But times of trouble were at hand: “there is a time to break down” as well as “a time to build up;” and what the Christian English had built, the Pagan Northmen too often overthrew. Thus, in Alfred’s time (though in the reign of his predecessor), we find Croyland, Peterborough, Ely, and other monasteries ruthlessly destroyed, and in some cases they lay desolate for very long periods of time, though in others they were speedily restored. At a later period, a new impulse was given to building by the introduction of the Benedictine order, and we find monasteries either founded or reformed on this rule throughout the kingdom. Two descriptions of such Benedictine churches I will quote, the first being from the history of Ramsey Abbey, in the time of Dunstan. The architect’s name is, for a wonder, mentioned in this case: it was Ædnoth, and he came, as it would seem, from Worcester. The church is said to have had “two towers rising above its roof. The smaller of these towards the west, in front of the Basilica, presented a fine spectacle from a distance to those entering the island. The larger one was in the centre of the square, standing upon four columns connected by arches stretching from aisle to aisle.” This laconic description seems to indicate a church with aisles, transepts, central tower, and a western tower. It may be, however, that the word “_ala_” signifies not an aisle, but merely a transept. The other church I will refer to under this head is the Cathedral of Winchester, as rebuilt in the reign of Edgar. It had been founded in the days of St. Birinus, the first missionary to the West Saxons, about 635. Athelwold, made Bishop of Winchester in 963, was a great restorer of churches which had been devastated by the Danes. Among those restored by him may be especially named those of Ely and Peterborough. He renovated and partly rebuilt his own cathedral at Winchester, which was rededicated in 980. It is described by Wolstan, in a poem addressed to the succeeding Bishop, St. Elphege. He speaks of the “lofty walls and solid aisles, and various arches; the many chapels which so distract the attention, that a stranger is at a loss which way to turn, seeing doors open to him on all sides.” He mentions also the “fine roofs of intricate structure, and the brilliant variety of the fabric.” St. Elphege seems to have added a new apse, with “secret crypts, where secret recesses lay on every side, the structure of which supported the holy altar, and the venerable relics of the saints.” “A sparkling tower,” also, “that reflects from heaven the first rays of the sun.” “It has five compartments pierced by open windows, and on all four sides as many ways are open. The lofty peaks of the tower are capped with pointed roofs, and are adorned with various and sinuous vaults, curved with well-skilled contrivance. Above these stands a rod with golden balls, and at the top a mighty golden cock, which boldly turns its face to every wind that blows.”