Page:Notes on the churches in the counties of Kent, Sussex, and Surrey.djvu/392

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326
NOTES TO SURREY.

the birds. On altar tombs partly let into the north and south walls of the chancel are two brasses of Gaynesfords, A.D. 1450 and 1460, with shields of arms. In the floor within the altar-rails is an iron grave-slab to the last of the Gaynesford family, a female, by marriage Forster, A.D. 1591. Below the inscription, of which some of the letters are absurdly reversed, is a corpse tied up in a shroud in a fish-like shape (resembling that described in the Note on Leigh, Kent) with, on the right two male, on the left two female, figures praying, and a coat of arms in either corner beneath. Two farm-houses close to the church are ancient. That to the south-east of the church, the oldest, has some features appearing to belong to the period of K. Henry VIII. This has been a very considerable mansion, and still retains a stack of chimnies of enormous size, though merely an irregular, heavy mass of masonry.

32. Croydon.— A church of chancel, nave, north and south aisles with chancels extending about half-way up the central; north and south porches, the former modern, the latter possessing a parvise; and square west tower, with battlements, stair-turret, and crocketted pinnacles at the angles. The exterior having been new faced in 1807 and 1808, the construction of the walls is concealed. The tower and the south porch have groined roofs, the whole being Perp., unless the interior casing is an addition to older work in the tower. In the south chancel is a Perp. tomb, called that of a nephew of Archbp. Warham, and the high chancel contains a brass eagle lectern, with a brass, Silvester Gabriel (civilian) 1592.—Of the archiepiscopal palace there are considerable remains adjoining the churchyard, part being brick with stone dressings, part flint and stone. The chapel, though disfigured by being used as school-rooms, retains its fittings as (by report) in Q. Elizabeth's time. Much of the gateway and of the great hall is yet standing. Of the latter the groined porch is nearly perfect. No portion was noticed earlier than late Perp., apparently of the same date as the interior of the church. An almshouse or hospital was founded in Croydon 23 Henry VI by Elias Davey of London. (Monast. VI, 776.) (Val. Eccl.) mentions a park here.

33. Cuddington.—This parish was annihilated for the formation of Nonsuch Park, and is now known only historically. It is named in (A.D. 1291), as also in (Val. Eccl.), and it still appears in the (Clergy List.)

34. Dittons, The.—The Domesday church of Ditone must