Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 9.djvu/96

66 situated over the south aisle of the chancel, which is a double one, its north-western pier having a buttress to the westward, instead of the support of a range of arches. The nave has no aisles (at present) and contains some very old work, the south wall exhibiting piers and arches (now blocked up,) of a simple square section, with sculptured capitals, such as in England we should decidedly call Saxon. The tower has a roof between two gables. (See woodcuts.)

—At some distance to the right of the line; remarkable from its taper spire. This is the church in which Woillez professedly deviates from his general rule, and gives a full description with illustrations, of the later as well as earlier parts. This description is the more valuable, as he gives also the following copy of a parchment, which was found, some years ago, in the sacristy.

"Gregorio nono papa, metropolitano Henrico Remis, Ludovico rege, Matildis Auffonso sponso comitisse Boloniensis, presbitero plebis Guerrico Camberonensis, in festo sacri Benedicti, mense decembri, Anno milleno, ducenteno, quadrageno, uno substracto, fuit a pastore Roberto Belvaci hoc templum sancto Stephano dedicatum."

This document, which he considers to be genuine, gives 1239 as the date of the dedication of the church. But, as he shows, and, in fact, the building speaks for itself, it belongs to different periods. The church consists of a nave with north and south aisle, transepts absorbed in the aisles, a chancel with a flat east end, and aisles of its full length, and a central octagon with a spire. But the south aisle of the nave is equal in width to the nave itself, and is comprehended under the same gable; the point coinciding with the range of piers, and its eastern end being visible, clear of the central octagon. The north range of arches is Pointed, of a transitional Romanesque character, the piers being massive and clustered, with square abacus; the roof vaulted, with both diagonal and transverse ribs, the abacus of the vaulting cluster being adapted to each; the clerestory round-headed, and no triforium. The south range of pier arches is much higher, also Pointed, and nearly of the same character. To preserve an appearance of uniformity, the piers are divided by capitals at the same height with those opposite. The compartment under the central octagon is of the same early transitional character. The choir is loftier