DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6912#0151
THE ABBEY GATE-HOUSE.
89
Externally it had the properties of a castle ; the walls being thick, and the gateway
particularly guarded; but the whole surface was adorned with niches, tracery,
pediments, crockets, &c. in the most elaborate style of architecture of the age.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING, WITH REFERENCES TO THE PLATES.
The perspective view from the north-eastern angle, with the " elevation and
details of part of the western front," display the design and general style of this
very elegant facade, which I believe is unlike any other in England. In height it
has two distinct and varied divisions, with an embattled parapet, in which there are
oilet apertures, in form of a cross, for the discharge of arrows, &c. The buttresses
or projections at the angles were crowned with turrets or octagon towers, which
rose fourteen feet above the parapet. In the front of the upper division or story is
a series of niches, with embattled pedestals, and also two circular compartments
filled with tracery. A moulding, in the form of a double intersecting triangle, is
the principal feature of these circles. Between the upper and lower story is a
frieze of quatrefoil panels, and an embattled moulding running all round the
building. In the lower story, the large arch of the gateway forms the chief feature.
The opening is flanked by columns, between which are grooves for a portcullis ;
and is bounded at the top by a flattened arch, springing directly from the inner
capitals. A series of mouldings, with deep hollows and projections, also rest on the
capitals, and taking an ogee shape, rise to a point at the union of the first and second
story. Between the two arches are three elegant niches, with pedestals, canopies,
bold finials, &c. In the spandrils are two other circular compartments, with quatre-
foil panels. The buttresses are adorned in front with niches, and at the sides with
tracery, in the form of windows. These are shewn in the plate of outlines, and in
that of the elevation of the northern side. The plan in the latter plate is superseded
by a more particular delineation in another plate.
In the elevation of the north side is shewn a door-way, in a projecting buttress,
or appendage to the building; a plan of which is given in the plate of details.
This was probably a place of convenience to the first floor, where there is a door-
way through the wall. Part of the gate-house, as far as the second buttress from
89
Externally it had the properties of a castle ; the walls being thick, and the gateway
particularly guarded; but the whole surface was adorned with niches, tracery,
pediments, crockets, &c. in the most elaborate style of architecture of the age.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING, WITH REFERENCES TO THE PLATES.
The perspective view from the north-eastern angle, with the " elevation and
details of part of the western front," display the design and general style of this
very elegant facade, which I believe is unlike any other in England. In height it
has two distinct and varied divisions, with an embattled parapet, in which there are
oilet apertures, in form of a cross, for the discharge of arrows, &c. The buttresses
or projections at the angles were crowned with turrets or octagon towers, which
rose fourteen feet above the parapet. In the front of the upper division or story is
a series of niches, with embattled pedestals, and also two circular compartments
filled with tracery. A moulding, in the form of a double intersecting triangle, is
the principal feature of these circles. Between the upper and lower story is a
frieze of quatrefoil panels, and an embattled moulding running all round the
building. In the lower story, the large arch of the gateway forms the chief feature.
The opening is flanked by columns, between which are grooves for a portcullis ;
and is bounded at the top by a flattened arch, springing directly from the inner
capitals. A series of mouldings, with deep hollows and projections, also rest on the
capitals, and taking an ogee shape, rise to a point at the union of the first and second
story. Between the two arches are three elegant niches, with pedestals, canopies,
bold finials, &c. In the spandrils are two other circular compartments, with quatre-
foil panels. The buttresses are adorned in front with niches, and at the sides with
tracery, in the form of windows. These are shewn in the plate of outlines, and in
that of the elevation of the northern side. The plan in the latter plate is superseded
by a more particular delineation in another plate.
In the elevation of the north side is shewn a door-way, in a projecting buttress,
or appendage to the building; a plan of which is given in the plate of details.
This was probably a place of convenience to the first floor, where there is a door-
way through the wall. Part of the gate-house, as far as the second buttress from