English Cathedral and Monastic Carpentry E-Book

Cecil A. Hewett

• Herausgeber: Phillimore & Co Ltd
• Kategorie: Fachliteratur
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 217

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2023

Beschreibung

Well over a hundred great churches were built in the cathedral tradition in the Middle Ages. They are our most important group of historical monuments and embody the finest craftwork of medieval architecture. Despite a great mass of specialist literature and research on other aspects, it was not until Cecil A. Hewett's work over the past three decades that any serious attention was paid to their functional carpentry or, indeed, to their decorative timberwork. Examining the entire range of 'great' churches, Hewett's carefully reasoned and well-organised text covers all areas of monastic and cathedral carpentry, classifying roof structures, towers and spires in chronological order, while an important section deals with the surviving examples of hoisting machinery still in situ, some from a very early date. In English Cathedral and Monastic Carpentry, he relates the physical evidence to the documentary record supported with over 300 of his own magnificent drawings. In this, Hewett provides both a work of reference and a stimulating analysis of the evolution of the craft.

Leseprobe

Ely Cathedral, the framing of the lantern.

Front cover image: Peterborough Cathedral. (Colin Underhill/Alamy Stock Photo)

First published in 1999 by Sutton Publishing

This paperback edition published in 2023

The History Press

97 St George’s Place, Cheltenham,

Gloucestershire, GL50 3QB

www.thehistorypress.co.uk

© Cecil A. Hewett, 1999, 2023

The right of Cecil A. Hewett to be identified as the Author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without the permission in writing from the Publishers.

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data.

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

ISBN 978 1 80399 480 2

Typesetting and origination by The History Press

Printed and bound in Great Britain by TJ Books Limited, Padstow, Cornwall.

