Somerset eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 291 pages of information about Somerset.

Somerset eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 291 pages of information about Somerset.
which overlooked the ravine.  On its accessible side the castle was protected by a moat.  Nothing now remains but the gatehouse, a few fragments of the enclosing walls, the remains of two towers, and the chapel.  Passing under the gatehouse, the visitor will see the chapel and inner court on the R. The Chapel of St Leonard (keys to be obtained at inn above, fee 3d.) is now a museum, and contains a good collection of armour.  Amongst other curiosities on show are a “He” Bible, a pair of Cromwell’s boots, and one of his letters.  A gigantic fresco of St George adorns the E. wall, and beneath the E. window is the original stone altar.  The Chapel of St Anne, on the N., is shut off by an iron grille, and contains some fine monuments:  (1) in centre, a costly marble cenotaph with effigies of Sir E. Hungerford, the Parliamentarian, and his wife Margaret (1648), (2) within the grille, Sir T. Hungerford and his wife Joan (1398-1412), (3) on N., Sir E. Hungerford and wife (1607), (4) against W. wall, tomb of Mrs Shaa (1613), with panel of kneeling figures.  In the S.E. corner of main building is a plain altar-tomb of Sir W. Hungerford and son (1596).  The font is said to have been brought from the church.  At its foot is a slab with incised figure of a chantry priest of unknown identity.  Beneath the side chapel is a vault (to which access can be obtained outside) containing the leaded corpses of several members of the family.  The parish church of St Leonard stands on the other side of the road on rising ground overlooking the ruins.  It is a small plain Perp. building with square W. tower surmounted by a short pyramidal spire.  It is somewhat quaint, but contains nothing of interest except an altar made out of an ancient settle.  Over the doorway is a semicircular stone bearing a curious Latin inscription, said to be not later than 1200 A.D.  It is supposed to have belonged either to an earlier building or to some dismantled church in the neighbourhood.  Below the church is Farleigh House, a picturesque modern mansion.

Farmborough, a biggish village 8 m.  S.W. from Bath (nearest stat.  Clutton, 2-1/2 miles).  The church is modern, but has a Perp.  W. tower.  The chancel contains a piscina, and there is a ribbed stone squint.  Near the village is Barrow Hill, a conical-shaped eminence.

Farrington Gurney, a pleasant village on the Bristol and Wells road, 8 m.  N.E. from Wells (nearest stat.  Hallatrow, 1 m.).  On the Midsomer Norton road is an old manor house.  The church, which lies beyond the house in a field, is modern (1843), but occupies an ancient ecclesiastical site.  Over the W. doorway is a small Norm. effigy, called by the natives “Old Farrington.”  The churchyard contains the base of an ancient cross.

Fiddington, a parish 7 m.  N.W. of Bridgwater.  Its church retains a few carved seat ends, an oak pulpit, and a piscina, but presents no other feature of interest.

Fitzhead, a village 2 m.  N. of Milverton.  The church has been rebuilt, with the exception of the tower.  In the churchyard is a good specimen of an effigied cross (cp.  Wiveliscombe).  Hard by is Fitzhead Court, an ancient manor house said to contain a good plaster ceiling.

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Somerset from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.