The History of Lynn, Vol. 2 [of 2]Richards, William
History
The History of Lynn, Vol. 2 [of 2]
Richards, William
Fens, The (England); King's Lynn (England)
“It measures (says Mr. Edwards) 194 feet in length from East to West,
within the walls, and about 74 feet in breadth; having no transept or
distinct choir. The interior consists of a lofty nave, with two
lateral ailes. The latter are divided from the former by eleven
arches on the north side, and ten on the south:—the space of one arch
at the S.W. angle being occupied by the base of the tower. The place
of another arch, at the east end, is taken up by a vestry on the
south side, and a similar apartment, over the vault of Sir Benjamin
Keene, towards the north, leaving a kind of recess between, of the
whole width of the nave, for the communion table. The distinguishing
characters of this structure, as seen within, are lightness,
simplicity, and perfect uniformity of style; the _tower_ alone being
of an earlier date than the rest of the fabric. The pillars are
slender, having the horizontal section of the shaft nearly in the
form of a truncated lozenge, relieved by shallow flutings, and raised
about four feet from the ground upon corresponding bases. They have
no capitals, but small brackets which support the inner ribs of the
Arches. Opposite the arches, in the side ailes, are an equal number
of windows: between the windows are niches and canopies. The east
and west windows are very large, with a pleasing mixture of curved
and rectilinear tracery, and embattled ornaments upon the transoms.
The former is divided into nine days, or lights, by eight vertical
mullions, and the latter has eleven-days, or vertical compartments of
glass. More ornament has been bestowed upon the _doors_ than on any
other part of the building. The western door-way in particular, is
divided by a mullion which supports an elegant niche, and is adorned
with other sculpture in stone. The small south door-way is in the
same style, as is also the larger door-way towards the north. The
front of the _South Porch_ is still more elaborate, being covered
with a variety of minute decorations. The roof of it is handsomely
groined with stone. At the intersection of the ribs are some heads
and figures in bold relief, but much obscured with whitening: in the
centre is a figure of the Almighty Father with a globe in one hand,
and the other lifted up as in the act of blessing those who approach
his temple. {1095} In the circle surrounding this compartment appear
to be angels in the act of adoration; and at a little distance
towards the windows, are two crowned heads of a male and female,
which might be intended for Edward III and his queen Philippa. The
inner roof of the chapel is of oak, in a plain and simple style, yet
with a sufficiency of ornament to harmonize with the rest of the
building. The beams and cornices and relieved with carvings of the
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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