Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 3.djvu/120

98 they present much variety of character. The central tower is not a common feature, but of western towers we meet with almost every variety: the broach spire, of which Raunds is a magnificent example; the steeple, with the parapet, pinnacles, and flying buttresses, as at Higham and Rushden; the octagonal lantern, seen at Fotheringhay, Lowick, and Irthlingborough; the square tower, plain, embattled, or finished with a rich capping of pinnacles, as at Tichmarsh, present themselves to the eye in succession. One of the only four round churches in the kingdom belongs to this county. As we look into the interiors, we find in some of the churches new and interesting features. The pierced straining arch occurs in more than one instance, with excellent effect. There are also a few bell-gables, which might be copied to advantage. The late Norman belfry at Northborough, and the three-arched gable at Peakirk, may be noticed. It should be remembered also, that the county of Rutland is comprised within the arch- deaconry, and consequently forms part of the plan of this work. We need scarcely observe, that it is equally celebrated for fine churches with its neighbour.

The church which has been selected for the first number of the series is in some respects one of the most curious and interesting. Its double nave and chancel form an arrangement almost unique; and the tower and spire, though restored in the seventeenth century, after partial destruction, may be regarded as authentic, and they are very beautiful specimens of the style in which they were originally built. At the entrance, under the tower, "the inner doorway is double, being divided by a shaft or pier, an arrangement not uncommon in cathedral or conventual churches in this style, but rarely met with in parochial buildings. The heads of the two openings are low segmental arches having their architraves, as well as the jambs on each side, richly ornamented with foliage and small figures: within is a small shaft or rather bowtell, with a distinct base, but running uninterruptedly into the architrave without any capital. Between the jamb mouldings of the two openings, in the centre of the pier formed by them, is a small shaft which blossoms, as it were, into a rich capital of foliage without any astragal; this supports a large square abacus, the upper moulding of which is continued as a string-course over the heads of the two arches, and supports the base of a flat trefoil-headed niche; the statue is gone, and the lower part consequently left quite bare, but the upper part is diapered. The remainder of the tympanum on each side the niche is filled with circles containing sculptures of events in sacred history, five on each side: the interstices are filled with foliage."

Mr. Freeman, to whom the description of this church has been entrusted, notices carefully the junction of the old work with that of the later restorations, and the difference of the masonry; this is a matter which, in every case, demands our strictest attention, as it may often enable us to supply tests of authenticity ; and the modes of construction by which old work is made available, even in the carrying out of new designs, are not among the least interesting subjects. The researchers of Professor