DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6914#0156
124
ARCHITECTURAL ANTIQUITIES.
also, that the great west window, as it is denominated, is in fact composed of
three distinct lancet-shaped divisions, separated, not by mullions, but by piers of
masonry, which are nearly equal in breadth to the apertures themselves."16 The
simplicity and plainness of the groining of the nave and transept furnish additional
evidence of the first period of the Pointed style, whilst the whole of the north
porch indicates a time immediately antecedent, and in which both styles were
intermixed.17
From the circumstances stated as to the character of the architecture, as well as
from the re-dedication by Bishop Robert, which evidently implies a renovation of
the building, there could be little hesitation in ascribing the above work to that
prelate, if we had not the strong additional information, from the Canon of Wells,
that Bishop Joceline de Welles rebuilt the cathedral " when deformed with ruins,
and almost level with the ground." 18 Bishop Godwin, who had a full opportunity
to consult the archives of this See, whilst his father held the prelacy, which was
from 1584 to 1590, expressly states, that Joceline, after pulling down " all the
west end, built it anew from the very foundation, and hallowed, or dedicated it,
October 23, 1239." 19 In his Latin work, " De Preesulibus," he further states that
this bishop took down the greatest part of the church, from the presbytery west-
ward, and rebuilt it on a more spacious and beautiful plan with hewn stone
curiously sculptured, so as to produce a very noble effect.20 It results, therefore,
from this testimony, that the nave of Wells was rebuilt whilst Salisbury Cathedral
was in progress, and thus presents us with a contemporary example of the early
Pointed style.
The last fabric that it will be necessary to mention, in this division of the sub-
ject, is the Abbey Church at Westminster, which from its eastern extremity to the
entrance of the nave was entirely rebuilt by Henry the Third and Edward the First;
but from thence to the west end is the work of subsequent periods. It furnishes
examples, therefore, both of the first and second orders of the Pointed style, but
considered as a whole may with greater propriety be referred rather to the second
than to the first class. It was at this era that the simplicity of Pointed architecture,
as exhibited in Wells and Salisbury Cathedrals, was destined to assume a new
'" Vide " History, &c. of Wells Cathedral," 4to. 1825, p. 77. " Ibid. p. 88.
18 " Jocelinus," &c. " ipsamque Wellensem Ecclesiam vetustatis minis enormiter deformatum prostravit,
et a pavimentis erexit dedicavitque."—" Anglia Sacra," pars i. p. 564.
'9 " Catalogue of English Bishops," p. 366. 20 " De Prsesulibus," p. 371, edit. 1743.
ARCHITECTURAL ANTIQUITIES.
also, that the great west window, as it is denominated, is in fact composed of
three distinct lancet-shaped divisions, separated, not by mullions, but by piers of
masonry, which are nearly equal in breadth to the apertures themselves."16 The
simplicity and plainness of the groining of the nave and transept furnish additional
evidence of the first period of the Pointed style, whilst the whole of the north
porch indicates a time immediately antecedent, and in which both styles were
intermixed.17
From the circumstances stated as to the character of the architecture, as well as
from the re-dedication by Bishop Robert, which evidently implies a renovation of
the building, there could be little hesitation in ascribing the above work to that
prelate, if we had not the strong additional information, from the Canon of Wells,
that Bishop Joceline de Welles rebuilt the cathedral " when deformed with ruins,
and almost level with the ground." 18 Bishop Godwin, who had a full opportunity
to consult the archives of this See, whilst his father held the prelacy, which was
from 1584 to 1590, expressly states, that Joceline, after pulling down " all the
west end, built it anew from the very foundation, and hallowed, or dedicated it,
October 23, 1239." 19 In his Latin work, " De Preesulibus," he further states that
this bishop took down the greatest part of the church, from the presbytery west-
ward, and rebuilt it on a more spacious and beautiful plan with hewn stone
curiously sculptured, so as to produce a very noble effect.20 It results, therefore,
from this testimony, that the nave of Wells was rebuilt whilst Salisbury Cathedral
was in progress, and thus presents us with a contemporary example of the early
Pointed style.
The last fabric that it will be necessary to mention, in this division of the sub-
ject, is the Abbey Church at Westminster, which from its eastern extremity to the
entrance of the nave was entirely rebuilt by Henry the Third and Edward the First;
but from thence to the west end is the work of subsequent periods. It furnishes
examples, therefore, both of the first and second orders of the Pointed style, but
considered as a whole may with greater propriety be referred rather to the second
than to the first class. It was at this era that the simplicity of Pointed architecture,
as exhibited in Wells and Salisbury Cathedrals, was destined to assume a new
'" Vide " History, &c. of Wells Cathedral," 4to. 1825, p. 77. " Ibid. p. 88.
18 " Jocelinus," &c. " ipsamque Wellensem Ecclesiam vetustatis minis enormiter deformatum prostravit,
et a pavimentis erexit dedicavitque."—" Anglia Sacra," pars i. p. 564.
'9 " Catalogue of English Bishops," p. 366. 20 " De Prsesulibus," p. 371, edit. 1743.