eBook converted by Geethik Technologies

CONTENTS

List of Plates

List of Figures

Bibliography

Introduction

Ridged Main-span Roofs

Lean-to Roofs

Roofs of Polygonal Plan

Crossings and Returns

Towers and Spires

Doors

Hoisting Machinery

Joints – Lap Joints

Joints – Other Carpentry Joints

Mouldings and Ornaments

Tables

Glossary

LIST OF PLATES

1.   The spire of Salisbury Cathedral

2.   From Rayleigh Castle, Essex, a post excavated in 1910

3.   A notched lap joint of archaic profile from the belfry of Navestock church, Essex

4.   A secret notched lap joint without refined profile from Romsey Abbey, Hampshire

5.   Portrait of Adam Lock, master mason, from Wells Cathedral

6.   An open notched lap joint of refined profile, from Wells Cathedral

7.   Woodcut, c.1515, showing two types of axes in use at that time

8.   Mortise joint from the Barley Barn, Cressing Temple, Essex

9.   An oblique mortise from the Barley Barn, Cressing Temple, Essex

10.   The timber roof over the Chapter House, Wells Cathedral

LIST OF FIGURES

    1.   Peterborough Cathedral precinct, roof of the Norman Hall

    2.   Waltham Abbey, reconstruction of the nave roof

    3.   Peterborough Cathedral, roof of the north-west portico

    4.   Wells Cathedral, high-roof of the nave east of the ‘break’

    5.   Lincoln Cathedral, high-roof of St Hugh’s Choir

    6.   Lincoln Cathedral, high-roof of the north choir transept

    7.   Lincoln Cathedral, high-roof of the south choir transept

    8.   Wells Cathedral, high-roof of the nave west of the ‘break’

    9.   Hereford Cathedral, roof of the Lady Chapel

  10.   Coggeshall Abbey, roof of the capella extra portas

  11.   Chichester Cathedral, high-roof of the nave

  12.   Lincoln Cathedral, roof of the Morning Chapel

  13.   Lincoln Cathedral, plan of the high-roof of the Morning Chapel

  14.   Lincoln Cathedral, roof of the chapter house vestibule

  15.   Lincoln Cathedral, plan of the high-roof of the Consistory Court

  16.   Lincoln Cathedral, high-roof of the Consistory Court

  17.   Lincoln Cathedral, high-roof of the Consistory Court

  18.   Lincoln Cathedral, long section of the high-roof of the Consistory Court

  19.   Lincoln Cathedral, high-roof of the Consistory Court

  20.   Salisbury Cathedral, high-roof of the north-east transept

  21.   Boxgrove Priory, Sussex, eastern bay of the high-roof

  22.   Romsey Abbey, Hampshire, rafter-couple of the roof of the refectory

  23.   Lincoln Cathedral, high-roof of the nave

  24.   Beverley Minster, high-roof of the nave

  25.   Greyfriars, Lincoln, the eastern part of the nave roof

  26.   Westminster Abbey, high-roof of the north transept

  27.   Salisbury Cathedral, roof of the north porch

  28.   Lincoln Cathedral, high-roof of the Angel Choir

  29.   Lincoln Cathedral, high-roof of the Angel Choir

  30.   Greyfriars, Lincoln, the western part of the roof

  31.   Wells Cathedral, high-roof of the choir

  32.   Salisbury, the Old Deanery

  33.   Tewkesbury Abbey, high-roof of the north transept

  34.   Gloucester, Blackfriars, roof of the nave

  35.   Bushmead Priory, Bedfordshire

  36.   Bisham Abbey, Berkshire, roof of the hall

  37.   Exeter Cathedral, high-roof of the presbytery

  38.   Winchester Cathedral, high-roof of the nave

  39.   Winchester Cathedral, high-roof of the south transept

  40.   Wells Cathedral, roof of the south choir transept

  41.   Roof of The Chequers, Vicars’ Close, Wells

  42.   Exeter Cathedral, high-roof of the nave

  43.   Exeter Cathedral, high-roofs of the transepts

  44.   Bristol Cathedral, high-roof of the choir

  45.   Bisham Abbey, Berkshire, roof of the east range

  46.   Wells Cathedral precinct, roof of No. 22, Vicars’ Close

  47.   Winchester Cathedral, high-roof of the presbytery

  48.   Winchester Cathedral, high-roof of the north transept

  49.   Carlisle Cathedral choir, one rafter couple

  50.   Worcester Cathedral, high-roof of the nave

  51.   Durham Cathedral, roof of the monks’ dormitory

  52.   Beeleigh Abbey, Essex, roof of the dormitory

  53.   Canterbury Cathedral, high-roof of the north-west transept

  54.   Peterborough Cathedral precinct, the roof of Table Hall

  55.   Hereford Cathedral, roof of the Vicars’ Cloister

  56.   Bath Abbey, roof of the choir

  57.   Roof of King’s College Chapel, Cambridge

  58.   Bath Abbey, roof of the nave

  59.   Abbey Dore, Herefordshire, roof of the nave

  60.   Wells Cathedral, high-roof of the north transept

  61.   Lichfield Cathedral, high-roof of the south transept

