Page:Walks in the Black Country and its green border-land.pdf/329

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and its Green Bonder-Land.
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town the name it has borne for eight centuries. Wulfruna, sister to King Ethelred, founded the College and Church of St. Mary here. The town was afterwards called Wulfrun's Hampton in honour of her pious wish and deed; but was soon shortened into Wolverhampton. The church is one of the most ancient and venerable to be found in England, and bids fair to stand as long as it has already stood, if the earth endure for so many centuries to come. It is just emerging from a recent renovation, in which all the characteristics of the old structure have been faithfully preserved and reproduced. It is the great centre-piece of the town; and though the rain and wind were raking the streets, we hunted up the key-holder, who let us into the building. The dim, religious light and the silent presence of nearly a thousand years blended well in the impression with which we walked up and down the solemn aisles. Most of the painted windows, however, are recent productions and of modern genius. Our recent visit to Boscobel, and the fresh impression of Charles's adventures there and at Moseley and Bentley, gave us special interest in the Lane Chapel, and we went to that first on entering the church. It contains monuments of the family for several generations, at least two before the celebrated John Lane. On an altar tomb lie the full length forms in marble of Thomas