Normanstand, had a peculiar interest for the Norman family. There,
either within the existing walls or those which had preceded them
when the church was rebuilt by that Sir Stephen who was standard-
bearer to Henry VI., were buried all the direct members of the line.
It was an unbroken record of the inheritors since the first Sir
Stephen, who had his place in the Domesday Book. Without, in the
churchyard close to the church, were buried all such of the
collaterals as had died within hail of Norcester. Some there were of
course who, having achieved distinction in various walks of life,
were further honoured by a resting-place within the chancel. The
whole interior was full of records of the family. Squire Norman was
fond of coming to the place; and often from the very beginning had
taken Stephen with him. One of her earliest recollections was
kneeling down with her father, who held her hand in his, whilst with
the other he wiped the tears from his eyes, before a tomb sculptured
beautifully in snowy marble. She never forgot the words he had said
to her:

'You will always remember, darling, that your dear mother rests in
this sacred place. When I am gone, if you are ever in any trouble
come here. Come alone and open out your heart. You need never fear
to ask God for help at the grave of your mother!' The child had been
impressed, as had been many and many another of her race. For seven
hundred years each child of the house of Norman had been brought
alone by either parent and had heard some such words. The custom had
come to be almost a family ritual, and it never failed to leave its
impress in greater or lesser degree.

Whenever Harold had in the early days paid a visit to Normanstand,
the church had generally been an objective of their excursions. He