  62.   Sherborne Abbey, Dorset, roof frame from the nave

  63.   Tewkesbury Abbey, high-roof of the nave

  64.   St Paul’s Cathedral, high-roof of the nave

  65.   St Paul’s Cathedral, high-roof of the west portico

  66.   Durham Cathedral, high-roof of the choir

  67.   Winchester Cathedral, high-roof of the eastern nave

  68.   Worcester Cathedral, high-roof of the choir

  69.   Lincoln Cathedral, high-roof of the great south transept

  70.   Lincoln Cathedral, high-roof of the great north transept

  71.   Beverley Minster, high-roof of the great south transept

  72.   Ely Cathedral, high-roof of the choir

  73.   York Minster, high-roof and vault of the south main transept

  74.   Canterbury Cathedral, high-roof of the south-east transept

  75.   Rochester Cathedral, high-roof of the great north transept

  76.   York Minster, high-roof of the choir

  77.   York Minster, high-roof of the nave

  78.   Sherborne Abbey, Dorset, the high-roof of the choir

  79.   Rochester Cathedral, high-roof of the choir

  80.   Ripon Cathedral, high-roof of the choir

  81.   Wells Cathedral, roof of the north nave triforium

  82.   Salisbury Cathedral, roof of the north choir triforium

  83.   Lincoln Cathedral, roof of the north choir triforium

  84.   York Minster, roof of the north transept triforium

  85.   Rochester Cathedral, roof and timber vault of the south choir aisle

  86.   Wells Cathedral, roof of the north choir aisle

  87.   Cartmel Priory, Lancashire, roof of the south choir aisle

  88.   York Minster, roof of the nave aisle

  89.   Carlisle Cathedral, roof of the north aisle triforium

  90.   Canterbury Cathedral, roof of the nave aisle

  91.   Norwich Cathedral, former roof of the north nave triforium

  92.   Malmesbury Abbey, Wiltshire, roof of the south triforium

  93.   St Paul’s Cathedral, a triforium roof

  94.   Lincoln Cathedral, roof of the north nave triforium

  95.   Salisbury Cathedral, roof of the south nave triforium

  96.   York Minster, west triforium roof of the south transept

  97.   Ely Cathedral, triforium roof of the north transept

  98.   Westminster Abbey, high-roof of the eastern apse

  99.   St Albans Cathedral, timber vault of the presbytery

100.   Salisbury Cathedral, roof of the vestry

101.   Wells Cathedral, high-roof of the Lady Chapel

102.   Salisbury Cathedral, roof of the chapter house

103.   York Minster, plan of the chapter house spire at base

104.   York chapter house spire, the pattern of the vault ribs

105.   Perspective of the York chapter house spire framing

106.   Wells Cathedral, high-roof of the chapter house

107.   Wells Cathedral, roof of the retro-choir

108.   Exeter Cathedral, timber vault of the south transept

109.   Ely Cathedral, angle post of the lantern

110.   Ely Cathedral, plan of the floor of the octagon

111.   Ely Cathedral, assembly of the inner sill of the octagon

112.   Ely Cathedral, assembly of the vault

113.   Ely Cathedral, sector of the ‘floor’ of the octagon

114.   Ely Cathedral, vault and ‘floor’ of the octagon, assembled

115.   Ely Cathedral, framing of the lantern

116.   Ely Cathedral, plan of the ‘floor’ showing angle post division

117.   Ely Cathedral, pattern of vault ribs in the upper and lower systems

118.   Worcester Cathedral, the high-roof of the chapter house

119.   Lichfield Cathedral, roof of the Lady Chapel

120.   Westminster Abbey, roof of the south-east transept

121.   Pershore Abbey, Worcestershire, roof of the apse

122.   Lincoln Cathedral, chapter house spire

123.   Lincoln Cathedral, assembly of the ring-beam of the chapter house spire

124.   Southwell Minster, roof of the chapter house

125.   Salisbury Cathedral, return of the north porch and north aisle

126.   Salisbury Cathedral, return of the north choir triforium and the eastern triforium of the great transept

127.   Lincoln Cathedral, roof of the choir crossing

128.   York Minster, roof of the chapter house vestibule

129.   St Mary, Ottery, Devon, nave transepts

130.   St Mary, Ottery, Devon, nave transepts

131.   Chichester Cathedral, cloister roof

132.   Salisbury Cathedral, roof of the choir crossing

133.   Canterbury Cathedral, south-east spirelet

134.   Salisbury Cathedral spire, floor over the crossing vault

135.   Salisbury Cathedral spire, gallery

136.   Salisbury Cathedral spire, system of iron ties

137.   Salisbury Cathedral spire, floor above the gallery

138.   Salisbury Cathedral, spire scaffold above parapet level

139.   Salisbury Cathedral spire, the next three stages and the remains of the ironwork from which the scaffold was suspended

