Fig. 319.—Kelso Abbey. Plan of Doorway in North Transept.
aisles. The windows in the different stories of the nave and transept have all round arches, both outside (see [Fig. 315.]) and inside, the former having one plain square-edged order supported on nook shafts. Of these the caps and bases only are now for the most part in existence. The exterior is marked at each angle by broad and shallow Norman buttresses, with nook shafts in the angles, and an interlacing arcade running round the lower story, both internally and externally.
In the façades of the west end and north transept the windows of the different stories have been grouped so as to form distinct designs. In the west end, over the great west doorway (see [Fig. 315.]), there has been an arrangement of tall windows of apparently lancet form, having on either side an interlacing arcade of round arches, supported on tall banded shafts. This is now, unfortunately, greatly destroyed. Above the arcade there runs a horizontal flat cornice, enriched with several rows of carved ornaments, and this was surmounted by a large opening of quatrefoil shape, surrounded with numerous mouldings and enrichments. The angle buttresses have been crowned with octagonal turrets.
Fig. 320.—Kelso Abbey. Section through Transept from North to South.
The north wall of the north transept (see [Fig. 317.]) has a fine transition door-piece ([Fig. 318]), which occupies the two lower stories. The next two stories have two windows in each, separated by a small buttress, the upper one of these stories having three arches in the interior. (See [Fig. 314.]) Above these stories is a small circular window, with a curious saving arch over it, and the whole is crowned with a top story, containing three round-headed openings, and a gable with a small circular aperture. The buttresses at the angles are crowned with circular turrets, which have been finished with a projecting parapet, the corbels for carrying which still survive. The upper part of the gable shows signs of having been altered.
It may be pointed out that the west front and the façade of the north transept are good illustrations of the Norman and Transition styles