The following article, from the January 1895 Curdridge Parochial Magazine, was recently published in the Curdridge Parish News. It was discovered in the archives of the Hampshire Records Office (HRO 98M82/PZ34) by my friend and fellow parishioner Henrietta Taylor. Thanks to the Hampshire Records Office for permission to post it here:

We have been kindly favoured with the following interesting notes on the figures sculptured on the Church Tower:-

“THE GARGOYLES ON THE TOWER”

There are eight of these placed just below the chequered work of the battlements. They represent two legends and are from the drawings of T. G. Jackson, Esq., A.R.A. (the architect of the Church and Tower), and have been executed by Messrs. Farmer and Brindley.

On the south side is Sir Bevis (clad in chain armour and in the act of drawing his sword); at the south-west corner is Sir Bevis’ favourite horse “Arundel;” on the west side is “Josyan,” Lady Bevis (Sir Bevis’ wife); at the north-west corner is the “Blood-thirsty Boar”; on the north side “Sultan Ermyn” (father-in-law of Sir Bevis); on the north-east corner the “Giant Ascupart” (Sir Bevis’ trusted servant); on the east side “The Twins” (sons of Sir Bevis); and on the sout-east angle of the Turret “The Witch Kitnox,” or “Kitnocks,” as it is now spelt.

The story of the witch is an old Curdridge fable, well known to most of our readers; suffice it to say, that in days gone by, when evil befell either the parish or its inhabitants it was always attributed to the power exerted by the witch.

The remaining seven gargoyles depict the history of Sir Bevis who, as the son of the Earl of Southampton, was conveyed, whilst still a youth, over the seas to the Holy Land to the court of the Sultan Ermyn, who tried in vain to make Sir Bevis renounce the Christian religion. He became a valiant and brave soldier. Alone, and on foot he sought out, from the recesses of a deep forest, the man-eating boar which he slew after a severe contest, and for this courageous deed the Lady Josyan, the Sultan’s daughter, presented him with the splendid Arab horse Arundel. He eventually wooed, and married the Lady Josyan by whom he had twin sons. Whilst on a hunting expedition he left Lady Bevis for a short time alone in a hunt. By the treachery of his servant, the Giant Ascupart, she was abducted, and Sir Bevis returned to mourn the loss of his wife, and to find his twin sons motherless. After making provision for his children he set off in pursuit of the giant who was eventually killed, and Lady Bevis was restored to her rightful lord.

Such is the brief outline of an old legend of the tenth century, and it is reported that Sir Bevis’ sword is still to be found amongst the many interesting relics at Arundel Castle.