 |
Sec. 75. One interesting feature in the planning of chancels, which has been much discussed, is worth a note. This is the fact that the axis of the chancel is frequently out of line with the axis of the nave, and generally has a slight northward inclination. Sometimes, as at Henbury in Gloucestershire, the inclination is very considerable, so that, from the west end of the church, nearly a quarter of the east wall is out of sight. Usually, the inclination is very slight; and there are many cases in which it is not northward, but southward—Sidbury and Salcombe Regis, near Sidmouth, Eastbourne in Sussex and Aldwinkle St Peter in Northants, are cases in point. The popular explanation is that it symbolises the leaning of our Saviour's head upon the cross. Like most symbolical explanations, this is founded entirely upon fancy: the inclination is by no means confined to churches with cross plans, and, if it were, the theorists who argue from this standpoint confound the symbolism of the cross-plan between the cross itself and the Body which it bore. Others have sought to explain the phenomenon by suggesting that the orientation of the chancel followed the direction in which the sun rose on the morning of the patronal feast. A succession of visits at sunrise to churches on appropriate dates has not hitherto been attempted upon a comprehensive scale: if it were undertaken, it probably would be found that the sun, instead of rising obediently opposite the middle light of every east window, as the theory requires, would have many puzzling exceptions in reserve. The marked divergence of axis at Henbury is explained by the site of the building, which is on a gentle slope, with the axis of the nave distinctly from south-east to north-west. When the chancel was rebuilt in the thirteenth century, the masons kept as high upon the slope as they could, and so twisted the axis of the chancel a little further east. But we must also remember that, when chancels were lengthened and rebuilt, the work was done while the old chancels were still standing. The axis of the old chancel might be out of line with that of the nave. Unless very careful measurements were taken, the new east wall would probably be not quite parallel with the old east wall of the chancel. The side walls would be set out at right angles to the new east wall; and thus, when the new chancel was joined to the church, the divergence of axis would be more palpable than before. Or, for the same reason, a divergence of axis might be created for the first time. This seems to be the common sense explanation of a very common feature. But it must be added that there are instances in which the inclination is so decided that one is tempted to conclude either that the masons had very crooked sight, or that they were playing tricks with their perspective. The feature, where it is at all marked, is something of a deformity. In our own day it has been introduced, apparently by design, into the plan of Truro cathedral. In medieval work, however, it will seldom be found in a chancel where no enlargement upon an early site has taken place; and it seems safe to conclude that, like so much else in medieval building which is irregular, it generally arises from the rebuilding of a fabric upon an encumbered site.
INDEX OF PLACES
Aachen, Rhenish Prussia, palace church, 33, 34
Acaster Malbis, Yorks., 65
Achurch, Northants., 56, 58
Acton Burnell, Salop., 55, 56, 58, 65, 102
Adderbury, Oxon., 106, 107
Adel, Yorks., 49
Africa, basilicas in north, 14
Aldwinkle, Northants., All Saints, 121; St Peter, 131
Almondsbury, Glouces., 54, 113
Alvington, West, Devon, 126
Amiens, France (Somme), cathedral, 68
Appleton-le-Street, Yorks., 84
Arksey, Yorks., 118, 121, 122
Askham Bryan, Yorks., 49
Avening, Glouces., 54, 114
Aylsham, Norfolk, 104
Bakewell, Derby, 70
Bampton-in-the-Bush, Oxon., 59, 60, 61
Barnack, Northants., 30, 32
Barnburgh, Yorks., 120
Barton-on-Humber, Lincs., St
Peter, 30, 32, 33, 34, 40, 41
