Near this Spot stood the ancient Shire Hall. unhappily famous in History as the Scene in July 1577, of the BLACK ASSIZE, when a malignant disease, known as the Gaol fever, caused the death, within forty days, of THE LORD CHIEF BARON (SIR ROBERT BELL) THE HIGH SHERIFF (SIR ROBERT D'OYLY of Merton), and about three hundred more. The Malady from the stench of the Prisoners developed itself during the Trial of one Rowland Jenkes, a saucy foul mouthed Bookseller, for scandalous words uttered against the Queen. Anno 1875 J.M.D. pie posuit