DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6910#0132
84
architectural antiquities.
Abbot Ware or Edward the First; but this is controverted by Pilkington,* and
more fully by Mr. Bromley.f Mr. Gough, in his Sepulchral Monuments, contends,
also, that the shrine of Edward the Confessor could not have been designed by
Cavallini.
The Cross at Geddington, Northamptonshire, is of a triangular shape,
elevated on eight steps, and divided into three compartments. The first, or
lower one, is solid, covered with ornamental sculpture, each face divided into
six panels, attached to which are six heater shields, charged with the arms of
England, Castile, Leon, and Ponthieu. Above this is an embattled turret, from
which rise six pillars, supporting as many decorated canopies. Beneath these
are placed three statues of the Queen, disposed in so absurd a manner, that the
pillars at the angles directly intersect the front of each figure. In the annexed
print this effect is shewn, and had the artist moved a few yards, either to the
right or left, then this division of the Cross would have appeared out of the
centre. " The design of all the parts of this structure is very elegant, and the
execution such as would not discredit any age. The statues, though mannered
and rather stiff, yet have a great share of merit. The hair of the heads is
rather graceful, the drapery falls in natural though too minute folds, and
the hands and feet are well drawn. On the whole, the statues are thought
to bear so great a resemblance to the style of the ancient Italian school, that it
is highly probable Edward had artists of that nation in his service, if not sent for
purposely on the occasion."J The village of Geddington is situated about four
miles from Kettering, in Northamptonshire. For further topographical parti-
culars, see Gough's Account, in Vetusta Monumenta, and Bridges' History of
Northamptonshire, 2 vols. fol. 1791.
The Queen's Cross, near Northampton, is the most perfect of the three,
and is very similar, in shape and ornaments, to that at Waltham, though the
latter is of a hexangular form, and the former is octangular. Standing on eight
steps, in an open country, and on elevated ground, it assumes a very imposing
* Dictionary of Painters.
t " History of the Fine Arts," &c. vol. ii. the MS. of which, now ready for the press, the author kindly shewed
me. Mr. s. Lysons was also so good as to look over several rolls in the Tower, and informs me he could find no
entry, in the 19th 20th, or 21st of Edward i. relating to these crosses.
} Sir H. 0. Englefield. Vetusta Mon. iii.
architectural antiquities.
Abbot Ware or Edward the First; but this is controverted by Pilkington,* and
more fully by Mr. Bromley.f Mr. Gough, in his Sepulchral Monuments, contends,
also, that the shrine of Edward the Confessor could not have been designed by
Cavallini.
The Cross at Geddington, Northamptonshire, is of a triangular shape,
elevated on eight steps, and divided into three compartments. The first, or
lower one, is solid, covered with ornamental sculpture, each face divided into
six panels, attached to which are six heater shields, charged with the arms of
England, Castile, Leon, and Ponthieu. Above this is an embattled turret, from
which rise six pillars, supporting as many decorated canopies. Beneath these
are placed three statues of the Queen, disposed in so absurd a manner, that the
pillars at the angles directly intersect the front of each figure. In the annexed
print this effect is shewn, and had the artist moved a few yards, either to the
right or left, then this division of the Cross would have appeared out of the
centre. " The design of all the parts of this structure is very elegant, and the
execution such as would not discredit any age. The statues, though mannered
and rather stiff, yet have a great share of merit. The hair of the heads is
rather graceful, the drapery falls in natural though too minute folds, and
the hands and feet are well drawn. On the whole, the statues are thought
to bear so great a resemblance to the style of the ancient Italian school, that it
is highly probable Edward had artists of that nation in his service, if not sent for
purposely on the occasion."J The village of Geddington is situated about four
miles from Kettering, in Northamptonshire. For further topographical parti-
culars, see Gough's Account, in Vetusta Monumenta, and Bridges' History of
Northamptonshire, 2 vols. fol. 1791.
The Queen's Cross, near Northampton, is the most perfect of the three,
and is very similar, in shape and ornaments, to that at Waltham, though the
latter is of a hexangular form, and the former is octangular. Standing on eight
steps, in an open country, and on elevated ground, it assumes a very imposing
* Dictionary of Painters.
t " History of the Fine Arts," &c. vol. ii. the MS. of which, now ready for the press, the author kindly shewed
me. Mr. s. Lysons was also so good as to look over several rolls in the Tower, and informs me he could find no
entry, in the 19th 20th, or 21st of Edward i. relating to these crosses.
} Sir H. 0. Englefield. Vetusta Mon. iii.