REPORT. xxl 
is destroyed), represents David delivering a lamb from the mouth 
of a lion, and the centre figure, St. Michael, contending with the 
devil. We see, then, that this church, like every one of our 
English Cathedrals, was re-built during the Norman or subsequent 
periods, and hardly any vestige of their original superstructure 
remains. It would seem that the Saxon Cathedrals were only a 
little less rude than the parochial churches, of which we have 
many fragments. Their pillars were so heavy and clumsy, their 
windows so small and narrow, that they were in most instances 
removed to make way for the more convenient arrangements 
imported to England by Harold, who imitated the more gorgeous 
style of architecture, which he must have become acquainted 
with whilst he was an unwilling guest in Normandy. And to this 
Norman period belong the nave, with its aisles, porch, and 
western towers, the centre tower and transepts. Although opinions 
seem to differ as to the exact date of this part of the building, still, 
judging from the style of architecture, it would seem to be fixed 
by a letter from Thomas, second Archbishop of York (from 1109 
to 1115), addressed to all his parishioners of Nottinghamshire, 
and praying them to assist, with their alms, in building the 
Church of St. Mary of “Suwell.”. The Norman choir originally 
terminated in a square end 59 feet in length externally, instead of 
an apse, as was the more usual ending for a Norman church. 
There were, as now, aisles on either side of this choir extending 
half its length, with apsidal termination (the foundations of which 
remain under the present floor nearly opposite the Chapter-house 
door), and apsidal chapels again opening into transepts. The 
foundation of that on the north side was found during the late 
restoration, and has been most fortunately marked in the new 
pavement, thereby preserving an interesting feature which would 
otherwise have been lost in future generations. The marks of 
the roofs of both these chapels are clearly seen on the outside. 
One peculiarity worth noticing in passing is, that this is the only 
church in this country with its three Norman towers remaining 
untouched. The centre tower of Durham having been rebuilt, 
and Gloucester having lost its three Norman towers about the 
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