Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 3.djvu/79



name of William of Wykham has always been held in the highest estimation in connection with the mediæval architecture of this country, and his works are referred to and valued as forming an important era in the history of that art. This interest has been considerably increased in consequence of the recent visit of the Archæological Institute to Winchester, and the investigations which took place on that occasion with reference to Wykham and his works, under two of its most distinguished members, (Professors Willis and Cockerell,) a circumstance which will doubtless render any addition to the list of his acknowledged works an acceptable contribution to this interesting subject. Under this impression I presume to bring under the notice of the Institute what I consider to be a genuine and beautiful fragment still existing, though in a very dilapidated state, within the precincts of the castle at Windsor.

Before however entering upon the description of this fragment, I will premise, that as the great change in the style of the pointed architecture from the Decorated to the Perpendicular took place during the time this prelate presided over the royal works, there is every reason to believe that this change was owing in a great measure to his genius and instrumentality. I am induced to form this opinion from the fact of there being, I believe, no well authenticated example of the latter style previously to his period, whereas a progressive change was going on which appears to have commenced with that period, and ended before his death in the complete establishment of the new style to the exclusion of its predecessor. I am aware an opinion is entertained that the west windows of the nave of Winchester Cathedral are the work of Bishop Edington, Wykham's predecessor, and that documentary evidence is in favour of this opinion. To me however it appears quite incredible that windows so ultra Perpendicular in all their forms and details, and which are not supported by one single analogous well authenticated example, not only of the same period, but for a period long subsequent, can safely be referred to Eding-