140.   Lincoln Cathedral, base of the former spire

141.   Lincoln Cathedral tower, stone squint arches and timber structure

142.   Winchester Cathedral, roof of the crossing

143.   Pershore Abbey, Worcestershire, roof of the tower

144.   Gloucester Cathedral, floor in the central tower

145.   Canterbury Cathedral, original roof of the Bell Harry Tower

146.   Norwich Cathedral, inner frame of the spire

147.   Southwell Minster, base of a spire

148.   St Paul’s Cathedral, framing of the dome

149.   Westminster Abbey, the door called ‘Pyx’

150.   Durham Cathedral, north doors

151.   Durham Cathedral, south-west doors

152.   Selby Abbey, west doors

153.   Peterborough Cathedral, central west doors

154.   Peterborough Cathedral, south-west door

155.   Peterborough Cathedral, west doors of the precinct

156.   Ely Cathedral, great west doors

157.   Waltham Abbey, Essex

158.   Wells Cathedral, north doors

159.   Wells Cathedral, door in the cloister

160.   Lincoln Cathedral, door of the north transept

161.   Wells Cathedral, west central door

162.   Salisbury Cathedral, west doors

163.   Salisbury Cathedral, vestry doors

164.   Wells Cathedral, door of the chapter house crypt

165.   Abbey Dore, Herefordshire, north door

166.   York Minster, door of the chapter house

167.   Ripon Cathedral, door of the north choir aisle

168.   Wells Cathedral, door of the chapter house

169.   Westminster Abbey, door to the treasury

170.   Southwell Minster, north door of the nave

171.   Worcester Cathedral, gate of the Edgar Tower

172.   St Albans Cathedral, Abbot’s door

173.   Wells Cathedral, doors of the south aisle screen

174.   Winchester College, Middle Gate

175.   Winchester College, Outer Gate

176.   Winchester, gates of the Beaufort Tower

177.   Canterbury Cathedral, west doors

178.   Hereford Cathedral, cloister door

179.   Gloucester Cathedral, doors to the cloister

180.   York Minster, main door of the south transept

181.   Norwich Cathedral, doors of St Martin’s Palace gatehouse

182.   Norwich Cathedral, central doors

183.   King’s College Chapel, Cambridge, north doors

184.   Westminster Abbey, west doors

185.   Wells Cathedral, gates of the north porch

186.   The windlass at Tewkesbury Abbey

187.   The windlass at Durham Cathedral

188.   The windlass at Peterborough Cathedral

189.   The windlass at Salisbury Cathedral

190.   The ‘faucon’ at King’s College, Cambridge

191.   The ‘faucon’ at Canterbury Cathedral

192.   The treadwheel windlass at Beverley Minster

193.   The treadwheel windlass at Canterbury Cathedral

194.   The windlass at Norwich Cathedral

195.   The capstan at Durham Cathedral

196.   Clasp-arm wheel illustrated by Villard de Honnecourt

197.   Sub-structure of the round table, Winchester Castle

198.   The windlass in the Byward Tower, Tower of London

199.   From St Mary, Sompting, Sussex

200.   From St Mary, Sompting, Sussex

201.   From the barn of Paul’s Hall, Belchamp St Paul, Essex

202.   From Moyses Hall, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

203.   From the Norman Hall, Peterborough

204.   From Waltham Abbey, Essex

205.   From the nave roof of Peterborough Cathedral

206.   From Abbey Dore, Herefordshire

207.   a From the north triforium, Wells Cathedral

207.   b From the south triforium, Wells Cathedral

208.   From the roof of St Hugh’s Choir, Lincoln Cathedral

209.   a and b From the barn, Grange Farm, Coggeshall, Essex

210.   From the south-east spirelet, Canterbury Cathedral

211.   From the Barley Barn, Cressing Temple, Essex

212.   From Wells Cathedral

213.   From Worcester Cathedral

214.   From Lincoln Cathedral

215.   From Wells Cathedral

216.   From Salisbury Cathedral

217.   From Romsey Abbey

218.   From the Wheat Barn, Cressing Temple, Essex

219.   From a barn at Whepstead, Suffolk

220.   From the eastern apse, Westminster Abbey

221.   From a barn at Parkbury Farm, Radlett, Hertfordshire

222.   From the south transeptal roof, Exeter Cathedral

223.   From the south choir transept, Wells Cathedral

