entrance of the town, particularly when viewed through the cluster of trees called the Wilderness . The church was nearly rebuilt in the early part of the fourteenth century, but the interior contains nothing worthy of particular notice, if we except the pulpit cloth, which was part of the canopy held over Queen Anne at her coronation, and the roof of the belfrey, which has several curious figures carved and painted in a circle. The notorious Titus Oates was officiating minister here, and there is but little doubt that he was born in the parish of All Saints ; the entry of his baptism in 1619 appears in the register .
ST. CLEMENTS.
The following, from the records in the Tower entitled 66 Inquisitiones post mortem," will tend to throw some light as to the probable time in which the foundation of this church was laid. It was generally supposed to have been erected in the fourteenth century. " 1285-The Abbey of Fiscamp-A plea of land in Hastings to found the Church of St. Clement in the same place." The altar-piece was painted by Roger Mortimer ; in the centre is the decalogue, on the left a painting of Moses, and on the right, Aaron.
The ceiling is painted to represent the heavenly regions, and separated from it at each corner are the figures of Faith, Hope, Charity, and Fortitude ; on the north side of the chancel, within a gilt frame, are recorded several munificent gifts of Archibald Hutcheson, one of the barons in Parliament for this town, in the reigns of Queen Anne and George the First.
The font at the west end is an octagon, and of great antiquity ; on its sides are carved the instruments of our Saviour's passion. The former covering to the pulpit was part of the canopy held over King George the First at his coronation, but was taken down, being considered too showy for that purpose; -
