matters required their being gathered together for public business. The two lines looking like walls, which divide the space longitudinally in three, are foundations level with the floor, on which stood columns supporting a wall pierced with windows, a clerestory in fact, so that on entering by the western doorways the whole building presented somewhat of the appearance of a great church, 231 feet long, with a central nave 28 feet wide, and aisles north and south,each fourteen feet wide. The Basilica is the one great and chief building in a Roman city, and this one of Uriconium requires careful examination. Unfortunately, owing to untoward circumstances, it has never been examined thoroughly, and much remains on this spot alone for the future explorer to clear up. The huge fragment of walling behind me, with some traces of its continuation further west, is all that is to be seen of the basilica. Passing, on the west of the plan, by No. 3, the Latrinæ, and No. 4, a shop, called by its discoverers the enameller's shop, from its furnace and from objects found within it, and crossing a wide passage which led to the baths, presently to be described, we come to No. 5. This is a little courtyard formerly paved with little bricks in herring bone fashion. It is entered by two gateways in its western wall, whose thresholds are yet intact, and is lined on its three other sides by small cells with thick walls. Possibly, we may see here a market place with shops for the sale of various produce brought in from the surrounding country. I come now to the more distinctly visible remains of the buildings we are here to examine, the remains of the Baths of Uriconium. The baths of a Roman town, when on a fairly large scale, as these are, like the basilica, were used for various purposes. The courtyard, the palestra, which formed part of the establishment, was used for various athletic exercises, and the tepidaria, chambers slightly warmed, served for conversation, or for halls for recitations. Any amount of gossip would go on in these. Probably in the one where we are now assembled many discussions took place as to municipal affairs, as to who ought to be elected to the chief offices next year, or as to the unpopularity of the present Edile, or any scandal you may imagine, connected with the city and its district. Possibly the latest verses of some local poet whose works have not descended to us, were recited to an admiring audience. In the baths of the camps on the wall of Hadrian, the tepidaria were no doubt nests of sedition, and many a plot was hatched in them against unpopular officers, or even against the Imperial Government itself. It will thus be seen that the baths served other purposes besides those of mere bathing. But to return to our more immediate subject. A reference to the plan will show that the buildings constituting the baths, in which we are now assembled, lie in a great courtyard 246 feet long by 142 feet wide, surrounded by a peristyle the width of which is shown by two parallel lines of walling. On the inner, a foundation wall, stood a range of columns. On the north this peristyle is interrupted by a great hall,probably the apodyterium or undressing room (No. 7), while on the west and south it forms an unbroken boundary. It is to be conjectured that the excavations have only revealed one half of the baths, and that the astern peristyle and wing of the baths still remain

buried under the soil of the adjacent field. The line drawn from A to B on the plan is probably the central line of the bath buildings of which only the western half has as yet been excavated. The courtyard (No. 6) may be taken as the palestra, where athletic exercises were carried on, while the covered walks, the peristyles, would afford room for walkers and loungers. Before enumerating the existing chambers of the baths it may be as well to recall to mind the usual processes of Roman bathing. Practically they were those now called the Turkish bath. The intending bather would, on entering the first chamber, the apodyterium, deposit his clothes. It is possible that this may have been done in the next one also, the tepidarium, a chamber warmed to a gentle heat. From the tepidarium, where the bather would probably remain some time, he would pass into the caldarium, which was heated to the greatest degree possible by Roman methods, for the purpose of producing profuse perspiration. Here, when the high temperature of the chamber had produced the desired effect, the bather was submitted to a scraping with an instrument of bronze of curved form, called a strigil, for the same purpose for which soap and sponges are now used, and he then plunged in the hot water bath with which some, if not all caldariæ, were furnished. If the heat had induced headache, a labrum or vase filled with cold water, which stood in the caldarium, generally in the semi-circular recess so often found in such a chamber, enabled him to relieve it, or if the heat had produced thirst, to quench it. From the caldarium he would return into the tepidarium for a time, and then a plunge into the cold water bath in the frigidarium would probably complete the process of bathing, though some would not consider it complete until they had received a final rubbing with fragrant oils in a chamber warmed to a gentle temperature. We may trace with certainty rooms devoted to most of these processes in the ruins around us, though we cannot make all things clear, owing to the very imperfect excavation of the remains. For instance, No. 7, one of the most important of the chambers, is completely encumbered with soil, so that all traces of its use are obscured. It may have been the apodyterium (the undressing room). No. 8 is a chamber containing a cold bath, a frigidarium. Possibly No. 9 is the tepidarium, where people lounged and talked before proceeding to serious operations. To the south, in No. 10, all is guess work, though there is reason to believe that there was here a large cold bath open to the air, but surrounded by walling, forming a sort of inner court within the great courtyard. This would be for summer use, the large recess, No. 11, being roofed over and serving as a depository for the bather's clothes. No doubt there was a corresponding recess on the eastern side. No. 12 is a caldarium or hot chamber, with a small room, No. 13, next it, possibly for the service of the baths. No. 14 is another caldarium, with No. 15, a corresponding storeroom. Nos. 16 and 17 are also caldaria, in each of which are hot baths, probably two at C. C. in No. 16, and one large one at D. in No. 17. This latter would be over the furnace which heated the hypocaust (the hollow floor) of this chamber. In the same chamber is a semi-circular recess, in which, in all probability, stood the labrum or vase for cold

