First Bay's Proceedings. 



121 



is said to have some resemblance to that of Tewkesbury Abbey. 

 Its oblong' form is that which is sometimes found in central towers, 

 the measurement fron north to south being half as much again as 

 from east to west. The upper chamber of the tower shows the 

 remains of an arcade of intersecting Norman arches running round 

 the tower. The arches have the chevron moulding, and the capitals 

 are variously carved. On the other side the intersection is simply 

 of two arches, but in the east the arches are larger and the inter- 

 section is triple, giving a richer effect. I believe I am not wrong 

 in stating that in the original design these arches, as well as the 

 windows above, were open to the Church ; so giving a very striking 

 lantern effect ; though I am aware the question is disputed by some. 

 As far as I have been able to judge, the platform below the arcade 

 was placed at a later period for ringing purposes, and the beautiful 

 work above much damaged. I may further add with reference to 

 the masonry of the tower, that it is remarkable for the fineness of 

 the jointing, which is supposed to constitute an additional indication 

 of Bishop Roger's handiwork, the character of which is thus noted 

 by William of Malmesbury : ( He erected extensive edifices at vast 

 cost and with surpassing beauty, the courses of stone being so cor- 

 rectly laid that the joint deceives the eye and leads it to imagine 

 that the entire wall consists of a single block/ 



" The chancel is low and consists of two bays, arched over with 

 bold transverse ribs, springing from clustered capitals at the sides, 

 and in the north wall is one of the original windows with a semi- 

 circular arch, and ornamented with the zigzag moulding, though its 

 proportions are injured by its having been lengthened. The east 

 end has modern intersecting arcading, copied from a Norman frag- 

 ment on the north wall. 



" The transepts have been much cut about for the insertion of 

 Perpendicular windows, but the string-course and parts of the round 

 headed windows remain. It is clear the walls have not been dis- 

 turbed, and the roof appears to be of the original pitch. So with 

 the chancel, on the outer walls of which, within the present Church, 

 the original Norman corbel-table, ornamented with grotesque heads, 

 may yet be seen. 



