Architectural Notes on Patrixbourne Church

PATRIXBOURNE CHURCH. BOS undergone some repairs, but many of its voussoirs shew the characteristic facing of Norman masonry. This is absent from the pointed arches, which are plastered all over. It is clear that, when the original aisle to the east of the tower remained with its sloping roof, the pointed arch could not have existed: it must have replaced a half-arch, similar to the one just described, when the Bifrons chapel was built on the site of the aisle. A glance at the plan shews that the pointed arch is somewhat thinner than the original half-arch must have been. No doubt the pointed arch looking from tower to nave was inserted at the same time, replacing a plain round arch of Norman date. I t only remains to examine the details of the Norman work, and to realize that they may all belong to one and the same date. I agree absolutely with the date to which Scott Robertson assigned the great south doorway, with its delicately carved capitals and tympanum, and its tall pointed canopy containing a niche carved with the Agnus Dei: " this design cannot well be of a date earlier than 1170; and it may be ten years later." I venture to disagree with the same authority when he says that " the chancel arch, which is of simple and massive design . . . ., is probably of earlier date . . . . The priest's door, south of the chancel, may also be of like earlier date." Any slight difference that may be seen in the character of the work is accounted for by the fact that the plainer work was done by the bankerman while the carved work was done by a sculptor. Towards the end of the twelfth century it is possible that the bankermason was also the sculptor, but in any case the object aimed at was different, and the tools used were different. It is a case of difference not in the date but in the manner of working the stones. Moreover, Scott Robertson overlooked the fact that there is work in the south doorway that was done on the bench, and that it is of the same character as that of the chancel-arch and priest's door. This is apparent in the bases. Indeed the bases of the chancel-arch and the priest's door are, if anything, more advanced in character than those of the south door. Again, it is impossible to differentiate the dates of various p.irfcs of