Fig. 782.—Melrose Abbey. North Transept.
This is observable in the west wall of the north transept (see [Fig. 782]), but still more so in the west wall of the south transept ([Fig. 784]). The window nearest the nave is of a different design from that of the one further off. The former ([Fig. 785]) may be older, and the latter (which is the same as the other windows of the choir and transept) was, probably, built at the same time as the latter. The stair turret is, doubtless, also of this date. It may be remarked, in connection with this point, that the bases of the two piers of the south aisle of the nave, next the crossing (see [Fig. 784]), differ from those of the remainder of the nave aisle ([Fig. 786]), as well as from the bases of the east piers of the transept ([Fig. 787]). These bases also differ from those of the nave piers ([Fig. 788]). The same Fig. also shows the exterior base of the choir. The pier at the angle of the south aisle with the transept has no wall-shaft to carry the vaulting, which springs from a corbel (see [Fig. 784]). The vaulting at this angle is also peculiar, and does not fit well with the aisle vaults further west, but has a straight piece of wall built in perpendicularly for the cross rib to stop upon (see [Fig. 784]). These points appear to indicate that the piers next the crossing are older than the remainder. The vaulting shafts of the main nave piers are somewhat unusual in design ([Fig. 789]), having in their lower part the appearance of a double shaft, although above the corbel, near the level of the capitals, they assume the form of a triple vaulting shaft of the usual design. The same arrangement has been copied in the transept ([Fig. 790]), where the piers seem to have been carried up from old bases, as the double vaulting shaft has no proper base, but simply buts against the round form of the ancient base (see [Fig. 787]), and in some cases fits on to it awkwardly.
Fig. 783.—Melrose Abbey.
Abbot Hunter’s Arms.
Turning now to the choir, we find that the east wall and the other eastern parts of the structure are more recent than the nave. Probably this portion of the church (see [Fig. 774]) had been more damaged by Richard II. than the nave, and required to be almost wholly rebuilt. The style here corresponds closely with the “perpendicular” of England which prevailed in the fifteenth century. Most of the clerestory windows of the choir and presbytery are markedly in this style. The great eastern window (see [Fig. 774]) is exceptional and unique, but it has more of the character of perpendicular than any other style. The design of the buttresses is slightly different from that of the south wall of the transept (compare Figs. 772 and 774), but the niches and canopies are very similar. The upper part of the gable consists of a series of niches