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Wenlock Priory - ii)
Nov. 23rd, 2011 08:50 pmBack to Wenlock Priory now, and today I'll be featuring the magnificent south transept, and St.Michael's Chapel.
Here's the interior of the south transept, which according to Pinnell (Wenlock Priory, English Heritage 1999) 'is unusual in that not all the arches for the chapels are the same size. When the eastern parts of the church were being built in the 1220s, it was intended that the chapter house, to the south, would also be rebuilt, After building the northern two chapels against the crossing, the community changed its mind and decided to retain the existing chapter-house.' (Pinnel, 1999, 6)
Thank goodness for that, says I, because the chapter house has to be seen to be believed.
But more of that tomorrow:-
And another view into the south transept, showing a feature which looks like some mural seating (a sedilia) but it is in fact a laver, which Pinnel suggests was used by the prior for 'the washing of the monks' feet by the prior, to commemorate Christ washing his disciples' feet (Pinnel, 199, 6-7). Note, too, the dodgy red brick repair at the right hand side of the picture...
To St Michael's Chapel now, which still retains its vaulted roof. Again, it's part of the 13th century remodelling of the church:-
The mouldings are quite plain and austere, but they're imposing nonetheless. And tomorrow I will introduce you to the wonderful chapter house, and tell the tale of the ghastly 13th century prior John de Tycford...
Here's the interior of the south transept, which according to Pinnell (Wenlock Priory, English Heritage 1999) 'is unusual in that not all the arches for the chapels are the same size. When the eastern parts of the church were being built in the 1220s, it was intended that the chapter house, to the south, would also be rebuilt, After building the northern two chapels against the crossing, the community changed its mind and decided to retain the existing chapter-house.' (Pinnel, 1999, 6)
Thank goodness for that, says I, because the chapter house has to be seen to be believed.
But more of that tomorrow:-
And another view into the south transept, showing a feature which looks like some mural seating (a sedilia) but it is in fact a laver, which Pinnel suggests was used by the prior for 'the washing of the monks' feet by the prior, to commemorate Christ washing his disciples' feet (Pinnel, 199, 6-7). Note, too, the dodgy red brick repair at the right hand side of the picture...
To St Michael's Chapel now, which still retains its vaulted roof. Again, it's part of the 13th century remodelling of the church:-
The mouldings are quite plain and austere, but they're imposing nonetheless. And tomorrow I will introduce you to the wonderful chapter house, and tell the tale of the ghastly 13th century prior John de Tycford...
