Marston Biggott, a small village 3 m.  S.W. from Frome.  The church, which stands in a park, has been rebuilt.  Marston House (until lately the seat of the Earls of Cork) is a large modern “Italian” mansion, imposingly situated on a wooded hillside.  The site of the original house, of which nothing remains, is locally known as Marston Moat.  Close by is a field traditionally called Conqueror’s Meads, and is popularly reputed to have been the scene of some ancient battle.

Marston Magna, a village 5 m.  N.E. of Yeovil, with station on G.W.R. line to Weymouth.  The church, though devoid of picturesqueness, has several features of architectural interest.  Traces of herringbone work will be discovered on the N. exterior wall of the chancel, where, too, should be noted the flat buttresses and Norm. window.  The peculiarity of the church is, however, the little chapel adjoining the N. porch, and divided from it by a rude screen surmounted by a gallery.  Note the elaborate niche on the N. The chancel is lighted at E. by an E.E. triplet; and some old glass will be observed in a window on the S. The font has a fluted basin, and is doubtless Norm.  The central battlement of each face of the tower bears the Tudor rose (cp.  East Pennard).  The fine old Jacobean house near the W. end of the church should not escape attention; and in the field to the S.E. is a moated paddock, locally known as Court Garden, and generally reputed to be the site of an ancient manor house.

MARTOCK is a small town (with station) 5-1/2 m.  N.W. of Yeovil, consisting virtually of one long street.  It has no historic associations to speak of, though in 1645 it was the scene of a public thanksgiving by the Parliament forces for the capture of Bridgwater.  At the present time it is chiefly engaged in the manufacture of gloves and jute matting.  The population is about 3000.  It has a noble church, the earliest part of which is the E. wall (E.E.; note the five lancets and gable-topped buttresses).  In it, on a level with the floor, is a large recess, perhaps intended for relics.  The rest of the church is Perp.  The tower (with double belfry windows) is rather plain; but the nave is very impressive, being exceptionally lofty, and having a clerestory lighted by unusually large windows, divided by niches containing paintings of the Apostles.  There is a good deal of panel-work, and a splendid oak roof, with embattled tie-beams.  The pierced parapet is remarkably good.  Note (1) vault of S. porch; (2) piscina in S. chapel, (3) brass to George Bisse and wife (1702 and 1685).  At the extremity of the graveyard is a defaced effigy.

Near the church are two ancient buildings.  The one (approached through a small ruined arch) is a 14th-cent. manor house, with a hall lighted by windows that are square without and foliated within.  Note (1) oak roof, (2) curious brackets.  The other (now the church-house) was formerly a grammar school, founded by William Strode of Barrington in 1661; note arms and motto.  A small building, surrounded by a moat, is said to occupy the site of a manor house given to Lord Monteagle for bringing about the discovery of the Gunpowder Plot.  The market cross is a column crowned by a sundial and ball (cp.  Ilchester).