Cambridge (England) -- History; University of Cambridge -- History
"The tower presents those features which are usually taken to
indicate a Saxon origin. It is divided into three well-marked
stages, each one of which is rather narrower than the one below it.
The quoins are of the well-known long-and-short work (a sign of
late date), and the lowest quoin is let into a sinking prepared for
it in the plinth. The belfry windows are of two sorts; the central
window on each face is of two heights, divided by a mid-wall
balister shaft, supporting a through-stone of the usual character.
On each side of this window there is a plain lancet at a somewhat
higher level, and with rubble jambs. Above these latter there are
small round holes--they can hardly be called windows. Over each of
the central windows there is a small pilaster, stopped by a corbel
which rests on the window head; these pilasters are cut off
abruptly at the top of the tower, which has probably been altered
since it was first built; most likely it was originally terminated
by a low spire or by gables. The rough edges of the quoins are
worked with a rebate to receive the plaster which originally
covered the tower. The arch between the tower and the nave springs
from bold imposts, above which are rude pieces of sculpture,
forming stops to the hood mould. The quoins remaining at each angle
of the present nave show that it is of the same length and width as
the nave of the original church, and they seem to show also that
the original church had neither aisles nor transepts. The chancel
is also the same size as that of the early church, for though the
east and north walls have been rebuilt, they are in the positions
of the Saxon walls. The south wall of the chancel has been altered
at many different periods, but has probably never been rebuilt. The
bases of the chancel arch remain below the floor. The early church
was probably lighted by small lancets about three inches wide,
placed high in the wall, and without glass."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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