a handsome Gothic structure; there is
a tradition that the chancel was built with the offerings at the
shrine of Sir John Shorne, a very devout man, of great veneration
with the people, who was rector of North Marston about the year
1290, and it is said that the place became populous and flourishing
in consequence of the great resort of persons to a well which he had
blessed. This story stands upon a better foundation than most vulgar
traditions; the great tithes of North Marston are still appropriated
to the dean and canons of Windsor, who, before the Reformation,
might without difficulty have rebuilt the chancel, as it is very
probable they did, with the offerings at the shrine of Sir John
Shorne, for we are told that they were so productive, that on an
average they amounted to 500l. per annum.[1] Sir John Shorne,
therefore, although his name is not to be found, appears to have
been a saint of no small reputation. The common people in the
neighbourhood still keep up his memory by many traditional stories.
Browne Willis, says, that in his time there were people who
remembered a direction-post standing, which pointed the way to Sir
John Shorne's shrine."[2]

North Marston, formerly Merston, is about four miles from Winslow. I
visited it about a year ago, and drank of the well, or spring, which is
about a quarter of a mile from the village; but I know nothing of the
traditions alluded to by Lysons. The chancel of the church is a fine
specimen of perpendicular style, with a vestry of the same date, and of
two stories, with a fireplace in each. I do not find North Marston, in
Bucks, mentioned in Leland, Camden, or Defoe, nor can I meet with any
account of Sir John Shorne in any books of English saints within my
reach. A copy of Browne Willis's MSS. may be seen in the British Museum.

W.H.K.

[Footnote 1: _History of Windsor_, p. 111.]

[Footnote 2: B. Willis's MSS., Bodleian Library.]

For the information of those who may not have the _Norfolk Archaeology_
to refer to, let me add that John Shorne appears to have been rector of
North Marston, in Buckinghamshire, about the year 1290, "and was held in
great veneration for his virtues, which his benediction had imparted to
a holy well in his parish, and for his miracles, one of which, _the feat
of conjuring the devil into a boot_, was considered so remarkable that
it was represented in the east wind