DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6914#0211
st. peter's church.
179
0rnarnented with zigzag mouldings on each face. Over these arches is a row of
siriall semicircular-headed windows on each side, but very distant from each other.
may be regarded as singular that the architect should have designed his single
^ alts with bands, or belts, at the centre, and not placed them rather round the
ustered columns, where they would have appeared with some meaning, and
r an apparently useful purpose. This will be understood by reference to the
P^ate of the interior view, in which the single, as well as the clustered shafts—the
rrtl and ornaments of the arches, and particularly of the highly enriched arch
u&der the tower, are all accurately delineated. The design and forms of the
°apital and base are also clearly defined in this view; whilst the other engraving,
rePreseating nine of the capitals, halves of two central bands, and the sculptured
laments of four different sides of Abaci, is calculated to furnish the stranger
vVith correct lineal information of the style of design and grotesque imagery
ettlployed in this very curious edifice. Foliage, birds, beasts, monsters, a rude
v°hite, with scrolls, Sec. are incongruously blended on these capitals; and although
e seek in vain for the interpretation of their symbolic designs, we may fancy that
ey involve some hidden meaning, or latent history. The western end of the
t°Wer presents an architectural riddle, to puzzle the antiquary, in an arch moulding,
°r Series of mouldings, elaborately charged with varied scroll-work, foliage, and
lnterlaced ornaments. The singularity of this arch arises from the difficulty of
<1Ccounting for its purport or meaning; as it does not appear to have belonged
^thec to a door-way or window. The angular buttresses are also singular, if not
^ique. They are merely ornamental, for they are wholly unnecessary either to
Support or aid the solid walls. The upper story is evidently of later date than the
°ther part of the tower, or the original church; and some antiquaries are of
°Plnion that the buttresses were formed, and worked up the angles when the
Sllrnrnit was erected : I am persuaded that they are coeval with the parts of the
t°Wer, to which each story, or course, is respectively attached.40
40 T
j ln taking leave of this church I should impeach my antiquarian as well as friendly feelings, were
ivh ^aSS Unnoticecl tne praise-worthy and unprecedented exertions of a gentleman and lady of Northampton,
- 0 have employed much time, care, and labour, in cleansing the ornamental members of the interior,
j s°raPing off some loads of the " beautifying" white-wash and plaster of former church wardens, they
tjle , rendered the capitals and arches of the church clear and distinct; and it is confidently expected that
ann^e^at'gable historian of Northamptonshire will, when he comes to treat of this edifice, bring out its
s equally clear, and thereby gratify and inform the architectural antiquary.
2 a 2
179
0rnarnented with zigzag mouldings on each face. Over these arches is a row of
siriall semicircular-headed windows on each side, but very distant from each other.
may be regarded as singular that the architect should have designed his single
^ alts with bands, or belts, at the centre, and not placed them rather round the
ustered columns, where they would have appeared with some meaning, and
r an apparently useful purpose. This will be understood by reference to the
P^ate of the interior view, in which the single, as well as the clustered shafts—the
rrtl and ornaments of the arches, and particularly of the highly enriched arch
u&der the tower, are all accurately delineated. The design and forms of the
°apital and base are also clearly defined in this view; whilst the other engraving,
rePreseating nine of the capitals, halves of two central bands, and the sculptured
laments of four different sides of Abaci, is calculated to furnish the stranger
vVith correct lineal information of the style of design and grotesque imagery
ettlployed in this very curious edifice. Foliage, birds, beasts, monsters, a rude
v°hite, with scrolls, Sec. are incongruously blended on these capitals; and although
e seek in vain for the interpretation of their symbolic designs, we may fancy that
ey involve some hidden meaning, or latent history. The western end of the
t°Wer presents an architectural riddle, to puzzle the antiquary, in an arch moulding,
°r Series of mouldings, elaborately charged with varied scroll-work, foliage, and
lnterlaced ornaments. The singularity of this arch arises from the difficulty of
<1Ccounting for its purport or meaning; as it does not appear to have belonged
^thec to a door-way or window. The angular buttresses are also singular, if not
^ique. They are merely ornamental, for they are wholly unnecessary either to
Support or aid the solid walls. The upper story is evidently of later date than the
°ther part of the tower, or the original church; and some antiquaries are of
°Plnion that the buttresses were formed, and worked up the angles when the
Sllrnrnit was erected : I am persuaded that they are coeval with the parts of the
t°Wer, to which each story, or course, is respectively attached.40
40 T
j ln taking leave of this church I should impeach my antiquarian as well as friendly feelings, were
ivh ^aSS Unnoticecl tne praise-worthy and unprecedented exertions of a gentleman and lady of Northampton,
- 0 have employed much time, care, and labour, in cleansing the ornamental members of the interior,
j s°raPing off some loads of the " beautifying" white-wash and plaster of former church wardens, they
tjle , rendered the capitals and arches of the church clear and distinct; and it is confidently expected that
ann^e^at'gable historian of Northamptonshire will, when he comes to treat of this edifice, bring out its
s equally clear, and thereby gratify and inform the architectural antiquary.
2 a 2