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the restoration) was as usual the subject of discussion. The 

 insertion of the Perpendicular window has obscured the original 

 design, but it seemed to be the opinion of those competent to form 

 one, that the designer originally intended the wall to be pierced 

 with Norman windows or arcaded, and that two western towers 

 should flank it on either hand — the masonry on the inside seemed 

 to strengthen this idea. On the south the foundations of some 

 old buildings connected with the monastic establishment 'have 

 been quite lately laid bare, and the remains of the cloister exposed 

 to view. Recent alterations have thrown open the south side very 

 materially, and the view of the whole building at the south-east 

 end has been much improved. From this point the original 

 form of the Abbey was plainly seen. Begun early in the 12th 

 century, and consecrated 1123, it was cruciform taking the form 

 of the Latin cross. The long limb of the cross was the present 

 nave with its aisles and western turrets ; the transverse limb was 

 formed by the central tower and two transepts, each of which had 

 an apse on its eastern side. The shorter limb of the cross was 

 formed by the existing choir and an aisle surrounding it, which 

 followed the same apsidal form as the choir, but on a much 

 larger scale. To these have since been added a chevd of chapels 

 in the Decorated period, somewhat obscuring the old design. 

 Entering at the north porch, the beautiful interior burst upon 

 the view; and the judicious restoration made since the Club 

 visited the Abbey in 1869, and finished under the superin-tendence 

 of Gilbert Scott in 1879, was manifest in every detail. It 'was 

 difficult to realise the former appearance of the interior ; the now 

 fine perspective from the west end, then hidden by a screen and 

 organ, and the proportions dwarfed and obscured by hideous high 

 pews. The monuments of the Despencers, Sir Guy de Brien, Abbot 

 Wakeman — and the chantry chapels erected in memory of the 

 founder FitzHamon, and of Richard Beauchamp (first husband 

 of Isabel Despencer, afterwards the Countess of Warwick), for 

 which the Abbey is so famous, elegant examples of Early 

 H 



