fields, to be reached only by footpath, or by strangely circuitous
lane, in the parish of Ranton, there stands a little old
half-timbered house, known as the Vicarage Farm. Only a very
practised eye would suspect the treasures that it contains.
Entering through the original door, with quaint knocker intact,
you are in the kitchen with a fine open fire-place, noble beam,
and walls panelled with oak. But the principal treasure consists
in what I have heard called 'The priest's room.' I should venture
to put the date of the house at about 1500--certainly
pre-Reformation. How did it come to be there? and what purpose did
it serve? I have only been able to find one note which can throw
any possible light on the matter. Gough says that a certain Rose
(Dunston?) brought land at Ranton to her husband John Doiley; and
he goes on: 'This man had the consent of William, the Prior of
Ranton, to erect a chapel at Ranton.' The little church at Ranton
has stood there from the thirteenth century, as the architecture
of the west end and south-west doorway plainly testify. The church
and cell (or whatever you may call it) must clearly have been an
off-shoot from the Priory. But the room: for this is what is
principally worth seeing. The beam is richly moulded, and so is
the panelling throughout. It has a very well carved course of
panelling all round the top, and this is surmounted by an
elaborate cornice. The stone mantelpiece is remarkably fine and of
unusual character. But the most striking feature of the room is a
square-headed arched recess, or niche, with pierced spandrels.
What was its use? It is about the right height for a seat, and
what may have been the seat is there unaltered. Or was it a niche
containing a Calvary, or some figure? I confess I know nothing. Is
this a unique example? I cannot remember any other. But possibly
there may be others, equally hidden away, comparison with which