ONE of the finest in Wiltshire. A fourteenth century nave roof covers a
Norman nave, and a thirteenth century chapel possesses a beautiful
window, with two lights, and slender delicate column and sculptured leafy
cap. Archæologists dispute as to whether this is the abbey church (a
Benedictine order founded by Queen Elfrida to expiate the murder of her
step-son at Corfe) or merely the parish church. I consider that there
can be _no_ doubt that it is the abbey church, and in my next edition I
hope this fact will be proved from excavations to be made under the
superintendence of Mr. Detmar Blow, the architect for the structural
repairs that are, unfortunately, necessary, the four angles of the church
tower and the voussoirs of the arch having become separated, &c. Only
1400_l._ is needed, and subscriptions will be gratefully acknowledged by
the Manager of the Wilts and Dorset Bank, Amesbury, Wilts; or Lady
Antrobus, Amesbury Abbey. An unfortunate “restoration” was made in 1853,
which swept away the furnishings of the Early Romantic period.