that plan, and, like many of the other cross churches, remains incomplete, the nave not having been erected. In almost all its details it corresponds with the Scottish structures of the fifteenth century. The windows have all splays running round the jambs and arches, without caps; and the tracery is of an undoubtedly late Scottish form (see Figs. 871 and 875). The curious small upper window in the east end could scarcely be of fourteenth century date.
The vaulting (see [Fig. 874]) is groined, and has main and subsidiary ribs or tiercerons. This is not usual in the collegiate churches of the fifteenth century, in which the pointed barrel vault is commonly used; but we have one prominent example in the Trinity College Kirk of Edinburgh, built about 1460, in which groined and ribbed vaulting was fully carried out. The ribs at St. Monans are arranged in a rather singular manner. There is a well-marked ridge rib, and there are also transverse ridge ribs; but the latter stop at the point where the tiercerons meet them; and from that point the transverse ridge ribs slope down to the apex of the windows, where they are received by a small corbel ([Fig. 875]). The tiercerons are also irregularly placed; they do not spring, like the other ribs, from the cap of the vaulting shaft, but die away into the wall some way up the wall rib. These peculiarities have the appearance of late and imperfect workmanship. It will be observed that the single wall shafts, from the capital of which the vaulting ribs spring, have no bases.
The sedilia (see [Fig. 875]) in the south wall of the choir of St. Monans may be regarded as decorated work. We find similar, and even finer, work of this description at Crosraguel Abbey in the fifteenth century.
The buttresses are simple, and might belong to almost any period. It should be stated that the tops of the buttresses were “restored” early in this century. The want of a parapet at the roof is peculiar, and may possibly be the effect of restoration. It is evident that a parapet has been intended at the gable of the south transept, where there is a door for access to the parapet walk (see [Fig. 874]). The peculiar character of this transept is remarkable. The two small round-headed windows, with their deep recess, and the great expanse of dead wall above them, must certainly be considered as of late design.
The stunted style of the square tower (see [Figs. 871] and [873]), which just rises above the roofs, is quite in keeping with the Scottish towers of the fifteenth century. The parapet is supported on corbels, which are different on three of the sides. The tower is surmounted by an octagonal spire, which is of the usual rather stunted form common in the fifteenth century. Some of the details, such as the numerous lucarnes, may be even later.
It will be observed that the sedilia is placed at a considerable height above the floor. This may arise from the steps leading to the altar having been removed, and the floor of the whole of the east end lowered to the general level of the choir; or, perhaps, the floor of the whole church has been lowered. The bases of the piers at the crossing, which are of a very unusual height, would rather support the latter view (see [Fig. 872]).
It is not clear where the original entrance to the church was situated. Two doors in the east end now give access to it, but these are clearly modern innovations. There is a pointed doorway in the north wall of the choir (see [Fig. 872]), which now gives access to a vestry, and, from its position, it seems likely to have originally led to the sacristy.
Whether viewed from the village as one approaches the church from the opposite high bank of the burn (see [Fig. 873]), or as seen from the rocky shore (see [Fig. 871]), the Church of St. Monans, both from its situation and the completeness and charm of its ancient architecture, is one of the most picturesque and interesting structures of its class in Scotland.
Although, from what is above said, we cannot regard this structure as so old as 1360, still we consider it worthy of being included amongst the Scottish examples of decorated work.