constructed of different stone from other parts of the church.  They are presumably much older than the rest of the building.  There are two porches and two chapels, the N. chapel having been built by Cardinal Beaufort, whose manor-house (Halsway) is at the foot of the Quantocks (see Bicknoller).  Note (1) the squint, passing through two piers (very exceptional); (2) the seat-ends, one with arms and motto, Tyme tryeth troth; (3) the tomb of Sir George Sydenham (d. 1664), with his two wives beside him, and three infants (swaddled) and their nurse at his feet; (4) the brass on the N. wall to Margery Windham (d. 1585).  On the exterior of the building there are some very good animal gargoyles, and two curious figures on the gables of the S. chapel.  The churchyard cross is modern. Combe Sydenham, 2 m. away, was the seat of the Sydenham family, one of whose members became the wife of Sir Francis Drake.

Stogursey or Stoke Courcy, a village 9 m.  N.W. of Bridgwater.  It derives its name from the Norman family of De Courcy, and is a place of much interest.  Its spacious church, originally cruciform in plan, with a central tower surmounted by a lead-covered spire of disproportionate size, is remarkable for its series of Norm. arches (in parts restored) which lead into the chancel, transepts, and chapels.  The pier-capitals exhibit great variety of carving, some having rough volutes of a classical type, whilst several of the arches have the “tooth” ornament.  The font is also Norm.  The body of the church dates from the 15th cent.  The W. window deserves notice, the upper lights representing the six days of creation, with Our Lord as Creator.  The N. transept was dedicated to St Erasmus, the S. to “Our Lady of Pity.”  The chapel of the latter contains two tombs (1) of Sir Ralph Verney (d. 1352); (2) of Sir John Verney (d. 1461):  note on the shield of the second the ferns or “verns.”  Other features of interest in the church are (1) the three piscinas, (2) carved seat-ends, (3) chamber over vestry, (4) door leading from S. transept to neighbouring Priory.  Of this Priory (which was attached to the Benedictine Abbey of Lonlay, in Normandy) all that remains is the dove-cot, the circular building in the farmyard near the church.

The De Courcys had a castle here, of which there are a few fragmentary remains, including the base of two round towers.  In the course of its history it underwent many changes of ownership, finally passing into the hands of 1457, during the Wars of the Roses, by Lord Bonville, brother-in-law of the Earl of Warwick.

In the village street is the base of an ancient cross; whilst a bell on some alms-houses, which rings at six every morning and evening, is said to date from the reign of Henry V.