The Plate is as follows:

CUP, 1689. Rare makers' mark, a crowned K in a shield, a pellet on each side of the K. This is found on a plate of 1690 at Preston, Gloucestershire.

PATEN COVER, possibly Elizabethan, no Hall marks, but appears to be earlier than the cup.

PATEN, 1719, given in 1726.

FLAGON, 1725-6, also given in 1726.

Alms Dish of brass.

There is only one Brass, an effigy of priest in mass vestments, with chalice and wafer, now mural in the chancel, to Thomas Leddes, M.A., Vicar, 1503.

THE TIMBER BELFRY.

Timber towers and spires are not uncommon in Kent, but they generally take the form of a wooden spire supported on a massive timber frame at the west end of the nave. Cowden and East Wickham are examples of such types. A fine example of a true tower and spire is to be found at High Halden, of early 14th century date, and an example existed at Ringwould till 1628, when it was taken down. But this tower is unique in that it is entirely detached from the church. Its height is about 60 feet and the frame is square on plan, 21 feet 6 inches wide. The four main timbers, rising from the corners of the foundation sills, incline inwards, so that at a height of 27 feet above the floor they form a square, the plates being but 9 feet 6 inches each way. Above this is an upright framing about 13 feet high and 6 feet 6 inches square. This, in its turn, is capped by a small eight-sided spire, surmounted by a weather cock. The whole is cased in weather boarding, in three octagonal stages, rising from a low octagonal timber wall. The three roofing stages are placed over each other extinguisher wise, with air spaces under each eave overlap. The roofs of Upchurch, Willes borough and Bexley are of somewhat similar character.

The main timbers are about 18 inches square, and raise the question as to their provenance, which was certainly not in the vicinity. The better viewpoint to examine the construction is from north to south, where the system of bracing is more complete. The tower holds five bells, all re-cast in 1685.

It is difficult to give a date for this remarkable structure which has been compared, as regards some details of its construction with the Norwegian" Stavkirke," but the likeness is not very pronounced and is probably accidental. A date that may be suggested would place this timber tower in the late 15th century.

Brookland Church.-Timber Belfry.

From a photograph taken by G. C. Druce. F.S A.

After the church and belfry had been examined, Mr. Finn briefly described the geology and topography of the Marsh, pointing out various details that could be observed, and mentioning other features to be noted on the journey.

A short drive brought the party to

OLD ROMNEY CHURCH.

A small building consisting of a nave, tower, south aisle, chancel and north and south chapels. In the main the fabric is of late 12th century work, with 13th and 14th century additions. The

primitive ladder in the tower giving access to the belfry was noted, as was the fine roof and the remnants of the 15th century rood screen, now blocking off the south chapel from the rest of the church. Much of the chancel is covered with 18th century panelling and architectural details are hidden. The south chapel, with some good tracery is in a deplorable condition and the north now serves as a vestry. It was originally dedicated to Our Lady, and the original mensa of the altar is preserved, as is a peculiar coffin slab. Here also are the remains of the rood loft stair.

There is only one Brass-to John Ippe and his wife, 1526. Mr. Dale pointed out that the texts hung round the wall of the church were taken from the Geneva version of the Bible.

A move was then made to Lydd, passing on the way the ruins of the 15th century church of Midley.

LYDD.

At Lydd the magnificent church attracted a great deal of attention. The remains of the Saxon Basilica were described in detail by Mr. F. C. Elliston Erwood, and illustrated by a plan. He pointed out that the remains indicated an extremely small church, not much larger than the presumed Christian Basilica at Silchester. He pointed out the evidence for the details of the reconstructed plan.

Though most of the architectural features displayed are not of an imposing character, from the absence of definitely late "Saxon" details and from historical evidence, the date of this portion of Lydd church could be ascribed to about the end of the 8th century.

Mr. Finn then presented each of the company with a small pamphlet he had written on the general history of the church, and he further described and pointed out the chief architectural features.

By the courtesy of the Mayor and Corporation of Lydd, several of the town charters, plate and insignia were displayed in the church and Mr. Weston was able to make some interesting comments on the maces and plate on view. An adjournment was then made to the Town Hall (placed at the disposal of the Association by the Corporation), where lunch was served. Opportunity was taken, after the loyal toast had been drunk, to thank those

concerned in the day's arrangements, the Vicar of Lydd (the Rev. P. H. Collins, M.A.) and Arthur Finn, Esq., F.S.A., being especially singled out for the services they had rendered. After their replies the party once more embarked for

NEW ROMNEY.

The church, dedicated to St. Nicholas, is of most remarkable interest. Here, again, the Director gave a full account of the church and its growth, which may be thus summarised :—

1. A small aisleless church, with small chancel, the whole occupying the present nave as far as the last circular 12th century pair of piers. Of this church, only a fragment of the west front remains, portions of the arcading that adorned it appearing above the western (13th century) arch of the

tower.

2.

A subsequent enlargement by the addition of aisles and a probable extension eastward. To this period belongs the existing arcade of alternate circular and octagonal piers, with massive scalloped caps. Two fragments of the old narrow aisles remain at the west end, between the wider 13th century aisles and the tower annexes north and south. 3. The tower was the third building of the Norman period

following on the previous stage, probably without a break. But the whole of the tower is not of one date, and even now is unfinished, the base of the spire only being built. 4. The peculiar adjuncts to the tower already mentioned were added at a subsequent period.

These changes all took place before the 13th century, when the church was further enlarged, by widening the aisles and extending the chancel, and finally in the 14th century the church attained to its present imposing dimensions.

BRASSES.-Wm. Holyn broke, 1375, Thos. Lambert, 1510, Thos. Smith, his wife and daughter, 1610, and that of Richard Stuppenye 1526, were pointed out. This last is of interest as it bears an inscription indicating that it was newly erected by Clement Stuppenye, the great grandson of the deceased, for the election of the Mayor and Jurats, which takes place annually on the tomb.

The dwarf walls, containing piscinas, sedilia and squints, separating the high altar from the north and south chapels received much attention.

A few of the members seized the opportunity to visit the Town Hall, where charters, plans and maps of the marsh and the civic plate were displayed and described by the Mayor.

Re-assembling, the party continued their journey, passing the site of Romney Priory (an alien priory with practically no remains, those visible being for the most part an artificial rockery constructed from fragments of Marsh churches). It was intended to visit the ruins of Hope, All Saints, but as time was pressing and the ruins are some quarter of a mile from the road, they were merely observed in passing, and the next halt, after a ride through typical Marsh scenery, was