§ 75. One interesting feature in the planning of chancels, which has been much discussed, is worth a note. This is the fact that the axis of the chancel is frequently out of line with the axis of the nave, and generally has a slight northward inclination. Sometimes, as at Henbury in Gloucestershire, the inclination is very considerable, so that, from the west end of the church, nearly a quarter of the east wall is out of sight. Usually, the inclination is very slight; and there are many cases in which it is not northward, but southward—Sidbury and Salcombe Regis, near Sidmouth, Eastbourne in Sussex and Aldwinkle St Peter in Northants, are cases in point. The popular explanation is that it symbolises the leaning of our Saviour's head upon the cross. Like most symbolical explanations, this is founded entirely upon fancy: the inclination is by no means confined to churches with cross plans, and, if it were, the theorists who argue from this standpoint confound the symbolism of the cross-plan between the cross itself and the Body which it bore. Others have sought to explain the phenomenon by suggesting that the orientation of the chancel followed the direction in which the sun rose on the morning of the patronal feast. A succession of visits at sunrise to churches on appropriate dates has not hitherto been attempted upon a comprehensive scale: if it were undertaken, it probably would be found that the sun, instead of rising obediently opposite the middle light of every east window, as the theory requires, would have many puzzling exceptions in reserve. The marked divergence of axis at Henbury is explained by the site of the building, which is on a gentle slope, with the axis of the nave distinctly from south-east to north-west. When the chancel was rebuilt in the thirteenth century, the masons kept as high upon the slope as they could, and so twisted the axis of the chancel a little further east. But we must also remember that, when chancels were lengthened and rebuilt, the work was done while the old chancels were still standing. The axis of the old chancel might be out of line with that of the nave. Unless very careful measurements were taken, the new east wall would probably be not quite parallel with the old east wall of the chancel. The side walls would be set out at right angles to the new east wall; and thus, when the new chancel was joined to the church, the divergence of axis would be more palpable than before. Or, for the same reason, a divergence of axis might be created for the first time. This seems to be the common sense explanation of a very common feature. But it must be added that there are instances in which the inclination is so decided that one is tempted to conclude either that the masons had very crooked sight, or that they were playing tricks with their perspective. The feature, where it is at all marked, is something of a deformity. In our own day it has been introduced, apparently by design, into the plan of Truro cathedral. In medieval work, however, it will seldom be found in a chancel where no enlargement upon an early site has taken place; and it seems safe to conclude that, like so much else in medieval building which is irregular, it generally arises from the rebuilding of a fabric upon an encumbered site.
