Fig. 865.—St. Michael’s Parish Church. Canopies of Choir.
The western tower (see [Fig. 860]) once formed an important feature of St. Michael’s. It was originally terminated with a crown of open stonework, similar to that of St. Giles’ in Edinburgh. But, about 1821, this crown was found to be in a dangerous state, and had to be taken down. The tower would appear to have been an addition to the original structure. The Plan shows that a part of the original west wall has been cut out, and the thicker wall of the tower inserted. This is seen both externally and internally, and the awkward junction of the tower with the nave is also apparent. The tower itself is of good design, but late—probably of the same period as the apse. It contains a remarkable entrance doorway ([Fig. 867]), quite Continental in style, which may possibly be the work of Thomas French, the king’s master mason. Above this doorway there is a large perpendicular window. The upper part of the tower is plain and solid, and would contrast well with the airy crown on top.
In the interior the tower is designed so as to produce a good effect. It opens into the nave with a wide and lofty arch ([Fig. 868]) carried up to the clerestory level; and the groined vault of the tower, with the large window below, as seen through the arch, produce a good effect. In
Fig. 866.—St. Michael’s Parish Church. South-West Buttress of Nave.
each side wall of the tower there is a richly canopied recess, evidently intended to receive monuments or sculpture, but now empty.