inscriptions "in Saxon letters" round "coffin-like" grave-slabs. (Reg. Roff.)—The church is described by Harris as then containing six stalls.—Among the communion plate is (or was) "a very curious and antient patine, of silver gilt. In the centre, most beautifully embellished with blue and green enamel, is represented the Deity sitting with his arms extended, and supporting his Son on the cross, with an olive branch in his left hand, and the gospel in the right. Round the verge or rim of the patine is the following inscription, in the antient text letter, curiously ornamented with sprigs of roses between each word, alluding to the subject. Benedicamus Patrem et Filium cum Spiritu Sancto." (Nichols's Bibl. Top. Brit., I.)
Several persons conceive Cliffe to have been the spot formerly known as Cloveshoo, where two Synods or Councils are recorded to have been held, viz., A.D. 742 (or a few years later), and 822. (Gibs. Chron. Sax., 55, 70.) Bede (Hist. Eccl, lib. iv, c. 5) gives the resolutions of a Council at Hertford, A.D. 673, of which one was, that all present agreed to meet once a year at "Clofeshoch." Others consider Cloveshoo to have been Abingdon in Berkshire, of which the old name was "Sheovesham." See the "Nominum locorurn explicatio" (ad loc) of Gibson (Chron. Sax.), and the notes to 191 and (the last at) 353 of Bede (Hist. Eccl., Oxford, 1846.)
Abingdon is stated to have been so named from Aben (Aben-dun, or the hill of Aben), who, his father having been murdered by Hengest, took refuge in this place, where he resided as a hermit, until disgusted by the concourse of people attracted to him by the fame of his sanctity, when he retired for greater solitude to Ireland. (Hist. of the Founders of Abingdon Abbey, in the Cott. Library, quoted in Monast. I, 511.) The spot was previously called Scovechesham. (Registers of Abingdon, in the Cott. Libr., Monast. I, 512.) The name just given slightly differs from that quoted above, but not more than commonly occurs in ancient records; however, whichsoever may be the most correct form, I doubt whether Cloveshoo must not be sought elsewhere than at Abingdon. "Clofeshoas" is repeatedly named in the documents preserved by Kemble (Cod. Dipl.), but, so far as I have observed in the first five volumes, with no indication of its locality. The Gentleman's Magazine, (August 1844) contains a letter (153 to 155) signed W. Chapman, wherein it is contended, that Clifton Hoo in Bedfordshire is the spot, known in ancient times as Cloveshoo, and where the councils above noticed were held in the eighth and ninth
