xlviii Journal of Proceedmis. 



established itself throughout the country, and the new edifice was erected 

 wholly in that style ; and although some of the details were poor and 

 somewhat debased, there was still an air of magnificence about the old 

 tower which was sufficient of itself to stamp its architect as a master of 

 his art. 



Mr. Chancellor gave a minute description of the tower as it was left by 

 its architect in 1424, but in 1749 misfortune came; the sapient townsmen 

 thought that the effect of the whole building would be increased by a 

 spire, and that wretched apology for one which still crowned and dis- 

 figured the tower was erected. 



After speaking of the bells and reproducing the quaint poetical inscrip- 

 tions upon them, Mr. Chancellor said that, next to the tower, the south 

 porch demanded attention. Consisting of two stories, it was a more 

 imposing feature than usual ; the room over it had for many years 

 been utiUzed as a depository for vdlls, and probably had always been used 

 for the transaction of ecclesiastical business. It now contained the 

 library left by the late Dr. Knightsbridge. The external appearance of 

 the porch was at present destroyed by the " abominably hideous projection 

 containing the staircase." A highly-enriched niche, which probably con- 

 tained a sculptural representation of the crucifixion, surmounted the 

 archway. The body of the Church, consisting of the nave and aisles, was 

 almost totally destroyed in 1800, when the roof fell in, and but a few 

 fragments remained of the original work. The plan of this part of the 

 structure was the same as at present, except the recent additions of the 

 north aisle and transept, as the new walls were erected upon the old 

 foundations, such parts of the old structure as were sound being worked 

 into the new edifice. The arches were doubtless the same as at present, 

 but they carried a clerestory of a very imposing character. The west end 

 of the north aisle was the most important fragment left of this portion of 

 the building of 1424. Fortunately the roof remained and served as a key 

 to that of the nave. The noble effect of even these few fragments com- 

 pelled them to pause and endeavour to realise the grandeur of the old 

 structure in its original glory, with its massive oaken roof spanning both 

 the nave and aisles, enriched undoubtedly with sliields and banners in 

 all the tintings of herakby, and possibly with its mouldings revelling in 

 a sea of gold and red and blue. A noble clerestory enriched with painted 

 glass lighted up the whole building, bringing out by the reflected lights 

 the depths and shadows of the old oak framing, the lofty arches of the 

 tower fonuing a fitting entrance to the goodly structure, and the long vista 

 terminating in the richly-painted window of the chancel. 



On the 17th of January, 1800, the whole of the roof fell with a 

 tremendous crash, carrying with it the greater part of the nave- walls, 

 and rendering necessary a re-edification of nearly the whole of the struc- 

 ture. For this purpose it appears an Act of ParHament was required. 

 The inhabitants, as in 1424, set to work in good earnest — would that their 

 zeal had been better rewarded ; but unfortunately at that time Gothic 



