210 Steeple Ash ton, Semiiujton, and Whaddon Churches. 



different level from those of either this or the later nave aisles ; 

 and yet there is little difference in the treatment of the west window 

 of the tower and the four-light north window of the aisle (the only 

 one which retains its old tracery). This aisle, called the Clothier's 

 Chapel, has also a three-light west window quite differently 

 treated, and the south aisle (which is called the Beach Chapel) has 

 similar features, but the tracery of the last three windows has been 

 renewed. (Fragments of this tracery now form part of an out- 

 building at the back of a house in Steeple Ashton on the east side 

 of Church Street.) The parapets and pinnacles appear to have 

 been added in the later re-modelling of the Church. The roofs of 

 these aisles are modern and there is no stone vaulting. There are 

 stair-turrets at the south-west and north-west angles, leading on 

 to the roof gutters : this seems to indicate an intention at this time 

 to carry on the work of re-building to the body of the Church on 

 the present scale. 



We now come to the great work of 1480 — 1500, viz., the re- 

 building of the nave with its aisles and porches, and the chapels 

 on either side of the chancel with their arches opening into the 

 latter. In carrying on this a complete sweep was made of the 

 pre-existing nave and aisles, and not a feature of these can be 

 traced. Bradford stone w as used for the whole building, and if we 

 find fault with the coarseness of some of its details, we cannot fail 

 to admire its completeness and the magnificence of its proportions. 



The arches of the arcades have three orders of mouldings ; the 

 inner and outer spring from attached shafts (with moulded caps 

 and hases), which, with the vaulting shafts and the central mould 



carried down, compose the piers, standing on high plinths. It will 

 lie seen that the western responds started from the nave buttresses 

 some 3ft. 6in. out from the face of the tower wall), and thai there 

 is a straight joint in the masonry here I'oi the full height ; this 

 gives only the narrow section of a bay of the vaulting between the 

 shaft and the tower. The aisles and chapels are vaulted in stone. 

 The ribs are much elaborated and form an octagon in the centre of 

 cadi hay. The principal bosses of the north chapel are as follows : — 

 East bay. In the centre the Assumption of the B.V.M., 



