South-East Pier of Crossing.
previously were small, simply made them of similar strength to those of the west arch.
We therefore conclude that the original north and west arches and piers of the crossing are old, perhaps of the thirteenth century; while the east and south arches and piers have been rebuilt, and the additional piers and arch added to the north opening, probably when the tower was erected.
Let us now turn to the choir. When we consider the forms of the tracery of the three windows of the presbytery (see Figs. [983] and [984]), and the north window in Fig. [999]), the thickness of the mullions, and the number and smallness of their mouldings, there cannot be much difficulty in assigning these windows to a late date. The forms and decorations of the arches of the sedilia (see Fig. [986]) also clearly indicate a late period. These are exceedingly good of their kind, and it is a misfortune that the Celtic ornament with which they are covered is now so far decayed as to be scarcely legible; but there can be no question as to the lateness of their date.
On turning to the south aisle the same impression is received. The circular and stunted form of the piers, with their remarkable bases and the peculiar form of their enriched capitals (see Figs. [989] and [990])), strike one at once with the idea that they belong to a late and rather debased epoch. The insertion of the clerestory windows over the piers (an arrangement which is also met with at the nunnery) is bad construction, and led to the adoption of the low and poor flying buttresses (which are evidently an afterthought) as a means of steadying the main structure.
Fig. 999.—Iona Cathedral. Window in North Side of Choir, East End of South Aisle, &c.
The north side of the choir is so peculiar in its arrangements that little can be gathered from it with regard to dates. If the pillar and
