Note 3 — THE GATHERER.
Reading edition
Footnote 3
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Yew trees—those gloomy tenants of our churchyards—appear to have been planted there in ancient times. In the will of Henry VI. there is the following item:—"The space between the wall of the church and the wall of the cloyster shall conteyne 38 feyte, which is left for to sett in certayne trees and flowers, behovable and convenient for the custom of the said church." Several reasons may be assigned for giving this tree a preference to every other evergreen. It is very hardy, long-lived, and, though in time it attains a considerable height, produces branches in abundance, so low as to be always within reach of the hand, and at last affords a beautiful wood for furniture.—The date of the yews at Bedfont is 1704.