DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6913#0216
118
ARCHITECTURAL ANTIQUITIES.
darting into the gloomy apartment, also glowing over the distant landscape, and
catching on some fragments of an arch; the dark pool, reflecting both colours and
forms ; and the incidental stains, shrubs, and weeds ; all conduce to give interest
and picturesque beauty to the view. The room represented is doubtless of coeval
date with the foundation of the abbey, which was commenced in June, 1153, by
Alexander, Abbot of Bernoldswick, and Henry de Lacy, who had " obtained a grant
from William of Poitou, the immediate lord of the fee."* De Lacy supplied the
new convent " with grain, money, and other necessaries ; laid the foundation of the
church, which he finished at his own expense ; and assisted in hastening the build-
ings which were necessary for immediate use. The whole was a work of thirty
years, begun and ended under the superintendance of the same able and active
superior, Alexander, of whose skill and taste almost the whole of the noble fabric-
remains a monument to this day."f The same eloquent and learned writer after-
wards remarks ; " Among the monastic remains of the north of England this abbey
may claim a second place, whether it be considered a feature in a landscape, or as a
specimen of architecture. In the former view it must perhaps yield the palm to
Bolton ; in the latter, indisputably to Fountains. The lead and timber only were
removed at the dissolution; and nearly the whole building yet remains, with few
additions, to the structure of Abbot Alexander; and fewer losses by removal or
decay. The whole exhibits that struggle between the Normans and early Gothic
styles which took place in the reign of Stephen. The windows are single rounded
headed lights; the doors of the same shape, adorned with zigzag and rectangular
mouldings; the columns of the church massy, but clustered, with pointed arches and
Saxon capitals, each varying in pattern from the rest. The cloistered quadrangle,
with the various apartments surrounding it, is nearly entire. The original refectory
(for there is another of much later date) has been a magnificent vaulted room, sup-
ported on two fine cylindrical columns, each of a single stone. J The chapter-house
is partly of the original structure, and partly an enlargement, little prior to the dis-
solution. The tower, according to the practice of the twelfth century, was carried
at first little higher than the roof; but a lofty and graceful addition made to it,
apparently about the time of Henry VII. so loaded the columns on which it stood,
that, about twenty years ago, the north-west pillar suddenly gave way, and drew
* Whitaker's History, &c. of Craven, p. 58.
I This room is displayed in the accompanying print.
t Ibid.
ARCHITECTURAL ANTIQUITIES.
darting into the gloomy apartment, also glowing over the distant landscape, and
catching on some fragments of an arch; the dark pool, reflecting both colours and
forms ; and the incidental stains, shrubs, and weeds ; all conduce to give interest
and picturesque beauty to the view. The room represented is doubtless of coeval
date with the foundation of the abbey, which was commenced in June, 1153, by
Alexander, Abbot of Bernoldswick, and Henry de Lacy, who had " obtained a grant
from William of Poitou, the immediate lord of the fee."* De Lacy supplied the
new convent " with grain, money, and other necessaries ; laid the foundation of the
church, which he finished at his own expense ; and assisted in hastening the build-
ings which were necessary for immediate use. The whole was a work of thirty
years, begun and ended under the superintendance of the same able and active
superior, Alexander, of whose skill and taste almost the whole of the noble fabric-
remains a monument to this day."f The same eloquent and learned writer after-
wards remarks ; " Among the monastic remains of the north of England this abbey
may claim a second place, whether it be considered a feature in a landscape, or as a
specimen of architecture. In the former view it must perhaps yield the palm to
Bolton ; in the latter, indisputably to Fountains. The lead and timber only were
removed at the dissolution; and nearly the whole building yet remains, with few
additions, to the structure of Abbot Alexander; and fewer losses by removal or
decay. The whole exhibits that struggle between the Normans and early Gothic
styles which took place in the reign of Stephen. The windows are single rounded
headed lights; the doors of the same shape, adorned with zigzag and rectangular
mouldings; the columns of the church massy, but clustered, with pointed arches and
Saxon capitals, each varying in pattern from the rest. The cloistered quadrangle,
with the various apartments surrounding it, is nearly entire. The original refectory
(for there is another of much later date) has been a magnificent vaulted room, sup-
ported on two fine cylindrical columns, each of a single stone. J The chapter-house
is partly of the original structure, and partly an enlargement, little prior to the dis-
solution. The tower, according to the practice of the twelfth century, was carried
at first little higher than the roof; but a lofty and graceful addition made to it,
apparently about the time of Henry VII. so loaded the columns on which it stood,
that, about twenty years ago, the north-west pillar suddenly gave way, and drew
* Whitaker's History, &c. of Craven, p. 58.
I This room is displayed in the accompanying print.
t Ibid.