ST. MARTHA'S CHAPEL,

SURRY.

ST. MARTHA's is an inconsiderable parish in the hundred of Blackheath. The resident population in 1801 was 112 persons: the money raised in 1803 by the parishrate, at two shillings in the pound, was £102: 12. The Chapel is extra-parochial, and annexed to Chilworth manor, which belongs to the Randylls, owners of the first considerable gunpowder works in England. St. Martha's Chapel is built in form of a cross, and stands on the summit of a hill, being the south-eastern extremity of a range of upland extending thence to Guildford. From this elevation the country appears beautifully diversified with lands richly cultivated, interspersed with villages and noble mansions ; the prospect is bounded by hills almost obscured through their remoteness. The Chapel is a rude composition of flints and unwrought stones, mixed with hard mortar. In the west end is a circular arch, which has evidently been repaired of late to preserve it from entire demolition : above this is the appearance of another arch of the same form and dimensions; the whole of the nave is in a most ruinous state, and without a roof. The choir and transcept are kept in repair, and divine service is still performed here. No regular style of architecture is visible

ST. MARTHA'S CHAPEL.

in the building; on the eastern side of the south transcept are the remains of a handsome Gothic window, now filled up; the great east window was likewise pointed: in the north transcept appears a low door with a circular arch. The length of the Chapel, from east to west, is about 105 feet, its breadth about twenty-four feet, the transcept projects on each side fifteen feet; the walls are nearly four feet in thickness. Some paces round the Chapel the ground is used as a cemetary, though not enclosed; there are no monumental stones, but the turf is here and there raised, where

"Each in his narrow cell for ever laid,

The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep."

KATHERINE HILL CHAPEL.

SURRY.

THIS Chapel stands on the summit of a hill, anciently known by the name of Drake Hill, but now Katherine Hill. By whom the Chapel was erected is uncertain; its foundation is, however, ascribed to king Henry II., as a place of worship for the tenants of his manor of Ertindon, having detached it from Godalming, on his granting the latter to the church of Salisbury. It is certain that in the fourteenth of Henry III., a stipend was paid by the crown to a chaplain who officiated here; shortly after this time the Chapel became so ruinous that it was found necessary to rebuild it. Accordingly, about the twenty-ninth of Edward I., "Richard de Wauncey, parson of St. Nicholas in Guildford, having purchased the site thereof of Hamo de Gatton, Andrew Brabeuf, John de Mareschal, and the abbess of Wherwell, proprietors of the several parcels of the original manor of Ertindon, rebuilt the Chapel, under condition of holding it for himself and successors, parsons of St. Nicholas in fee, probably with an intention of annexing it to that benefice as a chapel of ease. The legality of this transaction was afterwards disputed for, by a petition to parliament, in the reign of Edward III., it is stated, that

KATHERINE HILL CHAPEL.

Richard de Wauncey, formerly parson of St. Nicholas, had erected this Chapel on a spot found by inquest to belong to the king, without his permission, and against the statute of mortmain; it was therefore deemed forfeited, and granted to the petitioner, Thomas Constable, for life, and at his decease to revert to the crown.

The building was a few years since repaired by Austin, esq. near whose residence it stands; these repairs were directed principally to prevent the arches of the doors and windows from falling, and to protract the existence of the venerable ruin, not with a design to render it again serviceable. The length of the Chapel is about forty-five feet, its breadth near twenty-one feet, the thickness of the walls is three feet.

In the second year of Edward III. a charter was granted for holding an annual fair at Katherine Hill, on the eve and morrow of St. Matthew. This custom is still abserved.