DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6912#0113
st. Nicholas' chapel.
67
alone being of an earlier date than the rest of the fabric. The pillars are slender,
having the horizontal section of the shaft nearly in the form of a truncated lozenge,
relieved by shallow flutings, and raised about four feet from the ground, upon
corresponding bases. They have no capitals, but small brackets which support
the inner ribs of the arches.* Opposite the arches, in the side ailes, are an equal
number of windows, the mullions and tracery of one of which is represented in the
Plate of details, &c. at c : and above the arches, in the upper part of the nave, is a
row of smaller windows, one of which is shewn at d : between the windows are
niches and canopies. The east and west windows are very large, with a pleasing
mixture of curved and rectilinear tracery, and embattled ornaments upon the
transoms.f The former is divided into nine days, or lights, by eight vertical
mullions, and the latter has eleven days, or vertical compartments of glass. More
ornament has been bestowed upon the doors than on any other part of the building.
The western door-way in particular, as shewn in the annexed plate, is divided by
a mullion which supports an elegant niche, and is adorned with other sculpture in
stone. The small south door-way, as represented in the second plate, at B, is in
the same style ; as is also the larger door-way towards the north.
The front of the south porch is still more elaborate, being covered with a
variety of minute decorations; for the character and peculiarity of which, see the
accompanying plate. The roof of the porch is handsomely groined with stone, as
indicated in the engraved plan. At the intersections of the ribs are some heads
and figures in bold relief, but much obscured with whitening: in the centre is a
figure of the Almighty Father, with a globe in one hand, and the other lifted up as
in the act of blessing those who approach his temple. In the circle surrounding this
compartment appear to be angels in the act of adoration; and at a little distance
towards the windows, are two crowned heads of a male and female, which might be
intended for Edward III. and his Queen Philippa. The side windows of the porch
are such as E. in the plate of details.
The inner roof of the chapel is of oak, in a plain and simple style ; yet with a
sufficiency of ornament to harmonize with the rest of the building. The beams and
cornices are relieved with carvings of the strawberry leaf, which was so great a
favourite with our ancestors; and over all the upper windows there were originally
* The arches are very little, if at all, lower than may be described upon an equilateral triangle; the base of
•which is a line drawn through the brackets.
t See the plate of the western window, &c.
67
alone being of an earlier date than the rest of the fabric. The pillars are slender,
having the horizontal section of the shaft nearly in the form of a truncated lozenge,
relieved by shallow flutings, and raised about four feet from the ground, upon
corresponding bases. They have no capitals, but small brackets which support
the inner ribs of the arches.* Opposite the arches, in the side ailes, are an equal
number of windows, the mullions and tracery of one of which is represented in the
Plate of details, &c. at c : and above the arches, in the upper part of the nave, is a
row of smaller windows, one of which is shewn at d : between the windows are
niches and canopies. The east and west windows are very large, with a pleasing
mixture of curved and rectilinear tracery, and embattled ornaments upon the
transoms.f The former is divided into nine days, or lights, by eight vertical
mullions, and the latter has eleven days, or vertical compartments of glass. More
ornament has been bestowed upon the doors than on any other part of the building.
The western door-way in particular, as shewn in the annexed plate, is divided by
a mullion which supports an elegant niche, and is adorned with other sculpture in
stone. The small south door-way, as represented in the second plate, at B, is in
the same style ; as is also the larger door-way towards the north.
The front of the south porch is still more elaborate, being covered with a
variety of minute decorations; for the character and peculiarity of which, see the
accompanying plate. The roof of the porch is handsomely groined with stone, as
indicated in the engraved plan. At the intersections of the ribs are some heads
and figures in bold relief, but much obscured with whitening: in the centre is a
figure of the Almighty Father, with a globe in one hand, and the other lifted up as
in the act of blessing those who approach his temple. In the circle surrounding this
compartment appear to be angels in the act of adoration; and at a little distance
towards the windows, are two crowned heads of a male and female, which might be
intended for Edward III. and his Queen Philippa. The side windows of the porch
are such as E. in the plate of details.
The inner roof of the chapel is of oak, in a plain and simple style ; yet with a
sufficiency of ornament to harmonize with the rest of the building. The beams and
cornices are relieved with carvings of the strawberry leaf, which was so great a
favourite with our ancestors; and over all the upper windows there were originally
* The arches are very little, if at all, lower than may be described upon an equilateral triangle; the base of
•which is a line drawn through the brackets.
t See the plate of the western window, &c.