102 DALE ABBEY REPORT. 



Of the original Church, built by the Austin Canons, there 

 are hardly any remains, beyond some fragments of incised 

 slabs, and, perhaps, two or three bases of piers. These will 

 be noticed in their place. 



The existing buildings appear to have been commenced 

 about 1200, and there are examples of the "Early English," 

 " Early English Transition," and " Decorated " styles, with 

 some later additions of the latter end of the fifteenth century. 



Doctor Stukeley's plan shows an aisleless cruciform church, 

 with two contiguous chapels on the south side of the choir — 

 the cloister to the south, bounded by the transept and a large 

 oblong chamber on the east ; the parlour, refectory, and 

 kitchen on the south, and sundry offices, with the Prior's 

 lodging, on the west. The excavations, however, have proved 

 that the doctor's survey is inaccurate. 



The plan, as at present to be made out, consists of a long 

 and narrow choir, with a double quasi-aisle to the south — 

 central tower, nave, with north aisle- — and north and south 

 transepts, the former having a large square chapel on its 

 eastern side. The cloister was on the south side of the nave ; 

 and the buildings on the east side of it, joining on to the 

 transept, are a sacristy, divided into two rooms by a wall, and 

 an oblong Chapter House. Beyond this, to the south, is the 

 slype, or passage from the cloisters to the cemetery. The 

 calefactory or parlour, the refectory, and kitchen ran parallel 

 with the nave, and parts of the two latter are still standing. 

 No excavations have yet been made on the western side of 

 the cloisters, but probably here were the cellarage and other 

 offices, and the Prior's lodging, which we may suppose extended 

 to the existing road. It is at present doubtful whether the 

 Dormitory was over the eastern or western ambulatory of the 

 cloisters. The only portions visible before the late excavations 

 were the arch of the great east-window * and parts of the 

 refectory and kitchen, but Stukeley's MS. describes. " the 



* The inhabitants of Dale have a tradition that so long as this arch stands 

 they are exempt from payment of tithe ; and some forty years ago it was 

 repaired and strengthened out of the highway rales ! 



