(From Street’s Spain.)
view and plan of it are given ([Figs. 470] and [471]). From these it will be seen that within the great thickness of the wall (20 feet 3 inches) a chamber of considerable size has been obtained, which opens into the nave by six pointed arches ([Fig. 472]), and to the outside over the doorway by three arches (see [Fig. 467]). As already stated, the original outer features are gone, and only the rugged skeleton remains. It is quite obvious from [Fig. 467] and from the Plan (see [Fig. 471]) that three gablets projected outwards from the wall for a distance of about 4 feet, supported on two intermediate shafts (marked X X), and that the gallery was closed in at each end with walls or haffits, both of which still in part remain. It is thus apparent that we now see the west front robbed of its most unique features, and the bare masonry exposed, which was never meant to be seen. This gallery was reached by a long passage at each end from stairs in the angle buttresses. It probably was a gallery for an orchestra, and it would also be suitable as a pulpit from which to address an audience in the open air. As above mentioned, it is probable that this part of the building was erected at two different times, the west doorway and some of the pillars of the gallery being in the early transition style, while the triple windows to the front and the six-light
Fig. 470.—Arbroath Abbey. Gallery over West Doorway.
arcade towards the interior are in the first pointed style. When the gallery was completed in the first pointed period, the floor space was enlarged by extending it to the front, hence the necessity for the deep tunnel arch over the west doorway. The pointed arches in the ingoing also indicate the first pointed period.
Above this gallery there was an immense circular window, of which only a portion survives.
The western towers opened with arches into the north and south and central aisles (see [Fig. 472]), but only the north tower retains its massive pier and arches. Of the south tower nothing but the foundation of the pier exists.