DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6910#0034
16
ARCHITECTURAL ANTIQUITIES.
to promote the Benedictine institutions; and, being the confidential friend and
counsellor of Edred,* he exerted his most powerful influence on this monarch. For
magnitude of buildings and extent of property, the Abbey of Abingdon exceeded all
others in this part of the kingdom : the neighbouring churches were subordinate to
it, and the surrounding country was subservient to, and dependent on, its mandates.
The abbey church is described by Lelandf as a large and elegant structure,
occupying a spacious area, and generally resembling the magnificent cathedral
church at Wells, in Somersetshire. It had two towers at the western front, and
another at the intersection of the transepts. Previous to the dissolution, all the
interments, both of the town and its neighbourhood, were performed within the pale
of the abbey : even the parish churches of St. Helen and St. Nicholas here, were
prohibited this privilege. Many illustrious persons were interred within its walls ;
among whom we find the following names: Cissa, the joint founder; Geoffry of
Monmouth, the British historian ; Sydemann, Bishop of Crediton ; Robert D'Oily ;
and the relics of Edward the Martyr. The fame of this abbey having attracted a large
concourse of people round its sacred walls, abbot Nicholas, " for the ease of the town,"|
built a new church without the gate, at the west end of the abbey, and dedicated it
to St. Nicholas. This is the structure represented in the annexed print: and, as
that abbot died in 1307, we must infer, that the church was erected previous to that
period. The building here represented, at its south-west angle, displays the styles
of architecture of different periods ; whence it is presumed to have been altered at
different times. An inscription within the church states, that it was " repaired and
beautified, by Mrs. Susanah Davis, in 1628." Many of these beautifying repa-
rations, in this and various other churches, are highly disgusting to the eye of taste,
and must provoke the censure of all judicious antiquaries. Among the uglinesses,
misnomered " beautifying," in the present building, may be instanced the painted
roof, which, though intended to represent clouds, appear more like the daubings of
a blue bag. This building consists only of one aile, with a chancel at the east end.
The roof of the latter is of beam-work, which rests on heads of very ancient
sculpture, instead of corbels. Behind the altar is a vestry, in which lies a bas-relief
of three compartments. The centre represents our Saviour on the cross, with the
Virgin Mary, and St. John holding a book ; and on each side is an angel. One of
* Turner's History of the Anglo-Saxons, vol. iii, p. 149, &c. where the reader will find an interesting account
of Dunstan.
t Collectanea, vol. vi. p. 181, &c. X Leland's Itinerary, vol. ii. p. 16.
ARCHITECTURAL ANTIQUITIES.
to promote the Benedictine institutions; and, being the confidential friend and
counsellor of Edred,* he exerted his most powerful influence on this monarch. For
magnitude of buildings and extent of property, the Abbey of Abingdon exceeded all
others in this part of the kingdom : the neighbouring churches were subordinate to
it, and the surrounding country was subservient to, and dependent on, its mandates.
The abbey church is described by Lelandf as a large and elegant structure,
occupying a spacious area, and generally resembling the magnificent cathedral
church at Wells, in Somersetshire. It had two towers at the western front, and
another at the intersection of the transepts. Previous to the dissolution, all the
interments, both of the town and its neighbourhood, were performed within the pale
of the abbey : even the parish churches of St. Helen and St. Nicholas here, were
prohibited this privilege. Many illustrious persons were interred within its walls ;
among whom we find the following names: Cissa, the joint founder; Geoffry of
Monmouth, the British historian ; Sydemann, Bishop of Crediton ; Robert D'Oily ;
and the relics of Edward the Martyr. The fame of this abbey having attracted a large
concourse of people round its sacred walls, abbot Nicholas, " for the ease of the town,"|
built a new church without the gate, at the west end of the abbey, and dedicated it
to St. Nicholas. This is the structure represented in the annexed print: and, as
that abbot died in 1307, we must infer, that the church was erected previous to that
period. The building here represented, at its south-west angle, displays the styles
of architecture of different periods ; whence it is presumed to have been altered at
different times. An inscription within the church states, that it was " repaired and
beautified, by Mrs. Susanah Davis, in 1628." Many of these beautifying repa-
rations, in this and various other churches, are highly disgusting to the eye of taste,
and must provoke the censure of all judicious antiquaries. Among the uglinesses,
misnomered " beautifying," in the present building, may be instanced the painted
roof, which, though intended to represent clouds, appear more like the daubings of
a blue bag. This building consists only of one aile, with a chancel at the east end.
The roof of the latter is of beam-work, which rests on heads of very ancient
sculpture, instead of corbels. Behind the altar is a vestry, in which lies a bas-relief
of three compartments. The centre represents our Saviour on the cross, with the
Virgin Mary, and St. John holding a book ; and on each side is an angel. One of
* Turner's History of the Anglo-Saxons, vol. iii, p. 149, &c. where the reader will find an interesting account
of Dunstan.
t Collectanea, vol. vi. p. 181, &c. X Leland's Itinerary, vol. ii. p. 16.