l6o NOTES ON THE DISCOVERIES IN REPTON CHURCH. 



most cases where a founder builds an aisle, he generally formed 

 a transept or some special work in its east end for his mortuary 

 chapel. This has led me to place its date in connection with the 

 remains of that door and aisle brought to light inside the south 

 aisle, rather than later. 



The erection of that very considerable alteration of both aisles 

 whose remains were found in the north aisle, and whose founda- 

 tions can still, with care, be traced under the wall of present south 

 one, very probably led to the destruction of the first north transept. 



The remains of floors exposed are very instructive. From 

 comparison with the plans of other churches of Saxon date, we 

 might reasonably suppose that the lines of its side walls would 

 liave been present in some shape below and between the present 

 arcade pillars. But no such fragments appear to have been seen. 

 It is, however, certain from the bases that the two western nave 

 pillars are somewhat later than those eastward of them. 



The remains of the floors seen, prove that in so far as that 

 whose level agreed with the level surface of the top step of stairs 

 to crypt, that so far as it presented itself westwards, so much, 

 at least, must have been included in the Saxon and Norman 

 churches, while similar results followed in regard to the tile floor 

 discovered above it. It is impossible not to feel grieved that no 

 one was present who could have obtained the removal of the few 

 additional shovelfuls of earth that would have shed so much 

 further light on the whole matter ; and it seems strange to have 

 to thank the builder for his admirable drawings of such remains as 

 of necessity came in his way. 



The singular side chapels which once existed on north-east 

 and south sides of the crypt here, were also present in the crypts 

 of Wing and Brixworth churches, as may be seen on the diagram 

 plans sent for comparison. In all three cases these side chapels, 

 though destroyed, are very distinctly represented by the openings 

 which in either case led into them. So similar are they in their 

 arrangement as to suggest possible connection in their use, date 

 of erection, and perhaps even the same master mason engaged in 

 their erection. 



