l8o DALE CHURCH : ITS STRUCTURAL PECULIARITIES. 



then inserted into these windows is Perpendicular, and the 

 mouldings of the screens, which are an integral part of the 

 superstructure, are of the same period; these indicate that 

 the second story was added in the fifteenth century."* 



The superstructure is best studied from the illustrations. 

 On referring to the plan (Plate V.) it will be noticed that 

 the chancel screen and the side partition are finished in a 

 large post (k) at the angle ; and in the elevation (Fig. 2, 

 a section made immediately in front of the north side of 

 the partition), it will be seen that this post is carried upwards 

 to the roof, and forms its chief support on that side. Its 

 position marks the original width of the chamber, the present 

 extension of the second floor to the east end of the aisle 

 being modern. This extension was probably made when the 

 outside steps were built, and the doorway over window f 

 was cut through — seventy or eighty years ago, I am told. 

 It is quite independent of the main floor, its timbers resting 

 upon a post immediately east of k. Access to the chamber 

 was previously made through the floor above the west end 

 of the aisle, and the place where the opening was may 

 still be seen ; but this was not the original mode of access. 

 The old floor over the nave is of oak boards, covered with 

 plaster ; that over the aisle was probably similar, but it has 

 been much disturbed — the western portion for making the above 

 opening, and the eastern having been re-laid with deal 

 boards. The joists of these floors are carried by central 

 beams that rest upon the side partition ; and those over the nave, 

 like the timbers of the partition on that side, are moulded, 

 while in the aisle they are all plain. Both screen and 

 partition rest upon a plinth of stone. 



* Mr. Kerry gives 1480 as an approximate date for this new work. The 

 identity as to design, of the tracery of the chancel windows with that of the 

 alternate windows of the Dale series in Morley Church, tends to confirm his 

 conclusion. There is little doubt that the latter series originally came from 

 the cloister ; and as the cloister was in course of re-building in 1480, the 

 same masons would in all probability be employed upon the above alterations ; 

 hence the identity of tracery design. 