224.   From Chipping Ongar church, Essex

225.   From the church of Bradwell-juxta-Coggeshall, Essex

226.   From the great west doors, Ely Cathedral

227.   From the north triforium of the choir, Lincoln Cathedral

228.   From the north triforium, Salisbury Cathedral

229.   From the Greyfriars Church, Lincoln

230.   From the Angel Choir, Lincoln Cathedral

231.   From the Angel Choir, Lincoln Cathedral

232.   a From the great transept, Salisbury Cathedral

232.   b Rear view of the same assembly

233.   From the spire, Salisbury Cathedral

234.   From the Old Deanery, Salisbury

235.   From St Mary’s Hospital, Chichester, Sussex

236.   From the chapter house, Salisbury Cathedral

237.   From the chapter house, Salisbury Cathedral

238.   From Place House, Ware, Hertfordshire

239.   a From the chapter house, York Minster

239.   b From the spire-mast, York Minster

240.   From the chapter house, York Minster

241.   From the chapter house, Wells Cathedral

242.   From the choir, Wells Cathedral

243.   From the nave aisles, York Minster

244.   a and b From the north transept, Tewkesbury Abbey, Gloucestershire

245.   From the roof of No. 22, Vicars’ Close, Wells

246.   From the high-roof of the choir, Carlisle Cathedral

247.   From the south-east transept, Hereford Cathedral

248.   From the presbytery, Winchester Cathedral

249.   From the nave, Winchester Cathedral

250.   From the Vicars’ Treasury, Wells Cathedral

251.   From the library, Wells Cathedral

252.   From the north-west transept, Canterbury Cathedral

253.   From the north nave triforium, Norwich Cathedral

254.   From King’s College Chapel, Cambridge

255.   From King’s College Chapel, Cambridge

256.   From King’s College Chapel, Cambridge

257.   From Lichfield Cathedral

258.   From Lichfield Cathedral

259.   From the south-east triforium, Westminster Abbey

260.   From the west end of the nave, Winchester Cathedral

261.   From St Paul’s Cathedral

262.   From St Paul’s Cathedral

263.   From the eastern arms, Worcester Cathedral

264.   From the north nave triforium, Lincoln Cathedral

265.   From the north nave triforium, Lincoln Cathedral

266.   From the chapter house, Lincoln Cathedral

267.   From the great north transept, Rochester Cathedral

268.   From the choir roof, Sherborne Abbey

269.   From the choir roof, Sherborne Abbey

270.   From the transept of Winchester Cathedral

271.   From Old Court House, Limpsfield, Surrey

272.   From Peterborough Cathedral

273.   From Salisbury Cathedral

274.   From St Albans Cathedral

275.   From Bushmead Priory, Bedfordshire

276.   From Salisbury Cathedral

277.   From Salisbury Cathedral

278.   From Bisham Abbey, Berkshire

279.   a, b and c From Prittlewell Priory, Essex

280.   From Rochester Cathedral

281.   From Rochester Cathedral

282.   From Ely Cathedral, the octagon

283.   From Ely Cathedral

284.   From Cartmel Priory, Lancashire

285.   From Gloucester Cathedral

286.   From Winchester College, Middle Gate

287.   From Wells Cathedral, Bishop Bubworth’s Library

288.   From Durham Cathedral

289.   From Norwich Cathedral

290.   From Winchester, the Hospital of St Cross

291.   From Abbey Dore, Herefordshire

292.   From York Minster

293.   From St Paul’s Cathedral

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Aylmer and Cant 1977: G. Aylmer and R. Cant, A History of York Minster (O.U.P., 1977).

Backinsell: W. G. C. Backinsell, ‘The Medieval Clock in Salisbury Cathedral’ (Historical Monograph 2, South Wiltshire Industrial Archaeology Society).

Banister Fletcher 1896: Sir F. Banister Fletcher, A History of Architecture (Batsford, 1896).

Berger and Libby 1967: R. Berger and W. F. Libby, ‘European Medieval Architecture Series’ (Radiocarbon 9, Yale 1967, pp. 486-90).

Bilson 1928: J. Bilson, ‘Notes on the Earlier Architectural History of Wells Cathedral’ (Archaeological Journal LXXXV, 1928, pp. 23-68).

Bony 1979: J. Bony, The English Decorated Style (Phaidon, 1979).

Bowie 1959: T. Bowie (ed.), The Sketchbook of Villard de Honnecourt (1959).

