23(5 



THE CIVIL ENGINEER AND ARCHITECTS JOURNAL. 



[August, 



supposed, from the quarries at Ketton, near Stamford, Northamptonshire. 

 The inclemencies of the weather during the winters of 5 centuries (for there 

 arc no traces or records of suhstantial repairs since the original erection) 

 have but slightly impaired the general effect of the structure, though the 

 corroding influences of damp and exposure had long been seen in the lighter 

 and ornamental parts, and here and there on the surface of the stone work 

 in the walls and buttresses. The circumstance, not unknown to architects 

 in the present day, deserves a notice here, that the stones placed in a hori- 

 zontal position, corresponding to that which they occupied in the quarry, 

 have entirely escaped corrosion, while those in other positions are invariably 

 injured). To vindicate the integrity of this chief ornament of the pro- 

 vince of Gothic architects, the first efforts of the Restorer were directed 

 to the mullions and arch-mouldiiigs of the windows, and these have been re- 

 placed almost throughout with fresh stone, the glass-work of the windows 

 being at the same time re-arranged in diamond squares, for which the oblong 

 arrangement had been substituted at a comparatively recent date. The whole 

 of the pannelled parapet of the nave and parts of that of the aisles and chan- 

 cel were next rebuilt, the use of iron braces to compact the stone work, 

 having caused considerable distortion, especially of the south side where the 

 variations of temperature are more felt. The stonework on this side was so 

 much injured as to require in a great measure to be replaced by new work, 

 in which either copper or stone has been used. At the same time the decay- 

 ed stone in the walls of the church were entirely removed and fresh stones 

 substituted. 



The restoration of the woodwork in the roof was one of the heaviest of 

 the expenses to be incurred in necessary repairs : the ends of the larger 

 heams being decayed to some distance from the walls, which imperfectly 

 supported their vast bulks, sound timbers were dovetailed with that part of 

 the larger beams which still remained sound, and along their whole length 

 on either side strengthened by cast iron bars, which have secured the stability 

 of this part of the structure probably for centuries to come. 



The restoration necessary for the safe continuance of the structure thus 

 provided for, the ornamental parts were next proceeded with. Four large 

 pinnacles of 16 feet in height, and of elaborate workmanship, standing at the 

 east and western corners of the north and south aisles were entirely rebuilt 

 for the most part with fresh stone, and the ornamental heads of buttresses, 

 crocketed finials, &c., throughout the structure restored or replaced. 



The work of reparation was conducted by Messrs. Scott and Moffat, 

 who have, as usual, evinced their appreciation of the spirit of mediaeval 

 architecture. The following are some extracts from the report presented 

 by the former gentleman to the Restoration Committee. The remarks re- 

 specting the restoration of the ceilings are worthy of attention. We need 

 scarcely say how fully we agree with the condenination of the painted 

 imitations of stone and oak. 



The church appears, from the style of its architecture, to have been 

 built during the reign of King Edward the Third, a period during which 

 a great niovemeut in the way of church building seems to have taken place 

 throughout this district, as nearly every church in the neighbourhood seems 

 to have been, either wholly or in part, rebuilt at the same time. It origin- 

 ally consisted of a nave with aisles (perhaps the largest to any parish 

 church in the kingdom); achaucel of three bays only in length ; a south 

 porch of one story only ; and a chapel at the south-western angle. It ap- 

 pears to have been begun and completed in the first instance without any 

 tower — the original wtst wall being built perfect aud distinct from the 

 jireseiit tower, and the arch now leading into the tower having evidently 

 been the western wiudmv, which was converted into a tower arch, by re- 

 moving its tracery aud uiullious, and lowering the cill to the floor. At a 

 subse(iueot period, priibably about tiftv years from its first completion, the 

 present most W(icderful aud maguiOcent tower was addi*d : and at about 

 the same time the additional bays were added to the chancel, bringiug the 

 church to its present splendid proportions. The porch has since been in- 

 creased in height by the addition of the chamber now used as a library, 

 and some other minor additions have beeu made, and agaiu removed, but 

 in the main the church rctoius tlie same appearance which it must liave 

 jiresented on the first completion of the tower, at the commencement of the 

 fifteenth cr-nlury ; and considering its a^e, and the neglect which it has 

 suffered, it is in a remarkably tine stale of preservation. 



Navi; Roof. 

 The nave, or central portion of the church, is the most iin|)ortant as 

 being of the greatest span, and is unfortunately in the worst condition of 

 any part of the roof, so far as can at present be ascertained, it was at 

 first very securely aud substantially constructed. The walls were tied 

 together by fourteen beams of most poufJerous dimensions, which were se- 

 cured to wall plates sunk in grooves in the stone cornice, which runs in 

 one width of stune through the whole thickness of the wall. Tliese beams 

 have in parts become much decayed — the ends of many having in fact 

 completely perished, so much so, that had it nut beeu for some rather clum- 



sily contrived precautions, which have from time to time been taken for 

 their support, they could not have retained their position, but must have 

 Jiillen in. 



