the Sixth, his widow bought the reversion in fee from that Monarch, for somewhat more than 30001. Sir Edward Denny, grandchild to Sir Anthony, created Earl of Norwich by Charles the First, was the next possessor: from him it passed, by the marriage of his daughter, to the celebrated James Hay, Earl of Carlisle: it has since come into the possession of the family of Sir William Wake, Bart.

The Abbey House is said to have been a very extensive building, but has been wholly demolished many years. Another large mansion, erected in its place, was, in the year 1770, sold to James Barwick, Esq. who soon afterwards had it pulled down, and let the site, and surrounding grounds, to a gardener: within them is a tulip tree, much celebrated, and reported to be the largest in England.

A gateway into the Abbey-yard, a bridge which leads to it, some ruinous walls, an arched vault, and the Church, are the only vestiges of the ancient magnificence of Waltham Abbey. The former of these remains are of a much later style of architecture than the Church. Adjoining to the gateway is the Porter's Lodge, and a piece of ground called Romeland, as Peter-pence were termed Romescot: this name it is thought to have derived from its rents being appropriated in former times to the use of the Holy See. On this spot King Henry the Eighth is reported to have had a small house, to which, in his visits to Waltham, he frequently retired for his private pleasures.

The ABBEY CHURCH, which was built in the usual form of a cross, and consisted of a nave, transept, choir, ante-chapel, &c. was a very considerable structure, and covered an extensive plot of ground. Some idea may be formed of its extent from knowing the situation of Harold's tomb, which stood about 120 feet east from the termination of the present building, in what was then probably the east end of the choir, or rather some chapel beyond it. The intersection of the transept is still visible: above this rose the ancient tower, which contained a ring of five great tuneable bells, afterwards purchased by the parish, of the King's commissioners. Part of this tower falling through mere decay, the remainder

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remainder was blown up by underminers, and the whole choir, the tower, transept, and the east chapel, were demolished, so that nothing was left standing but the west end, which has since been fitted up, and made parochial; and constitutes the present Church. This venerable relic, though much disfigured and mutilated, contains several interesting and curious specimens of the ornamented columns, semicircular arches, and other characteristics of the Norman style of architecture. Its length, from the western entrance to the altar, is about ninety feet; and its breadth, including the side aisles, forty-eight. The body is divided from the latter by six arches on each side, supported by pillars: five of them are semicircular, and are decorated with rude zigzag ornaments; the sixth, or western arch, is pointed, and apparently of a later construction. The pillars are extremely massive; and two on each side, which correspond, have wavy and spiral indentations, similar to those of the nave and choir in Durham Cathedral. Above this lower range of arches rise two tier of smaller ones, formed and ornamented in the same manner. The upper row of these enlighten the roof; and at the bottom of the lower tier is the narrow passage usual in cathedral and conventual Churches, called triforia. The roof itself is of timber, modern, and but little ornamented; the side aisles are surmounted by galleries, which, with the pews in the nave, have been lately erected for the accommodation of the parishioners.†

At the west end is a heavy square tower, having the date 1558. It was repaired about six years ago; and a new window was then introduced. It is built with stone, is embattled, and rises to the height of eighty-six feet. The original charge of building, in 1558, independent of materials, was 33s. 4d. per foot, for the first fifty-three feet, and 40s. per foot, for the remainder; which ex

pence

"Anno 1556. Imprimis, For coles to undermine a piece of the steeple which stood after the first fall, 2s."-Churchwardens' Accounts.

Select Views of London and its Environs, No. II.

pence was defrayed by the parishioners from their stock in the

church-box.

From the south side of the Church projects a Chapel, formerly Our Lady's, now a school-room, under which is a beautiful arched charnel-house, or crypt; "the fairest," says Fuller," that ever I saw." This was once a place of worship, having its priest, &e. and adorned with its altar and reading-desk, the latter of which was covered with plates of silver. In the parish books a receipt of 15s. is inserted for old timber sold from the little vestiary of St. George's Chapel, but where this was situated is unknown. A third little chapel, or out-building, at the south-east end of the present Church, is now a repository for rubbish and broken tomb

stones.

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Almost

* This stock was acquired from various sources, as the sale of stone, lead, and timber, from the monastic buildings; but chiefly, by the sale of the goods of a brotherhood belonging to this Church, consisting of three Priests, three Choristers, and two Sextons, which was not dissolved till the eign of Edward the Sixth. Two hundred and seventy-one ounces of plate, the property of this fraternity, were sold at several times for 671. 14s. 9d. Many rich dresses were likewise disposed of at the same time, particularly a cope of cloth of gold to Mr. Denny, for 31. 6s. 8d. together with two altar-cloths of velvet and silk, value 21. The reason of this plate not being seized by the King's commissioners, is thought to have been owing to the intercession of the Lord Rich, a native of this county, on account of the intention of the parish to build the above tower. Fuller says the bells purchased from the old steeple were for some years hung in a temporary timber frame erected at the south-east end of the church-yard, where then stood two large yew trees, and remained there till the present one was completed; but that, notwithstanding gifts of timber, &c, the funds fell so short, that the said bells were obliged to be sold to raise more money; so that Waltham, which formerly had " steeple-less bells, now had a bell-less steeple." History of Waltham Abbey.

+ In the churchwardens' accounts, mention is made of six annual obits, to defray the expences of which, lands were left by will, and a stock of eighteen cows let out yearly to farm for 18s. The sum allotted for each obit was thus expended: to the parish priest, 4d. To Our Lady's priest, 3d. To the charnel priest, 3d. To the two clerks, 4d. To the children, (choristers,) 3d. To the sexton, 2d. To the bellman, 2d. For two tapers, 2d. For oblation, 2d. &c.