they were removed from Castor to Peterborough in the former half of the eleventh century.  A fragment of sculpture in the same style is built into the west wall of the south transept.  Even if the latter years of the ninth century are deemed too early a date for the stone, at any rate the style of the sculpture and ornamentation seems much earlier than anything we can now see in position in the building itself.  May it not have been erected when the minster was reconstructed at the end of the tenth century?  It was formerly in the churchyard; sometimes testators (like Dr Pocklington) desired in their wills that they might be interred near it.  It has been usually stated that the stone was erected by Abbot Godric of Crowland, who died in 941.  Unvarying tradition has associated it with the Danish massacre; its dimensions almost exactly agree with the earliest records of the stone said to have been so erected.  The cruciform nimbus round the head of one figure leaves no doubt that it was designed for the Saviour; but this had been recognised many years before Mr Bloxam wrote.

[Illustration:  Part of the Monks’ Stone.]

In the north transept, below the level of the floor, and protected by wooden doors, are several richly ornamented slabs or coffin lids, of undoubted Saxon date; and they form a series which may be considered one of the very best in England.  They are in their original position, the spot on which they lie being outside the Saxon church and they were then in the grave-yard.  They were discovered in 1888.  The interlacing work, and other carvings, are deeply cut and in excellent preservation.

[Illustration:  Saxon Coffin Lids in North Transept.]

The six recumbent effigies of abbots are the very best series of Benedictine memorials in the country.  Attempts have been made to identify them from the character of the carvings.  But as four are certainly of thirteenth century date, and one late in the twelfth century, and as thirteen abbots ruled during that period, it may be pronounced impossible to name each one.  One only, manifestly the latest in date, and also in poorest preservation (being carved in clunch), has the mitre; this is now temporarily placed in the New Building; there is little doubt that it represents John Chambers, the last Abbot and first Bishop.  All the other five abbots are represented in alb and chasuble, holding a book (signifying, it is said, the statutes of the Benedictine order), in the left hand; while in the right hand is a crosier.  In one instance this is not very clear.  Four have their feet resting on fanciful creatures, which, in three cases, hold the lower ends of the crosiers in their mouths.  Two of these crosiers, at least, are turned outwards:  this is contrary to the commonly received opinion that the turning inward symbolised the domestic rule over a monastic house.  The head of one abbot rests on a square cushion.  Four of these effigies are in the south choir aisle;