65 



the sunrise theory of orientation, that the builders in the south 

 were, on account of the milder character of the climate, able to 

 commence building operations much earlier in the spring. 



At first sight it may appear, that not sunrise orientation, but 

 proximity of streets, influenced the peculiar and varied positions of 

 the city churches ; but I submit that at the early period of most of 

 these churches' foundation, in Norman or even earlier times, that 

 cause could not exist. For the most part, I should say, the 

 churches were built in open ground, and the streets took their 

 direction ; and so gave rise to the great irregularity and obliquity 

 of the old streets. A curious example of this is evident in the 

 case of St. Bartholomew the Great, in Smithfield, an interesting 

 original Norman priory church, built outside the city walls in 

 the open fields with the extraordinary orientation of 40° north 

 {i.e. midsummer orientation), and that bearing has evidently ruled 

 the direction of the streets subsequently formed in its vicinity. 



The ancient churches of the two archiepiscopal cities of Canter- 

 bury and York present a remarkable contrast in their respective 

 orientations. 



In Canterbury all the old churches — thirteen in number — are 

 oriented south of east; the most eastern is Saint Martin's (the 

 oldest and most historical church, in England), it is 7° south, the 

 Cathedral 8^ the rest ranging 9, 18, 23, 26, 28, 28, 31, and three 

 at 39 degrees south, the latter being midwinter orientations. 



In York all the old churches — twenty-five in number — are, with 

 one exception, selnorth of east, beginning with the Minster, 3° north, 

 they range gradually up to 43° north, that being midsummer 

 orientation. The exception referred to is that of St. Michael-de- 

 belfrey, within the Minster precincts, and is set 37° south : the 

 reason, however, for giving it that position appears evident — the 

 church was entirely rebuilt in the late Perpendicular period when, 

 probably to disengage it as far as possible from the Minster, it was 

 set close up to and in a line with the adjoining street. 



The cathedral city of Norwich (exactly half-way between Canter- 

 bury and York as to latitude) has its thirty-four old churches set 

 both north and south of east, but with the larger proportion north, 



