Fig. 495.—Holyrood Abbey. West Doorway.
the palace wall. A portion of the south-west tower is still visible in the interior, and contains a doorway. The upper part of the west end ([Figs. 492] and [494]) was reconstructed by Charles I. in 1633. It contains two nondescript windows of seventeenth century Gothic, with an inscription between them, which events have not confirmed, viz.:—“He shall build ane House for my name and I will stablish the Throne of his kingdom for ever. Basilicam hanc Carolus Rex Optimus instavravit 1633.” The tympanum of the doorway has also been altered at this time, and an oaken lintel introduced, containing a shield, with the initials of Charles I.
The western doorway (see [Fig. 495]) has been a beautiful specimen of first pointed work. The jambs contained on each side free shafts, alternating larger and smaller. The caps were beautifully carved with foliage, and surmounted with rounded abaci. They had also a central band. The arch orders were very richly carved with running foliage of different designs, separated by plain mouldings and dog-tooth enrichments. The tympanum contained a series of small arches and shafts, resting on a lintel carved with angels’ heads ([Fig. 496]). The interior of the doorway (see [Fig. 492]) was also unusually rich, having shafts in the jambs, with carved caps and large dog-tooth enrichment in the label.
Fig. 496.—Holyrood Abbey. Carving on Lintel of West Doorway.
The north-west tower (see [Fig. 494]) is about 24 feet square externally. The west side is ornamented with two tiers of arcades. The lower arcade ([Fig. 497]) contains five pointed arches, with a trefoiled arch within each. These rest on triple shafts, with carved caps and rounded abaci. Over each shaft and between the arches there is a circle containing a boldly carved Norman head. This feature is unique, and its effect is fine. The upper arcade ([Fig. 498]) consists of three larger arches, each containing two smaller arches, and all resting on shafts with carved and rounded caps. The shields in the larger arches are pierced with bold quatrefoils. Two circles occur in the spandrils over the arches, but they do not now contain heads.
The same design is continued round the south side of the tower and along the west wall of the nave as far as the main doorway, but the north and east sides of the tower are plain. Above the two arcades the tower contains a large two-light window (see [Fig. 494]) on the north, east, and west sides. The jambs are lofty, and each contains two round shafts (see [Fig. 498]), with splays between, ornamented with plain balls similar to those of
