Page:History and characteristics of Bishop Auckland.djvu/92

 HISTORY OF BISHOP AUCKLAND. 69 plain octagons, and the sumptaonaly monlded arches very much resemble, in their sections, those of the Bishop's chapel in the Palace at Auckland. It is interesting to obseire this similarity as the appearance of the piers, and their capitals would at first sight lead to the assignment of a later date to the work than that actually belonging to it. The chnrch appears from the first to have possessed numerous altars. Very elegant and curious double piscinae exist to the south of the high altar, in the east walls of each transept, and in the south wall of the south transept, and also in the south jamb of the chancel arch — ^the last a most unfrequent portion, and indicating the existence of an altar against the rood screen, which is now destroyed. There is a very beautiful south porch, covered with two bays, of quadripartite groining, delicately moulded, with a parvise above it, reached by a winding stair from the church. There still exists in the porch the base of the ancient benatura. The tower was, in the first instance, comparatively low, but of excellent detaiL The sedilia originally consisted of the usual three arches, but the western arch has been cut away to admit of the insertion of a priest's door. This alteration apparently took place about the middle of the 13th century, together with others to be referred to hereafter. Eastward of these sedilia is a cinquefoiled pointed arch, of peculiar outline, forming apparently a single sedile, but its use is doubtful Passing from the description of the building, as it was first erected, the sub-committee proceed to notice that, in 1292, the church was made collegiate by Bishop Anthony Beck. Before that time, however, considerable alterations had taken place in the fabric, which may be referred to a date somewhere about the middle of the 13th century. These comprised the building up several of the lancets on the south of the chancel, and widening others, so as to form two light windows, the muUion dividing at the spring of the arch and branching in equal curves to the outer rim ; the removal of the original east window (which may probably have been of five or three separate lancets), and the substitution of a five light window with acutely pointed lancet lights reaching to the main arch, exactly as in the south transept of Finchale Abbey, which was built in 1266. In the transepts the lancet windows gave place to two and three-light windows of similar character, and the windows on the north side of the chancel underwent a corresponding change. For another century no structural alterations of importance appear to have been made. The present belfry stage of the tower was erected in 1417, during the episcopate of Cardinal Langley. It is probable that the present clerestory of the nave was erected about the same time ; and the existing low pitched roofs and battlemented parapets put on the whole church. The very handsome chancel stalls bear the Cardinal's arms, and much resemble those he made in the collegiate church at Darlington. A benatura, bearing the arms and badge of Bishop Neville, was recently found in excavating a drain around the church. Such appear to the sub-committee to be the principal points of interest in the architectural history of the fabric, which, undoubtedly, ranks amongst the first in the diocese for its extent and proportions, and for the beauty and delicacy of its details. A building of such value and interest demands most careful and reverential treatment, and the sub-committee are happy to observe that the works executed under the supervision of the late Mr. Austin have been carried out in a very conservative spirit, and that the main objects, sought for in a restoration, have been very successfully attained. To complete this work, however, various reparations, in themselves of no great extent, are required, and these the sub- committee now proceed to particularise. Commencing with the chancel, the sub-committee are of opinion that no alteration should be made in the general arrangement of the windows, and that the westernmost window in the north side, still retaining its ancient mullion, should be opened out, and the other windows should have their tracery and mullions restored accordingly. The external filling in of the original lancets might, however, be recessed to the glass line, with very good effect. The stalls, cut away when the organ was introduced, should be carefully repaired. Fortunately, this can easily be done, as the parts removed are at present in the belfiy. It would add much to the appearance of the church if the panelling behind the stalls was restored. This might be done with safety and certainty, taking as a model the ancient work remaining in the similar stalls at Staindrop. As it is probable that the front seats of the stalls may be required for the choir boys, a light book-desk, on brass or iron standards, might advantageously be introduced, fastened to a moveable wooden flooring. The general flooring of the chancel is of great interest, containing various curious monumental slabs, and it is advised that it be left without any alteration. The two most interesting monuments at the entrance of the chancel should also be left untouched, the two eastern bays of the stalls giving ample accommodation for an adequate number of choir boys. The organ should either be removed and placed over its bellows, east of the stalls, or be raised higher on the wall in its present position, and arrangements made for the organist to sit below it in the staUs and play facing south, the trackers, dec, passing below his feet. In the nave it is recommended that the clerestory should remain as at present. The modem font, which is very poor and quite out of character with so noble a building, should be taken away, and a new one of adequate importance provided. Probably a circular font of Frosterley marble, such as those which still remain at Brancepeth, BiUingham, and St. Margaret's, Durham, would be most suitable ; the steps, which there is eveiy reason to believe are original, should remain untouched. Digitized by Google ^