Berkeley, Glouces., 121
Beverley, Yorks., minster, 74, 75; St Mary, 102, 111, 112
Bewick, Old, Northumb., 50, 52
Bibury, Glouces., 94
Billingborough, Lincs., 82
Billingham, Durham, 73
Birkin, Yorks., 46, 51, 52, 82, 83
Bishopstone, Sussex, 36
Blatherwycke, Northants., 46
Bloxham, Oxon., 105, 106, 107
Bottesford, Lincs., 108
Bracebridge, Lincs., 28
Bradford-on-Avon, Wilts., 16, 29, 36
Bradwell-juxta-Mare, Essex, St Peter's on the Wall, 16
Brampton Ash, Northants., 76
Brancepeth, Durham, 120
Branscombe, Devon, 107
Brayton, Yorks., 46
Breamore, Hants., 38, 40, 54
Brecon, priory church, 121
Brigstock, Northants., 28, 97, 120, 121
Bristol, St John Baptist, 98; St Lawrence, 98; St Mary Redcliffe, 95, 99, 101, 102, 128
Britford, Wilts., 36
Brixworth, Northants., 21, 22, 23, 24, 29, 32, 53
Broughton, Lincs., 32
Bubwith, Yorks., 93
Burford, Oxon., 60, 61, 99, 113
Caistor, Lincs., 45
Cambridge, All Saints, 97, 98; St Benedict, 28; Holy Trinity, 97; St Michael, 94, 95
Campsall, Yorks., 109, 110
Canterbury, Kent, cathedral, 15, 35; St Pancras, 15, 16, 23, 24, 35, 36, 53
Caunton, Notts., 93
Cawston, Norfolk, 104, 125
Chesterfield, Derby, 123
Chichester, Sussex, cathedral, 68
Childs Wickham, Glouces., 56, 58
Chipping Norton, Oxon., 99
Christon, Som., 53
Cirencester, Glouces., 87, 88, 89, 125
Clapton-in-Gordano, Som., 105, 120
Clare, Suffolk, 126
Clymping, Sussex, 114
Coln Rogers, Glouces., 28, 29, 97
Coln St Aldwyn, Glouces., 113, 114
Coln St Denis, Glouces., 53
Cologne, Rhenish Prussia, St Gereon, 34
Colsterworth, Lincs., 47, 92
Constantinople, Sta Sophia, 10, 12, 13
Copford, Essex, 52, 74
Copmanthorpe, Yorks., 49
Corbridge-on-Tyne, Northumb., 19, 20, 56
Corstopitum, see Corbridge-on-Tyne
Coventry, Warwicks., Holy Trinity, 102; St John Baptist, 102; St Michael, 98
Crediton, Devon, 128
Cullompton, Devon, 106
Dedham, Essex, 97
Deerhurst, Glouces., 27, 36, 37
Dover, Kent, St Mary in the Castle, 37, 38, 40, 54
Duddington, Northants., 114
Dunham Magna, Norfolk, 38
Durham, cathedral, 50, 67, 69
Earl's Barton, Northants., 30, 48
Eastbourne, Sussex, 131
Easton, Great, Leices., 86
Ely, Cambs., cathedral, 50
Escomb, Durham, 17, 18, 20, 26, 27, 29
Evesham, Worces., All Saints, 105; St Lawrence, 105
Ewerby, Lincs., 96
Exeter, Devon, cathedral, 113, 128
Exton, Rutland, 103, 104
Fairford, Glouces., 124
Felmersham, Beds., 110
Felton, Northumb., 83
Finchingfield, Essex, 45
Fountains abbey, Yorks., 67
Garton-on-the-Wolds, Yorks., 46
Geddington, Northants., 28, 72
Gedling, Notts., 94
Gloucester, cathedral, 67
Grantham, Lincs., 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 96, 99, 100, 129, 130, 131
Greenstead, Essex, 43
Gretton, Northants., 72, 78, 93, 94
Hallaton, Leices., 83, 99
Harringworth, Northants., 85, 86, 87
Heapham, Lincs., 46
Heckington, Lincs., 76, 107, 108
Heddon-on-the-Wall, Northumb., 48
Henbury, Glouces., 99, 131, 132
Hereford, cathedral, 128
Heslerton, West, Yorks., 64
Hexham, Northumb., priory church, 20, 21, 23; St Mary, 33, 34, 41
Heysham, Lancs., 25
Hooton Pagnell, Yorks., 46
Hough-on-the-Hill, Lincs., 32
Hull, Yorks., Holy Trinity, 128, 129
Hullavington, Wilts., 119
Iffley, Oxon., 53, 54, 114
Islip, Northants., 76
Jarrow-on-Tyne, Durham, St Paul, 19
Jerusalem, Holy Sepulchre, 34, 52, 62
Kegworth, Leices., 104
Kirkburn, Yorks., 46
Kirk Hammerton, Yorks., 46
Laceby, Lincs., 45
Langford, Essex, 52
Langham, Rutland, 113
Lavenham, Suffolk, 94
Leckhampton, Glouces., 54
Leicester, St Margaret, 123, 124; St Mary in the Castle, 49, 95, 97
Leverington, Cambs., 119
Leverton, Lincs., 121
Lincoln, cathedral, 67, 127, 128; St Mary-le-Wigford, 28; St Peter-at-Gowts, 28
Lowick, Northants., 105
Ludlow, Salop., 99, 100, 102
Lydd, Kent, 24
Lynn, King's, Norfolk, St Margaret, 96; St Nicholas, 127
Marshfield, Glouces., 123
Medbourne, Leices., 56, 58, 113
Melbourne, Derby, 59, 60, 69, 70, 75, 76, 96, 117
Melford, Long, Suffolk, 121, 126
Melton Mowbray, Leices., 102
Middleton Tyas, Yorks., 78, 79
Minster Lovell, Oxon., 61