One word more. The Council of the Royal Archæological Institute, by a grant from its funds, have enabled some excavations to be undertaken during the past week, which have been conducted by one of our members, Mr Jones, for the purpose of clearing up certain points connected with the heating and water supply of the baths. The results of those excavations will be pointed out. It is much to be wished that these excavations might be considered an earnest of the resumption of the exploration of the site which has been so long suspended, but I fear that will not be the case. Nothing is VOL. III. New Series [being Vol, 12th from the beginning).

VIII., and afterwards his executor. He died in 1555, and was buried with his wife Dame Isabel, and Rd. Lyster of Rowton. Sir Thomas Bromley acquired the estate of Eyton-on-Severn, in this parish, at the dissolution of the Abbey at Shrewsbury. Margaret, his only daughter and heiress, married Sir Richard Newport of High Ercall, being one of the Queen's Counsel in the Marches of Wales. Sir Richard died in 1570, and his tomb, and that of Dame Margaret his wife, is on the south side of the chancel. The latter survived her husband many years, dying in 1598. Her grandson, Lord Herbert of Chirbury, who was born in her house at Eyton, related of her that, "She, surviving her husband, gave rare testimony of incomparable piety to God and love to her children." By her husband she had four sons and four daughters, whose figures are depicted on their tomb. Of these, two sons, whose figures are on the east end of the monument, were probably dead before the monument was erected. The eldest son was knighted by King James in 1603. His son, Sir Richard, was raised to the peerage by the title of Baron Newport. The monument on the north side of the church is that of Jo Barker of Haghmond, who married the second daughter of Sir Francis Newport, and died of grief seventeen days after the death of his wife, in the year 1618. An interesting feature of the different monuments is that of the ladies' shoes, as showing how carefully the fashion of the day is represented, the wife of Jo Barker having high heels to her shoes. The font of the church is supposed by many to be the capital or base of a Roman column. The north wall of the nave is supposed to have been Saxon work.-Mr Cranage gave some information with respect to the architecture of the church. He pointed out that in the chancel is a great deal of Norman work, although the chancel arch is not purely Norman, but transitional. The chancel arch and a portion of the tower were probably erected in the transitional period.-Mr St. John Hope also made a few remarks with refer ence to the tombs.-After leaving the church the members, by the kind invitation of Mr R. A. West, inspected certain Roman architectural fragments found on the site of Uriconium, and now preserved in Mr West's garden, which immediately adjoins the churchyard. This proved to be a great attraction, as it is, undoubtedly, one of the most interesting ancient relics which the Society have had the privilege of viewing. It consists of a fine archway, upon which is still to be seen traces of the carving of figures, cupids, &c.

On Sunday morning, July 29, the Abbey Church pulpit was occupied by the Ven. Archdeacon Lloyd, who preached an interesting sermon in reference to the visit of the Institute, many of whose members were in the congregation. Similar references were also made at St. Chad's by the Rev. T. Auden, and at the Roman Catholic Cathedral by Father Hirst. MONDAY, JULY 30.

A goodly number of the members of the Institute journeyed to Ludlow on Monday, and one and all were greatly delighted with the wealth of beauty and interest which awaited them on reaching their destination. Delightful weather prevailed, and although the heat was rather oppressive none

grumbled on that score. Ludlow is admittedly one of the most attractive of English towns, its chief features being a grand old castle and a noble church, and a fifteenth century bridge across the Teme. The town is situate on the bold summit of a mass of rock, and its extreme beauty never fails to make a great impression on the minds of visitors. On their arrival the tourists at once proceeded to LUDLOW CHURCH.

