equally corrupted at the time of the general survey, in the reign of William the conqueror; and is called

N. B. These are all in Marshland, on the South Side of the River that

goes to Thorne and Doncaster.

in Doomsday-book Osgoodcross. If the namé had been recently imposed, it would have been clearly and graphically expressed; and from this corruption of the name it may be inferred, that the cross had been long erected, and that both the object and occasion of it were then almost forgotten.

It is natural to suppose, that the place where this cross was erected, was then a place of some importance and consideration; at least, that it exceeded every other within the division. The erection of this cross at so early a period, will establish the fact, that the inhabitants of this Burgh had then embraced and professed christianity. And is it not probable from this circumstance, that Oswald had honoured the place by his royal presence? that he had conferred some particular privileges on its inhabitants? May not he be the person who built a church, and as a testimony of their gratitude, they thus honoured him?

It could not be earlier than the middle of the seventh, nor later than the eighth century, when the church was built, which gave the name of Kirkby to this town. Within this period lived the before mentioned Edwin and Oswald; and afterwards Ceolwolf and Egbert, who abdicated a throne to spend their last days in devotion among the monks. During this period christian churches were erected in most places of importance, through the Northumbrian kingdom; several monasteries were built and largely endowed, which supplied the churches with a succession of teachers: and it is probable that many of the parish churches may date their origin from about this period* Had they not been now

* It is not meant, that the present buildings were erected, but that structures were raised for religious worship, on the decay of which, others have been built.

F

built, the turbulence of the succeeding times-the invasion of the Danes-the furious wars between them and the Saxons, would not admit of leisure for works of this kind.

Owing to the want of ancient documents, it is impossible to point out with certainty where the first christian church stood; or what was the form of the structure. It is however most probable that it occupied the site of the present church of AllSaints; and from the veneration paid to the cross, would be built in that form. The ground where it stood would be esteemed sacred; and when the wood church gave place to a more permanent structure of stone, its site would be preferred.

What was the precise extent of the parish at this period cannot now be ascertained. As churches were at first built only in towns and cities, parishes would be much more extensive than they now are; and it is not improbable that many of the contiguous parishes might then be included m that of Kirkby*.

* Theodore, Archbishop of Canterbury, obtained from the king royal licences, that he who built a church should enjoy the patronage of it; and it became common for every thane to build a church on his own land, for the use of his servants and tenants; and a law of Athelstan proves that no one could enjoy the dignity of thane without possessing a church. As there were inferior freeholders who were not able to erect churches on their estates; these gave their tythes, and attended at the church nearest to them; and as the thanesland constituted a township, over which he exercised civil jurisdiction, all the surrounding districts which brought their tythes to the same church formed a parish. population increased, chapels of ease were erected, at this time called Oratories, where the common prayers only were read. The bishops often found it necessary to raise them into parish churches, and to grant them full parochial rights and privileges. In some instances, their dependence on the mother church was perpetuated by the payment of the dues, though they were permitted to administer all the sacraments.

As

During the period of the Saxon dominion, Britain was the theatre of long, bloody, and destructive wars. What from their contests with the Britons, their animosities among themselves, and lastly their fierce and desperate conflicts with the Danes, there were few intervals of peace. Yet amidst all this confusion christianity was introduced and established; and though its mild spirit, its benevolent precepts, and genuine principles, appeared during that period to produce little effect, it has gradually prevailed to soften, humanize, and polish this, as well as every other country, where it has been received. The idols of the pagans fell before it, for

Not Mars, the lord of wounds, who scatters round
The seeds of war, and fills the rancorous heart

With Gorgon poisons, can assist his fanes;
Nor Venus can avail, nor her vile boy.
The golden statues of Minerva fall,

Tho' fools proclaim her goddess of the arts;
Nor he for whom, as ancient fictions sing,
The leafy vines, their precious branches spread,
Can prop the columns nodding with their gods.
The marbles tremble with terrific crash,
And the vast fabric rushes into dust.

Ev'n Neptune rumour'd sovereign of the waves,
Who by his swelling billows rules the main,
He cannot save his sculptur'd effigies,
Whose marble brows the golden leaves surround.
Not ev❜n Alcides who the centaurs crush'd,
And dar'd the fiery breath of prowling Cacus,
When from his throat his words in flames were pour'd,
Tho' his right hand the dreadful club may grasp,
Can shield his temples when the Christian prays.

SECTION III.

Inquiry into the Constitution and Privileges of this Burgh under the Saxons.

THAT this was a burgh in the time of Edward

the Confessor is certain, from evidence the most decisive; but how long it enjoyed this privilege anterior to this period is uncertain*. If the population was such as to render it advisable to build a church in the seventh century, it may be presumed it would then be accounted a Burgh, and probably might be so accounted from the time the Saxons obtained possession of the place.

The term borough, in its original Saxon borgh, is said by Bracton to signify primarily a tything, or a company of ten families of freemen, who were bound or combined together as each others pledge; and hence a pledge is called borh. This territorial division has been ascribed to Alfred, but without any foundation, as it is noticed in the laws of Edgar. By his law it is thus enacted, Every man shall find and have borh, and the borh shall produce him to every legal charge, and shall keep him, and if he have done wrong and escapes, his borh shall bear what he ought to have borne. But if it be theft, and the borh can bring him forward within twelve months, then what the borh paid shall be returned."

* Vid. Doomsday-book, among the possessions of Ilbert de Lacy, under the manor of Tateshall.