THE CHURCH AND VILLAGE OF MONYASH. 1 7 



the old lines and with most of the old materials) at the begin- 

 ning of the restoration of 1886-8. A remarkable plan was 

 adopted for giving access to the ringing chamber and the bells, 

 which is probably unique among English parish churches or 

 parochial chapels. There was no newel stairway in any angle 

 of the old thirteenth century tower, and its proportions scarcely 

 admitted of one being inserted. It was therefore decided to give 

 a new west front to the south aisLe, and to construct a stairway 

 between the new and the old walls. There is a small doorway 

 within the aisle in the west wall but close to the south angle. 

 Entering this, and turning immediately to the right, a series of 

 twenty-two steps lead through a narrow passage, 26^ in. wide, 

 up to the first floor of the tower. From thence, in the later 

 work, newel steps lead on tO' the opening of the spire. This 

 ingenious late fourteenth century arrangement adds interest to 

 the outer angle of the tower and aisle, as shown on the plate. 

 This church had also a north transept. It is difficult tO' say 

 with certainty when it was first erected ; but it was possibly 

 designed and begun about 1348 to balance the Congesdon Lady 

 chapel, ajid not finished till the period at the end of that century 

 now under discussion. This transept getting out of repair, pro- 

 bably between 1550 and 1650, when the Bakewell chapelries were 

 so much neglected, the mean expedient was resorted to of sweep- 

 ing away, and building up the north and east walls on the lines 

 of the old aisle. It may be noted that in the account of this 

 church printed in 1876, it is said: — "When the time for the 

 restoration of this interesting church happily arrives, it will 

 probably be found that there have been both north and south 

 transepts; careful search should then be made for their 

 foundations."^ 



Such search was made during 1886-8, with the result that the 

 [foundations of the north transept were disclosed, and the 

 [transept was creditably rebuilt on the old lines. The north 

 faisle and transept continuation used to be known as the Flagg 

 [aisle, clearly indicating that it was occupied by worshippers 

 [from that hamlet. 



' Churches of Derbyshire, ii., 108. 



2 



