The church, which is supposed to have been erected before or soon after the Conquest, is tiled, and the chancel thatched. It contains a neat Perpendicular font, of the style common in Norfolk, ornamented with panels filled alternately with the emblems of the four evangelists, and angels bearing shields.
Mr. Minty called the attention of the Committee to the contemplated destruction of a curious ancient building in Norwich, "containing," as he says, "the most perfect specimens of an old hall and staircase I have yet seen in this part of the county; it is situated not far from the site of the former palace of the dukes of Norfolk, but nothing I believe is known of its original history; it is only mentioned in the records of this place as the 'Strangers' Hall," and is supposed to have been occupied by such guests as could not be accommodated in the duke's palace. Formerly, and even within the recollection of some of the oldest inhabitants of the town, it was used as the Judges' lodgings. The property belongs to the Roman Catholics of Norwich, and the whole is to be taken down, for the purpose of erecting a church and convent." Mr. Minty stated that representations of parts of the building have been engraved by Mr. Ninham, an artist at Norwich, who will shortly publish an etching of the interior of the hall.
May 14.
Mr. John Lean, of the Ordnance Office, communicated a sketch of a font at Blisland, Cornwall, which is formed of granite. It is of Perpendicular character, of octagonal form, and each side is ornamented with a quatrefoiled panel enclosing an escutcheon.
Mr. Lean exhibited also rubbings taken from the sepulchral brasses which exist in the church of Minster, in the Island of Sheppy, which represent, according to tradition. Sir Roger de Northwode, possessor of a manor of that name in the adjoining parish of Eastchurch, and his wife Bona. He was at the siege of Acre with King Richard, Cœur de Lion. Representations of these interesting figures have been published by Stothard, in the series of monumental effigies, and Mr. Kempe, in his description of the plate, suggests that these memorials may represent Sir John de Northwode, grandson of Sir Roger; he was knighted by Edward I. at the siege of Carlaverock, was summoned to parliament from 6 to 12 Edward II. (1318), and died about that period. He married Joan de Badlesmere. The armour represented in this curious specimen is very singular; the general character of design, and the unusual fashion of wearing the shield appended to the belt or hilt of the sword, so as to cover the right thigh, appear to afford grounds for the conjecture that this brass was engraved in France. The shield thus worn appears to have been termed ecu en cantiel. The bearing should evidently be, ermines, a cross engrailed, but the plate is imperfect, a portion having been cut out, in order, as it would appear, to make the figure of the knight equal in length to that of his lady, the dimensions of which were somewhat more diminutive.
