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at Rome, constructed in this barbarous manner, are specified in the works mentioned below.*

An imitation of this debased Roman style, appears to have prevailed in the early churches of every other Christian country of Europe. The opportunities which the Anglo-Saxons possessed of imitating the Romans in architectural fashion, are sufficiently obvious. Independant of examples possibly afforded by buildings still remaining in Britain, they were directed and assisted by those missionaries from Rome, who repaired to this island in the seventh century; and their subsequent intercourse with that city, upon ecclesiastical affairs, enabled them to acquire an intimate knowledge of the modes used by the Romans in constructing sacred edifices.

In regard to the fact of the derivation of the Anglo-Saxon style from the Romans, Dr. Milner affords the following observation: "The well-known Saxon mouldings, the chevron, or zig-zag; the billet; the cable; the embattled fret; the lozenge; the corbel table; and a variety of such other ornaments, as are supposed to be peculiar to Saxon architecture, will be found, on close examination, to have had their architypes in some or other of the buildings, medals, tessellated pavements, or sepulchres, of Italy, before they were adopted by our ancestors."

Whilst admitting that the Anglo-Saxon style was formed on an imitation of the methods prevailing in Rome, we must not, however, forget that in these, as well as in future ages, the architects of our most splendid sacred structures are to be found in native ecclesiastics.

Some

For a compendious review of the incongruous and tasteless modes which marked the architecture of Rome, in its debased state, see Whittington's Ecclesiastical Antiquities of France; and Hawkins (Hist. of the origin of Gothic architecture) after Ciampini, Vetera Monimenta, Vol. I. &c.

+ See Milner's Ecclesiastical Architecture of the Middle ages, p. 21. (after Bede, 1. ii. c. 14.)

+ Ecclesiastical Architecture of the Middle ages, p. 26-27. Examples arepresented in a note on the latter page.

Some general ideas respecting the form, and divisions, of the principal cathedral and conventual churches of the Anglo-Saxons, may be obtained from the collated remarks presented in previous pages. Ideas of the same general kind may, likewise, easily be conveyed, in regard to the character of that style of architecwhich is denominated Anglo-Saxon; but, we shall find, that it is more difficult to assign to the same mode its shades of distinc tion from that which was afterwards used by the Anglo-Normaus.

The subjoined extract of the History of Ely Cathedral, may not be unacceptable, as it concisely recapitulates the form and component parts of an Anglo-Saxon church, while it affords some hints concerning the decisive marks of that style of architecture which is the subject of our enquiry :-" The general plan and disposition of all the principal parts, in the latter Saxon and earliest Norman churches, was the same: the chief entrance was at the west end into the nave; at the upper end of that was a cross, with the arms of it extending north and south, and the head (in which was the choir) towards the east, ending usually in a semicircular form: and, in the centre of the cross, was a lower; another was frequently added (and sometimes two, for the sake of ornament, or symmetry,) to contain the bells; the nave, and often the whole building, was encompassed with inner porticos; the pillars were round, square, or angular, and very strong and massive; the arches and heads of the doors and windows were all of them circular."*

It is sufficiently ascertained, from the necessary accordance of the architecture of the Anglo-Saxons with that of the other Christian countries of Europe, as being derived from the same common source of imitation (the debased Roman) that the heavy eircular mode, above noticed, was its leading characteristic. If additional proofs be required, they may be found in the representations of churches presented on coins, and in the illuminations of manuscripts. The following more minute particulars are collected from writers,

who

Hist, of Ely Cathedral, p. 32.

who argue from existing buildings, attributed by themselves to our Saxon progenitors; and it is probable that these may be safely admitted as characteristical features, even though the structures, whence the inferences are drawn, should be of a later date; as it is generally agreed that the first ecclesiastical buildings of the Anglo-Normans were erected with few deviations, as to architectural fashion, from those of their Saxon precursors.