Britton 1821: J. Britton, The History and Antiquities of the Cathedral Church of Oxford (1821).

Chapman 1907: F. R. Chapman, The Sacrist Rolls of Ely (C.U.P., 1907).

Colchester and Harvey 1974: L. S. Colchester and J. H. Harvey, ‘Wells Cathedral’ (Archaeological Journal CXXXI, 1974, pp. 200-214).

Colvin 1948: H. M. Colvin, ‘Abbey Dore’ (Transactions of the Woolhope Naturalists’ Field Club XXXII, 1948, pp. 235-7).

Colvin 1963: H. M. Colvin (ed.), The History of the King’s Works (HMSO, 1963).

Colvin 1978: H. M. Colvin, A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects, 1600-1840 (Murray, 1978).

Davis 1966: R. H. C. Davis, ‘The Norman Conquest’ (History LI, 1966, pp. 279-286).

Dale 1956: A. Dale, James Wyatt (Blackwell, 1956).

Dickinson 1978: J. C. Dickinson, Cartmel Priory Church (1978).

Downes 1959: J. K. Downes, Hawksmoor (Zwemmer, 1959).

Drinkwater 1964: N. Drinkwater, ‘Old Deanery, Salisbury’ (Antiquaries Journal XLIV, 1964, pp. 41-59).

Dunlop 1972: D. C. Dunlop, Lincoln Cathedral (Pitkin, 1972).

Everett 1944: C. R. Everett, ‘Notes on the Decanal and other Houses in the Close of Sarum’ (Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine, 50, 1944, pp. 425-445).

Fletcher and Haslop 1971: J. M. Fletcher and F. W. O. Haslop, ‘The West Range at Ely and Its Romanesque Roof ’ (Archaeological Journal CXXVI, 1971, pp. 171-6).

Fletcher and Hewett 1969: J. M. Fletcher and C. A. Hewett, ‘Medieval Timberwork at Bisham Abbey’ (Medieval Archaeology XIII, 1969, pp. 220-4).

Fletcher and Spokes 1964: J. M. Fletcher and P. S. Spokes, ‘The Origin and Development of Crown-Post Roofs’ (Medieval Archaeology VIII, 1964, pp. 153-83).

Focillon 1963: H. Focillon, The Art of the West (Phaidon, 1963).

Forrester 1972: H. Forrester, Medieval Gothic Mouldings (Phillimore, 1972).

Francis 1913: E. B. Francis, ‘Rayleigh Castle, new facts in its history and recent excavations on site’ (Transactions of the Essex Archaeological Society XII, n.s. 1913, pp. 147-61).

Gardner 1955: J. S. Gardner, ‘Coggeshall Abbey and its early brickwork’ ( Journal of the British Archaeological Association, 3rd series, XVIII, 1955, pp. 19-32).

Geddes 1982: J. Geddes, ‘The Construction of Medieval Doors, Woodworking Techniques before 1500’ (Archaeological Series 7, B.A.R. International Series 129, National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, 1982).

Gibson 1976: A. V. B. Gibson, ‘The Medieval Aisled Barn at Parkbury Farm, Radlett – Thirteenth century rafters re-used’ (Hertfordshire Archaeology 4, 1974-6, pp. 158-163).

Harvey 1974: J. H. Harvey, Cathedrals of England and Wales (Batsford, 1974).

Hewett 1968: C. A. Hewett, ‘Developments in Carpentry Illustrated by Essex Millwrighting’ (Art Bulletin L, 1968).

Hewett 1969: C. A. Hewett, The Development of Carpentry, 1200-1700, an Essex Study (David and Charles, 1969).

Hewett 1974: C. A. Hewett, English Cathedral Carpentry (Wayland, 1974).

Hewett 1977: C. A. Hewett, ‘Scarf Jointing during the later Thirteenth and Fourteenth Centuries, and a reappraisal of the Origin of Spurred Tenons’ (Archaeological Journal 134, 1977, pp. 287-296).

Hewett 1980: C. A. Hewett, English Historic Carpentry (Phillimore, 1980).

