conceives the real state and character of the time, together with the
history of contemporary individuals and events, so as to give a natural
picture of the manners and customs of that remote era, can be known by
those only who have entered into pursuits of this nature. In this and in
the succeeding legends he has attempted to illustrate and portray the
customs of that particular epoch to which they relate, as well as to
detail the events on which they are founded.

It may be interesting to notice that a similar exploit is recorded in
the Scandinavian Legends, and may be traced, under many variations of
circumstances and events, in the Icelandic, Danish, and Norwegian
poetry, affording another intimation of the source from whence our
popular mythology is derived.


Towards the latter end of the reign of William, the Norman conqueror,
Gamel, the Saxon Thane, Lord of Recedham or "Rached," being left in the
quiet possession of his lands and privileges by the usurper, "minded,"
as the phrase then was, "for the fear of God and the salvation of his
immortal soul, to build a chapel unto St Chadde," nigh to the banks of
the Rache or Roach. For this pious use a convenient place was set apart,
lying on the north bank of the river, in a low and sheltered spot now
called "The Newgate." Piles of timber and huge stones were gathered
thither in the most unwonted profusion; insomuch, that the building
seemed destined for some more ambitious display than the humble edifices
called churches then exhibited, of which but few existed in the
surrounding districts.

The foundations were laid. The loose and spongy nature of the soil
required heavy stakes to be driven, upon and between which were laid