This church is deservedly designated the finest ecclesiastical building in the county of Salop, and there are but few such stately parochial edifices in England. It stands on the high ground in the centre of the town, and is cruciform in plan, consisting of a nave, choir, chancel, transepts, side aisles, and two large chantry chapels, with a finelyproportioned and lofty tower in the centre, having at each angle an octangular turret, surmounted by a pinnacle.

The Rev Prebendary Clayton very cordially received the visitors, and kindly explained the general architecture of the edifice, and pointed out its most interesting features. He remarked that in the church as it now stood they could trace the three distinct styles of architecture-Early English, the Decorative period, and the Perpendicular. The three windows at the south side were early English, but close at hand was work of the Perpendicular period. The church appeared to have been built mainly of silurian stone. The early English work was changed to the Decorative style, and there is a range of windows still remaining intact, which are pure and very good specimens of the best time of the Decorative period. The windows, with the exception of one in the Lady Chapel, and one window in the chancel, all remained of the Decorative work. About the middle of the 15th century the main part of the church was built very much as it is to be seen at the present time, and a great deal of the Decorative work was changed to the Perpendicular. In 1750 there was probably a Norman tower, and there are proofs in existence that this was burnt. On the north transept was an arrow, which had been said to be one shot by Robin Hood a few fields from the church, but as a matter of fact it was really placed there by the Arrow-makers Guild, and had since_remained. It was said that the heart of Prince Arthur, who died in Ludlow Castle, was buried beneath the shrine at the west end of the church. It had been contended that it was buried at Canterbury, but he held to the view that it was buried here. He believed it was afterwards taken up and buried with the rest of Prince Arthur's body in briefly alluded to the magnificent windows in the Worcester cathedral. Prebendary Clayton then Chantry Chapels and several beautiful ancient monuments. The members then took the opportunity of minutely inspecting the magnificent choir stalls of beautifully-carved oak,and the Sir John Brydgeman monument, &c. Prebendary Clayton further stated that considerable sums had been spent on the restoration of the church during the past few years. The members subsequently proceeded to

LUDLOW CASTLE.

Alluding to this grand old ruin, Mr Thomas Wright, M.A., F.S.A., in his guide says:-"The

first view of the interior of the castle which presents itself to us, as we pass through the portal, is strikingly fine. The inner court is an irregular square area, much less spacious than the outer; but the lofty embattled structures with which it is enclosed, though a ruin, still preserve their original outlines; the bold masses of light and shade produced by deep retiring breaks; the rich tints, and stains of age; the luxurious mantling of ivy; and the sullen stillness that now reigns throughout these forlorn and deserted towers, once the scene of royal splendour and feudal revelry-present a spectacle of the fallen magnificence of past ages rarely to be equalled." On arriving at this picturesque old ruin the members were fortunate enough to receive brief explanatory address from Mr W. C. Tyrrell with regard to the buildings. He remarked that the castle was supposed to have been built soon after the conquest by one Roger de Montgomery, but certain recent works state by Roger de Lacey. This Roger was related to William the Conqueror, and was created Earl of Shrewsbury and Arundel. He died on the 27th of July, 1094, and was buried within the Abbey Church, Shrewsbury. The estate was subsequently estreated and seized by the Crown. Henry I. granted it to Pagan Fitz John, who was slain by the Welsh in the year 1136. In Stephen's reign the castle was in the possession of one Joyce de Dinan, the name Dinan being the ancient British title of Ludlow. He made the castle of three wards and surrounded it with a double foss, one within and one without. In 1139 Joyce rebelled and Stephen besieged it on returning from Scotland, with Prince Henry as hostage. The keep tower then consisted of four stories 110 feet high, and nine feet to twelve feet thick. In 1176 Prince Henry presented the castle to Fulke Fitz Warine. Afterwards great rivalry existed between him and Hugh de Mortimer, and this led to De Mortimer being taken prisoner. He was confined in what was

