Newton, North, a parish 4-1/2 m.  S. of Bridgwater and 2 m.  N. of Durston Station.  Its church has been wholly rebuilt with the exception of its very ancient tower (which is thought by some to be of Saxon origin).  The only antiquities which the building contains are (1) a beautiful screen, with four figures in relief, three of which represent Faith, Hope and Charity (cp. the similar figures at Stoke St Gregory and Thurloxton); (2) a carved door leading into the vestry, with figures of the Ten Virgins; (3) a Caroline pulpit (1637).  In this parish there was found, in 1693 a jewel set in gold, with an inscription on the rim:  AELFRED MEE HEHT GEWYRCAN (Alfred directed me to be made).  It is now in the Ashmolean Museum at Oxford, whilst a copy of it may be seen in Taunton Museum.

Newton, St Loe, a well-kept village 3-1/2 m.  W. of Bath, standing on high ground on the outskirts of Newton Park.  The church has been much restored, but retains on the S. the original Dec. arcade and a squint.  There is some good modern carving.  In the graveyard are the base and stump of what was once a fine cross.  The church possesses a chalice of the date 1555.

Northover, a parish adjoining Ilchester, on the opposite side of the Ivel.  Its church (restored 1878) has an ancient tower, and contains a Norm. font and a plain Jacobean pulpit.

Norton Fitzwarren, a village 2 m.  N.W. of Taunton.  Its church (restored) is of late 14th cent. origin, with Dec. windows, and the tower is Perp.  The edifice is interesting chiefly for its fine rood-screen, supposed to date from about 1500; the carvings on it deserve attention (note dragons, ploughman and team, and name of churchwarden).  The figures above it are modern.  There are some carved seat-ends in the body of the church.  On the hill above is a circular British camp, about 13 acres in extent.

Norton Malreward, a small and secluded village under Maes Knoll, 1 m.  N.W. of Pensford.  The church (rebuilt 1861) retains its original tower, a good Norm. chancel arch, and a Norm. font.  In the churchyard is a square dole-stone, similar to the one at Dundry, but smaller.

[Illustration:  THE GEORGE INN, NORTON ST PHILIP]

Norton St Philip, a comely village equidistant (3 m.) from Midford (S. & D.) and Freshford (G.W.R.) Stations.  It stands on high ground near the crossing of the roads from Frome to Bath, and from Radstock to Trowbridge.  In mediaeval days Norton was the scene of a considerable cloth fair, the tolls of which were the perquisites of the prior of Hinton.  At a later date it was the scene of a sharp skirmish between the Duke of Monmouth’s forces and a body of regulars under the Duke of Grafton.  The church has an extraordinary W. tower, the eccentricities of which have led some to conclude that it was constructed out of odds and ends from the dismantled monastic buildings at Hinton.  Note the singularly deep