18 ARELEY KINGS.

gaol at Worcester for the murder of Joseph Hawking, a shopkeeper, of Areley, on the 8th of September, 1836. The wretched criminal was a carpenter, without education, and very sottish.

In the time of Elizabeth there were thirty-three families here; in 1861 there was a population of 564; acreage, 1,449; chief piWuce, barley, turnips, and apples; common enclosed in 1843; no dissenting chapel; church accommodation, 237; value of living, £410; rector, Rev. J. P. Hastings; patron, Rev. H. J. Hastings.

The church has a nave and chancel, with tower in the centre of the south side, forming the principal entrance. It is nearly all fifteenth century work, except a Norman doorway in the north wall. In 1865 it was repewed, and otherwise repaired, at a cost of about £200.

A fine tenor bell, founded by the enterprising firm of Blows and Son, Birmingham, was added in 1867 to the previous peal of five, at an expense of about £90. The peal of six musical bells is now heard to great advantage across the river, and the ringers show complete mastery over their new acquisition.

There are some curious inscriptions in the church, and a remarkable old sculptured pillar dial in the yard, said to have belonged to one "Master Fidkin," a wizard, whose chief gratification was in casting "a spell" to keep persons wandering round the village all eight until sunrise, after which he had no power.

In 1633, Joan Millard, a married woman, performed penance in this church and yard for "diverse scandalous, opprobrious, and diffamacious wordes against Mistress EKz. Burrastone."

The following old names are still used in Areley: The Devil's Dib, Dreacle Hill, the Mounins, Vineyards, Hau-stones, and Hungry Hobourn, antiquarian materials of which Nash availed himself.