the Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry. Here is also a chapel for Independents, a grammar school, supported by rates, and a school on the national plan, supported by subscriptions. The castle of Eccleshall, which is the palace of the Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry, traces its origin to a very early period, the first mention of it is in the reign of John, who "empowered Bishop Muschamp to embattle the castle and make a park;" this mention proves the existence of the edifice at an earlier period. In 1310 it was in a very dilapidated state and was then rebuilt. Little more than three centuries sufficed, to reduce it once more to a state of decay, not, however, unassisted by man, for we learn that the castle was besieged by the Parliamentary forces, and, after being severely battered, the garrison surrendered. In 1695 Bishop Lloyd restored it, and ever since it has been the principal residence of the Bishops of Lichfield and Coventry.
Stone is a market town and parish in the southern division of the hundred of Pirehill, county of Stafford, on the banks of the river Trent; Pop. 7,808; An. As. Val. £31,756. Market, Tuesday; fairs, Tuesday after Mid Lent, Shrove Tuesday, Whit Wednesday, August 6, and September 25, for cattle. A vast quantity of shoes are made in this town; it has also a patent roller pump manufactory, and several mills for grinding flints: the Grand Trunk Canal has added much to the prosperity of the town. The church, dedicated to St. Michael, is a modern structure, with a low square tower, in the style of early English architecture. The altar-piece is a fine
