Page:Devon and Cornwall Queries Vol 9 1917.djvu/315

Devon and Cornwall Notes and Queries. 249 country by Richard III. in 1483, but it was not until the reign of Elizabeth that any special orders were given to plant yew trees in churchyards and cemeteries. G. A. Hansard {The Book of Archery, 1841) for very good reasons, scouts the idea that the trees were ever placed in churchyards to provide wood for bow-staves and arrows. From the early Welsh laws it may be gathered that specimens of the yew were at a very early date dedicated to various saints, and the heaviest fine of " one pound " was inflicted for their protection as against i5d. for a non-consecrated yew. (Wotton, Leges WallicB. See also J. Lowe, Yew Trees, op. cit. pp. 1 08- 1 10). Mr. John Lowe's work furnishes much other interesting and useful information, but as in the 12th century there were approximately 400 sacred edifices in Devon alone, mostly founded by the Normans, if it were not a Norman custom to mark a cemetery by the presence of a yew tree, any general custom of thus planting the tree would not have been permitted or come into vogue until the 13th century, in which case no existing specimen can be more than 600-700 years old. This, science utterly refutes, and the subject of these ancient trees deserves more attention. In case of destruction by storm or decay of any of these trees, a most careful examination of the site should be made by some expert as to what depth the ground has been disturbed, and special search made for signs of any early interment, for the tree may have protected for centuries evidence of the greatest interest to antiquaries and historians. I cannot find a single instance, even in Mr. Lowe's book, of such an opportunity being taken advantage of or suggestion thereto made. Readers of D. S- C. N. & Q. are requested to furnish the Editors with particulars of ancient yew trees which are known to have existed in the past or are still growing in the West, showing the exact position in relation to the church and giving any information that may be gleaned from churchwardens' accounts or from other parish or private records. i^U^O^. p.93. Hugh R. Watkin. 202. "Honiton Lace-Making" (IX., p. 128, par. 109.) — The writer of this book was Miss Mary Elizabeth Whitmore