DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6912#0139
82
ARCHITECTURAL ANTIQUITIES.
scientific publication it is stated that Flambard displayed no " mean proof of his love
for architecture, by the erection of this collegiate church before his promotion to the
see of Durham."* To carry on this building he appropriated the income of the
monastery, and thereby incensed Godric, the senior, and the twenty-four canons.
Regardless of their resentment, he proceeded with the work, having first pulled
down the old church, also nine contiguous houses, with other buildings belonging to
the canons.f
The annexed Prints display the northern side, east end, tower, and porch of
Christ Church: also a monumental chantry, raised to the memory of Margaret,
Countess of Salisbury. The north side presents five various divisions of the
church: 1, the tower at the west end ; 2, the north porch, nave, and aile, to the
west of the transept; 3, the north transept, with a singular staircase turret, at the
N. E. angle ; 4, the upper part of the choir, with its north aile ; and 5, the chancel,
with a room over it. The whole constitutes a long range of building, and displays
several distinct and dissimilar styles of architecture : the oldest, in the transept,
being part of the original building, and the latest, i.e. the aile to the choir, and
upper part of the chancel, being as late as Henry the Eighth's reign, and were
probably built by the last prior. The north transept is represented by the annexed
print, which also shews one of the upper, or clerestory windows of the choir, and
one in the aile. The basement is ornamented with a row of arcades of semi-circular
mouldings intersecting each other. This range, and the style of columns and
arches, are similar to parts of the south side of Malmsbury Abbey Church : also of
parts of Durham Cathedral Church, probably built by Flambard. The diamond-
shaped, or lozenged tracery, on this staircase-tower has some analogous passages at
Durham. The window inserted in the centre of this transept is of much later date
* " Some account of the Cathedral Church of Durham," by the Society of Antiquaries of London, fol. It is
much regretted that this " Account" is so very brief.
f Like the generality of ancient religious edifices, this church was not completed, according to the credulous
opinions of the people, and the crafty stories of the priests, without the interference of miracles. As such stories
serve to characterize the times, it cannot be deemed irrelevant to notice them occasionally; though it is rather
repugnant to my feelings, to repeat and record the silly tales of superstitious gossips, and cunning monks. At
first, it is said, the foundations of Christ Church were laid on St. Catharine's Hill, in the vicinity, and that the
materials used in the day, were removed in the night to the present spot. Again, when the sacred building was
rapidly advancing, more workmen were seen to be employed, than received wages; and further, a long beam, still
pointed out at the east end of the church, was at first too short for its intended situation, but was miraculously-
extended. It may be remarked that the bungling miracle-carpenter was not very skilful in his trade, as at last he
made the beam too long.
ARCHITECTURAL ANTIQUITIES.
scientific publication it is stated that Flambard displayed no " mean proof of his love
for architecture, by the erection of this collegiate church before his promotion to the
see of Durham."* To carry on this building he appropriated the income of the
monastery, and thereby incensed Godric, the senior, and the twenty-four canons.
Regardless of their resentment, he proceeded with the work, having first pulled
down the old church, also nine contiguous houses, with other buildings belonging to
the canons.f
The annexed Prints display the northern side, east end, tower, and porch of
Christ Church: also a monumental chantry, raised to the memory of Margaret,
Countess of Salisbury. The north side presents five various divisions of the
church: 1, the tower at the west end ; 2, the north porch, nave, and aile, to the
west of the transept; 3, the north transept, with a singular staircase turret, at the
N. E. angle ; 4, the upper part of the choir, with its north aile ; and 5, the chancel,
with a room over it. The whole constitutes a long range of building, and displays
several distinct and dissimilar styles of architecture : the oldest, in the transept,
being part of the original building, and the latest, i.e. the aile to the choir, and
upper part of the chancel, being as late as Henry the Eighth's reign, and were
probably built by the last prior. The north transept is represented by the annexed
print, which also shews one of the upper, or clerestory windows of the choir, and
one in the aile. The basement is ornamented with a row of arcades of semi-circular
mouldings intersecting each other. This range, and the style of columns and
arches, are similar to parts of the south side of Malmsbury Abbey Church : also of
parts of Durham Cathedral Church, probably built by Flambard. The diamond-
shaped, or lozenged tracery, on this staircase-tower has some analogous passages at
Durham. The window inserted in the centre of this transept is of much later date
* " Some account of the Cathedral Church of Durham," by the Society of Antiquaries of London, fol. It is
much regretted that this " Account" is so very brief.
f Like the generality of ancient religious edifices, this church was not completed, according to the credulous
opinions of the people, and the crafty stories of the priests, without the interference of miracles. As such stories
serve to characterize the times, it cannot be deemed irrelevant to notice them occasionally; though it is rather
repugnant to my feelings, to repeat and record the silly tales of superstitious gossips, and cunning monks. At
first, it is said, the foundations of Christ Church were laid on St. Catharine's Hill, in the vicinity, and that the
materials used in the day, were removed in the night to the present spot. Again, when the sacred building was
rapidly advancing, more workmen were seen to be employed, than received wages; and further, a long beam, still
pointed out at the east end of the church, was at first too short for its intended situation, but was miraculously-
extended. It may be remarked that the bungling miracle-carpenter was not very skilful in his trade, as at last he
made the beam too long.