DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6913#0138
74
ARCHITECTURAL ANTIQUITIES.
a conjecture. This part of the facade is found to form a facing or case only to a
more solid and ancient structure which exists behind it, a considerable space being
visible between the two walls, occasioned either by some failure in the upright, or
continual exposure to the weather after the destruction of the roof. Now we know
that the second fire did not consume the whole church, nor was the whole rebuilt;
the damage occasioned by it was only repaired by Abbot Edward, and it is
reasonable to suppose that this wall formed a part of such repair. The solidity of
the main wall might have saved it from destruction, but the more ornamental and
external parts must have suffered in such a calamity, and were repaired by a more
summary proceeding than the destruction of the whole.
This remain consists of four tiers of columns with their arches in relief, of which
one tier only is in a perfect state. The lowermost division has five small arches,
each with a double zigzag moulding, supported by six capitals, varying in their
ornaments ; the columns are destroyed. Between these arches are cut two emblems
of masonry, designated by two stars or circles: two other ornaments are also
visible ; one of which, a compass, is sufficiently evident; the second, resembling a
phial with strings, supposed by Mr. Essex to represent the lewis, or louve, with its
cords attached, employed by the masons to rear their stones. The second tier of
arches is perfect, and consists of six round columns supporting five pointed arches :
a loop-hole in the centre communicates light to the interior of the building. Above
these is a corresponding tier of as many pillars supporting interlaced arches, two of
w?hich only are entire. The fourth or uppermost tier retains only one circular arch,
with a plain torus moulding. A fifth tier of arches remained entire previous to the
year 1726. Three string-courses divide these tiers; the upper and lower beaded,
the middle plain. The angles of the buttresses which flank this portion of the front,
have each a torus moulding running from the base to the summit. The upper
portion of the interior buttress has also small columns and capitals in relief, without
arches. In the lower part of this buttress are two doors. With what building these
could have communicated, placed as it must have been in such an unusual situation,
it is impossible to conceive. Dr. Stukeley conjectures that the original cell of
Guthlac occupied this spot, to which there was a communication from the western
extremity of the church. This conjecture is improbable, inasmuch as the cell of
this hermit, which was originally of wood, was immediately succeeded by buildings
of stone, and the annals of the monastery make no allusion to a renewal of it at any
subsequent period.
ARCHITECTURAL ANTIQUITIES.
a conjecture. This part of the facade is found to form a facing or case only to a
more solid and ancient structure which exists behind it, a considerable space being
visible between the two walls, occasioned either by some failure in the upright, or
continual exposure to the weather after the destruction of the roof. Now we know
that the second fire did not consume the whole church, nor was the whole rebuilt;
the damage occasioned by it was only repaired by Abbot Edward, and it is
reasonable to suppose that this wall formed a part of such repair. The solidity of
the main wall might have saved it from destruction, but the more ornamental and
external parts must have suffered in such a calamity, and were repaired by a more
summary proceeding than the destruction of the whole.
This remain consists of four tiers of columns with their arches in relief, of which
one tier only is in a perfect state. The lowermost division has five small arches,
each with a double zigzag moulding, supported by six capitals, varying in their
ornaments ; the columns are destroyed. Between these arches are cut two emblems
of masonry, designated by two stars or circles: two other ornaments are also
visible ; one of which, a compass, is sufficiently evident; the second, resembling a
phial with strings, supposed by Mr. Essex to represent the lewis, or louve, with its
cords attached, employed by the masons to rear their stones. The second tier of
arches is perfect, and consists of six round columns supporting five pointed arches :
a loop-hole in the centre communicates light to the interior of the building. Above
these is a corresponding tier of as many pillars supporting interlaced arches, two of
w?hich only are entire. The fourth or uppermost tier retains only one circular arch,
with a plain torus moulding. A fifth tier of arches remained entire previous to the
year 1726. Three string-courses divide these tiers; the upper and lower beaded,
the middle plain. The angles of the buttresses which flank this portion of the front,
have each a torus moulding running from the base to the summit. The upper
portion of the interior buttress has also small columns and capitals in relief, without
arches. In the lower part of this buttress are two doors. With what building these
could have communicated, placed as it must have been in such an unusual situation,
it is impossible to conceive. Dr. Stukeley conjectures that the original cell of
Guthlac occupied this spot, to which there was a communication from the western
extremity of the church. This conjecture is improbable, inasmuch as the cell of
this hermit, which was originally of wood, was immediately succeeded by buildings
of stone, and the annals of the monastery make no allusion to a renewal of it at any
subsequent period.