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the Society's examination a British barrow upon his Marton estate. Accordingly, the above date was fixed upon for the first excursion, Marton arranged to be taken in conjunction with Danes' Dike and Flamborough Church.

Upon arrival at Marton, the party was received by Mr. Creyke; and Colonel Armytage, of Marton Hall, entertained the members to luncheon. Marton Hall, it may be observed in passing, has been in possession of the Creyke family since 1447, and some fragments of the present building date from about that period.

The barrow was opened under the superintendence of Mr. J. R. Mortimer. A detailed account of the contents forms one of the articles of the following pages. The surface burials only having been exposed by the time luncheon was over, it was decided to follow up the remainder of the programme. The party thereupon

set out for Danes' Dike, under the direction of the Rev. E. Maule Cole, who, at the point where the gigantic earthwork is intersected by the Bempton Road, read a paper upon the subject, illustrated by a series of maps and plans. At the conclusion of the paper, which is printed in extenso in these Transactions, an animated discussion followed, in which Dr. Stephenson, Mr. Boyle, and Dr. Cox joined.

The course of the Dike was then followed for some distance northward, when the party struck off across the fields to Flamborough. On arrival at the church of St. Oswald, Dr. Cox, in the absence of Mr. F. H. Broderick, gave a description of the building. In view of much contained in Dr. Cox's extempore address not being up to the present on record, the following summary may not be inacceptable :

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The earliest part of the church remaining is evidently of Norman date, as evinced by the fine chancel arch, and a somewhat rude font with upper band of circles, and diapered throughout by a double set of diagonal lines. The nave is separated from the aisles by arcades of a plain style of Early English. At the west end appears a 13th century arch, showing the original existence of a tower, of which also foundations remain. It is said that the tower disappeared a little before the Civil War times. At about that period considerable attention appears to have been given to the fabric, as proved by interesting entries in the register, which had not previously been noted. It may also be mentioned that Dr. Cox found in these registers the interesting signature of Andrew Marvel (father of the patriot), the elder, who, it appears, was curate of Flamborough before accepting the rectory of Winestead. The details of the repairs of St. Oswald's, as seen from the books, are full of interest. In 1632, the pulpit was "mended," the pews renewed, the church generally beautified, the chalice (now gone) and the "chest for our ornaments" bought. In 1633, the church is recorded to have been new made, the details being the finishing of the new pews, the erection of a gallery, the making of a font cover, and the provision

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of a "poor man's box." The font cover, of the pyramidic form, disappeared just before the restoration of the present century. In 1633, the side walls of the nave aisles were renewed, though by modern time these had been again rebuilt with brick. In 1634, the finishing touches were put by the provision of a carpet (i.e., cloth) for the altar, and carved rails to enclose it; the year 1665 also considerable repair. Across the chancel archway, and at an elevation on the west wall, are the two complementary portions of an almost unique example of a carved rood-screen of wood, with an at present incomplete number of niches, an upper moulding or frieze of open work of the bramble pattern, and a lower one of the same running description, of rose pattern. Dr. Cox conjectured the date to lie between 1380 and 1410, and urged, if ever possible, that this noble example be restored to its original use and completeness. He also recommended the repair of two old tressel-stools or coffin rests of the early 17th century date, now used for other purposes. The ancient monuments include a fragment of an effigy, of which the chest was shown open, displaying the heart. Here is also the fine brass (1530) of Sir Marmaduke Constable the Little, who, born in 1443, lived in the reigns of six kings. He had a special command at the battle of Flodden Field (called on this monument Brankiston Field, from Brankston Hill, which is a portion of Flodden), and, for his services, was thanked by Henry VIII. in a letter which is still extant. Other interesting details are a squint, or hagioscope, an unusually large piscina, and a chest with curious padlocks. The church plate was also viewed. It consists of a silver cup, bearing the hall mark, apparently, of 1728, a pewter flagon, a pewter pattern, and two alms dishes. Part, at least, of this old pewter plate has been silver-coated. There is also in the vestry, a hand-bell, with the inscription "F.B. 1710." In the early part of the present century, when there was no resident vicar, and services were only occasional, an old woman went round the village, announcing them by means of this bell. There was also shewn a pair of funeral gloves, made of white paper, such as were usually hung up with a garland at the burial of maidens. This pair was placed in the church at the funeral of Miss Major, in 1810, and upon the recommendation of the society they have since the visit been placed under glass for more permanent preservation.

