The Rivers of Great Britain, Descriptive, Historical, Pictorial: Rivers of the South and West Coasts — John Shaqi
The Rivers of Great Britain, Descriptive, Historical, Pictorial: Rivers of the South and West CoastsVarious
History
The Rivers of Great Britain, Descriptive, Historical, Pictorial: Rivers of the South and West Coasts
Various
Great Britain -- Description and travel; Rivers -- Great Britain
The Castle of Rougemont is represented by not much more than an
ivy-clad gateway tower of Norman date, and portions of the walls, which
on one side have been levelled, and the timbered slopes converted into
a pretty little recreation ground, known as Northernhay, where, among
the statues of men whom Devonshire delights to honour, is one of the
first Earl of Iddesleigh, gentlest of protagonists. Of the cathedral
little can be said in this place except that it admirably exemplifies
the development of the Decorated style, which here reaches its
culmination in the venerable west front, its lower stage enriched with
figures of kings and apostles and saints. The massive transeptal towers
that distinguish Exeter from all other English cathedrals, and, indeed,
from all other English churches, with the single exception of that of
Ottery St. Mary, built in imitation of this, are much earlier than the
rest of the fabric, for they were reared early in the twelfth century
by Bishop Warelwast, nephew of the Conqueror, and were left standing
when, towards the end of the thirteenth century, the reconstruction of
the rest of the fabric was begun. Disproportionately large they may be,
in relation both to their own height and to the body of the church;
but, if they cannot be said to contribute to the harmony of the design,
it must be allowed that in themselves they are exceedingly impressive.
The transformation of the cathedral, begun by Bishop Bronescombe, was
continued by his successor, Peter Quivil, whose plans appear to have
been pretty faithfully followed by those who came after him. Not until
the year 1369 was the nave finished, under Grandisson, the bishop who
re-built the church of Ottery St. Mary in its present form; and even
then it was left to Bishop Brantyngham to add the rich west front. What
most strikes one about the interior, which was restored with no lack
of vigour by Sir Gilbert Scott, is the prolonged stretch of graceful
vaulting, extending through all the fourteen bays of nave and choir,
with, of course, no central tower to break the line. There is much
beautiful carving, both ancient and modern, in the church, but the
bishop's throne, attributed to Bishop Stapledon (1307-26), is perhaps
of rather diffuse design, although the craftsmanship merits all the
admiration that has been lavished upon it.
Around the Close, and in a few of the older streets, some interesting
specimens of domestic architecture are to be seen; but, the cathedral
and its adjuncts apart, Exeter is less rich than might be expected in
memorials of the distant past. Of its public buildings, the only one
which may not be ignored is the Guildhall, a stone structure dating
from the end of the sixteenth century, with a balustraded façade
resting on substantial piers, and projecting over the pavement. The
ancient bridge over the Exe, connecting the city with St. Thomas, its
western suburb, was destroyed in 1770, and replaced by the present one.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account