PARISH CHURCH OF WEAVERHAM " . . • 845

On the south-cast corncr arc many archers grooves, and also a mark which tradition says was caused by Cromwell's soldiers at the Batdc of Winnington Bridge. The archcr)^r ground was undoubtedly in the church field, and the formation of the ground with the rise to the clump of trees indicates, I think, that this may have been the tilting ground. From here can be seen where the Roman road would cross the river on the way to join the road from Wildcrspool to Kindcrton. Along die south wall under the second window is plainly visible the lower part of the doorway which was formerly the entrance door to the Crowton Chapel.

Speaking of the churchyard, although there arc no stones here at present on which the words " Stct Viator " are carved, if we " travellers " did stand and recall for a few moments that for over 1,000 years those who lived and worshipped here and had been laid to rest " in sure and certain hope," rich and poor alike, side by side, we should again with the poet Gray realize that :—

" The boast of Heraldy, the pomp of pow'r, And all that beauty, all that wcaldi e'er gave, Awaits alike th* inevitable hour :

The paths of glory lead but to the grave."

And again in the words of the hymn :—

" One army of the living God, To Mis command we bow, Part of the host have crossed the flood And part arc crossing now."

While passing along some quaint inscriptions may attract our notice extolling the virtues of the departed or recording long scrvicc in various capacities in the Church, National, or Domestic life. These are too numerous to be recorded in detail here, but as we emerge from the churchyard we surely must pause for a moment by die Memorial Cross erected to the memory of those from this neighbourhood who in the Great War laid down their lives