INDEX OF PLACES
Aachen, Rhenish Prussia, palace church, [33], [34]
Acaster Malbis, Yorks., [65]
Achurch, Northants., [56], [58]
Acton Burnell, Salop., [55], [56], [58], [65], [102]
Adderbury, Oxon., [106], [107]
Adel, Yorks., [49]
Africa, basilicas in north, [14]
Aldwinkle, Northants., All Saints, [121];
St Peter, [131]
Almondsbury, Glouces., [54], [113]
Alvington, West, Devon, [126]
Amiens, France (Somme), cathedral, [68]
Appleton-le-Street, Yorks., [84]
Arksey, Yorks., [118], [121], [122]
Askham Bryan, Yorks., [49]
Avening, Glouces., [54], [114]
Aylsham, Norfolk, [104]
Bakewell, Derby, [70]
Bampton-in-the-Bush, Oxon., [59], [60], [61]
Barnack, Northants., [30], [32]
Barnburgh, Yorks., [120]
Barton-on-Humber, Lincs., St
Peter, [30], [32], [33], [34], [40], [41]
Berkeley, Glouces., [121]
Beverley, Yorks., minster, [74], [75];
St Mary, [102], [111], [112]
Bewick, Old, Northumb., [50], [52]
Bibury, Glouces., [94]
Billingborough, Lincs., [82]
Billingham, Durham, [73]
Birkin, Yorks., [46], [51], [52], [82], [83]
Bishopstone, Sussex, [36]
Blatherwycke, Northants., [46]
Bloxham, Oxon., [105], [106], [107]
Bottesford, Lincs., [108]
Bracebridge, Lincs., [28]
Bradford-on-Avon, Wilts., [16], [29], [36]
Bradwell-juxta-Mare, Essex, St Peter's on the Wall, [16]
Brampton Ash, Northants., [76]
Brancepeth, Durham, [120]
Branscombe, Devon, [107]
Brayton, Yorks., [46]
Breamore, Hants., [38], [40], [54]
Brecon, priory church, [121]
Brigstock, Northants., [28], [97], [120], [121]
Bristol, St John Baptist, [98];
St Lawrence, [98];
St Mary Redcliffe, [95], [99], [101], [102], [128]
Britford, Wilts., [36]
Brixworth, Northants., [21], [22], [23], [24], [29], [32], [53]
Broughton, Lincs., [32]
Bubwith, Yorks., [93]
Burford, Oxon., [60], [61], [99], [113]
Caistor, Lincs., [45]
Cambridge, All Saints, [97], [98];
St Benedict, [28];
Holy Trinity, [97];
St Michael, [94], [95]
Campsall, Yorks., [109], [110]
Canterbury, Kent, cathedral, [15], [35];
St Pancras, [15], [16], [23], [24], [35], [36], [53]
Caunton, Notts., [93]
Cawston, Norfolk, [104], [125]
Chesterfield, Derby, [123]
Chichester, Sussex, cathedral, [68]
Childs Wickham, Glouces., [56], [58]
Chipping Norton, Oxon., [99]
Christon, Som., [53]
Cirencester, Glouces., [87], [88], [89], [125]
Clapton-in-Gordano, Som., [105], [120]
Clare, Suffolk, [126]
Clymping, Sussex, [114]
Coln Rogers, Glouces., [28], [29], [97]
Coln St Aldwyn, Glouces., [113], [114]
Coln St Denis, Glouces., [53]
Cologne, Rhenish Prussia, St Gereon, [34]
Colsterworth, Lincs., [47], [92]
Constantinople, Sta Sophia, [10], [12], [13]
Copford, Essex, [52], [74]
Copmanthorpe, Yorks., [49]
Corbridge-on-Tyne, Northumb., [19], [20], [56]
Corstopitum, see Corbridge-on-Tyne
Coventry, Warwicks., Holy Trinity, [102];
St John Baptist, [102];
St Michael, [98]
Crediton, Devon, [128]
Cullompton, Devon, [106]
Dedham, Essex, [97]
Deerhurst, Glouces., [27], [36], [37]
Dover, Kent, St Mary in the Castle, [37], [38], [40], [54]
Duddington, Northants., [114]
Dunham Magna, Norfolk, [38]
