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
square-headed doorway, with splayed opening, has, possibly in the
sixteenth or seventeenth centuries, been cut through the west wall (see
Fig. 194). There are indications of a narrow doorway having formerly
opened into the chancel on the north side. It is now built up, and forms
an ambry on the inside. (See Fig. 192.)
There are three windows in the south wall, one of them being in the
chancel. There is also a window in each of the end walls, the one in the
west end being at a considerably higher level than the other (see Fig.
194). All the windows are splayed widely on the inside, and slightly so
on the outside, and they are round arched. They are all about 8 inches
wide by about 2 feet high. The two westmost windows in the south
[Illustration: FIG. 196.--St. Margaret’s Chapel, Edinburgh Castle.
Chancel Arch Details.]
wall, and the high window in the west gable, give light to the nave; the
east window in the south wall, and that in the east wall, light the
chancel, the former being in the south side, and the latter in the
centre of the circular apse.
There is a locker on the north side of the chancel, and a piscina
projects, without any recess in the wall, from the south side. This
piscina
[Illustration: FIG. 197.--St. Margaret’s Chapel, Edinburgh Castle.
Chancel Arch.]
has a very new look, as if it had been rewrought or renewed; but we have
no reason to doubt but that it faithfully represents the original
piscina. It has the usual drain.
The chancel arch (Fig. 195), while quite in proportion to the chapel, is
little larger than an ordinary doorway. Its opening measures 5 feet 1
inch wide by 6 feet 4 inches to the springing of the arch, and 9 feet in
height, measuring from the nave floor to the soffit of the arch, and
there is a step up to the chancel. Each jamb (Fig. 196) has two
monolithic shafts, set in nooks, with cushion cups. The arch, which is
in two corresponding orders, is decorated with the ordinary chevron
design. (Fig. 197.) Enclosing the arch is a label moulding, enriched
with a lozenge pattern. The arch on the chancel side is quite plain.
The arched roof of the nave, which is built with carefully-dressed
stones, seems to be of a later date than the walls, the masonry being
finer, and of a different and lighter coloured stone.
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