204 Lacoei: Abbey. 
destruction had been so complete that the barest foundations were 
alone traceable, and in places even these were entirely removed. 
Although the investigation was not as satisfactory as was anticipated, 
the result was far from worthless, as it determined the length and 
width of the original building, and the position of the added Lady 
chapel. 
The original church was an aisleless parallelogram 148ft. 
long, by 28ft. wide, divided into seven bays, without any 
structural division between the naveand quire. As four of the remain- 
ing bays of the north wall exist to their full height, the original 
design of the side walls of the church is fortunately preserved. In 
each bay was a tall lancet window, except in the two covered by 
the dorter range. Internally the windows had continuous 
mouldings to the jambs and arches, with a hood mould over the 
latter. Under the sills was a string-course 10ft. above the floor 
level, with a wide band of ashlar beneath. Between the windows 
were corbels, under the string-course, carrying attached triple wall 
shafts, with moulded caps and bases to support the vaulting. The 
springers and wall ribs of the vaulting were in stone, but judging 
from the slight abutment afforded by the walls, the rest was probably 
constructed in wood, like the contemporary work that remains at 
York and Rochester. All the projecting mouldings have been cut — 
away in line with the wall, in all probability by Sharington. 
Externally the windows had double chamfered jambs and arch 
mouldings, with a label over the latter. Between each was a flat 
pilaster buttress, and at each angle of the building were double ~ 
buttresses. The latter were surmounted above the eaves by 
octagonal turrets with spirelet tops—two at each angle—like those — 
at the west corner of the south aisle at Tintern. The top of the 
walls under the eaves was finished with a continuous corbel table, 
and at the base was a bold plinth of two orders of chamfers that — 
continued round the buttresses. 
The north-west angle of the church was built complete, without 
any provision being made for the junction of the western range. 
This is very little later in date, and is built up against the church 
without any bond. The northern of the two buttresses was partly 
tach 
