ILCHESTER, a small, decayed town on the Ivel, 4-1/2 m.  N.E. of Martock, which was formerly of considerable importance.  Its name recalls the fact that it was a Roman station, and upon it several Roman roads converge.  It was besieged in the strife between William Rufus and his brother Robert; and it was fortified in the Great Civil War.  It once had a nunnery, and it was the birthplace of Roger Bacon, who was born here in 1214.  But apart from its historic associations it has little now to attract attention, its only noteworthy building being its church (the last remaining of five).  This has a short tower which is octagonal throughout and does not rest, like others elsewhere, upon a square base.  Some Roman bricks seem to be among the materials of which it is constructed, and there are a few old pieces of carving built into the walls.  The oldest parts of the building appear to date from E.E. times, but it has undergone a good deal of restoration.  Note (1) the E. window (three lancets under a hood moulding); (2) niches; (3) squint.  There is a market cross, consisting of a cylindrical pillar supporting a sundial (cp.  Martock).  Though Ilchester is not now a borough, it was so once, and a very curious macehead (13th cent.) is still preserved.

Ile (or Isle) Abbots, a village 3-1/2 m.  E. of Hatch Station.  It gets its name from its position on the little river Ile (or Isle) and its former connection with Muchelney Abbey.  It possesses an interesting church with a fine tower, having double windows in the belfry and numerous niches, which for the most part retain their statuary.  The S. porch has fair groining with a central pendant, and there are some beautiful pierced parapets.  The windows are of various dates—­E.E., Dec., and Perp.  Note in the chancel (1) low side-window (cp.  Bleadon, Othery), (2) piscina, surrounded by panelling, (3) triple sedilia.  The font, rudely carved, is Norm.  The arcade piers are encircled with the “Devonshire” foliage.

Ile (or Isle) Brewers (the latter half of the name a corruption of De Bruyere, the family that once owned the manor) is a parish 5 m.  E. of Hatch Station.  The church has been rebuilt (1861), and the tower (on the S.) is surmounted by a spire.  Within is a Norm. font.

Ilminster, a small market town (with station) on the Ile, is a place of great antiquity but of little present importance, though it has some lace, shirt, and collar manufactories.  It was attached to the Abbey of Muchelney until the dissolution of the monasteries.  It possesses a noble church, the fine central tower having triple windows in double tier (cp.  Mells and Leigh), and being surmounted by clustered pinnacles, whilst the vault is beautifully groined.  The S. porch and the transepts are also excellently designed, these parts of the structure having been built by Sir William Wadham (15th cent.).  The nave (rebuilt in 1824) is much inferior.  Note (1) large ribbed