The Cathedral Church of Peterborough: A Description Of Its Fabric And A Brief History Of The Episcopal SeeSweeting, W. D. (Walter Debenham)
History
The Cathedral Church of Peterborough: A Description Of Its Fabric And A Brief History Of The Episcopal See
Sweeting, W. D. (Walter Debenham)
Peterborough Cathedral
The east wall of this transept is specially worthy of note. We can trace
the lines of the roof of the Lady Chapel which formerly stood to the
east of the wall; and beneath this are two bays of the original
triforium range, showing two of the simple Norman windows. Between these
and the roof are six Early English lancets. Below are the upper parts of
the two great arches which were constructed as an entrance to the Lady
Chapel. When the Lady Chapel was pulled down in the seventeenth century
these were converted into windows filled with late tracery in imitation
of Perpendicular work, and the lower part was walled up, except that a
doorway was constructed. This was afterwards blocked up for many years,
and only reopened during the recent restoration works. The same
alteration has been effected in the western part of the choir aisle, the
arches towards the Lady Chapel having been in like manner made into
windows. The lower window nearest the tower is a very graceful geometric
window of three lights, exactly like the three in the south transept;
the window above is of the same period as all the other Decorated
windows of the triforium range.
Between the Lady Chapel and the north aisle of the choir was a passage
(to which the two great arches were open), and at the eastern end of it
was a small vaulted chapel, the remains of which are clearly to be seen,
including the broken piscina. Above this were chambers, concerning which
Gunton[25] has preserved a tradition that they were "the habitation of a
devout Lady, called Agnes, or Dame Agnes, out of whose Lodging-Chamber
there was a hole made askew in the window walled up, having its prospect
just upon the altar of the Ladies Chappel, and no more. It seems she was
devout in her generation, that she chose this place for her retirement,
and was desirous that her eyes, as well as ears, might wait upon her
publick Devotions." He says also that little is known of her except that
she was a benefactress to the church, and that a wood she bestowed upon
it is still called by her name.
[Illustration: Apse and New Building, from the South-East.]
At the extreme east is the =New Building=. Its side walls are built in
continuation of the walls of the choir aisles, and it has a square end.
It is lit by thirteen large windows, all of the same design, of which
the five at the east end, and the two most western of the sides, are of
four lights each, the remaining four having three lights each. Between
each pair of the latter there is no buttress; there are thus in all
twelve buttresses, six being at the east end. These are massive, having
to support the heavy fan-tracery within. Each buttress has a seated
figure at the top, commonly believed to represent an Apostle; but the
outlines are much worn, and it is not possible to distinguish them by
any symbols they may bear. There is a very handsome open parapet,
adorned with ornaments and shields bearing letters or monograms.
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