Lord Marney fought for Henry VII. in France, and was one of the court counsellors at the time of his son’s accession.  He became a great favourite with Henry VIII., and was created a baron, besides being made a Knight of the Garter and Captain of the Bodyguard.  He came of an old Norman stock, but had not overmuch land.  At Layer Marney, his chief estate, he determined to build a fitting abode for himself.  It was one of the earliest buildings since Roman times to be built of brick.  The terra-cotta mouldings are a peculiar feature.  It is thought that Lord Marney brought over Italian workmen to make the terra-cotta, for there is a classic touch about the ornaments.  The gateway has two towers, one ivy-clad.  The whole structure is strikingly original in style.  It was commenced in 1500, but Lord Marney died before the work was done.  John, his son, died the next year, and with him the line of Marneys became extinct.

In the church are three monuments of the Marneys.  The tomb of Henry, Lord Marney, is in the arch leading to the Marney Chapel, which was founded by him.  The figure is of dark marble, clad in armour, and wearing the robes of a Knight of the Garter.  An ancestor of Lord Marney, who died in 1414, lies near.  The effigy is clothed in mail.  The figure of John, the last of the Marneys, is of black marble.  There are some curious frescoes in the church, and an oak screen.  The interior of the building is probably older than the exterior, which is of about the same date as the towers.

The church keys may be procured at the rectory.

[Illustration:  LAYER MARNEY TOWER, ESSEX.

Commenced by the first Lord Marney about the year 1500, but owing to the death of Lord Marney and of his only son, the year following, the buildings were never finished.]

BATTLE ABBEY

=How to get there.=—­Train from Charing Cross or Cannon Street. 
  South-Eastern and Chatham Railway.
=Nearest Station.=—­Battle. =Distance from London.=—­55-1/4 miles. =Average Time.=—­Varies between 2-1/2 hours and 1-1/2 hours.

                     1st 2nd 3rd
=Fares.=—­Single 9s. 4d. 5s. 10d. 4s. 8-1/2d. 
          Return 16s. 4d. 11s. 8d. 9s. 5d.

=Accommodation Obtainable.=—­“George” and “Star” Hotels. =Alternative Route.=—­None.

Battle Abbey is open to the public on Tuesdays only, between 12 and 4.  There is no charge for admission, tickets being obtained from the stationer’s shop bearing the name Ticehurst.  It is situated close to the main entrance to the abbey.  The great gateway through which one enters is illustrated here.  It was probably built by Abbot Retlynge in the first half of the fourteenth century.  The original abbey was built in fulfilment of a vow which William the Norman made just before the battle of Senlac Hill, the building being arranged so that the high altar was placed on the exact spot where