afterwards known as Mortimer's Tower. In 1181 the castle was seized by Henry II. At the beginning of the thirteenth century Walter de Lacey-son of Hugh de Lacey, well known in Irish history-was in possession, and although it subsequently passed into other hands, John again granted it to Walter de Lacey. In the year 1332 Edward III. was entertained with great splendour at Ludlow Castle. In later years the castle was in possession of Richard Duke of York, who appeared to have made it his chief place of residence for thirty years. It was here he raised his army of 10,000 in opposition to King Henry VI., and near Ludlow Castle Edward, afterwards Edward IV., defeated the Lancastrians, and was shortly afterwards proclaimed king. On his ascension the castle became the palace of the Prince of Wales and the seat of the Council of the Marches. For many years afterwards the castle was constantly the abode of members of the Royal Family. It was supposed to have covered eleven acres, and the keep was not intended to stand alone but was part of the general line of defence. Mr Tyrrell then proceeded to allude in detail to the different interesting features of the castle, and said the outer moat was filled up in the year 1772. Whilst alluding to the associations of Ludlow, Mr Tyrrell reminded his hearers that it was at Ludlow Castle that Milton wrote Comus. The visitors spent a very profitable time in the precincts

of the castle, the romantic keep and other portions of these once magnificent buildings being visited in turn. Before leaving the grounds of the castle the party were photographed in a group, and this picture will doubtless in future years serve to remind those present of the enjoyable time they spent with the Institute in the county of Salop.

STOKESAY CASTLE.

the party journeyed by rail to Craven Arms Having partaken of lunch at the Feathers Hotel, and thence to Stokesay Castle. Here they were met by the Rev. D. La Touche, M.A., who acted as guide, and gave an interesting account of these very well preserved ruins. He remarked that this 13th century. The gate-house, which is a quaint was an interesting castle or fortified mansion of the structure, is supposed by some to belong to the 16th century, but he (Mr. La Touche) did not agree with this theory. He was of opinion that it was erected in the 17th century. Mr. La Touche then called attention to the splendid carving in rich designs, with which the gate-house is studded. Passing on to the Castle, an examination was made of the peculiar early English windows. Mr. La Touche remarked that it was thought by some that these were constructed some considerable time before those at Acton Burnell. The tower is dated 1291. The state hall is 60 feet long, 30 feet wide, and 35 feet high, and in the state rooms there still remains a very Mr. La Touche exhibited certain relics of by-gone fine fire-place. After relating certain historical facts ages which have been discovered from time to time. These included a rather mysterious stone, upon which Mr. La Touche sets great store. This was found in the moat when it was cleared, and it is thought by some to have been a magician's stone. It was minutely examined, but none of the Mr La Touche had concluded his remarks on the company could identify it with certainty. castle, he briefly expressed the pleasure he felt at the visit of the Society. He said it was 39 years since he had a similar pleasure, and he felt very proud after so long a period to have the opportunity of again addressing the society.

After

Sir HENRY HOWORTH moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr La Touche for his extreme kindness.

room of the castle, and before starting on the return The visitors partook of tea in the drawing journey paid a brief visit to the church.

COMPLIMENTARY.

The concluding evening meeting was held at the Music Hall,on Monday, July 30, when Mr J.T. Micklethwaite, F. S. A., occupied the chair, in the absence of Viscount Dillon. The Chairman, in his opening address, spoke of the success which had attended the meeting, and said they would all feel grateful to the Mayor for his great kindness in entertaining them on Thursday evening, and for many reasons they would carry away with them pleasant recollections of their visit to Shropshire. He would therefore propose a vote of thanks to the Mayor and all those who had assisted in making the meeting a success. (Applause).

Chancellor FERGUSON seconded, and the proposition was carried.

The MAYOR, in reply, said it afforded him, and he was sure Shrewsbury people in general, great pleasure to know that the members

of the

TUESDAY, JULY 31.

BUILDWAS ABBEY AND WENLOCK PRIORY
AND CHURCH.

Delightful weather prevailed on Tuesday, when the members of the Institute visited Build was Abbey and Wenlock. The carriages left the Raven Hotel at 10-15, and after two hours drive through a delightful country, the famous Cistercian Abbey at Buildwas was reached. A short time was spent in examining the abbey ruins, which were described by Mr W. H. St. John Hope. Only three-quarters of an hour was allowed at Buildwas, and on arriving at Wenlock luncheon was partaken of at the Raven Hotel. The little town of Much Wenlock is brimful of interest to the antiquary, and the numerous old black and white timbered buildings were of the greatest interest to the visitors. By the kind permission of Mr Milnes Gaskell, the ruins of Wenlock Priory were visited. These were also described by Mr St. John Hope. Mr and Lady Milnes Gaskell afterwards entertained the visitors to tea. Before leaving the Priory for the Church, Sir Henry Howorth thanked Mr and Lady Milnes Gaskell on behalf of the Institute, for their kindness. Mr Gaskell acknowledged the compliment, and the whistle then called the party together in order to inspect the church. Its architectural features were described by Mr Cranage. The return journey was made about five o'clock,and the party arrived at Shrewsbury a few minutes after seven, having thoroughly enjoyed the last excursion promoted by the Institute.

