The wonderful grandeur and nobility of the interior can well be
appreciated by standing just within the tower and viewing the “long-drawn
aisles” through the great western arch. This arch formed part of the
scheme of restoration and rebuilding which took place at the latter end
of the thirteenth century, when the original Norman doorway was removed
and a grand Decorated west front substituted. This had two turrets on
each side, terminating in octagonal pinnacles of fine proportions and
design, and a beautiful Decorated window appears to have been inserted
over the arch. Unfortunately, the present tower obscures much of this
thirteenth century work. With this scheme of rebuilding, which was
instigated by Abbot Reginald and carried out by his successors, Abbots
Hugh and Robert, is associated a curious and unfortunate defacement or
destruction of a portion of the beautiful Norman arcading. There will be
noticed on either side of the church, near the west end, a high Gothic
arch, sadly out of harmony with the remaining arcading. It is said that
the architect who was first engaged upon the restoration work was
demented, and set about transforming the architectural character of the
church. He removed the elegant filling-in of the triforium and cut away
the lower Norman arches, and after having thus mutilated two tiers of
arches on each side, began upon the third tier on the north side, but was
happily stopped in his crazy efforts by the interference of the abbot,
and his peremptory dismissal. It is to his successor that we owe the
beautiful western doorway and front. This restoration scheme also
included the adornment of the interior with beautiful frescoes, signs of
which are still slightly visible on one or two of the arches.
Relics and Monuments.
Within the tower of the church are preserved the old stocks and
whipping-post, together with the pillory, which formerly stood on the
site now occupied by the new municipal buildings. In the vestry are also
preserved a number of interesting relics, including a pilgrim’s bottle
and the massive blade of a battle-axe which, tradition avers, was
Harold’s.
There are many monuments and numerous interesting tablets and memorials.
Of the monuments the most noticeable is the tomb of Sir Edward Denny and
his wife Margaret, in the chancel. The knight is represented in armour
lying on his left side, the figure of his wife reclining below; their ten
children are carved in relief, in attitudes of prayer, upon the panel
beneath. This Edward Denny was the comrade of Spenser, the poet, and Sir
Philip Sidney, and the captor of the rebel Earl of Desmond.
Near by stands the effigy of Lady Elizabeth Greville, first cousin to
Lady Jane Grey, widow of Henry Denny (son of Sir Anthony Denny) and wife
of Sir Edward Greville, third son of the ancestor of the present Earl of
Warwick. This effigy is all that remains of an elegant tomb of
alabaster, which formerly stood to the north of the altar.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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