224 



On the Existing Structure of Lacock Abbey. 



outer, or principal face, towards the cloister, is now concealed ; but 

 as its position coincides with that of one of the vaulting-shafts ojj 

 the cloister, it is probable that, in common with other Early- 

 English entrances, it was altered or destroyed by the Perpendicular 

 builders. 



There must exist, within the remainder of this west wall of the 

 Sacristy, a vacant space, which communicated by a square-headed 

 doorway with the church. I have conjectured that this may have 

 contained the staircase from the dormitory to the church, which ' 

 would account for the door of the sacristy not being central. 



The carved corbels are various in merit. The best are those at ) 

 the north-west angle, and on the east side. 



On the north side is an arched recess, an insertion of Perpen- 

 dicular character, and of uncertain use. There is decorative 

 painting on it, in blue and yellow colour, which may be of about 

 the same date. The same painting is seen on an adjacent arch, 

 and on the surface of the vaulting. 



The buttresses of the sacristy and chapter-house appear to be 

 original, and are very plain. 



The Chapter House. 



The general levels of this room are lower than those of the 

 sacristy. The pillars originally had bases, which have been 

 mutilated and concealed. The character of the vaulting is more 

 advanced in style than that of the sacristy, though there may not 

 be much difference in point of date. All the ribs are moulded, 

 and are the only moulded ribs that occur in the Abbey. 



The vaulting of the western bay is peculiarly treated. Two ribs 

 spring from the same octagonal pillar, and are carried to two 

 corbels in the western wall, so as to divide what would otherwise 

 form two bays of vaulting into three. This would admit of the 

 typical arrangement of a Chapter House, viz., a large central 

 entrance flanked by two windows. 



The external arrangement towards the cloister is at present 

 concealed. 



The usual position for the abbess's seat would have been opposite 



