Collectanea de Diversis Rebus: Addresses and PapersEade, Peter, Sir
Science
Collectanea de Diversis Rebus: Addresses and Papers
Eade, Peter, Sir
English essays; Speeches, addresses, etc., English
In 1866 the Prince and Princess of Wales each planted a Wellingtonia tree
in the Field, but these did not flourish, and have been removed. In the
same year the Field was enclosed with its present handsome iron
palisading, and it has since then been transformed into the delightful
Chapel Field Gardens, as we now see them, with their special beauties,
and the handsome iron Pavilion in their midst.
_The Church_ of St. Giles, dedicated to the Saint of that name, stands on
the north side of Upper St. Giles’s Street; and is a striking object as
we pass up the street, as well as from many other points of view. It
occupies a commanding position, overlooking much of the surrounding
district, and was anciently called St. Giles’s on the Hill.
Blomefield says it was founded by Elwyn the priest, and given by him to
the Monks of Norwich, after he had procured an indulgence of twenty days’
pardon for all who should come and offer here on St. Giles’s Day, or
within seven days after, and it was rebuilt in the time of Richard II.
The chancel, which appears to have been a very long one, was demolished
in 1581, and was not rebuilt until the general restoration of the Church
in 1866, when it was restored mainly at the cost of the Rev. W. N. Ripley
(now Canon Ripley) who was then Incumbent.
The Church is a fine perpendicular flint-work structure. The tower is
large and well proportioned. It is battlemented and crowned with a small
bell-cot and weather-cock. It is rather more than 113 feet high, and the
hill upon which it stands is 85·8 feet above the level of the sea. From
its height and conspicuous position, it was selected in 1549 for placing
a cresset, for a fire beacon, upon its top. There was formerly a Cross
and Image of the Trinity in a niche on the west side of the steeple
(Blomefield). It has a clock on its eastern face, and contains eight
bells, one of which is rung as a Curfew every evening at eight o’clock,
as has been the case for more than four hundred years, in accordance with
a benefaction of one John Colton, in 1457.
_The Belfry Chamber_ contains five large steeple-boards, with many names
of ringers.
_The Porch_ has a fine groined vault, with fan tracery, and a rich
parapet and cornice.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account