Arguing upon such examples, it appears, that, from the thickness of their walls, which rendered such aids unnecessary, the Anglo-Saxon buildings were constructed without buttresses. The windows were comparatively small, and without mullions. The columns possessed a studied variety; and the same intentional want of uniformity is observable in more minute ornaments.*

Many of their arches, occupying conspicuous situations, (and particularly those at the west end of churches) were elaborately embellished, in a rude but impressive style. Such ornaments as are of most frequent occurrence on supposed Anglo-Saxon arches, are thus noticed by Mr. Bentham:- "the chevron work, or zig-zag moulding, the most common of any; the embattled frette, a kind of ornament formed by a single round moulding, traversing the face of the arch, making its returns and crossings always at right angles, so forming the intermediate spaces into squares, alternately open above and below; the triangular frette, where the same kind of moulding at every return forms the side of an equilateral triangle, and, consequently, encloses the intermediate spaces in that figure; the nail-head, resembling the heads of great nails, driven in at regular distances."+

It is scarcely necessary to observe, that, in this "order of architecture," we must not look for niches and tabernacles; as the Anglo-Saxons, assuredly, did not introduce statues, as orna

ments

It is possible that the fondness for variety, observable in what has been termed the "Anglo-Saxon order of architecture," proceeded from an absurd imitation of those churches at Rome, which were composed of dissimilar portions of more ancient structures.

+ Hist. of Ely Cathedral, p. 34-35.

ments to the outer part of their sacred buildings. It is, however, believed that the capitals of their columns often comprised rude representations of the human, and other natural forms; and that the portals of their churches were frequently ornamented with pieces of carving, in bas-relief.

But the most industrious antiquary treads upon uncertain ground, when investigating this subject, with a view of making direct applications, and drawing determinate inferences. Although many churches are popularly attributed to an Anglo-Saxon era; and are fairly open to enquiry and conjecture, from the evidence of their great antiquity, and the absence of all contradictory record; it is still to be regretted that there is not any remaining ecclesiastical building, which can be ascribed to the AngloSaxons, upon clear and decisive authority.

It must necessarily be believed that few religious edifices, built previously to the conquest, are now in existence. The Normans evidently possessed grander views than that race of monarchs which they supplanted. Whether superior piety, or the indulgence of more magnificent notions, might be the cause, it is certain that they either entirely rebuilt, or greatly improved, the whole of our Cathedral, and the principal conventual churches, within a century after they obtained domination over the island.

Thus, an entire specimen of Anglo-Saxon sacred architecture must be sought in the remote village, where the Saxon Thane was allowed to retain possession, or where the estate formed part of the numerous domains of a Norman lord, who fixed his resi dence on some more favoured spot. But the busy hand of Norman improvement penetrated very obscure recesses. That spirit which induced the Anglo-Norman prelates to rebuild the more important churches, led to an emulation among the nobles of the new dynasty. They appear to have taken a pious pride, in displaying a comparative grandeur of ecclesiastical architecture, throughout their respective domains; thus attesting, in a laudable manner, their superiority in art, taste, and resources, over the subdued Saxons. Malmsbury, who lived in the twelfth

century,

century, observes [as was partly noticed in a previous page] that the erection of churches, by the Normans, shortly after their arrival, was not confined to cities and towns, but prevailed in villages. The same information is, also, conveyed by other ancient writers.

It is, certainly, far from improbable that some few churches, constructed by the Anglo-Saxons in recluse situations, may still be in existence. We have seen that their style of building was frequently calculated for duration; and we know that some small churches, which must have been erected by the Normans at an early period of their ascendancy, [if, indeed, they be not of a higher date] are now remaining, and free from any serious dilapidation.

But we may with more certainty presume that many parts of Anglo-Saxon structures still exist, although intermixed with predominating buildings, often of a much later erection. If such are to be found, it would appear that they must be looked for chiefly, in door-cases;* or in massy pillars, sometimes supporting arches probably

Enriched door-cases of stone, exhibiting all the peculiarities commonly attributed to the style of the Anglo-Saxons, are frequently seen, inserted in the buildings of churches, which, in almost every other part, or, perhaps, with no other exception, are of the later, and pointed, style of architecture. It would appear that some motive of peculiar reverence induced the restorers of ecclesiastical structures to preserve these curious and interesting vestiges of the ancient building. Mr. Staveley (Hist. of churches, p. 160.) mentions it being as probable, "that civil business was sometimes transacted at the south door of churches." And this conjecture is confirmed by the following passage in an ancient writer :-Eadmer, describing the cathedral church of Canterbury, says, that, "of two towers, at the middle of the length of this cathedral, one, on the south, had, in its side, the principal door of the church; which door is often mentioned, by name, in the laws of our ancient kings; by which laws it is decreed, that even all suits of the whole realm, which cannot be legally determined in hundred or county courts, or certainly decided in the king's own court, must have their determination here, as in the highest court of the king." (Cathedral Hist. of Cornwall, Vol. I. p. 151.

Gervase,

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