A British coin found at this place has on its concave side the horse and symbolic circles; on the convex is the representation of an animal apparently intended for a stag, with similar ornaments around it, to those the other side possesses. Many of the early English silver currency have been found here, and also a specimen of the Scottish coinage of David the second.
In deepening the bed of the river Bane, to complete the navigation, in 1802, an ornamental brass spur, part of a brass crucifix, and a dagger, were found together at a short distance from the north bason of the navigation. The spur is now lost; the part of the crucifix and the dagger are in the possession of the author.
THE CHURCH.
From the silence of the Domesday Book respecting a church at this place, it may be concluded that there was not one erected when that survey was made; there however appears to have been one in the reign of Richard the first. [26a]
The present structure, which is dedicated to Saint Mary, stands in the centre of the town, and possesses but few attractions for the antiquary or the architect. It consists of a square tower, a nave and chancel, with north and south aisles. Being for the most part built with the soft and imperfectly aggregated sand-stone of the neighbourhood, which yields easily to the moisture of the atmosphere, it has suffered much from the effects of time; and the decayed parts being repaired with brick, gives to the building a motley and unprepossessing appearance.
The few portions of the original architecture which have escaped the silent ravages of years and the hands of the innovator, bespeak the building of no higher antiquity than the period of Henry the seventh. The aisle on the north side of the chancel is ornamented with embattlements, on which quatrefoils and blank shields are sculptured. It was probably used as a chantry, one of the windows having formerly contained an inscription justifying such a supposition. [26b] This aisle does not extend the whole length of the chancel, and in the space so left, the remains of an oratory and confessional are still visible; this space formerly appropriated as a depository for coals to distribute among the poor, is now occupied by a building to contain the fire engines; a corresponding part of the south aisle being used as a vestry. The aisle on the south side of the chancel was rebuilt in 1820; but the original windows were restored and again inserted. Part of the aisle on the south of the nave was rebuilt in the following year.
The interior of the church is remarkably neat and well pewed. A gallery at the west end of the nave contains an organ which was purchased by subscription in 1810. Galleries are also erected in each aisle of the nave.
In the wall of the north aisle is a stone, containing the figure in brass of Sir Lionel Dymoke, in armour, kneeling on a cushion, and holding in his hand a label, on which is written, in black letter,