The party now returned to Marton, and, to the number of eighty or upwards, inspected the chief burial of the barrow.

Some formal resolutions were passed before the company separated. The duty of the Society to establish an East Riding Museum was urged by Mr. Wildridge, that such objects as found upon this occasion might have an appropriate resting-place. Dr. Cox also spoke upon the same subject. It was agreed by Mr. Creyke that the "finds of the barrow should remain in the hands of Mr. Mortimer until such time as a Riding museum should be formed,

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with power, if he saw fit, to loan them to the museum at York in the meantime.

Dr. Cox, the president of the society, moved, and Mr. Cole seconded, a vote of thanks to Mr. Creyke for the invitation to the opening of the barrow, and to Colonel and Mrs. Armytage for their courteous hospitality. After this, the members of the party took train for their respective destinations.

31st July-HoWDEN, WRESSELL, HEMINGBOROUGH.-This meeting had been arranged for the 6th July, but the marriage of the Duke of York being fixed for that date, it was postponed to the 31st. On arrival at Howden church, the party was received by the vicar, the Rev. W. Hutchinson, who described the various points of interest in the restored portion of the church, and the still more beautiful ruin which represents the ancient Decorated choir. The question of the respective ages of the choir and the nave is one upon which authorities are divided. Upon this occasion the theory that the two portions were practically one continuous work was upheld by Mr. Hutchinson, partly upon structural grounds, and partly upon an account of the erection of the church given in the Chronicle of Lanercost. Mr. J. R. Boyle, however, held that the chancel is of later date than the nave; he questioned the accuracy of the assumption that the chronicle referred to makes the choir work contemporary with that of the nave, and called the progressive nature of the nave window tracery in witness. Mr. Boyle also surmised that the weather-line of the old high-pitched roof of the nave (as seen in the interior of the church) did not prove that there ever had been such a roof. The arguments of both gentlemen were heard with great attention, and the respective points were summed up by Dr. Cox. The exquisite chapter-house of early Perpendicular work was then examined. It was begun in 1390; on St. Stephen's Day, 1750, the groined roof fell in, and it has since been in ruins.

Mr. Hutchinson then conducted the party into the beautiful vicarage grounds, in which stands the old collegiate gateway, of stone and early brick. He then pointed out the adjoining manor-house, and gave a short resumé of its history.

The curious little school-house, attached to the south side of the nave of the church, was next visited. It presents several interesting features of late Perpendicular work. It was founded after the dissolution of the collegiate church, in the time of Edward VI.

There are also in the adjoining chamber or parvise over the porch, three antique chests, two of the 14th century hutch form, and the third cut out of a huge solid piece of oak. Here were to be seen some of the court papers of the manor of Howden, of which the Ecclesiastical Commissioners are the present lords. A portion of a parish coffin of the seventeenth century was shewn, and it was

suggested that the scattered pieces should be brought together, and the relic restored.