Hewett 1982: C. A. Hewett, Church Carpentry, A Study based on Essex Examples (Phillimore, 1982).

Hewett and Smith 1972: C. A. Hewett and J. R. Smith, ‘Faked Masonry of the Mid-13th Century in Navestock Church’ (Essex Journal, Autumn 1972, pp. 82-5).

Hewett and Tatton-Brown 1976: C. A. Hewett and T. Tatton-Brown, ‘New Structural Evidence regarding Bell Harry Tower and the South-east Spire at Canterbury’ (Archaeologia Cantiana XCII, 1976, pp. 129-136).

Hope 1900: W. H. St John Hope, The Architectural History of the Cathedral Church and Monastery of St Andrew at Rochester (London, 1900).

Lang 1956: J. Lang, Rebuilding St Paul’s after the Great Fire of London (O.U.P., 1956).

McDowall, Smith and Stell 1966: R. W. McDowall, J. T. Smith and C. F. Stell, ‘Westminster Abbey, the Timber Roofs of the Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster’ (Archaeologia C, 1966, pp. 155-74).

Macmahon 1970: K. A. Macmahon, The Pictorial History of Beverley Minster (Pitkin, 1970).

Marshall 1951: G. Marshall, Hereford Cathedral, its Evolution and Growth (Worcester Press, 1951).

Martin 1935: A. R. Martin, ‘The Greyfriars of Lincoln’ (Archaeological Journal, XCII, 1935, pp. 42-63).

Morgan 1967: F. C. Morgan, A Short Account of the Church of Abbey Dore (Leominster, 1967).

Parkin 1970: E. W. Parkin, ‘Cogan House, St Peter’s, Canterbury’ (Archaeologia Cantiana LXXXV, 1970, pp. 123-138).

Pevsner 1965: Sir N. Pevsner, The Buildings of England – Essex (Penguin, 1965).

Pevsner 1970: Sir N. Pevsner, The Buildings of England – Cambridgeshire (Penguin, 1970).

Pierce 1965: J. A. Repton, Norwich Cathedral at the end of the Eighteenth Century, ed. by R. S. Pierce (Gregg Press, 1965).

Powell 1974: A. C. Powell, The Hospital of the Blessed Mary, Chichester (Regnum Press, Chichester, 1974).

Price 1774: R. Price, A Description of that Admirable Structure, the Cathedral Church of Salisbury (London, 1774).

Rackham, Blair and Munby 1978: O. Rackham, W. J. Blair and J. T. Munby, ‘The Thirteenth Century Roofs and Floor of Blackfriars Priory at Gloucester’ (Medieval Archaeology XXII, 1978, pp. 105-22).

Rigold 1977: S. E. Rigold, ‘Romanesque Bases in and South-East of the Limestone Belt’ (Ancient Monuments and Their Interpretation, essays presented to A. J. Taylor, ed. by Apted, Gilyard-Beer and Saunders, Phillimore, 1977).

Rowe 1876: R. R. Rowe, ‘The Octagon and Lantern of Ely Cathedral’ (Trans. Royal Institute of British Architects, 1875-6, pp. 69-83).

St Albans 1952: St Albans Cathedral, Historical Monuments (HMSO, 1952).

Salzman 1952: L. F. Salzman, Building in England down to 1540, a documentary history (O.U.P., 1952).

Scott 1863: G. G. Scott, Gleanings from Westminster Abbey (1863).

Singer 1956: C. Singer (ed.), History of Technology (Oxford, 1956).

Steward 1875: D. J. Steward, ‘Notes on Norwich Cathedral’ (Archaeological Journal XXXII, 1875).

Stranks 1972: C. J. Stranks, Durham Cathedral (Pitkin, 1972).

Venables 1883: The Rev. Precentor Venables, ‘The Architectural History of Lincoln Cathedral’ (Archaeological Journal XL, 1883, pp. 159-92 and 377-418).

V.C.H. Berks.: The Victoria County History of Berkshire (1923).

V.C.H. Essex: The Victoria County History of Essex.

