DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6910#0020
ST. BOTOLPH's CHURCH, ESSEX.
7
posed, are certainly of Roman manufacture, and the whole surface, externally and
internally, was cased with very firm plaster or stucco. The shape and construction
of the arches coincide with various ancient examples, among which we may refer to
some used in Dioclesian's Bath, the Temple of Minerva Medici, and Adrian's Villa.
Concerning the antiquity of brick buildings in England, much has been written
by Dr. Lyttleton, Archaeologia, Vol. I. and by Mr. Essex, in Vol. IV. of the same
work. The former asserts that " brick was not made for many centuries" after the
Romans left this country, and that " the oldest brick buildings in England (posterior
to the Roman Government) reached not higher than the fourteenth century." Here
we see the extreme hazard of venturing general assertions; for the present structure
is a decided evidence of the fallacy of the latter opinion. Mr. Gough observes, in
his Additions to Camden's Britannia, Vol. II. p. 58, that St. Botolph's Priory
Church " is a singular instance of Saxon, entirely of Roman brick, if not the oldest
piece of entire brick work in England."
The Priory Church was parochial, as well as conventual, and at present is
annexed to a church-yard. Interments have also been made in the nave since the
accumulation of rubbish, as some flat and other stones are remaining there. The
area of the building is now cultivated as a garden.
The picturesque character of the present ruins, will be readily acknowledged by
every artist upon a mere inspection of Plates II. and III.; but this character is con-
siderably heightened in the building, which is richly tinted by the different tiles and
mortar, and the various lychens, weeds, &c. that besprinkle its surface.
The bull of Pope Pascal II. dated August, 1116, invests Ernulph, his brethren,
and successors, with liberty to distribute their members at discretion, to govern all
others by their own rules, and enjoy full authority over all other Augustine Canons
in England. It likewise exempts them from all secular and ecclesiastical jurisdiction.
Besides the possessions bestowed by the founder, by Henry the First, and by Hugh
Fitz-Stephen, the revenues were additionally augmented by various subsequent
donations, and at the period of the dissolution, their annual amount was estimated at
£134. 13s. Ad. The site and possessions of the Priory were granted by Henry
VIII. to Lord Chancellor Audley, who was presented by that monarch with other
church property, at Walden, &c. in this county.
7
posed, are certainly of Roman manufacture, and the whole surface, externally and
internally, was cased with very firm plaster or stucco. The shape and construction
of the arches coincide with various ancient examples, among which we may refer to
some used in Dioclesian's Bath, the Temple of Minerva Medici, and Adrian's Villa.
Concerning the antiquity of brick buildings in England, much has been written
by Dr. Lyttleton, Archaeologia, Vol. I. and by Mr. Essex, in Vol. IV. of the same
work. The former asserts that " brick was not made for many centuries" after the
Romans left this country, and that " the oldest brick buildings in England (posterior
to the Roman Government) reached not higher than the fourteenth century." Here
we see the extreme hazard of venturing general assertions; for the present structure
is a decided evidence of the fallacy of the latter opinion. Mr. Gough observes, in
his Additions to Camden's Britannia, Vol. II. p. 58, that St. Botolph's Priory
Church " is a singular instance of Saxon, entirely of Roman brick, if not the oldest
piece of entire brick work in England."
The Priory Church was parochial, as well as conventual, and at present is
annexed to a church-yard. Interments have also been made in the nave since the
accumulation of rubbish, as some flat and other stones are remaining there. The
area of the building is now cultivated as a garden.
The picturesque character of the present ruins, will be readily acknowledged by
every artist upon a mere inspection of Plates II. and III.; but this character is con-
siderably heightened in the building, which is richly tinted by the different tiles and
mortar, and the various lychens, weeds, &c. that besprinkle its surface.
The bull of Pope Pascal II. dated August, 1116, invests Ernulph, his brethren,
and successors, with liberty to distribute their members at discretion, to govern all
others by their own rules, and enjoy full authority over all other Augustine Canons
in England. It likewise exempts them from all secular and ecclesiastical jurisdiction.
Besides the possessions bestowed by the founder, by Henry the First, and by Hugh
Fitz-Stephen, the revenues were additionally augmented by various subsequent
donations, and at the period of the dissolution, their annual amount was estimated at
£134. 13s. Ad. The site and possessions of the Priory were granted by Henry
VIII. to Lord Chancellor Audley, who was presented by that monarch with other
church property, at Walden, &c. in this county.