Fig. 572.—St. Mungo’s Cathedral. Plan and Section of Respond and Base of Nave Aisles.
With reference to Mr. Honeyman’s views, as explained above, there is, undoubtedly, considerable difficulty in accounting for the numerous peculiarities of the small chamber or chapel at the south-west angle of the lower church; and it is quite likely, as Mr. Honeyman suggests, that this may have been part of an earlier building preserved when Bishop Bondington carried out the work at the choir and lower church. That there was a good deal of early thirteenth century work done in the nave there can scarcely be any doubt. Indeed, it is owing to the nave having been commenced with this early work that it has retained, in its later portions, which form the completion of the work formerly begun, so much of a first pointed character. The annexed sketch ([Fig. 572]) shows the plan and section of the lower part of the responds of the nave aisles which Mr. Honeyman relies on for proving their early character as compared with the work in the choir; and this will be at once recognised in the keel-shaped shaft and the square plinths and delicate mouldings of the bases. The junction of the external base of the south-west angle or chapel with that of the lower church and the sections of the bases are also shown ([Fig. 573]). The earlier and simpler character of the base of the south-west angle is apparent. This early base is continued round the whole of the nave (passing through Blackadder’s Aisle), and corresponds in style with the early design of the bases of the interior wall shafts of the nave shown above.
Fig. 573.—St. Mungo’s Cathedral. Buttresses at South-West Chapel, and Sections of Bases of Nave, Choir, and Blackadder’s Aisle.
In the south wall of the south-west angle or chapel there is a shaft with the same plan as the responds in the nave aisles, having, like them, the keel edge and cap with first pointed mouldings ([Fig. 574]); while in the lower church and choir the angle shafts have all the fillet on edge and first pointed caps, as shown in the same Figure.
Fig. 574.—St. Mungo’s Cathedral.
Details.
That there has been transition work in connection with the building is evident from the fragments preserved in the chapter house, of which specimens are shown ([Fig. 575]). Some pieces of groin ribs ([Fig. 576]) are also preserved, which have a similar section to those of the south-west angle or chapel, and a transition base with square plinth and spurs at the angles. These transition fragments confirm Mr. Honeyman’s view as to the vault of the south-west chapel having been constructed with old materials when the north wall of the chapel (the details of which correspond with those of the lower church) was rebuilt and the chapel converted into a passage to the lower church.