and during the Civil Wars was held by Colonel Prater for the king.  After a determined resistance it surrendered on terms to Fairfax.  The neighbouring church has a picturesque Perp. tower with a projecting spiral stair turret.  On the W. face is a panel representing a key and a knotted cord, thought to be a Delamere badge.  Internally the fabric has been much pulled about and altered.  It contains a heavy Norman font and a small oak chancel screen.  Behind the organ in the N. aisle are two altar tombs with double recumbent effigies (15th cent.), and a third (14th cent.) with a single figure—­that of the founder of the castle—­is shelved on the window-sill above.  The effigies furnish excellent illustrations of the armour of their periods.

Nynehead, a village 1-1/2 m.  N. of Wellington.  From the neighbouring village of Bradford it is approached by a deep artificial cutting picturesquely overhung with creepers.  The church is something of a “show place.”  Its chief attraction is a remarkable collection of marble statuary and Della Robbia work.  Notice in particular the tablet representing the Trinity, by Mino da Fiesole, on the W. wall of S. aisle, the Madonna and Child on same wall, and the “Nativity” beneath the tower.  The church itself is Perp., but largely rebuilt.  It contains a very fine oak screen.  Note also (1) squint on N.; (2) rough piscina in chancel; (3) monument to the Clarkes of Chipley (1679) in N. chapel.  In the beautifully-kept churchyard is the base of a fine cross, now prettily overgrown with ferns and lichen.  In close proximity to the church is a large but uncomely-looking manor house.

Oake, a parish 3 m.  S.E. of Milverton.  Its little church, sadly dilapidated, has the tower on the S. side.  Over the porch (1601) is a pierced parapet, bearing the monogram I.P. (cp.  Hill-farrance).  The interior contains nothing of note except a carved pulpit and an old font, and some fragments of ancient glass in a window of unusual size, which is said to have been brought from Taunton Priory.  Outside is a stone for doles.

Oakhill, a large village on the N. slope of the Mendips, 2 m.  S.E. of Binegar Station (S. and D.).  It is chiefly dependent upon a large brewery.  The church is modern (1861).

Oare, a small village 7 m.  W. of Porlock, situated in a delightful valley between heather-clad hills.  It is a favourite drive from Porlock, and may be reached by two routes, the better being along the main Porlock and Lynton road almost as far as County Gate.  Oare church is quaint, but contains little of interest. 3/4 m. away is Malmesmead, where the Oare Water joins the Badgeworthy Water, which for some distance constitutes the boundary between Somerset and Devon, and is familiar to readers of Lorna Doone.