Durham, cathedral, [50], [67], [69]
Earl's Barton, Northants., [30], [48]
Eastbourne, Sussex, [131]
Easton, Great, Leices., [86]
Ely, Cambs., cathedral, [50]
Escomb, Durham, [17], [18], [20], [26], [27], [29]
Evesham, Worces., All Saints, [105];
St Lawrence, [105]
Ewerby, Lincs., [96]
Exeter, Devon, cathedral, [113], [128]
Exton, Rutland, [103], [104]
Fairford, Glouces., [124]
Felmersham, Beds., [110]
Felton, Northumb., [83]
Finchingfield, Essex, [45]
Fountains abbey, Yorks., [67]
Garton-on-the-Wolds, Yorks., [46]
Geddington, Northants., [28], [72]
Gedling, Notts., [94]
Gloucester, cathedral, [67]
Grantham, Lincs., [88], [89], [90], [91], [92], [96], [99], [100], [129], [130], [131]
Greenstead, Essex, [43]
Gretton, Northants., [72], [78], [93], [94]
Hallaton, Leices., [83], [99]
Harringworth, Northants., [85], [86], [87]
Heapham, Lincs., [46]
Heckington, Lincs., [76], [107], [108]
Heddon-on-the-Wall, Northumb., [48]
Henbury, Glouces., [99], [131], [132]
Hereford, cathedral, [128]
Heslerton, West, Yorks., [64]
Hexham, Northumb., priory church, [20], [21], [23];
St Mary, [33], [34], [41]
Heysham, Lancs., [25]
Hooton Pagnell, Yorks., [46]
Hough-on-the-Hill, Lincs., [32]
Hull, Yorks., Holy Trinity, [128], [129]
Hullavington, Wilts., [119]
Iffley, Oxon., [53], [54], [114]
Islip, Northants., [76]
Jarrow-on-Tyne, Durham, St Paul, [19]
Jerusalem, Holy Sepulchre, [34], [52], [62]
Kegworth, Leices., [104]
Kirkburn, Yorks., [46]
Kirk Hammerton, Yorks., [46]
Laceby, Lincs., [45]
Langford, Essex, [52]
Langham, Rutland, [113]
Lavenham, Suffolk, [94]
Leckhampton, Glouces., [54]
Leicester, St Margaret, [123], [124];
St Mary in the Castle, [49], [95], [97]
Leverington, Cambs., [119]
Leverton, Lincs., [121]
Lincoln, cathedral, [67], [127], [128];
St Mary-le-Wigford, [28]; St
Peter-at-Gowts, [28]
Lowick, Northants., [105]
Ludlow, Salop., [99], [100], [102]
Lydd, Kent, [24]
Lynn, King's, Norfolk, St Margaret, [96];
St Nicholas, [127]
Marshfield, Glouces., [123]
Medbourne, Leices., [56], [58], [113]
Melbourne, Derby, [59], [60], [69], [70], [75], [76], [96], [117]
Melford, Long, Suffolk, [121], [126]
Melton Mowbray, Leices., [102]
Middleton Tyas, Yorks., [78], [79]
Minster Lovell, Oxon., [61]
Monkwearmouth, Durham, [18], [19], [20], [23], [29]
Montacute, Som., [56], [58]
Moor Monkton, Yorks., [48]
Nantwich, Cheshire, [102]
Newark-on-Trent, Notts., [87], [89], [96], [99], [110], [123], [127], [128], [129]
Newbald, North, Yorks., [57], [58], [59], [60]
Newcastle-on-Tyne, Northumb., St Nicholas, [96], [100]
Newhaven, Sussex, [53]
Norham-on-Tweed, Northumb., [69], [70]
Northallerton, Yorks., [78]
Northampton, St Giles, [60], [61];
St Peter, [49]
Northleach, Glouces., [87], [88], [89], [99]
Norton-on-Tees, Durham, [40], [41], [54]
Norwich, cathedral, [67];
church of Black friars, [127]
Nottingham, St Mary, [123]
Oakham, Rutland, [113]
Othery, Som., [65]
Othona, see Bradwell-juxta-Mare
Ottery St Mary, Devon, [106], [113], [128]
Oundle, Northants., [82], [94], [98], [108], [109], [117], [118]
Paignton, Devon, [106]
Patricio, Brecon, [66], [67], [68]
Peterborough, Northants., Saxon abbey church, [21], [22]
Petersfield, Hants., [109]
