early as the conquest, as the inhabitants consider this the mother church. The spire is a handsome structure, without battlements, having, at that part where it begins to contract, the figures of the four Evangelists, placed under elegant canopies, one at each corner. At the upper end of the chancel is an ancient and curious monument, without arms or inscription. The figure of a man armed cap-a-pee is recumbent by a female figure. This tomb is to the memory of Sir David Philips, who distinguished himself at the battle of Bosworth field. He founded a chantry in this church. In the Cottonian library is a manuscript bill of expences for repairs, and other matters respecting this church in the year 1427, containing many curious items.

ST. GEORGE'S CHURCH is a large plain building, consisting of a chaucel, nave, north and south ailes, with a square embattled tower at the west end. The windows of the ailes are large with three lights, and pointed flat arches; those of the nave have square heads. It was rebuilt A. D. 1450, at the sole expence of William Bruges, first Garter King at Arms.* In the chancel windows, which are very large, were numerous figures in stained glass. In this church lie the remains of David Cecil, Esq. who' was high sheriff of Northamptonshire in 1542, and grandfather of the first Lord Burleigh.

ALL SAINTS CHURCH is a large well-proportioned structure, consisting of a nave, two ailes, and two chancels; one at the end of the south aisle, and the other answering to the pave. At the west end of the north aile is the steeple, which is a lofty, handsome, embattled structure, with octangular turrets at the corners, and crowned by a neat octangular spire, crocketed at the angles

from

* This person bestowed numerous jewels, rich plate, and other valuable ornaments, upon the church. Mr. Peck has inserted in his Annals, a copy of the will, which contains many particulars respecting these bequests. Artiquarian Annals of Stamford, Lib. XĮV. p, 24.

from the base to the summit. This church, which Mr. Peck considers 66 one of the principal ornaments of Stamford," was built at the expence of a Mr. John Brown, merchant of the Staple at Calais, who, with his wife lie buried at the upper end of the north aile. On a gilt brass plate in the wall is this inscription, "Oraté pro animabus Johannis Browne, mercatoris Stapule Calisie & Margerie uxoris ejus. Qui quidem Johannes obiit xxvi die mensis Julii an. dni. M,CCCCXLII; & que quædem Margeria obiit xxii die Novembris M,CCCCLX, quorum animabus' propitietur Deus. Amen.". In St. Mary's chapel, where formerly stood the altar, are figures in brass of William Brown, who built and endowed the bead-house, and his wife; with scrolls over their heads-" X me spede," " dere lady help at nede." Against the east window of this chapel is a white marble monument,' in memory of Mr. Thomas Truesdale, who lived in the same house' that Mr. Brown did, and followed his example, by founding' another almıshouse.

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST'S CHURCH was rebuilt about the thirtieth year of Henry the Sixth, A.D. 1452. It consists of a nave and two ailes, with a chancel at the east end of each. They are separated from the nave and ailes by elegant screen work, and the roof has been highly decorated with figures, carved both in wood and stone. The windows of this church, according to Mr. Peck, exhibited some admirable specimens of stained glass.

Besides religious foundations, Stamford had formerly several others devoted to the tuition of youth. In the year 1109, Joffrid, Abbot of Croyland, deputed three monks from his monastery' for this purpose. This was probably the foundation of the University, which has been the subject of much controversy. Camden places the date of the establishment in the reign of Edward the Third; and Anthony Wood, in the year 1292†.

* Britannia, Vol. II. p. 225.

+ As quoted by Mr. Peck, Lib. IX p. 22.

But

the

the foundation was earlier than either of these assigned periods. The Carmelites had a monastery here in the time of Henry the Third, gave public lectures on divinity and the liberal arts, and held public disputations against Judaism. Numbers of the clergy and gentry sent their sons here for instruction. Other religious houses in this place followed the example. Stamford soon became celebrated as a place of liberal instruction. Public lectures were appointed, and colleges erected for the reception of students. On a violent altercation taking place in the reign of Edward the Third, between the Northern and Southern scholars in the University of Oxford, the former class removed to Stamford: but they were obliged, by royal proclamation, to return to Oxford, and it was afterward made a statute, that no Oxford man should take a degree at Stamford. In this university were four colleges: namely, Brasen nose, whence a college at Oxford, founded in the time of Henry the Seventh, probably took its name, was taken down in the year 1668, and a charity school erected out of the materials. Sempringham Hall stood on St. Peter's Hill, and was intended principally as a seminary for youth destined to profess, agreeable to the order of Gilbertines. It was founded by Robert Luttrel, rector of Irnham, A. D. 1292.

