DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6910#0017
6
ARCHITECTURAL ANTIQUITIES.
the fronts and walls of many buildings. That the intersecting arches gave origin to
the pointed style, has been presumed by different antiquaries. Indeed, there is
much probability and rationality in the conjecture. Among the instances where
they both occur in the same building, combining with the semi-circular arch, and in
parts that were erected at the same period, we may notice the two towers of Southwell
Minster, Nottinghamshire,* and the old western front of Hereford Cathedral.f
From these examples, we may safely conclude that each, and all of these varieties,
were in fashion at the same period.
Above the intersecting arches will be seen (Plate II.) a circular window, which
served to admit light into the upper part of the nave. At each side of this, was a
window of a different shape and character to any other in the building. One of
these is represented in Plate II. and has semi-circular dressed mouldings, with three-
quarter columns, having regular capitals and bases. South of this, in the same tier,
are parts of five blank arches, singularly disposed, and over them there appears to
have been another series of intersecting arches. The whole of this front was
plastered with mortar or stucco, after the Roman manner. In the foundation of the
north tower, the mortar is made of pounded brick and lime, such as the Romans
used, and such as is found in the internal parts of the town-wall. Plate III. A. re-
presents the plan of the present remains, by which it appears that there was a tower
at the north-west, and another at the south-west angles of the front. These are
traditionally said to have been battered down, with the other dilapidated parts of the
building, during the civil wars in 1648, when Colchester suffered very materially in
its public buildings and private property.
View of the interior ruins, (Plate III. B.) taken from the south-east end.—This
shews the size of the circular piers or columns which supported the roof, and divided
the nave from the ailes. About three feet of the building is buried beneath the
present surface, in consequence of which we cannot easily ascertain the character of
the bases of the large columns, or of those at the principal entrance. Each column
measures nine feet high above the ground, and is six feet in diameter. A kind of
capital is formed by two rows of projecting bricks. The whole surface of these, and
the remaining superfices of the interior, were covered with plaster or stucco.
With a few miscellaneous observations, &c. I shall close my account of this struc-
ture. The bricks employed in this building, and of which it is almost wholly com-
* See Dickinson's Antiquities, &c. of Southwell, 4to. 1801.
t Duncomb's History of Herefordshire. Vol. I. 4to. 1805.
ARCHITECTURAL ANTIQUITIES.
the fronts and walls of many buildings. That the intersecting arches gave origin to
the pointed style, has been presumed by different antiquaries. Indeed, there is
much probability and rationality in the conjecture. Among the instances where
they both occur in the same building, combining with the semi-circular arch, and in
parts that were erected at the same period, we may notice the two towers of Southwell
Minster, Nottinghamshire,* and the old western front of Hereford Cathedral.f
From these examples, we may safely conclude that each, and all of these varieties,
were in fashion at the same period.
Above the intersecting arches will be seen (Plate II.) a circular window, which
served to admit light into the upper part of the nave. At each side of this, was a
window of a different shape and character to any other in the building. One of
these is represented in Plate II. and has semi-circular dressed mouldings, with three-
quarter columns, having regular capitals and bases. South of this, in the same tier,
are parts of five blank arches, singularly disposed, and over them there appears to
have been another series of intersecting arches. The whole of this front was
plastered with mortar or stucco, after the Roman manner. In the foundation of the
north tower, the mortar is made of pounded brick and lime, such as the Romans
used, and such as is found in the internal parts of the town-wall. Plate III. A. re-
presents the plan of the present remains, by which it appears that there was a tower
at the north-west, and another at the south-west angles of the front. These are
traditionally said to have been battered down, with the other dilapidated parts of the
building, during the civil wars in 1648, when Colchester suffered very materially in
its public buildings and private property.
View of the interior ruins, (Plate III. B.) taken from the south-east end.—This
shews the size of the circular piers or columns which supported the roof, and divided
the nave from the ailes. About three feet of the building is buried beneath the
present surface, in consequence of which we cannot easily ascertain the character of
the bases of the large columns, or of those at the principal entrance. Each column
measures nine feet high above the ground, and is six feet in diameter. A kind of
capital is formed by two rows of projecting bricks. The whole surface of these, and
the remaining superfices of the interior, were covered with plaster or stucco.
With a few miscellaneous observations, &c. I shall close my account of this struc-
ture. The bricks employed in this building, and of which it is almost wholly com-
* See Dickinson's Antiquities, &c. of Southwell, 4to. 1801.
t Duncomb's History of Herefordshire. Vol. I. 4to. 1805.