within three years of its institution, the income at that time amounting to the yearly value of 6611. 14s. 9d. and a pension of 66l. 138. 4d. annually bestowed on Cowdrey the abbot.

It is difficult to account for the various dedications of this Abbey previous to the period when it fell into the hands of Henry. In the first charter it was de

dicated to the Lord Jesus Christ and the Virgin his mother; in the second to the Virgin only; and in both the deeds of surrender we find it entitled the conventual church of the Holy Trinity. The Abbey was frequently resorted to by Henry VIII. and also by his daughter queen Elizabeth, who made it her place of residence for some time: a large state apartment yet retains the name of the queen's councilchamber.

Bisham church is seated close by the river, and contains many monuments to record the memory of the Hoby's, to whose family the site of the Abbey was granted by Edward VI. The bones of the founder are said to have been removed from Cirencester in Glocestershire, to this church by Maud his widow, she having obtained a license for that purpose from Henry V.

The banks of the Thames are, in the neighbourhood of Bisham, richly decorated with many noble mansions, and grounds beautifully laid out.

IN the Doomsday Book, Sandwich is described as a borough held by the archbishop of Canterbury for the clothing of the monks: when first received by the archbishop it paid a rent of 40l. annually, and forty thousand herrings for the monks food. Henry III. granted to the inhabitants a weekly market, besides other privileges, and Edward I., for a short period, fixed the staple for wool here.

In the year 1290, "the monks of Christ Church gave up to king Edward, their port of Sandwich, and all their rights and customs there, excepting their houses and quays, and a free passage in the ferryboat, and free liberty for themselves and their people to buy and sell, toll free, in exchange for land in another part of Kent." These exceptions being afterwards found prejudicial to the public service, Edward III. in his thirty-eighth year, granted to the monks other lands in Essex, in exchange for "all their rights, privileges, and possessions, in this town and port."

During the French wars in the reign of this king, Sandwich was the general place of rendezvous for his fleets and armies; and here Edward himself most commonly embarked and re-landed. In 1957, Edward the Black Prince landed here with his prisoners, John, king of France, and his son Philip; and in 1372, Edward III. assembled at this town and port, an army of 10,000 archers, and 3000 lances, with a fleet of 400

sail, and embarked for the relief of Thouars; but, after being six weeks at sea, he was obliged to return.

In the year 1984, or seventh of Richard II. a royal order was issued for enclosing and fortifying this town, which, from the means of annoyance afforded by its shipping, was now considered as a principal object of French vengeance. At this time, indeed, the French were preparing to invade England, and, in order to protect their troops from the English archers, they constructed a wall of wood, 3000 paces in length, and twenty feet high, having a tower ten feet higher than the wall, at the distance of every twelve feet, and every tower being sufficiently capacious for ten men. In the ensuing year, part of this wall was taken in two large vessels, and brought to and set up in this town; to our great safety (observes Lambard), and their repulse.

In the sixteenth of Henry VI. the French landed here and plundered the greatest part of the town; this they again did in the thirty-fifth of the same reign. Not content with these depredations, they' sought to destroy the town entirely, and for that purpose landed in the night, in August, 1457, to the number of 4000, under the command of Marchal de Breze. After a long and bloody conflict, they succeeded in getting possession of the place, and having wasted it with fire and sword, slew many of the inhabitants, and then re-embarked.