Bell's Cathedrals: St. David's

by Philip A. Robson

The eastern walls of the presbytery aisles both show the very steep pitch of the early roof, which apparently remained till the walls were raised by Gower.

In the south-east angle of the north aisle is a doorway leading to the arcaded passage in front of the main east windows. Scott restored the original Decorated windows, which he found much decayed on the north side; but on the south side, where no remains of the tracery were extant “and even the jambs were so shattered that it was only by a fragment here and there that the mouldings were recovered,”[58] the tracery he introduced was “founded on fragmentary evidence from other parts of the church of the same date.” But this archæologic proceeding has not resulted in any specially beautiful design, though, doubtless, it was the best thing that could be done.

The modern roofs are decidedly good and solid—of a Decorated character and well carven.

The north choir aisle is different to the south on account of the Chapel of St. Thomas, which blocks up the westernmost bay. A modern wooden staircase near the west end of the north aisle leads to the chapter-house.

The large north window in the north transept was inserted in 1846 by Butterfield. It is based on one at Sleaford, Lincolnshire, and replaced another of late and inferior design. The west wall of both transepts is of De Leiâ’s time, and the remainder, after the fall of the tower, about 1220. The north transept is dedicated to St. Andrew, and his altar stood in the central eastern arch and the south transept was known as the Chanters’ Chapel, with an altar dedicated to the Holy Innocents and almost certainly one to St. David. This transept had at first but a single chapel (Decorated), with a space between it and the aisle of the choir, but in the sixteenth century these two were joined and the chapel became a vestry. In this century, when the south transept was fitted up as a parish church it formed the eastern aisle. Scott restored the original arrangement.

SCREEN OF BISHOP VAUGHAN’S CHAPEL.

The transepts show more clearly than any other part of the church the influence of the west of England on Welsh architecture, and it is remarkable that it should have started thus early. The Transitional and even Early English architecture at St. David’s and Llandaff resembles in mouldings that at Slymbridge and in foliage some of the great Gloucestershire churches. It is not surprising that the later splendid Perpendicular and Decorated examples of Somerset and the Bristol district should have made their impress felt in Wales. But this Early English connection certainly seems wonderful.

THE CHAPELS EAST OF THE PRESBYTERY.

The chapels at the far east end of the church are extraordinarily extensive and most remarkable for a comparatively small cathedral like St. David’s. This being so it is best to refer to the plan, which will simplify what seems bewildering in mere description. Generally speaking the ground-plan may be considered as an extension of the main body of the church, terminating in a Lady Chapel, with aisles continuing those of the choir for part of the length. But, inasmuch as no part of the cathedral seems to have attracted the attention of the various prelates who were successively benefactors to the church, more than this; and, as the changes were numerous and but little regard appears to have been paid to preceding plans, the inevitable result is a kind of architectural pot-pourri. It is, however, a very attractive medley.