The party then proceeded to the Bowman's Hotel, and partook of luncheon, the Rev. Dr. Cox in the chair, Colonel Haworth-Booth in the vice-chair. At the succeeding informal meeting, several new members were elected. Dr. Cox, in view of the fact that two of the subjects of the society's examination that day were, respectively, one of the oldest of the collegiate establishments in the county (Howden), and the actual last one in the see of York (Hemingborough), gave a short but comprehensive address upon the rise and character of such institutions. The proposed excavation of Watton Abbey was referred to, and the members present warmly approved Dr. Cox's action in definitely arranging that the society should undertake the matter. Wressell Castle was next visited by carriage. Mr. J. R. Boyle read a paper, which, it is hoped, will form an important article in the transactions of next year, with the addition of drawings. It may be briefly noted, however, that the paper afforded opportunities for interesting observations on the Percy family, of which Wressell was the home. The Earls of Northumberland were, however, not Percies at all, the line having three times passed through heiresses. The Wressell property was bought from one of the Mortimers by Admiral Sir Thomas Percy, brother of the first Earl of Northumberland. He it was who began the building of the castle, and his portion was probably erected between 1390 and 1400, consisting chiefly of the great hall. On his execution, just before the battle of Shrewsbury, 1403, the Percy properties were confiscated, Wressell being granted by Henry IV. to John, Duke of Bedford. It was a little later in the hands of the Earls of Shrewsbury. Edward IV. re-granted it to the Earls of Northumberland in the person of Henry, fourth Earl. The work of building seems to have been entirely untouched while it had been thus alienated, but the fourth Earl resumed, in about 1470, where Sir Thomas Percy had left off. He cut up the great hall at the west end into several chambers, built flues, with chimney-pieces and fire-places, into the walls (in lieu of probable previous central hearth or braziers), and erected at the south exterior a thick curtain wall. At the Aske Rebellion the estates were again forfeited, but later re-granted. They continued in the hands of the Percies through the troublous civil war times, but although the 20th Earl was a zealous Parliamentarian, that did not avert from the Castle a sentence of demolition, it being thought undesirable to leave effective a stronghold which might possibly fall into the possession of the Royalists. The first demolition took place in December, 1648. Mr. Alderman Park produced a copy of a letter, dated 23rd December in the above year, from Wm. Plaxton to Marmaduke Prickett, in which the progress of the destruction is deplored, and praying him to get an order from "the Committee" to stay the proceedings till the

glass, carved work, etc., could be saved, the countrymen employed in the demolition being grossly indifferent to the care of anything. It is noticeable that the date of this letter is the same as that on which the Commission to try the King was issued. Three sides of the quadrangle were destroyed. The fourth, however, continued, until a fire in 1796, to contain some very interesting details of oak carving and armorial stained glass, including the arms of Hotspur, with his motto, "Esperance." The fire, however, utterly destroyed all these, as well as the roofs, since which time the remnants of this fine old building have been ruinously uninhabitable. There are many parts from which the original beauty cannot be said to have entirely departed, and the pile, mutilated and desolate, has still a noble and dignified appearance, suggestive of its early days of grandeur and impregnability.

From Wressell the road was again taken, and Hemingborough reached. The time at the disposal of the party was short. Mr. T. Tindall Wildridge gave a description of the building, pointing out that it was a Decorated church, with the first bays of the nave of transitional Norman-Early English, and windows and an aisle of Perpendicular work. After closely describing the architecture, Mr. Wildridge spoke of the old-time appearance of the church twenty years ago, when the high pews, many of them elaborately carved, being relics of the collegiate stalls, remained, and the whole interior, though in grievous disrepair, was the exact presentment of an early 18th century church. He thought that it might not be amiss to allow a church here and there to remain with such fittings, when they did not include galleries of too flagrant an ugliness, in order to shew succeeding generations what was the old order of things. The party then examined the best examples of the carved woodwork, now temporarily placed in the vestry until the whole can be appropriately used. Some of the carving is of exceedingly vigorous character. The vicar, Rev. R. Paton, also said a few words. A number of the members now took train for Malton, while the rest returned to Hull via Howden.

PRE-HISTORIC IMPLEMENT Cards.

Among the matters to which the council and the society have given its attention, has been the preparation of cards, illustrating pre-historic implements in stone and bronze. These cards, drawn

up by Dr. Cox, and revised by Sir John Evans (who has kindly furnished the blocks), it is proposed to circulate widely.

EXCAVATION WORK.

At the inaugural meeting, the Bishop of Beverley suggested that an excellent initial work for the society, would be the excavation of Meaux Abbey. This suggestion was cordially received by the members, and discussed by the council. When, however, the

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