DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6912#0142
PRIORY CHURCH, AT CHRIST CHURCH.
83
than the original masonry. At the other angle of this transept is a buttress of un-
usual form.
The interior of this church, as well as the outside, presents many curious and
interesting specimens of ancient architecture. " The nave is formed by a double
row of massive square pillars, with demi-columns ; between these pillars are semi-
circular arches, springing from grouped pilasters, which are lateral projections from
the great pillars. Each of these arches has a zigzag moulding or cornice, and the
space between them and the second story of arches is filled up with little triangular
indentations. The arches of this second story are also semi-circular, the capitals of
these pillars displaying various examples of feuilage: and the shafts of some of
them ornamented with diamond network, chevrons, and other figures. This story
of arches is again surmounted by a third ; the arches of which are pointed, and have
windows in them ; round these is a triforium, or passage."* Many other parts of
this interesting building are entitled to particular description and illustration ; but
at present I must restrict myself to one more object, viz :
The chantry monument to Margaret, Countess of Salisbury.—This stands on
the north side of the high altar, between the choir and aile : and in its design and
execution may be considered an elegant example of the monumental architecture of
Henry the Seventh's reign. The southern elevation, represented in the annexed
print, is particularly embellished with niches, canopies, foliage, quatrefoils, tracery,
&c. and the opposite front is also ornamented, but not so much. The inner roof is
covered with fan-tracery, in the centre of which is a sculptured representation of the
Trinity, with a figure of the Countess kneeling. At the eastern end are the Monta-
cute arms with supporters, and the motto of " Spes meo in Deo est." When Lord
Cromwell sent his emissaries here, in the time of Henry VIII. this monument was
much defaced; an account of which is thus described in a letter to the said lord.
" In the church we found a chaple and a monument, curiously made of Cane stone,
prepared by the late mother of Renald Pole for herre buriell, which we have caused
to be defacyd, and all the armys and bedgis clerely to be delete."! This Countess
was grand-daughter of the famous Richard Nevile, Earl of Warwick, commonly
called the king-maker. She was born at Farley Castle, in 1475, and was attainted
of treason in the bloody parliament of 1539, and after suffering cruel imprisonment
• Warner's "Topographical Remarks relating to the South Western Parts of Hampshire," vol. ii. p. 148.
t Bib. Cotton. Brit. Mus. Cleopatra, 4.
83
than the original masonry. At the other angle of this transept is a buttress of un-
usual form.
The interior of this church, as well as the outside, presents many curious and
interesting specimens of ancient architecture. " The nave is formed by a double
row of massive square pillars, with demi-columns ; between these pillars are semi-
circular arches, springing from grouped pilasters, which are lateral projections from
the great pillars. Each of these arches has a zigzag moulding or cornice, and the
space between them and the second story of arches is filled up with little triangular
indentations. The arches of this second story are also semi-circular, the capitals of
these pillars displaying various examples of feuilage: and the shafts of some of
them ornamented with diamond network, chevrons, and other figures. This story
of arches is again surmounted by a third ; the arches of which are pointed, and have
windows in them ; round these is a triforium, or passage."* Many other parts of
this interesting building are entitled to particular description and illustration ; but
at present I must restrict myself to one more object, viz :
The chantry monument to Margaret, Countess of Salisbury.—This stands on
the north side of the high altar, between the choir and aile : and in its design and
execution may be considered an elegant example of the monumental architecture of
Henry the Seventh's reign. The southern elevation, represented in the annexed
print, is particularly embellished with niches, canopies, foliage, quatrefoils, tracery,
&c. and the opposite front is also ornamented, but not so much. The inner roof is
covered with fan-tracery, in the centre of which is a sculptured representation of the
Trinity, with a figure of the Countess kneeling. At the eastern end are the Monta-
cute arms with supporters, and the motto of " Spes meo in Deo est." When Lord
Cromwell sent his emissaries here, in the time of Henry VIII. this monument was
much defaced; an account of which is thus described in a letter to the said lord.
" In the church we found a chaple and a monument, curiously made of Cane stone,
prepared by the late mother of Renald Pole for herre buriell, which we have caused
to be defacyd, and all the armys and bedgis clerely to be delete."! This Countess
was grand-daughter of the famous Richard Nevile, Earl of Warwick, commonly
called the king-maker. She was born at Farley Castle, in 1475, and was attainted
of treason in the bloody parliament of 1539, and after suffering cruel imprisonment
• Warner's "Topographical Remarks relating to the South Western Parts of Hampshire," vol. ii. p. 148.
t Bib. Cotton. Brit. Mus. Cleopatra, 4.