Page:Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal, Volume 1, 1869.djvu/593

 1869.] The Minsters of England. 483 tlement that surrounds them, at the height of the nave — is very simple. A window on each side is the principal feature. The canopy of each window, it may be observed, exhibits a change of style from the lower windows, the lines not being carried to a straight angle, but curved, to suit the shape of the arch, which is high-pitched. The double buttresses at each angle diminish in three breaks, elegantly finished with crockets, &c, but cease under the cornice, which runs entirely round the tower, even at the angles. Above this cornice rise eight lofty square pinnacles, and a battlement of similar design to that below, but loftier and more elaborate. The walls of the upper portion of the towers are beautifully adorned with niches, pinnacles, gables, and other ornaments. Nave : Exterior. The nave is divided into seven parts, by buttresses ; and consists, as usual, of the two stories. On the north side it is finished, in a plain style ; the aisle having no pinna- cles over its broad and massive but- tresses. The once lofty pinnacles of the south aisle have suffered severely from time. The entablatures on which the battlements stand, have an enrich- ment of finials, peculiar to this structure. On the north side, near the west end, is a staircase in the buttress, also a small arch or two of very ancient style. In the angle, between the north transept and the nave, the ruinous effect of the deep settlement of the great tower may be traced, though the most unsightly blemishes have been removed or con- cealed. Part of the transept was, by this settlement, crushed down nine inches ; and the nave was brought down almost as much. The Tudor style is very evident in the central tower. On each of its four sides are two large windows, having two tiers cf mullions, bounded on each side by compartmented buttresses. The battle- ments are richly perforated in masonic compartments. This tower was never complete!}' finished, as an indication of an arch meets the e} T e, which sets all architectural conjecture at defiance. The South Transept was completed about the year 1227, early in the reign of Henry III. This superb elevation is divided by buttresses into three parts, corresponding with the division of the interior into three aisles. In the central compartment is the porch, which is ap- proached by a spacious double-flight of steps. On each side are two windows, and above it, three large lights occupy the whole of the central compartment. Over these is the great circular window, which forms the noblest decoration of this transept. It consists of two con- centric circles of small columns and tre- foil, the centre and spandrels of which are pierced. The four octangular turrets are cer- tainly more modern, than the date of the transept; and the centre pinnacle has been brought from some other part of the building. The sides of this tran- sept are divided into bays, by buttresses similar to the front ; in each bay are two windows, separated by a slender but- tress. The early date of the erection of this transept is shown in its pointed arches, and slender pillars with plain or slightly ornamented capitals, its narrow and acutely-pointed windows, destitute of mullions, (except in the central win- dow,) and its angular pediments. The Exterior of the North Transept exhibits the finished neatness and plain- ness of the first period of the pointed style. The aisles have two lancet lights, in each bay, divided by slender but- tresses, neatly canted off at the angles and with mouldings. The upper story has a continued series of small arches, three in each bay being pierced for win- dows. The five long single lights in the north end have a bold and striking- effect : under them runs a series of arches, with trefoil heads. The Exterior of the Choir displays some striking features and peculiarities. On each side is a projection, above the