CHANCEL OP STRATPORD-ON-AVON. 269 



on that, whilst the chancel shews another advance in the scale of 

 lightness and beauty. Dugdale is our principal published authority 

 for the dates of the different parts of the building ; but he, even 

 the learned and judicious Dugdale, is not always to be trusted on 

 these matters of antiquity. For instance, he states that the tran- 

 sept was raised by the executors of Sir Hugh Clopton, at the end 

 of the fifteenth century ; but it is quite clear that most of this por- 

 tion of the church is of coeval date with the tower, and the age of 

 that has already been stated to be the end of the twelfth century. 

 Some alterations or additions were probably made by the parties 

 alluded to by the valuable Warwickshire historian. That there 

 was a large church of coeval date with the transept and tower is 

 more than probable ; and it is equally reasonable to suppose that it 

 occupied the site and area of the present building. Belonging to 

 the see of Worcester from the Saxon times to the year 1337, and 

 having a monastic establishment connected with it, we may infer 

 that this, like most other religious edifices similarly circumstanced, 

 was large, well built, and of fine character. Either from fire or 

 from warfare, it could not have remained perfect many years, for in 

 the time of Edward I., about 1280, the present north aisle is said 

 to have been built ; and it is recorded that John de Stratford, Arch- 

 bishop of Canterbury, bought the whole church in the tenth of 

 Edward III., A. D. 1337, and appropriated it towards endowing a 

 chantry which he had founded in the south aisle about five years 

 before. It is also related that he soon afterwards re-built that 

 aisle. The fine turret staircase at the S. W. angle of the nave is 

 probably part of his work. At the east end are remains of the 

 chantry, in niches and picina, inserted in the wall, traces of the 

 altar, &c. Some of the windows are of beautiful proportions and 

 tracery. The nave is lofty, light, and, in its pristine state, must 

 have been elegant. On a series of six arches on each side is raised 

 a clerestory, forming almost a continued window, both to the north 

 and south; but more correctly speaking it exhibits a series of 

 double windows, with a small pier between each compartment. 

 That pier rises immediately over an hexagonal column, and each 

 pier carries a principal beam, which forms an ornamental feature of 

 a once highly enriched timber roof. A compartment of this roof, 

 adjoining the tower, remains. At the west end is a large and 

 highly ornamented window, over a spacious door-way. At the east 

 end of the north aisle is a chantry chapel, filled with stately monu- 

 ments to the Cloptons, and to George Carew, Earl of Totness, and 

 his countess. 



