Fig. 653.—Newbattle Abbey. Plan.
when digging was going on connected with the planting of trees, some further remains were found. But in 1893-4 a systematic search was made, both above and below ground, which enabled an almost complete Plan of the abbey to be accurately measured and laid down.[100]
Fig. 654.—Newbattle Abbey. Bases in West Side of Cloister (at Q).
The total length of the abbey church, within the walls, was 239 feet 3 inches, and on the exterior 253 feet 3 inches; while the interior width was 57 feet 1 inch, and the exterior width (excluding the buttresses) was 66 feet 7 inches. The nave, which contained ten bays, had a length of 161 feet 6 inches, and its central aisle a width of 31 feet, while the side aisles were 13 feet. The choir and presbytery comprised one bay and a-half, and had two large piers, each 10 feet in diameter. The crossing had four similar large piers, and measured 41 feet 9 inches over the piers. The piers supported a tower over the crossing. The transept was 117 feet 6 inches in length from north to south, and had an eastern aisle, making the width 45 feet. The north transept had enormous angle buttresses and a square pier. The large piers and flat angle buttresses of the choir indicate early work, probably Norman.
The great angle buttresses at the north transepts belong, doubtless, to a late period. The Plan clearly shows that they have been added to existing flat buttresses, in the same manner as was done at the east wall of St. Andrews Cathedral. Unfortunately, no details have been discovered to enable the date to be more definitely fixed.
