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
There are three doorways in the north wall, with steps leading down into
the building. Part of the east wall also remains, in which is a recess 4
feet 6 inches wide, with splayed jambs, and having an ambry in the back
of it. The structure has been vaulted, as is apparent from the remains
of ribs and corbels. Part of it may have been the refectory. Unless
steps are taken shortly to preserve this building, it will probably very
soon disappear.
There seem to have been buildings along the east, extending from this
hall to the church. These may have formed the eastern side of a court or
cloister, of which the hall formed the southern side and the church the
north side.
[Illustration: FIG. 404.--Pier in South Transept.]
The east wall of the cloister, which partly remains, has traces of an
old doorway (see Plan) about 4 feet 6 inches wide, now built up. It was
secured by a sliding bar, the channel for which is still in existence.
This doorway is shown in Cardonnell’s _Picturesque Antiquities of
Scotland_ as a round arched door. Above it is shown a pointed arched
window, and at about 20 feet to the south a great pointed archway, not
unlike the arching of the “Pends” at Arbroath. This great archway is
also shown by Grose, but the above-mentioned doorway with the sliding
bar is not seen in Grose’s view owing to a wall hiding it from his point
of view; however, he shows the pointed arched window above. Both the
above authors indicate that a wall ran eastward at right angles.
There are several grave-slabs at Coldingham, of which four are
illustrated. Three of these are small in size, and the fourth is
considerably larger. That shown in Fig. 405 has bevelled edges, with a
foliaged cross containing thirteenth century carving. At the top of the
cross there is a wasted bust, and at the foot there are Calvary steps.
The slab measures 2 feet 2 inches high by 11½ inches wide at the top,
tapering to 8 inches at foot. The other three crosses are apparently of
a later date.
Figs. 406 and 407 are, like Fig. 405, of small size, the first measuring
32 inches high by 10⅜ inches at the top of the slab, and tapering to 8⅛
inches at the base, and the latter 27 inches high by 10 inches without
taper.
Fig. 406 is of an elaborate and peculiar design. On the flat slab a
shallow bead with a circular head encloses the design. This consists of
two stars at the top, and then of three upright flat-beaded figures
about 6 inches high, with corded lines across them; then a Greek cross,
a star, and, finally, a double row of three stars. The arrangement of
the stars somewhat resembles the similar features at the chancel arch of
Legerwood, Berwickshire. The small slab (Fig. 407), which may be
[Illustration: FIG. 405.]
[Illustration: FIG. 406.
FIG. 407.
FIG. 408.
Coldingham Priory. Grave Slabs.]
supposed to have covered the grave of a child, appears also to have had
an incised sword.
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