Monkwearmouth, Durham, 18, 19, 20, 23, 29
Montacute, Som., 56, 58
Moor Monkton, Yorks., 48
Nantwich, Cheshire, 102
Newark-on-Trent, Notts., 87, 89, 96, 99, 110, 123, 127, 128, 129
Newbald, North, Yorks., 57, 58, 59, 60
Newcastle-on-Tyne, Northumb., St Nicholas, 96, 100
Newhaven, Sussex, 53
Norham-on-Tweed, Northumb., 69, 70
Northallerton, Yorks., 78
Northampton, St Giles, 60, 61; St Peter, 49
Northleach, Glouces., 87, 88, 89, 99
Norton-on-Tees, Durham, 40, 41, 54
Norwich, cathedral, 67; church of Black friars, 127
Nottingham, St Mary, 123
Oakham, Rutland, 113
Othery, Som., 65
Othona, see Bradwell-juxta-Mare
Ottery St Mary, Devon, 106, 113, 128
Oundle, Northants., 82, 94, 98, 108, 109, 117, 118
Paignton, Devon, 106
Patricio, Brecon, 66, 67, 68
Peterborough, Northants., Saxon abbey church, 21, 22
Petersfield, Hants., 109
Plymouth, Devon, St Andrew, 105, 106
Plympton St Mary, Devon, 105, 106
Portlemouth, East, Devon, 106
Potterne, Wilts., 55, 56, 65
Ramsey, Hunts., Saxon abbey church, 39
Ranworth, Norfolk, 64, 68
Raunds, Northants., 79, 80, 81, 83, 84, 119
Ravenna, Italy, Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, 10; of Theodoric, 10, 11, 12; Sant' Apollinare in Classe, 8, 9; Sant' Apollinare Nuovo, 8, 9; San Giovanni in Fonte, 10; Sta Maria in Cosmedin, 10; San Vitale, 11, 12, 13, 33
Reculver, Kent, 15, 24
Repton, Derby, 28, 37
Riccall, Yorks., 46
Ripon, Yorks, cathedral, 21, 23
Rochester, Kent, cathedral, 15
Rome, Basilica of Maxentius, 3; Basilica Ulpia, 2; Baths of Caracalla, 9; Castle of Sant' Angelo, 9; San Clemente, 9; Sta Costanza, 9; San Lorenzo fuori le Mura, 8; San Paolo, 8; old St Peter's, 4, 6, 7, 8, 14, 15; scholae, 5
Rotherham, Yorks., 123
St-Georges-de-Boscherville, France (Seine-Inf.), 60
St Peter's on the Wall, see Bradwell-juxta-Mare
Salcombe Regis, Devon, 131
Salisbury, Wilts., cathedral, 67, 128
Sall, Norfolk, 104
Sawley, Derby, 120
Seamer, Yorks., 73
Sherburn-in-Elmet, Yorks., 69, 70, 96
Shrewsbury, Salop., St Mary, 114, 118, 121
Sidbury, Devon, 28, 131
Silchester, Hants., 14, 24, 25
Sileby, Leices., 96
Skipwith, Yorks., 115
Skirlaugh, South, Yorks., 65
Sleaford, Lincs., 82, 97
Southwell, Notts., cathedral, 70
Southwold, Suffolk, 125, 126
Spalding, Lincs., 95, 122
Stafford, St Mary, 112
Stanion, Northants., 119
Stanton Lacy, Salop., 38
Stow, Lincs., 39, 40, 42, 54
Stretton-in-the-Street, Rutland, 104
Studland, Dorset, 53
Sutton, Long, Lincs., 70, 124
Swaton, Lincs., 82
Tamworth, Staffs., 119, 123
Tansor, Northants., 49, 82, 100, 115, 116, 117, 122
Taunton, Som., St Mary Magdalene, 99
Temple Balsall, Warwicks., 65
Theddingworth, Leices., 79
Tickencote, Rutland, 48
Tickhill, Yorks., 96, 128
Tilney All Saints, Norfolk, 92, 93
Tiverton, Devon, 105, 106
Totnes, Devon, 126
Trier, Rhenish Prussia, basilica, 3; Liebfrauenkirche, 34
Trunch, Norfolk, 126
Truro, Cornwall, cathedral, 133
Tunstead, Norfolk, 125
Tytherington, Glouces., 73
Vinovium, see Escomb.
Waith, Lincs., 38, 39
Wakefield, Yorks., cathedral, 123
Walberswick, Suffolk, 99
Walsham, North, Norfolk, 127
Walsoken, Norfolk, 70
Warkworth, Northumb., 48
Warmington, Northants., 99, 100
Wells, Som., cathedral, 128
Whaplode, Lincs., 92, 114
Whitwell, Rutland, 78
Winchester, cathedral, 50
Wing, Bucks., 24, 27
Winterton, Lincs., 28, 97
Wisbech, Cambs., 120
Witham, North, Lincs., 47
Witney, Oxon., 61, 110, 112
Wittering, Northants., 28
Wollaton, Notts., 97
Worstead, Norfolk, 99, 125
Worth, Sussex, 37, 102, 103
Yainville, France (Seine-Inf.), 53
Yatton, Som., 99
York, cathedral, 67, 127, 128
Ythanceaster, see Bradwell-juxta-Mare
* * * * *
CAMBRIDGE: PRINTED BY JOHN CLAY, M.A. AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS
* * * * *
Transcriber's note
Minor punctuation errors have been corrected without notice. An obvious printer error has been corrected, and it is listed below. All other inconsistencies are as in the original. The author's spelling has been maintained.
Page 36: "a Saxon ex-example" changed to "a Saxon example".
THE END |
|
