Page:The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth century (1887) - Volume 1.djvu/482

 THIRD PERIOD 462 EDINBURGH CASTLE to be entirely restored to its original form, under the superintendence of Mr. Hippolyte J. Blanc, architect. The illustrations of the chapel (Figs. 402, 403, and 403n) are from very careful drawings, made by Mr. Blanc. The building is one of the most unique and interesting specimens of Norman work in Scotland. It consists of a chancel with a circular apse to the eastward, separated from the chancel by a wall pierced with an enriched Norman arch. The total length of the interior is 27 feet 9 inches, that of the chancel being 16 feet. The side walls of the chancel are not parallel, the width being 9 feet 9 inches at the west end, increasing to 10 feet 6 inches at the east end. This, which would not be perceptible in a large building, is here quite apparent, where the dimensions are so small. The apse is 1 PIG. 403. Edinburgh Castle. Chapel : South Elevation. remarkable from its being circular internally and square externally, an arrangement very uncommon in this country, but of which examples occur in the south of France. It will be observed from the south eleva- tion (Fig. 403) that the external masonry is not of the same style of workmanship throughout. The central part where the windows occur is, according to Mr. Blanc, the oldest, and originally rested on the rock, which having at a later time been lowered and partly cut away, rendered necessary the facing of masonry which has been inserted beneath it. The upper part of the wall (see section, Fig. 402) rises clear above the vault, and thus has no influence on the chapel inside, and may therefore be of a much later date.