DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6910#0171
108
ARCHITECTURAL ANTIQUITIES.
abbey, with all its offices, must have appeared, from every approach, strikingly
magnificent as a work of art, and awfully imposing as the hallowed temple of a
religion, which infused terror or magnanimity into the minds of men.
Plate X. is an interior view, representing three divisions of the south side of the
nave next to the transept, and defining the correct shape of the lower tier of arches,
with their columns, capitals, bases, &c. The arch nearest to the east end is
narrower than either of the others, and has a torus moulding of singular shape.
Above is another tier of arches opening to the roof of the ailes. They are semi-
circular, and each large arch enclosed a series of four others : one of the spaces is
walled up. The next tier displays the windows of the upper story, which appears
to have been raised about Edward the Third's time, as already noticed. On the
left is represented a small part of the present altar screen, beyond which, between
the first column and pier, is an ancient monument, commonly called King Athel-
stan's ; but the shape and character of the tomb, figure, and canopy, all indicate a
much later period.
With the foregoing descriptions and illustrations, it is hoped that the principal
architectural features of the present remains will be easily understood, and hereby
preserved; for though they are in a lamentable state of dilapidation, and shameful
neglect, yet enough is left to demonstrate, that much architectural science and
masonic skill conspired to raise this once magnificent, but much degraded structure.
%* In page 7 of this essay, the translated words of King Edgar's charter imply that the Saxon monasteries
were built entirely of timber. Conformably to the suggestion of my good friend the Rev. J. Ingram, Saxon pro-
fessor at Oxford, I wish to correct this ; he observes that " the Latin words are tigno tenus, visibilita directa, &c.
that is, I conclude, they were in a visible state of decay as far as the roof, or contignaiion, as Sir H. Wotton ex-
presses it. I have taken the liberty," he continues, "of making this remark; because it now appears that nothing
but the roof was composed of timber," &c.
ARCHITECTURAL ANTIQUITIES.
abbey, with all its offices, must have appeared, from every approach, strikingly
magnificent as a work of art, and awfully imposing as the hallowed temple of a
religion, which infused terror or magnanimity into the minds of men.
Plate X. is an interior view, representing three divisions of the south side of the
nave next to the transept, and defining the correct shape of the lower tier of arches,
with their columns, capitals, bases, &c. The arch nearest to the east end is
narrower than either of the others, and has a torus moulding of singular shape.
Above is another tier of arches opening to the roof of the ailes. They are semi-
circular, and each large arch enclosed a series of four others : one of the spaces is
walled up. The next tier displays the windows of the upper story, which appears
to have been raised about Edward the Third's time, as already noticed. On the
left is represented a small part of the present altar screen, beyond which, between
the first column and pier, is an ancient monument, commonly called King Athel-
stan's ; but the shape and character of the tomb, figure, and canopy, all indicate a
much later period.
With the foregoing descriptions and illustrations, it is hoped that the principal
architectural features of the present remains will be easily understood, and hereby
preserved; for though they are in a lamentable state of dilapidation, and shameful
neglect, yet enough is left to demonstrate, that much architectural science and
masonic skill conspired to raise this once magnificent, but much degraded structure.
%* In page 7 of this essay, the translated words of King Edgar's charter imply that the Saxon monasteries
were built entirely of timber. Conformably to the suggestion of my good friend the Rev. J. Ingram, Saxon pro-
fessor at Oxford, I wish to correct this ; he observes that " the Latin words are tigno tenus, visibilita directa, &c.
that is, I conclude, they were in a visible state of decay as far as the roof, or contignaiion, as Sir H. Wotton ex-
presses it. I have taken the liberty," he continues, "of making this remark; because it now appears that nothing
but the roof was composed of timber," &c.