A

Peterborough Hall was opposite the south door of All Saints church. It was pulled down about 1705.

Black Hall, a school to prepare the youth for the monastery of Black friars, stood to the north-west of All Saints church, and was taken down soon after Peterborough Hall.

The Free School, in St. Paul's Street, was founded in the reign of Edward the Sixth, A. D. 1548, by Mr. William Radcliffe; and further endowed in the tenth year of James the First, by Thomas Earl of Exeter, who gave the sum of 1081. annually to Clare Hall, in Cambridge, on condition, that he and his heirs for ever should have the nomination of eight scholars, and out of them three fellows; and when any of the scholarships should become vacant, that preference should be given, in electing, to the youth educated in the free grammar school of Stamford.

In the Charity School, situated also in St. Paul's Street, thirty six boys are cloathed and educated; the expence of which are, in 'a great measure, defrayed by public contributions.

Browne's Hospital, so called from Mr. William Browne, an alderman and merchant of the staple, at Calais, was founded in the reign of Richard the Third, for a warden, confrater, and twelve poor men, and endowed with ample lands for their sup port. It is an handsome old building, situated on the north side of the corn market. In the chapel, at the eastern end, which was consecrated A. D. 1494, service is performed by the confrater twice every day. In the windows is much curious painted glass. The revenes have greatly increased of late years, and the poor are comfortably provided for.

In the year 1770, St. Peter's gate being in a ruinous condition, was taken down, and near the site was erected St. Peter's Hospital, a well contrived building, for the reception of eight poor men and their wives, whose age, to be admissible, must be more than sixty.

Truesdale's Hospital, for six poor men, who have three shillings and sixpence weekly, and an annual allowance of clothes and coals, is situated in the Scogate. Besides these, there are other charitable institutions, named Callises. St. John's Callis, adjoining Truesdale's Hospital, is for eight poor women. All Saints

Callis, on St. Peter's Hill, is for twelve poor women. And Williamson's Callis, on the same hill, in the parish of All Saints, erected by Mr. G. Williamson, grocer, and endowed with lands by his widow, in the year 1772. This charity provides an asylum for six poor widows, whose age, at admission, must be near forty-eight.

The civil business of the town is transacted in the TOWN HALL, a large insulated structure, standing near St. Mary's church. It was built by trustees, appointed under an act passed in the year 1776, for widening the road from the north end of the bridge to the Scogate, when the old Hall was taken down. The building has two handsome fronts, and the whole is divided into twentytwo apartments, comprising the municipal rooms, the largest of

which is fifty-two feet long, twenty-five wide, and nineteen in height; a guard room, house of correction, and a gaol.

The Theatre in St. Mary Street, a neat building, after the model of those in London, was erected at the expence of 8061. ip the year 1768.

The river Welland is navigable to the town for boats and small barges. The town is supplied with water from Wolthorpe, whence it is conveyed by iron pipes. Stamford has two markets on Monday and Friday, and seven annual fairs. By the returns to parliament under the late act, the number of houses was 701, of inhabitants 4022.

Stamford Baron, though considered part of the town of Stamford, being separated from it only by the river Welland, over which is a stone bridge, is a distinct liberty and parish in the county of Northampton. Anciently this part of the town was called Stamford beyond the bridge, or Stamford south of the Welland. The first time the appellation of Stamford Baron occurs on record, is about the year 1455, being then part of the lands held per baroniam, by the Abbot of Peterborough, to distinguish it from the other part called the King's borough. During the Saxon period, in the reign of Athelstan, it enjoyed the privilege of a mint*, and was particularly favored by succeeding monarchs. King Edward the elder fortified the southern banks of the river against the Danes, who frequently occupied the northern side; and built, according to Marianus, a strong castle in Stamford Baron to prevent the incursions of that people from the north. Mr. Peck observes, he could not discover that it was ever walled; yet it was defended by five gates and a castle. The latter stood on the verge of the Roman road, where now is the Nuns' farm. In Domesday book this place is mentioned as the sixth ward belonging to Stamford, and as being situated in Hantunescire.

Here

* Stowe's Annals. This was a privilege granted to the Abbot of Medeshamstede, and is mentioned in a charter of King Edgar to that monastery.