Plymouth, Devon, St Andrew, [105], [106]
Plympton St Mary, Devon, [105], [106]
Portlemouth, East, Devon, [106]
Potterne, Wilts., [55], [56], [65]
Ramsey, Hunts., Saxon abbey church, [39]
Ranworth, Norfolk, [64], [68]
Raunds, Northants., [79], [80], [81], [83], [84], [119]
Ravenna, Italy, Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, [10];
of Theodoric, [10], [11], [12];
Sant' Apollinare in Classe, [8], [9];
Sant' Apollinare Nuovo, [8], [9];
San Giovanni in Fonte, [10];
Sta Maria in Cosmedin, [10];
San Vitale, [11], [12], [13], [33]
Reculver, Kent, [15], [24]
Repton, Derby, [28], [37]
Riccall, Yorks., [46]
Ripon, Yorks, cathedral, [21], [23]
Rochester, Kent, cathedral, [15]
Rome, Basilica of Maxentius, [3];
Basilica Ulpia, [2];
Baths of Caracalla, [9];
Castle of Sant' Angelo, [9];
San Clemente, [9];
Sta Costanza, [9];
San Lorenzo fuori le Mura, [8];
San Paolo, [8];
old St Peter's, [4], [6], [7], [8], [14], [15];
scholae, [5]
Rotherham, Yorks., [123]
St-Georges-de-Boscherville, France (Seine-Inf.), [60]
St Peter's on the Wall, see Bradwell-juxta-Mare
Salcombe Regis, Devon, [131]
Salisbury, Wilts., cathedral, [67], [128]
Sall, Norfolk, [104]
Sawley, Derby, [120]
Seamer, Yorks., [73]
Sherburn-in-Elmet, Yorks., [69], [70], [96]
Shrewsbury, Salop., St Mary, [114], [118], [121]
Sidbury, Devon, [28], [131]
Silchester, Hants., [14], [24], [25]
Sileby, Leices., [96]
Skipwith, Yorks., [115]
Skirlaugh, South, Yorks., [65]
Sleaford, Lincs., [82], [97]
Southwell, Notts., cathedral, [70]
Southwold, Suffolk, [125], [126]
Spalding, Lincs., [95], [122]
Stafford, St Mary, [112]
Stanion, Northants., [119]
Stanton Lacy, Salop., [38]
Stow, Lincs., [39], [40], [42], [54]
Stretton-in-the-Street, Rutland, [104]
Studland, Dorset, [53]
Sutton, Long, Lincs., [70], [124]
Swaton, Lincs., [82]
Tamworth, Staffs., [119], [123]
Tansor, Northants., [49], [82], [100], [115], [116], [117], [122]
Taunton, Som., St Mary Magdalene, [99]
Temple Balsall, Warwicks., [65]
Theddingworth, Leices., [79]
Tickencote, Rutland, [48]
Tickhill, Yorks., [96], [128]
Tilney All Saints, Norfolk, [92], [93]
Tiverton, Devon, [105], [106]
Totnes, Devon, [126]
Trier, Rhenish Prussia, basilica, [3];
Liebfrauenkirche, [34]
Trunch, Norfolk, [126]
Truro, Cornwall, cathedral, [133]
Tunstead, Norfolk, [125]
Tytherington, Glouces., [73]
Vinovium, see Escomb.
Waith, Lincs., [38], [39]
Wakefield, Yorks., cathedral, [123]
Walberswick, Suffolk, [99]
Walsham, North, Norfolk, [127]
Walsoken, Norfolk, [70]
Warkworth, Northumb., [48]
Warmington, Northants., [99], [100]
Wells, Som., cathedral, [128]
Whaplode, Lincs., [92], [114]
Whitwell, Rutland, [78]
Winchester, cathedral, [50]
Wing, Bucks., [24], [27]
Winterton, Lincs., [28], [97]
Wisbech, Cambs., [120]
Witham, North, Lincs., [47]
Witney, Oxon., [61], [110], [112]
Wittering, Northants., [28]
Wollaton, Notts., [97]
Worstead, Norfolk, [99], [125]
Worth, Sussex, [37], [102], [103]
Yainville, France (Seine-Inf.), [53]
Yatton, Som., [99]
York, cathedral, [67], [127], [128]
Ythanceaster, see Bradwell-juxta-Mare
CAMBRIDGE: PRINTED BY JOHN CLAY, M.A. AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS