DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.32037#0043
ST. peter’s church, oxford.
19
Magdalene College, which its architect evidently had in view, and probably
intended to rival. The canted window in the third story has its model
in Magdalene tower, but here it rises from a flat screen, which is terminated
by an embattled parapet, the front being covered with panels of tracery,
interwoven with the mullions of two windows, which give light to the
principal chamber.* The substitution of this screen, instead of a con-
tinuation of the canted window in two stories, as we see in the tower of
Magdalene College, rather injures the simplicity of the design, though it
detracts nothing from its richness. The niches in the upper story are all
vacant, and perhaps were never filled with statues. The two lower ones
were probably intended for figures of St. Chad, bishop of Lichfield, and
St. Hugh, bishop of Lincoln; and the smaller niche in the centre for an
emblematic representation of the blessed Trinity, as they appear upon the
college seal.
The royal arms of Henry VIII. are sculptured immediately over the
arch of the gate; the bearings being those of France and England quarterly,
supported by a dragon and a greyhound, with the crown held over the
shield by two angels. This beautiful tower is not so lofty as that over
the entrance of Magdalene College, but is about the same height as that of
All Souls’, and originally bore a similar proportion to the adjoining ranges of
the front, being about twice their height, before a third story was added to
them, in the reign of James I., an addition which injured the effect of the tower,
by lessening its apparent elevation.
PLATE, No. 28, 29.
ST. PETER’S CHURCH, OXFORD.
This church has been much celebrated by the admirers of ancient ar-
chitecture, as an undoubted example of the Saxon style. The Oxford
antiquary, Thomas Hearne, asserted that it was built by St. Grymbald, a
learned monk, whom King Alfred invited into this country, and who became
* These windows were rudely deprived of their mullions, for the insertion of two square wooden
-Sashes, but are now restored to their proper form.
19
Magdalene College, which its architect evidently had in view, and probably
intended to rival. The canted window in the third story has its model
in Magdalene tower, but here it rises from a flat screen, which is terminated
by an embattled parapet, the front being covered with panels of tracery,
interwoven with the mullions of two windows, which give light to the
principal chamber.* The substitution of this screen, instead of a con-
tinuation of the canted window in two stories, as we see in the tower of
Magdalene College, rather injures the simplicity of the design, though it
detracts nothing from its richness. The niches in the upper story are all
vacant, and perhaps were never filled with statues. The two lower ones
were probably intended for figures of St. Chad, bishop of Lichfield, and
St. Hugh, bishop of Lincoln; and the smaller niche in the centre for an
emblematic representation of the blessed Trinity, as they appear upon the
college seal.
The royal arms of Henry VIII. are sculptured immediately over the
arch of the gate; the bearings being those of France and England quarterly,
supported by a dragon and a greyhound, with the crown held over the
shield by two angels. This beautiful tower is not so lofty as that over
the entrance of Magdalene College, but is about the same height as that of
All Souls’, and originally bore a similar proportion to the adjoining ranges of
the front, being about twice their height, before a third story was added to
them, in the reign of James I., an addition which injured the effect of the tower,
by lessening its apparent elevation.
PLATE, No. 28, 29.
ST. PETER’S CHURCH, OXFORD.
This church has been much celebrated by the admirers of ancient ar-
chitecture, as an undoubted example of the Saxon style. The Oxford
antiquary, Thomas Hearne, asserted that it was built by St. Grymbald, a
learned monk, whom King Alfred invited into this country, and who became
* These windows were rudely deprived of their mullions, for the insertion of two square wooden
-Sashes, but are now restored to their proper form.