449 



The nave of the Church, as we see it at present, is the work of 

 Bishop Flambard (1093-9), who also built the nave of Durham 

 Cathedral, which, although on a much grander scale, corresponds in 

 style to that of Christ Church. The intersecting arcade along the S. 

 wall is a characteristic feature of his design. The ground storey and 

 triforium are plain but fine Norman work, the clerestory is Transitional, 

 or first pointed, of the date of Henry I. The transept is Norman, and 

 has a beautiful turret in the N.E., covered with net-work ornament. 

 The large north porch is early English, and had a parvise, or chamber, 

 over it. The stone rood screen with the rood loft above is of the time 

 of Edward III., and forms the entrance to the choir.* It is one of 

 the few to be met with in our Collegiate or Priory Churches. The 

 work is probably of the time of Edward Ill.t There is a contraction 

 at the entrance of the choir or chancel which is skilfully concealed by 

 this screen — for the choir (erected, time Henry VI.) is seven feet 

 narrower than the Norman nave. There is a narrow stone staircase 

 ascending to the rood loft. Slight traces of ancient colouring remain, 

 and the niches were anciently filled with statues. The Priory of Christ 

 Church, according to Mr. Ferry, could boast of screens equal to those 

 of any other Church in this country. The massiveness of these stone 

 screens forms a great contrast.to the light and elegant character of the 

 many oak rood screens which remain in the counties of Somerset, 

 Devon and Norfolk. The architectural designs of the stone rood 

 screens consisted in a series of niches. 



The Rev. Precentor Walcott, in his account of Christ Church, says 

 " that the parish altar stood one bay westward of the crossing, thus 

 leaving a choir entry for the canons." There are crypts under the 

 transept, and a third crypt below the sanctuary. Mr. "Walcott states 

 that this formed the Chantry Chapel of the first founder, de Redvers. 



The chapels of the N. aisle are Early Decorated, and above one was 

 the designing room, and, on its plastered wall is delineated the perfect 

 tracery of a window. The eastern chapel of the S. aisle is apsidal. 

 There are 36 canopied stalls of late Perpendicular work ; these 



• For an engraving see "Archaeological Journal," vol. v., p. 73, from a drawing 

 by Mr. Perry. 



fSee "Archaeological Journal," vol. v., p. 142-145. 



