The exterior of Sherborne Church has been called unpicturesque, owing to its low central tower and insignificant pinnacles.  It is, however, a huge building, and its interior is so richly decorated that it more resembles a cathedral than a parish church.  It possesses the finest fan-vault in existence, covered with gilded bosses and heraldic arms.  Contrasting with this wonderful richness of decoration are three plain Norman arches.

The nave is divided into five bays by panelled arches, the irregular widths of which are due to the fact that the Norman arches are cased in with Perpendicular work.  The south transept has a wonderful roof of black Irish oak.

[Illustration:  Photochrom Co., Ltd.

SHERBORNE ABBEY CHURCH.

It contains Norman work and some of the finest fan-vaulting in existence.]

NEWARK

=How to get there.=—­Train from King’s Cross.  Great Northern Rly. =Nearest Station.=—­Newark. =Distance from London.=—­120 miles. =Average Time.=—­Varies between 2-1/2 to 3-1/4 hours.

1st     2nd    3rd
=Fares.=—­Single  17s. 6d.   ...    10s. 
Return  35s. 0d.   ...    20s.

=Accommodation Obtainable.=—­“The Ram Hotel,” “Clinton Arms,”
  “Saracen’s Head,” “White Hart,” “Swan and Salmon,” etc.
=Alternative Routes.=—­Train from Euston, via Market Harboro’,
  L. and N.W.  Railway.  Train from St. Pancras, Midland Rly.

Newark-upon-Trent is believed by some antiquaries to have been built in Roman times; others state its origin to have been Saxon, but the first absolutely certain record of it is in the time of Edward the Confessor.  The castle, which was built in the reign of Stephen, stands on the bank of the river, and on that side is still tolerably perfect.  Of the interior nothing remains except the foundations of a great hall, probably built in later times than the rest of the fortress.  A flight of steps leads from the hall to the crypt beneath, which has loop-holes looking towards the river.  The eastern wall has disappeared, but those remaining are fairly intact.  The architecture of the castle varies, part being Norman, and other portions dating from before the Parliamentary War.  The space enclosed by the castle walls is now used for a bowling-green, and also as a large cattle-market.

During King John’s reign the castle was besieged by the Barons, and John, coming to relieve them, was taken ill and died there in 1216.  During the reign of Henry III. the fortress, which had been taken from the See of Lincoln by Stephen, was restored, and remained ecclesiastical property until the reign of Edward VI.

In the time of Charles I. the castle sustained several sieges.  It was at Newark that Charles I. was deserted by his nephews Rupert and Maurice, after his defeat at Naseby.  The king withdrew to Oxford at the approach of the Scots and Parliamentary armies, and Newark was besieged by the Scots.  After the king’s surrender in 1646, Newark was delivered up by his orders, and the fortifications, which were 2-1/4 miles long, were destroyed by the Parliamentary troops.