xlviii
Journal of Proceedings.
established itself throughout the country, and the new edifice was erected
wholly in that style; and although some of the details were poor and
somewhat debased, there was still an air of magnificence about the old
tower which was sufficient of itself to stamp its architect as a master of
his art.
Mr. Chancellor gave a minute description of the tower as it was left by
its architect in 1424, but in 1749 misfortune came; the sapient townsmen
thought that the effect of the whole building would be increased by a
spire, and that wretched apology for one which still crowned and dis-
figured the tower was erected.
After speaking of the bells and reproducing the quaint poetical inscrip-
tions upon them, Mr. Chancellor said that, next to the tower, the south
porch demanded attention. Consisting of two stories, it was a more
imposing feature than usual; the room over it had for many years
been utilized as a depository for wills, and probably had always been used
for the transaction of ecclesiastical business. It now contained the
library left by the late Dr. Knightsbridge. The external appearance of
the porch was at present destroyed by the "abominably hideous projection
containing the staircase." A highly-enriched niche, which probably con-
tained a sculptural representation of the crucifixion, surmounted the
archway. The body of the Church, consisting of the nave and aisles, was
almost totally destroyed in 1800, when the roof fell in, and but a few
fragments remained of the original work. The plan of this part of the
structure was the same as at present, except the recent additions of the
north aisle and transept, as the new walls were erected upon the old
foundations, such parts of the old structure as were sound being worked
into the new edifice. The arches were doubtless the same as at present,
but they carried a clerestory of a very imposing character. The west end
of the north aisle was the most important fragment left of this portion of
the building of 1424. Fortunately the roof remained and served as a key
to that of the nave. The noble effect of even these few fragments com-
pelled them to pause and endeavour to realise the grandeur of the old
structure in its original glory, with its massive oaken roof spanning both
the nave and aisles, enriched undoubtedly with shields and banners in
all the tintings of heraldry, and possibly with its mouldings revelling in
a sea of gold and red and blue. A noble clerestory enriched with painted
glass lighted up the whole building, bringing out by the reflected lights
the depths and shadows of the old oak framing, the lofty arches of the
tower forming a fitting entrance to the goodly structure, and the long vista
terminating in the richly-painted window of the chancel.
On the 17th of January, 1800, the whole of the roof fell with a
tremendous crash, carrying with it the greater part of the nave-walls,
and rendering necessary a re-edification of nearly the whole of the struc-
ture. For this purpose it appears an Act of Parliament was required.
The inhabitants, as in 1424, set to work in good earnest—would that their
zeal had been better rewarded; but unfortunately at that time Gothic