SOME ACCOUNT OF THE REMAINS OF NORMAN 



ARCHITECTURE IN CLEVELAND CHURCHES. 



By R. Lofthouse, Diocesan Survevor. 



Norman Architecture was introduced into this country- 

 late in the reign of Edward the Confessor, and prevailed 

 through the reigns of William the Conqueror, 1066-1087, 

 William II., 1087-1100, Henry I., 1100-1135, and Stephen, 

 1135-1154. There seems to have been a desire among the 

 Architects who succeeded the Normans to preserve the Door- 

 ways and Chancel Arches (generally the most decorative 

 features) of their predecessors, even down to the time of the 

 Perpendicular period. Hence in many small country Churches 

 we meet with Norman Doorways and Chancel Arches, when 

 all other features have been swept away. The Arch is semi- 

 circularly moulded and often enriched with the chevron or 

 zigzag and other characteristic features ; shafts are often 

 used and there is commonly an impost moulding above them. 

 The windows were generally very small and narrow, particu- 

 larly at an early period in the style, and hence they have 

 mostly been altered or replaced with larger windows at 

 succeeding periods. 



Ingleby Grkenhow (St. Andrew). 



In this Church is a fine Norman Arcade on the north 

 side, with alternate round and octagonal pillars. There are 

 four entire pillars and a half pillar at each end. The arches 

 are of two orders, not moulded or chamfered. The caps are 

 peculiar, taking vhe form of corbels under each order of the 

 arch, the corners having been cut out, and in the recesses 

 thus formed are carved a series of grotesque animals, heads, 

 and conventional foliage. The carving is thus described by 

 the Rev. J. Hawell (Ingleby Register). " Commencing with 

 the half pillar at the east end of the Nave, we have on it 

 a representation of a wild Boar and a Wolf (animals 

 probably not then uncommon in the district). The 

 ornamentation of the first entire pillar would seem to 

 consist of conventional Vegetable Forms, and that of the 

 following one of Sea Monsters. The two and-a-half pillars 

 to the west are occupied by grotesque human or semi- 

 human heads and busts." 



