The ecclesiastical architecture of Scotland from the earliest Christian times to the seventeenth century; vol. 1/3MacGibbon, David
History
The ecclesiastical architecture of Scotland from the earliest Christian times to the seventeenth century; vol. 1/3
MacGibbon, David
Church architecture -- Scotland
The only light was obtained from two narrow windows near the east end,
one in the north and the other in the south wall, immediately opposite
one another.
The entrance doorway (Fig. 189) is in the west wall. It is more
elaborate than most of the West Highland chapels, having (Fig. 190) two
nook shafts on each side with plain cushion caps, surmounted by a
semi-circular arch in two orders with a label, all of which have been
elaborately carved with Norman enrichments. Those of the label consist
of a series of round and rather pointed knobs. The outer order seems to
have been carved with a bird’s head ornament, and the inner order with a
kind of chevron. All the carved work, however, is greatly decayed by
exposure to the weather. The building has a gable at each end, and has
had a wooden roof. In the interior of the south wall a somewhat
elaborate monument (Fig. 191) has been inserted, which, from its style,
is evidently of late date. The canopy consists of two orders, one of an
ogee form, with weather table, which has been ornamented with crockets,
and has a crucifixion introduced in the pinnacle at the top of the arch.
The label terminations at each side
[Illustration: FIG. 189.--St. Oran’s Chapel. View from West.]
consist of animals like lions of an exaggerated size. The inner arch has
a large cusp which has been filled with Celtic carved scroll work, but
it is now much decayed. A broken piscina stands at the west side of the
monument. A number of very interesting and finely carved Celtic
monumental slabs are preserved in the chapel, and a great many more,
some of
[Illustration: FIG. 190.--St. Oran’s Chapel. West Doorway.]
them said to be the monuments of Scottish, Irish, and Norwegian kings,
lie exposed in the churchyard, and are gradually wasting away. They are
all elaborately carved with the floral ornament peculiar to this part of
the country, while some also contain the dog-tooth ornament, which was
revived here at a late date. This will be further referred to in
connection with Iona Cathedral.
[Illustration: FIG. 191.--St. Oran’s Chapel. Monument.]
Mr. Romilly Allen has shown that the Norman carved work in England was
executed between 1135 and 1190, and that hardly any carving exists on
churches of an earlier date. It could, therefore, not be looked for here
till towards the end of the twelfth century. The carved work in the west
doorway of the chapel, being of a somewhat advanced character of
ornament, can, therefore, scarcely be earlier than about the beginning
of the thirteenth century.
THE CHAPEL IN EDINBURGH CASTLE, KNOWN AS “ST. MARGARET’S CHAPEL.”
When treating of Edinburgh Castle in the _Castellated and Domestic
Architecture of Scotland_,[154] this chapel was briefly described and
illustrated; but it has been thought of sufficient importance to be
included in this volume, with additional illustrations[155] and
descriptive matter.
[Illustration: FIG. 192.--St. Margaret’s Chapel, Edinburgh Castle. Plan
and Sections.]
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