144 Original Position of the High Altar 
“ex parte Decani.” At that time the space between the lines a 3 
and ¢ d—the original presbytery, as we contend—was neither in- 
cluded in the choir nor presbytery, but stood “as a lighte and division 
betwixt them.” This hardly looks like an original arrangement, 
dating from the first construction of the building. 
III. But assuming the correctness of this view the question arises 
‘Why, and at what time, was this original arrangement altered?” Of 
course we are here left in great part to conjecture. Still we know, 
as an historical fact, that, within a century from the completion of 
the Cathedral, serious settlements from various causes had taken 
place and endangered the safety of the building. The tower and spire 
which were not certainly contemplated by the first architect, and 
the weight of which was always far too great for the piers on which 
they are built to support, caused, when in progress, serious mischief, 
Moreover we know from Harpsfield, who quotes Walsingham as his 
authority, that the storms which did so much damage in September 
1330, to the churches in Wiltshire, and still more the floods which 
followed in February 1331, so injured the Cathedral, that measures 
of precaution were absolutely necessary. And among the measures 
taken by the architect for the purpose was the insertion of the in« 
verted arches above, and the walling-up below, in the space between 
the columns a ¢ and 4 d. This work it may be was that alluded 
to as having been carried out in the time of Bishop Wyvill, when, 
by letters patent of Edward III, in 1331, the authorities of the 
Cathedral were permitted to make use of the materials of Old Sarum 
for the “improvement of the new Church.” Another way of arresting 
this threatened mischief was the insertion of the prop, which takes the 
form of a horizontal screen running acress the northern and southern 
arches which support the weight of the tower and spire. Of course 
the effect of these works in the arches of the lesser transepts was 
to shut off the altar from them, and so to render them useless for at 
all events one of the purposes for which, as we believe, they were at 
first intended. The beauty of the original arrangement was spoilt ; 
still the sacrifice though great could not be avoided. The altar, 
whilst standing in its original position, ceased to be in the “ centre 
of the faithful.” Its significance in that spot was lost, as well as 
