DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6912#0134
BINHAM PRIORY CHURCH.
79
great part of the west end of which church was standing then, in 1738."* This is
not only a negligent mode of description, but is reprehensibly erroneous, for it
implies that the whole church was gone when they published, and that only part of
the west end was standing in 1738. In the year 1809, however, a large portion
of this building remained, as displayed in the two annexed prints : and it is very
evident that no part had been rebuilt since Buck took his drawing. The ground-
plan shews the extent and relative proportions of the nave, north aile, north tran-
sept, western front, and ruined fragments of some other parts. Between the piers,
on the south side of the nave, is a modern wall, which was probably erected when
the church was made parochial: the nave is also abridged in length by another
modern wall at the east end. The style of architecture in the piers and arches of
this part of the building, is certainly early Norman : and the chief part of the
remains is of a corresponding age. In the upper tier of windows, and in the
western front, the architecture presents a different style and character. One is
clumsy, massive, and heavy ; the other lofty, elegant, and light. The former was
erected early in the twelfth century, and the latter about the middle of the
thirteenth. The interior elevation of the nave contains three divisions in height,
and, when entire, eight in length. The style of arches, piers, and attached columns,
is shewn in the annexed plate; in which is also represented an enriched font, of the
style of the fifteenth century.f
The western front of this church, when in a perfect state, must have been highly
decorated with columns, arcades, windows, mouldings, &c. and thus have presented
a grand display of architectural embellishment. Its arches, columns, mouldings,
&c. nearly resemble the same features in the galilee of Ely Cathedral, the western
front, and chapter house of Salisbury Cathedral: all of the thirteenth century. At
present, it is much dilapidated, and its large central window, and that to the north
aile, are filled up with plaster, &c. When I visited Binham, the front wall was
are very minute in the names &c. of incumbents, the number and dates of bells, inscriptions on tomb-stones, roofing of
churches, and other trivial branches of topography. It may be safely said that no class of literature has been more
trifled with, and thence more neglected and despised by every discriminating reader, than the topographical.
• History, &c. Vol. IX. p. 211. 8vo. edit. 1808.
f This font is elevated on two steps, or pedestals, and has eight subjects of sculpture in basso-relievo; and on
the shaft are eight statues, beneath as many canopies. Among fonts of this class and style, there is one in
Walsingham Church, which exceeds all I have seen, in profusion of sculptural ornament, and in the height and
character of its base. A view of this, engraved by J. Le Keux, from a drawing by Mackenzie, will be given in a
subsequent portion of the present work.
79
great part of the west end of which church was standing then, in 1738."* This is
not only a negligent mode of description, but is reprehensibly erroneous, for it
implies that the whole church was gone when they published, and that only part of
the west end was standing in 1738. In the year 1809, however, a large portion
of this building remained, as displayed in the two annexed prints : and it is very
evident that no part had been rebuilt since Buck took his drawing. The ground-
plan shews the extent and relative proportions of the nave, north aile, north tran-
sept, western front, and ruined fragments of some other parts. Between the piers,
on the south side of the nave, is a modern wall, which was probably erected when
the church was made parochial: the nave is also abridged in length by another
modern wall at the east end. The style of architecture in the piers and arches of
this part of the building, is certainly early Norman : and the chief part of the
remains is of a corresponding age. In the upper tier of windows, and in the
western front, the architecture presents a different style and character. One is
clumsy, massive, and heavy ; the other lofty, elegant, and light. The former was
erected early in the twelfth century, and the latter about the middle of the
thirteenth. The interior elevation of the nave contains three divisions in height,
and, when entire, eight in length. The style of arches, piers, and attached columns,
is shewn in the annexed plate; in which is also represented an enriched font, of the
style of the fifteenth century.f
The western front of this church, when in a perfect state, must have been highly
decorated with columns, arcades, windows, mouldings, &c. and thus have presented
a grand display of architectural embellishment. Its arches, columns, mouldings,
&c. nearly resemble the same features in the galilee of Ely Cathedral, the western
front, and chapter house of Salisbury Cathedral: all of the thirteenth century. At
present, it is much dilapidated, and its large central window, and that to the north
aile, are filled up with plaster, &c. When I visited Binham, the front wall was
are very minute in the names &c. of incumbents, the number and dates of bells, inscriptions on tomb-stones, roofing of
churches, and other trivial branches of topography. It may be safely said that no class of literature has been more
trifled with, and thence more neglected and despised by every discriminating reader, than the topographical.
• History, &c. Vol. IX. p. 211. 8vo. edit. 1808.
f This font is elevated on two steps, or pedestals, and has eight subjects of sculpture in basso-relievo; and on
the shaft are eight statues, beneath as many canopies. Among fonts of this class and style, there is one in
Walsingham Church, which exceeds all I have seen, in profusion of sculptural ornament, and in the height and
character of its base. A view of this, engraved by J. Le Keux, from a drawing by Mackenzie, will be given in a
subsequent portion of the present work.