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 upper story consists of a detached arcade, having a passage behind
it in the thickness of the wall (Fig. 401). The arcade comprises an
alternation of high and low pointed arches, two of the latter occurring
between every two of the former. The shafts are alternately cinquefoil
and double in section, as shown in the geometrical drawing (Fig. 402).
All these details are prominently first pointed in style, the caps being
elaborately carved with foliage of that period, and the mouldings being
bold and distinct (Fig. 403). The little bits of foliage introduced at
the points of the arches and ends of the labels and strings are also
characteristic of early first pointed work.
That the design is late transition or very early pointed work is
apparent from all the details. The lower story of the exterior having
refined Norman ornaments, and the early date of the first pointed work
being emphasised by the whole of the abaci of the caps being square in
form, possibly this portion of the edifice may be due to restorations
executed after the fire of 1216.
The portions of the south transept still left are very fragmentary, and
there are now no traces of a north transept, although in Mr. Hunter’s
plan some indications of such a structure are shown. At the north-west
angle of the south transept there is an arch, which has been rebuilt,
being partly made up of old fragments, but the lower part seems to be
ancient. The lower portions of two piers on the east side of the
transept still survive (Fig. 404), and exhibit good mouldings. These
seem to have formed the piers between the transept and an eastern aisle.
When
[Illustration: FIG. 402.--Coldingham Priory. Elevation of part of West
Side.]
Grose’s views were drawn in 1789, one of the pier arches still stood,
and a corresponding arch of the north transept is also shown as then
existing. Part of the west and south walls of the transept, with the
shafts (or at least the bases of the shafts) of an arcade, similar to
that of the choir, is also still preserved. This building shows a
doorway in the south-west angle.
Lying at a distance of 76 feet south from the church, and at a somewhat
lower level, are the walls of a great hall (see Fig. 397). The wall,
which runs east and west, is fully 100 feet in length, and has attached
to it pilasters of segmental form, measuring 1 foot 10 inches across, at
[Illustration: FIG. 403.--Coldingham Priory. Interior of North-East
Angle.]
intervals of about 12 feet. From excavations recently made, the width of
this building has been ascertained to be 28 feet. The south wall has
been 5 feet in thickness, and seems to have been buttressed.
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