212 Steeple Ashton, Semington, and Whaddon Churches. 



window (without labels) in each bay ; the bays are divided by 

 square buttresses terminated by diagonal pinnacles. The cornice, 

 bosses, and parapet are similar to those of the aisles, varied only 

 in detail. In the east gable of the nave is a five-light transomed 

 window, the lower part of which is built solid, the " lights " forming 

 panelling ; this probably came against the roof of the then existing 

 chancel ; the part above the transom was, however, apparently 

 glazed, and only built up when the chancel was raised in 1853. 

 There can be no doubt that here (as over the crossing at Edington) 

 the original intention was to put a stone vault over the nave : the 

 springers are of stone, as are the ribs against the north, south, and 

 east walls ; while, outside, preparations were made for flying but- 

 tresses from the bases of the aisle pinnacles to the clerestory but- 

 tresses, to resist the thrust, but only those at the north and south 

 end of each aisle (besides the two supporting the east wall from 

 the old chancel roof, which were removed in 1853,) which now 

 exist, ever appear to have been built. (It will be noticed that the 

 east wall-rib comes below the apex of the gable window above 

 described.) For some reason this intention was never carried out, 

 and the nave vault has been constructed with oak ribs and bosses 

 and plastered panels, all apparently enriched with colour, although 

 only faint traces of this on the woodwork remain. This work has 

 been treated in a manner to suit the materials used, the carving 

 being more refined, and a pendant used at the centre of each bay. 

 The springers are supported by vaulting shafts rising from capitals 

 at the springing level of the arcades, and having capitals of their 

 own enriched by figure carving. The four pendants are surrounded 

 by carvings which are as follows (counting from the east end) : — 

 (1) foui' beasts, (2) four cornucopia at the mouth of each of which 

 is an angel bearing a shield, (3) four eagles, (4) four horse's heads. 

 Besides these there are four bosses carved with subjects, viz. : — 

 two with a shield, plain excepting for a pellet in the centre of one ; 

 cross swords surrounded by four balls ; and, in the west bay a 

 shield of which I give a drawing — the tinctures are not traceable.^ 



* In his address -to the E.A. Institute at Salisbury, in 1887, Precentor 

 Venables is reported to have quoted me in support of his statement that this 