Wallis 1970: Canon J. E. W. Wallis, Lichfield Cathedral, revised and enlarged by O. Hedley (Pitkin, 1970).

Whitham 1982: J. A. Whitham, The Church of St Mary of Ottery (Gloucester, 1982).

Wood 1965: M. Wood, The English Mediaeval House (Dent, 1965).

INTRODUCTION

This collection of drawings comprises examples of carpentry mainly in English Cathedrals, Abbeys, Priories, and their precincts, which have received less attention than they deserve. In many cases it is known, and in others it can reasonably be conjectured that these buildings are by masters who are well known from their cathedral and royal works; consequently they are valuable for dating mouldings and carpentry technology. The text is an outline only, having been prepared before the author became seriously ill. There are many more drawings which could have been used, but this would have made the book twice as long; therefore only the most important ones are dealt with. For example, Boxgrove Priory is included for the importance of the crown post. It cannot at present be amplified, but it is hoped that the drawings, some of which are of recent date, will be of value to the student. Some information about certain cathedrals, in particular Lincoln and Wells, which was not available at the time of the publication of English Cathedral Carpentry, is included also.

The schools of architecture are not yet trained in the skills of carpentry and its tools; the author feels that unless and until architects working with our most valuable buildings consult with historians, we shall be left with nothing for future generations. Already there has been grievous loss of historic structures in the unnecessary replacement of roof timbers in Westminster Abbey and the cathedrals of Norwich and Worcester. It appears that money is available to ensure that this desecration of the ultimate art of carpentry can be continued.

There is very little time left, as from the conception of this book in 1970 to its present printing in 1985 we have lost much of value in three of our major national buildings. It is to be hoped that publication of the facts as to what may yet be saved may be useful in arousing sufficient interest in the subject to ensure the safety of the little that is left.

Mouldings are of particular interest to the author at present; a section of this book is devoted to the subject, and a detailed study is planned for the future.

RIDGED MAIN-SPAN ROOFS

Peterborough Cathedral Precinct, the ‘Norman Hall’ (Fig. 1)

This is probably the hall of the Norman infirmary built during the period of William Waterville, who was Abbot from 1155 to 1177. The apexes of the rafters are bridled and pegged, and the ends of both upper and lower collars are notch-lapped into the rafters. The tops of the ashlars are also notch-lapped, and the profiles of all the notched lap joints are of the ‘archaic’ type. The feet of the ashlars are fitted into housings that have sunken base abutments, and pegged – a device obviously calculated to ensure their stability in the vertical position necessary for the performance of their function. The feet of the rafters are tenoned into the outer ends of the sole-pieces. All the sole-pieces are trenched across their soffits in order that they may ‘house’ the wall-plate, which is of relatively small section and laid along the centre-line of the masonry. There were no tie-beams, as in Soignies Abbey, the chapel at Harlowbury, Essex (Hewett 1980, 47-8) and Chipping Ongar church, Essex (Hewett 1982, 3-4). It is remarkable that this roof has survived for so long. This must be largely due to the two tiebeams which have been inserted into it at some early and unknown date.

1. Peterborough Cathedral precinct, the roof of The Norman Hall.

Waltham Abbey, Essex, the Nave

The parish church of Waltham Abbey is the surviving part of Holy Cross, the nave once having formed a grand narthex to the Abbey church; this stage is not very clear. ‘As for dates, the earliest grooved columns seem to be those at Durham of c.1095-1100. Those at Norwich are datable before 1119. The plain, heavy, ground-floor capitals at Waltham Abbey look more 11th than 12th century. However, the arches have zigzag decoration from the beginning, and zigzag does not occur anywhere in England before c.1105-10, so that date may mark the beginning of the western part, including their gallery. The clerestory was then erected on the north side, then that on the south, and finally the eastern bays were tackled and erected, including their clerestory and the arches to the crossing and transept. They may well belong to the mid-12th century, or even a little later’ (Pevsner 1965, 403). Mr. S. E. Rigold dated it to the 1130s: ‘Waltham, Essex, where the piers are integral with the suppressed apse, recently excavated … consistent with the end of Henry I’s reign’ (Rigold 1977, 117).