CHRISTCHURCH TWYNEHAM PRIORY.

opposition in the parliament; many contended, that the condemning of persons without hearing their defence was a breach of the most sacred and unalterable rules of justice. The opposition was so great, that it was fouud necessary to appeal to the judges for their decision in the case, who, being artfully dealt with by the minister Cromwell, declared, that the parliament being the supreme court of the realm, from which there could be no appeal, no man has a right to dispute the validity of their sentences, of what nature soever they might be. This report being made to the parliament, the countess was condemned by a sentence which established a precedent the most pernicious that had ever been seen in England.

The

Besides the countess of Salisbury's chapel, there are three others still left in the church of Christchurch, and in an excellent state of preservation. One of these, at the eastern extremity of the south aisle of the choir, was built in 1529, by John Draper, the last prior. The stone of which this chapel is constructed, is similar to that of the chapel of the countess of Salisbury, and its ornamental parts are likewise very highly finished. tombstone of this prior was discovered by Mr. Bingley on removing some of the pews in the nave, not far from the entrance into the choir. In the month of February, 1811, the grave was opened, in the presence of the churchwardens. The body had been interred in a thick wooden coffin, which was nearly crumbled to dust; the skeleton was perfect, and had, evidently, not been dis