DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6914#0180
148
ARCHITECTURAL ANTIQUITIES.
stability and beauty of the stone vaulting, which, for the elegance of the fan-like
tracery, with which it is overspread in rich profusion, is perhaps unparalleled :
the masonry likewise is of the best execution : it has already stood upwards of
three centuries uninjured, and from the scientific principles of its construction, and
the strength of the sustaining abutments, will most probably exist for ages yet to
come." This ' Vawtt,' as it is spelt in the Indenture under which it was executed,
was erected between the 4th and 7th years of King Henry the Eighth, " according
to a 'platt1 thereof made and signed with the hands of the Lords executors to the
kyng of most famous memorye Henry the viith." The key-stones, which are of
great size, are sculptured with the regal badges of the latter sovereign, whose
arms, supporters, and cognizances, are repeated in every compartment formed by
the columnar piers of the side walls, the crowned roses and portcullises being set
like studs on the cavettos near the sides of each window, and the arms and sup-
porters, with a rose or a portcullis on each side, sculptured within the panelling-
over the small chapels. At the exterior angles of this fabric are four octagonal
towers, (including staircases,) which are surmounted by lofty turrets rendered addi-
tionally light by pierced-work pinnacles, &c. and terminating in cupolas, each
crowned by a finial. The south and north Porches present very fine examples of
the ornamental style of the Tudor period. A pointed arch, with bold and deep
mouldings, occupies the centre of each porch, having exteriorly a small shaft on
each side, from the capitals of which springs an elegant ogee canopy, bounded
with crockets, and ending in a rich finial. In the spandrels, within engrailed
circles, are the royal arms and supporters ; and under the circles are roses and
pannelled-work. Each of the flank divisions is occupied by a niche, surmounted
by an elaborately-wrought canopy. The mouldings of the cornice are studded
with roses and portcullises ; and over all is a parapet pierced into quatrefoils, &c.
The extreme sides are formed by the great buttresses of the chapel; which, about
the height of the first gradation, terminates the line of the porch, and displays,
5S In the vaulting1 of Henry the Seventh's Chapel there has been a considerable fracture at the east
end; through which, about thirty years ago, it became necessary to repair, and cramp together all the
contiguous parts with iron. There cannot be a doubt, however, but that the vaulting at Westminster is
much heavier than that of King's College Chapel, the masses which form the pendants being of great
weight and size, and the main body of the vaulting, which is all of stone, of from ten to fourteen inches
in thickness.
ARCHITECTURAL ANTIQUITIES.
stability and beauty of the stone vaulting, which, for the elegance of the fan-like
tracery, with which it is overspread in rich profusion, is perhaps unparalleled :
the masonry likewise is of the best execution : it has already stood upwards of
three centuries uninjured, and from the scientific principles of its construction, and
the strength of the sustaining abutments, will most probably exist for ages yet to
come." This ' Vawtt,' as it is spelt in the Indenture under which it was executed,
was erected between the 4th and 7th years of King Henry the Eighth, " according
to a 'platt1 thereof made and signed with the hands of the Lords executors to the
kyng of most famous memorye Henry the viith." The key-stones, which are of
great size, are sculptured with the regal badges of the latter sovereign, whose
arms, supporters, and cognizances, are repeated in every compartment formed by
the columnar piers of the side walls, the crowned roses and portcullises being set
like studs on the cavettos near the sides of each window, and the arms and sup-
porters, with a rose or a portcullis on each side, sculptured within the panelling-
over the small chapels. At the exterior angles of this fabric are four octagonal
towers, (including staircases,) which are surmounted by lofty turrets rendered addi-
tionally light by pierced-work pinnacles, &c. and terminating in cupolas, each
crowned by a finial. The south and north Porches present very fine examples of
the ornamental style of the Tudor period. A pointed arch, with bold and deep
mouldings, occupies the centre of each porch, having exteriorly a small shaft on
each side, from the capitals of which springs an elegant ogee canopy, bounded
with crockets, and ending in a rich finial. In the spandrels, within engrailed
circles, are the royal arms and supporters ; and under the circles are roses and
pannelled-work. Each of the flank divisions is occupied by a niche, surmounted
by an elaborately-wrought canopy. The mouldings of the cornice are studded
with roses and portcullises ; and over all is a parapet pierced into quatrefoils, &c.
The extreme sides are formed by the great buttresses of the chapel; which, about
the height of the first gradation, terminates the line of the porch, and displays,
5S In the vaulting1 of Henry the Seventh's Chapel there has been a considerable fracture at the east
end; through which, about thirty years ago, it became necessary to repair, and cramp together all the
contiguous parts with iron. There cannot be a doubt, however, but that the vaulting at Westminster is
much heavier than that of King's College Chapel, the masses which form the pendants being of great
weight and size, and the main body of the vaulting, which is all of stone, of from ten to fourteen inches
in thickness.