LANTERN TOWER, WIMBORNE MINSTER. 145 



The heavy Classic parapets and pinnacles which are now the 

 finish of this tower were erected in the year 1608 after the fall of 

 the spire. 



Also note that the small arches which abut* against the tower 

 piers in the lower compartment are similar in character to the main 

 arches in tower, and that the ornamentation on the capitals of those 

 in the chancel has been worked at a much later date. The capitals 

 were originally the same as those in the tower arches. 



We find by the old church accounts that the " Spyer " had for 

 many years been getting into a bad state of repair. 



On page 168, A.D. 1565, we find entered: " Keparacyons of 

 the Spyer, Amounting to 15 10 9d, xxvij barres of iron way ing 

 Ixv pounds viijs vjd, vij boltes of iron xijd, Ixij barres weying 

 ccxxxij pounds xlviijs ivd, iv bushills of coals xd." 



In 1530, page 78 : " Masons wages for poynting of the spere." 



