Otterhampton, a parish near the estuary of the Parrett, 7 m.  N.W. of Bridgewater.  It has a small aisleless church, the most remarkable feature of which is the wall separating the chancel (which is modern) from the nave.  It is pierced by a chancel arch without mouldings, and has on its W. face several niches.  There is a small but old screen, and a Norm. font.  Attached to Otterhampton is Combwich, identified by some with “Cynuit,” the scene of the battle between The Dane Hubba (one of the murderers of St Edmund) and Earl Odda in 878, which by others is placed near Appledore in Devon.  The Saxon Chronicle, indeed, definitely states that Hubba met his death in Devonshire; but at that time Devon probably extended as far east as the Parrett, and Hubba was possibly co-operating with the Danish force that was observing Alfred at Athelney (see p. 13). (With Hubba’s name cp. Hobb’s Boat on the Axe).

Paulton, a populous mining and manufacturing village, 1-1/2 m.  S.E. from Hallatrow Station.  The church is an uninteresting bit of early Victorian re-building (1839) with an 18th cent. tower, a woefully poor imitation of Perp. work.

Pawlett, a parish 4 m.  N. of Bridgwater (nearest station Dunball, 1-1/2 m.) It has a cruciform church (with W. tower), possessing (1) a Norm.  S. door, with some unusual but much defaced mouldings; (2) a tub font (on a later base); (3) a screen with vine ornamentation; (4) a Jacobean pulpit.

Peasedown St John, a bleakly situated colliery village, 6 m.  S.W. from Bath.  It consists of a long string of cottages and a modern church.

Pendomer, a small hamlet, 2 m.  W.S.W. from Sutton Bingham (L. and S.W.).  A combination of situation and family associations is responsible for its name (Dummer’s Hill).  The church is noteworthy only as containing a remarkable monument.  In a cinque-foiled recess on the N., faced with a square canopy surmounted by pinnacles, is the recumbent figure of a knight clad in coat of mail.  It is believed to represent Sir J. de Dummer (d. about 1321), son of Sir William buried at Chilthorne Domer.  Note (1) grotesque figures supporting canopy; (2) cusps worked up into figures of angels (cp.  Dowlishwake); (3) iron prickets for lights.  The church windows contain some old glass, and the arms of the Stourton family.  The neighbouring farmhouse is a 16th cent. building.

Pennard, East, a village 1-1/2 m.  N.W. from Pylle Station (S. and D.).  There is a painful neatness about this little group of cottages characteristic of a manorial appurtenance.  The church, which partakes of the same trimness, is Perp.  The tower is of rather an unusual type, being low and squat, and unrelieved by battlements.  The staircase is only a flat projection on the S. side, carried half way up.  Upon the N. face of the tower is a Tudor rose (cp.  Marston Magna).  Note (1) stoups in S. porch and outside N. door; (2) Jacobean stalls; (3) piscina and aumbry; (4) niche in E. wall of N. aisle; (5) richly carved square font.  The nave retains its original 15th cent. roof supported on large corbels.  In the churchyard is the shaft of a cross.  A good view is obtainable from the neighbouring Wrax Hill.