The following is the local Committee :-Mr W. H. Adnitt, Very Rev Canon Allen, Mr W. Beacall, Mr J. Calcott, Mr E. Calvert, LL.D., Mr G Sandford Corser, Rev C. H. Drink water, M. A., Mr T. Slaney Eyton, Rev W. G. D. Fletcher, M.A., F.S.A., Ven. Archdeacon Lloyd, M.A.. Mr S. M. Morris, Rev E. Myers, F.G.S., Mr E. C. Peele, Rev A. T. Pelham, M.A., Mr W. Phillips, and Mr S. C. Southam. Hon. Local Secretary, Rev T. Auden, M.A., F.S.A.

The views of Uriconium and Wroxeter Church are from photographs by Mr Burson, who has kindly placed them at our disposal.

SHROPSHIRE ARCHEOLOGICAL AND

NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. On Wednesday, the members of the Shropshire Archæological Society, accompanied by several members of the Royal Archæological Institute, paid a

visit to Clun, conducted by the Rev T Auden. After luncheon, the party proceeded to inspect the ruins of Clun Castle, and the Vicar (the Rev Prebendary Warner) gave some account of its history. It was, he said, supposed to have been built by Picot de Say, the Doomsday Lord of the Manor, and was one of the thirty-one castles built to defend the western marches from the inroads of the Welsh. This branch of the de Says merged in an heiress, Isabel de Say, who, about the beginning of the reign of Henry IL, became the wife of William Fitz-alan of Oswestry. About the year 1195 the castle was stormed and burnt by Rhys, a prince of South Wales. In 1216, in consequence of John Fitz-alan rebelling against King John, that monarch led an army to besiege the castle; and in 1234 the town was besieged and burnt by Llewelyn, but the castle was not taken. The descendants of John Fitz-alan became Earls of Arundel, and continued to hold the barony of Clun till the last of the line, Henry Fitz-alan, left an only daughter, Lady Mary Fitz-alan, who married the Duke of Norfolk. On the rebellion of that nobleman Queen Elizabeth seized his estates, and Clun remained in the royal keeping till 1603, when it was restored by James I. to two grandsons of Mary Fitz-alan, viz., Thomas Howard, created Earl of Suffolk, and Henry, Earl of Northampton. The castle was finally demolished in the Civil War by General Watts, who commanded a section of the Parliamentary forces. It passed from the Howards to the Walcots, from whom it was purchased by Lord Clive. Four years ago, the Vicar continued, Dr Howard came to see the church, and was so struck with a brass tablet on the cast wall of the vestry to the memory of Sir Robert Howard, who died 1653, that he thought the Duke of Norfolk would be interested to see a copy of it. The following year the Duke visited Shrewsbury, and he (the vicar) forwarded him an impression of the tablet, whereupon his grace paid a visit to the town, and was so charmed, partly with the beautiful ruin and partly with the enthusiastic reception of the Clun people, that he had purchased the castle and grounds. A move was next made to Trinity Hospital, which the Vicar, in the absence of the Warden (the Rev J. B. Eccleston), proceeded to explain, was founded in 1614 by Henry Howard, Earl of Northampton, before alluded to. It was originally intended for twelve men, decayed farmers in particular, and a warden, and its income was derived from the tithes of Churchstoke, Knighton, Weston, and Stowe. The number of inmates had been increased to eighteen, who had each a house in the quadrangle, a little garden at the back, ten shillings a week, and other privileges. A round was then made of the premises, and the visitors expressed their admiration at the appearance of the institution, and in particular of the chapel, which has been greatly beautified by the present warden. The church was next visited, the old lych gate being closely observed and commented upon. The Vicar read an interesting report on the ruinous condition of the church, made by Sir George Gilbert Scott at the request of Dean Herbert (then the Rev G. Herbert, vicar of Clun), in 1856. The Vicar added a few remarks, in which he said that judging from the style of architecture, which was of the transition period, he believed the church to have been built about the year 1180. It was partly