The History and Antiquities of HorshamDudley, Howard
History
The History and Antiquities of Horsham
Dudley, Howard
Horsham (West Sussex, England)
The last monumental inscription is for the Rev. Thomas Lavender a most
exemplary minister of this parish, for upwards of 60 years, he died in
the year 1776, at the age of 86.
The font is modern, but particularly neat and handsome; one of a very
ancient description, was lately dug up in the churchyard.
[Picture: Farthing Bridge]
Proceeding along the turnpike road to the west of Horsham and passing
Farthing Bridge, of which the annexed wood-cut is a representation, we
reach Broad-bridge Heath, a delightful, picturesque, and salubrious
plain, so called: by pursuing the centre road, the visitor will arrive at
Stroud, a small hamlet about 3 miles from Horsham; it is chiefly
remarkable for the elegant residence denominated Stroud park, belonging
to --- Commerell esq.: the grounds around the house particularly deserve
attention, and the sweetly retired situation of the fishing house,
erected upon the banks of a lake surrounded by the majestic and noble
trees for which this district is so justly celebrated, whilst the deep
silence which pervades the whole, interrupted only by the rippling stream
beneath, and the delightful choir of the feathered songsters, combine to
render it, in every sense of the word, a most enchanting and delightful
scene.
[Picture: Slinfold Church]
By taking the road to the left hand, on Broad-bridge heath, and again
turning to the right at Lion’s Corner gate, the village of Slinfold, to
which the hamlet of Stroud belongs, soon appears in sight. “Fold”
observes Mr. Dallaway, “is a termination frequently belonging to parishes
within the weald and in distinction to Hume seems to be applied to those
which were first cultivated in square inclosures, after the removal of
timber and underwood. This observation belongs to the early Saxon æra;
and it is evident that the name of almost every vilor or farm within the
district is derived from them.” The church build at the end of the
village, was erected at the formation of the parish by bishop Ralph in
1230. It has a nave and north aisle with a small sepulchral chapel
appendant. In this portion of the church which belongs to the manor of
Dedisham, is a curiously sculptured female figure, destitute of any
inscription, but traditionally said, to belong to a member of the family
of Tregoz.—There are also two other mural monuments, with small painted
alabaster effigies of women in the ancient dress of their times. The
first of which we give a sketch, appears particularly “en bon point,” and
is represented kneeling on a cushion, in the act of prayer. The
following inscription, now almost illegible, appears beneath.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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