Above the tower arch, at 16 feet 3 inches from the floor of the nave, but under the nave roof, is an arched opening in the tower 5 feet 4 inches high and 2 feet 3 inches wide. A similar opening is found in many early churches in England, the use of which is not ascertained.
Arches in the same position are in St. Magnus.
The nave roof appears to have been of a “square pitch”—that is, the angle at the apex is about a right angle. Of the construction of the roof we know nothing, except that it was not vaulted.
Probably all the rafters were framed in couples, and the covering formed of coarse slates.
Each end of the roof is terminated by a wall 1 foot 2 inches wide, formed of corby-steps, standing up above the roof as usual. The ridge of the roof was about 25 feet above the floor. Above the roof of the nave in the east side of the tower is an arched opening 4 feet 1 inch high and 1 foot 9 inches wide. At about 7 feet above this is a smaller opening in the east side, and similar ones in the three other sides of this story. The top of the tower is now about 11 feet wide, and about 48 feet from the floor of the nave. It is stated that about 15 feet was taken off the top. Probably it was surmounted by a conical roof.
Fig. 100.—Church on Egilsey. North Elevation.
On the south side, and near the ground, is a window, but this is a modern work. There is a small window in the second story looking north. (See [Fig. 99.])
The chancel is 14 feet 11 inches by 9 feet 5½ inches inside; the side walls 2 feet 9 inches thick, and the east wall about the same. It is roofed with a plain barrel vault, of which the semicircular chancel arch forms part. (See [Fig. 101.]) The impost of this arch is 5 feet from the floor of the nave. Probably there was a step here or a little farther east.