DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6913#0184
100
ARCHITECTURAL ANTIQUITIES.
Plate I. displays the ground plan of the chapel, with elevations of the eastern
and western ends. The proportions and dimensions are figured on the plate.
Plate II. a view of the chapel from the south-west; in which is shewn the southern
porch. In this view there is an erroneous representation, which it is proper to point
out. The plan shews a door beneath the second window from the east end, but this
has been omitted in the view: the pinnacles on the north side should also have been
represented.
J. CROSSE.
April, 1814.
MEMOIR OF BISHOP SKIRLAW.
The life of Bishop Skirlaw is rather a singular one, and deserves attention from the lovers of
our ancient architecture, of which he was a munificent patron. Wood gives the following account
of him. " It appears by a certain note* that Skirlaw was born at Skirlaw, or Skirley, in York-
shire, and the son of a sevier (riddle or sieve-maker) there, but being very untoward, ran away
from his father's house, and went to the University ; where, being received by some good scholar,
he arrived to such learning, that he became noted for it, and through various preferments was
made Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry, then of Wells, and at length of Durham. At which last
place being settled, he sent his steward to inquire at Skirlaw, whether his father and mother (who
had given him over for a lost son) were living; and having received notice that they were alive,
sent for them, and supplied their wants. Soon after, in memory of his being born at Skirlaw, he
built a fair chapel at Swine, within the limits or possession of Skirlaw, where in every window he
set up his arms, viz. Arg. a cross of three spells of a sieve, or riddle, sable, in memory and
acknowledgment from whence he came."
Skirlaw appears to have devoted his time and his income to the public good. He built bridges
at Shincliffe, at Yarm, and at Auckland; also a " goodly gatehouse" at the latter place : f at How-
den he built, or added to, the great tower, which Camden and his followers say, strangely enough,
was for the use of the people in case of inundation. The chapter-house J and the great hall of the
manor-house of Howden were likewise erected by him, with many other buildings, on which he
spent great sums. He was further at the expense of erecting in 1370 part of the great tower of
* Inter Collect. Rog. Dodsworth in lib. M. f Leland's Itinerary, vol. i. p. 72.
I This exquisite specimen of pointed architecture is, with the rest of this tine church, rapidly decaying. Skirlaw's
arms are to be seen in various parts of the church and manor-house ; and on the east end, of which a plate is
given in Hutchinson's Durham, Gent says, "his effigie3 is yet to be seen." A large print, representing the east
end of Howden Church, with the tower, &c. has lately been published, from an accurate drawing by Mr. Espin,
of Louth.
ARCHITECTURAL ANTIQUITIES.
Plate I. displays the ground plan of the chapel, with elevations of the eastern
and western ends. The proportions and dimensions are figured on the plate.
Plate II. a view of the chapel from the south-west; in which is shewn the southern
porch. In this view there is an erroneous representation, which it is proper to point
out. The plan shews a door beneath the second window from the east end, but this
has been omitted in the view: the pinnacles on the north side should also have been
represented.
J. CROSSE.
April, 1814.
MEMOIR OF BISHOP SKIRLAW.
The life of Bishop Skirlaw is rather a singular one, and deserves attention from the lovers of
our ancient architecture, of which he was a munificent patron. Wood gives the following account
of him. " It appears by a certain note* that Skirlaw was born at Skirlaw, or Skirley, in York-
shire, and the son of a sevier (riddle or sieve-maker) there, but being very untoward, ran away
from his father's house, and went to the University ; where, being received by some good scholar,
he arrived to such learning, that he became noted for it, and through various preferments was
made Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry, then of Wells, and at length of Durham. At which last
place being settled, he sent his steward to inquire at Skirlaw, whether his father and mother (who
had given him over for a lost son) were living; and having received notice that they were alive,
sent for them, and supplied their wants. Soon after, in memory of his being born at Skirlaw, he
built a fair chapel at Swine, within the limits or possession of Skirlaw, where in every window he
set up his arms, viz. Arg. a cross of three spells of a sieve, or riddle, sable, in memory and
acknowledgment from whence he came."
Skirlaw appears to have devoted his time and his income to the public good. He built bridges
at Shincliffe, at Yarm, and at Auckland; also a " goodly gatehouse" at the latter place : f at How-
den he built, or added to, the great tower, which Camden and his followers say, strangely enough,
was for the use of the people in case of inundation. The chapter-house J and the great hall of the
manor-house of Howden were likewise erected by him, with many other buildings, on which he
spent great sums. He was further at the expense of erecting in 1370 part of the great tower of
* Inter Collect. Rog. Dodsworth in lib. M. f Leland's Itinerary, vol. i. p. 72.
I This exquisite specimen of pointed architecture is, with the rest of this tine church, rapidly decaying. Skirlaw's
arms are to be seen in various parts of the church and manor-house ; and on the east end, of which a plate is
given in Hutchinson's Durham, Gent says, "his effigie3 is yet to be seen." A large print, representing the east
end of Howden Church, with the tower, &c. has lately been published, from an accurate drawing by Mr. Espin,
of Louth.