Page:County Churches of Cornwall.djvu/267

 THE CHURCHES OF CORNWALL 227 or very early Norm. ; that on S. side has been filled up all but head, and that on N. side has been set back when modern organ chamber was built. There seems to be no doubt that a late Saxon cruciform church, with embryo transepts, stood here, and that N. wall of nave and chancel walls are mainly portions of that structure. 1 Re- cently, more than one able man (notably Mr. E. H. Sedding) have argued that there is here no Saxon work, but only two periods of Norm. Against this, irrespective of architectural or structural considera- tions, it is highly improbable, nay impossible, that early Norm, builders would build so flimsily in such an exposed situation that all the S. side would re- quire rebuilding within a few years ! The truth appears to be that Norm, lords of manors of this extensive parish were content to use Saxon church for some 40 or 50 years after the Con- quest, but that they then much embellished the church, improving it on S. side, enlarging tran- septs, and probably erecting a low central tower or lantern. 1 I have had the advantage of seeing this church both before and soon after its restoration, as well as on three subsequent occasions ; I also had the privilege of thoroughly discussing the fabric with the late Prebendary Kinsman, vicar of Tintagel for over half a century. In August 1900, when in Cornwall, I had a letter from my late friend, Mr. Micklethwaite, about the best authority on pre-Norm. church-work, confidently maintaining the Saxon view, and this, too, was Mr. Kinsman's opinion up to the last. See also the account of this church by Mr. H. Michell Whitley, C.E. (X.I.C., iv. 46-9).