124 DROITWICH.

oldest portions of the building; the rest is comparatively poor, except some fourteenth century work in the windows of the south aisle and some boldly-carved heads in the arch of the south chapel; there is likewise some fifteenth century work. An abominable screen which cut off a part of {he chancel, to be used as a vestry, and shut out the view of the east window, has been recently removed - the precursor, let us hope, of a great deal more to be done here.

Dodderhill has a fine cruciform church on an elevated terrace. It contains only a chancel, with transepts and tower; the nave was probably damaged in the civil wars

(when the church was occupied by troops), for early in the

last century, being in ruins, the parishioners, to save expense,

pulled down the nave, and built the present tower with the

materials. A good restoration was effected here in 1845.

There is late Norman, Transitional, and Early English work,

and some interesting monuments and a hagioscope are to be

seen here. This church was anciently appropriated to the

Priory of Worcester, to assist the pecuniary difficulties of

the monks occasioned by their too extensive hospitalities.

Habingdon says: "The church of St. Augustin in Wyche,

mounted on Dudurhill, was afflicted with more stormes than

any church in this large dioces, which moved Pope John ye

22, in ye 10 yeare of his papacie, to direct his bull to

Adam Bp. of Wor., with the like severe examination as is

sett downe before in the time of Walter Reynold, Bp. of

Wor., whose steps Bp. Adam in this b'prick tracing confirmed

to ye religious the church of Dudurhill, 6 Novemb., 1333."

And there was in this parish a convent of Augustine Friars,

with an anchoret's cell, likewise a hospital subordinate to the same Priory. Sir John Pakington and Mr. Vernon, M.P.;

are the principal landowners hereabout; and the principal

employment of the inhabitants is agriculture.

St. Peter's Church exhibits Norman, Transitional, Decorated, and Perpendicular work. A very rare relic was found here a few years ago, namely, a portion of the old altar-stone,