Lectures on the rise and development of medieval architecture; vol. 2

by Sir George Gilbert Scott

This church was burnt, as also was that at Jarrow, by the Danes in 867, and both remained in ruins till about 1074, when (or a few years later) both churches were re-roofed and restored to their sacred use. It was at this time that the tower at Jarrow was erected.

The most interesting portion of the church at Wearmouth is its western end. From this projects a tower evidently of Anglo-Saxon date. This tower has arches on three sides of its lower storey, which, till recently, were not only walled up, but almost buried in the accumulated earth.

In September 1866 they were excavated, and the western entrance opened out by the local Archæological Society, with the help of Mr. Johnson, architect, of Newcastle. The side doorways were found to have monolith jambs, 6 in. wide on the face, which are notched into a continuous cill, and support massive imposts, from which the arch springs, with very bold voussoirs. The western entrance, which is 6 ft. 4½ in.

Fig. 221.—Western Entrance. Church at Monk Wearmouth.

to the springing and 4 ft. 8½ in. wide, has an arch springing from massive abaci 10½ in. thick, which are supported by baluster-shafts very similar to those found at Jarrow, two of which occupy the width of the wall on either side, and stand upon jambs each of a long and a short stone, the reveal of which is curiously sculptured with entwined serpents. This is decidedly the most remarkable doorway of this kind yet known. Above the doorway runs a band or string sculptured with animals and edged with the cable mould. At the same time, the two lower storeys of the tower were found to have originally formed a gabled porch,—two windows, of construction very similar to the side arches above described, having been stopped up in the end of the church by the conversion of this porch into a tower. Baluster-shafts have been discovered in the internal jambs of these windows.

At Jarrow, amongst many curious fragments discovered, is a stone in which is sculptured, as a continuous ornament, a long row of the balusters represented on a miniature scale, as if they were so established an architectural element as to be imitated just as arcades and windows are in Gothic architecture as a mere ornament.

The church at Stow, in Lincolnshire, contains extensive remains of Anglo-Saxon work, but of doubtful date. The church was founded about the time of Paulinus, as a cathedral for the Bishops of Lindsey, but was burnt by the Danes, as it is believed, in 870. It was re-founded about 1040. The tower arches and transepts are in one style, but of which date is doubtful. I confess I think the preponderance of evidence is in favour of the earlier date. Foundations have been discovered of aisles to the nave, clearly of the same age with the transepts. The older parts show everywhere marks of fire, and the transepts have been heightened in Saxon times; and, as I should think probable, at the time of the second foundation. The present nave and chancel are Norman.

There exist several crypts beneath chancels, which are of this date. Among these, besides the fragmentary remains at Brixworth, I will mention one not generally known, at Wing, in Buckinghamshire. It is of excessive rudeness, being built only of very rough stone; but it is notable for the completeness of its plan, being apsidal, with two ranges of piers, and as having remains of the two doorways through which it was approached by steps from either side of the chancel arch.