The precautions alluded to, may possibly be suOicient to provide for the 

 immidiatc security of the roof (though even of this I cannot speak with 

 certainty), but there can be no doubt that it is anything but a satifaclory 

 state for so essential a part of the fabric to be allowed to remain in ; and 

 that if the decay of the beams should increase, very serious cunseqiiences 

 might be apprcliended. lu addition to this, I find, on a closer inspection, 

 that the wall plates (of which there are two ou each side) are (so far as 1 

 have been able to get at them) entirely perislied, by which the connecliuu 

 of the timbers with the walls has in a great measure been destroyed. An 

 attempt has been made (pmbably at a very early period) to remedy this, 

 by the introduc.ion of the huge irou hooks which so much disfigure the 

 exterior of the clerestory wall ; these, however, obviate the evil in a very 

 partial manner, being ill-ciuistructed for their purpose. Th-re are soniK 

 further defects in others of the timbers, particularly in the feet of some of 

 the upright wall-pieces and braces, which have been partially decayed 

 through the water having been allowed to get down into the pockets or 

 springing points of the groined ceiling, aud to saturate the masses of 

 dust and decayed wood which have there accumulated. The extent to 

 which this defect exists it is almost iinpuisible at present correctly to as- 

 certain, the parts allected being completely c incealed by the mouldings of 

 the groining; but I am inclined to think that it has not proceeded to a very 

 serious extent. 



The effect of these different defects has been to cause an undue thrust 

 upon the southern wall, the timbers being most decayed on that side, 

 which has occasioned a considerable curvature in the length of the wall. 

 The wall having been, by flie joint pressure of the rafters above, and the 

 braces below, thrust outward, and partially drawn off from the ends of 

 the tie-beams ; and the enormous weight of these (each beam of itself 

 weighing nearly three tons) being thrown in great measure upon the 

 braces, has tended still further to increase the evil, which must even now 

 be constantly becoming greater; and must, if not remedied, greatly en- 

 danger this part of the building. The north side of the roof not being so 

 much decayed as the south, — and the latter having been the first to give 

 way, — the effect upon the north wall has been of a contrary nature to that 

 on the south ; aud, as might have been expected, this wall has been drawu 

 inwards, though to a much less extent than the outward teudeLcy of the 

 other. 



It would probably be hopeless to attempt to restore these walls to their 

 proper position, and the utmost we can do is to previit their getting worse, 

 and to do this we must endeavour — 1st, to restore that lunguudinal stiff- 

 ness to the walls, which has been lost through the decay of the wall 

 plates. — 2nd, to complete the connection between the opposite walls, which 

 has been cut olf, partly by the same cause, and partly Oy the decay of the 

 ends of the beams : and jrdly, to support the tie-beams themselves in such 

 a manner that by their own weight they may not be causing the failure* 

 which they were intended to prevent. The first object cannot, I fear, be 

 effected without the introduction of new wall plates of oak, where the old 

 ones are decayed ; this appears particularly necessary on the soutli side. 

 The second aud third objects I should recommend to be provided for, by 

 cutting oil all the decayed ends of the beams, and replacing them with 

 new oak, well scarfed, and with strong iron plates above and below the 

 scarfe ; and by introducing to each beam a chain truss of wrouglit irou, 

 on such a coustrucliou that it would at once form a perfect tie to the roof, 

 and would in great measurse support the weight of the beam. Such other 

 timl)ers as are decayed should also be replaced with new. The above re- 

 pairs could be effected without materially disturbing the covering of the 

 roof, with the exception of the gutters and some other parts of the lead 

 work, which must be taken uji aud relaid. 



ExTi-BNAL Stone Work. 



The stone work generally is just in that stale which renders it most dif- 

 ficult to determine the extent to which it requires reparation: it is in many 

 parts much decayed and injured, but still not to that extent to warrant the 

 renewal of all the decayed parts; indeed, it is generally the smaller por- 

 tions of the ornamental work which are most affected ; the more solid 

 features generally remaining tolerably sound. The great object appeal's 

 to prevent it from getting worse, by relixing or renewing all such parts as 

 are in a shaken and dilapidated condition, or which are so decayed as to 

 endanger their stabiliiy, aud to replace all those detached ornamental fea- 

 tures, such as pinnacles, finials, &C., which have been displaced or 

 shaken, and such other injured parts as can be repaired without interfering 

 loo much with the more substautial parts o( the building. There are some 

 decayed portions of such a nature as to render it doubtful to what extent it 

 might be prudent to attempt to replace them, such as the base-mouldings 

 of the tower and church, and other parts which are intimately connected 

 with the strength of the buildings, and the decay of which has not gone 

 further than partially to eti'ace the mouldings on their surface. No general 

 rule can be laid down for liiese, but ihey must be viewed separately ou 

 their own merits, and accordin;.; to the extent of their dilapidation, aud the 

 comparative dilliculiy aud importance of replacing them. 



1 will now attempt to enumerate, in order, the several parts requiring 

 reparation. 



Clerestory. 



SoiTM Side. — The upper part of the stair turret i« in a very shattered 



