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I*.' *> i ,1 ss? r -fc «*- s- ^ »**< / Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from Research Library, The Getty Research Institute http://www.archive.org/details/antiquitiesofcatOObrit . jTiqiriTras Ttrnni ir. EnprJ • :rrr of;uirient \rohiii-omr* Oris plair is inscribed bv BBXTTOH ihtidhri AU4 l.lfiZ1.buL?n*r; - . Caiieimole 8*1/ 1 - Le Ee-nx sculp! WEL3L£ CATM1EBIEA3L, -TAILS OF EARTS YS.G11. BIOHI RSVER- ..^ LE HENRTRYT^ BISHOP OF GLOl : ; THE HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES OF THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH maimOF ILLUSTRATED EV A SERIES OF ENGRAVINGS, OF VIEWS, ELEVATIONS, PLANS, AND DETAILS OF THE J Rvcfyitettnve of ttwt <£irtff<* INCLUDING BIOGRAPHICAL ANECDOTES OF THE BISHOPS OF THE SEE OF BATH AND WELLS. BY JOHN BRITTON, F. S. A. ETC. Itontron PRINTED FOR LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, BROWN, AND. GREEN, PATERNOSTER ROW THE AUTHOR. BURTON COTTAGE, BURTON STREET; AND J. TAYLOR, 59, HIGH HOLBORN. 1824. I*, and C. Wliitiiugluin, College Houe, Cbbwtclc. ; TO THE RIGHT REVEREND GEORGE HENRY LAW, LL.D. EorDf Btatjop of atatt) an& &mtll&; TO THE HON. AND RIGHT REV. HENRY RIDER, D.D. LORD BISHOP OF LICHFIELD AND COVENTRY; AS Bean of Shells AND TO THE RIGHT REVEREND WALKER KING, D.D. Lord Bishop of Rochester; HENRY GOULD, Clerk, M.A. GEORGE TREVELYAN, Clerk, LL.D. Archdeacon of Taunton; ROGER FRANKLAND, Clerk, M.A. FREDERICK BEADON, Clerk, M.A. Chancellor of the Cathedral; AND TO THOMAS WODEHOUSE, Clerk, M.A. AS ©anons 3&esf&cnttarg of QBtUs ©atfjctrral; THIS VOLUME IS, BY PERMISSION, INSCRIBED, WITH EVERY SENTIMENT OF RESPECT, BY THE AUTHOR. London, Nov. 1824. ; PREFACE. Considering the variety of dispositions and pursuits of the many persons whom I must necessarily consult, or come in contact with, during the progress of such a work as " The Cathedral Antiquities of England," it cannot excite surprise that some of them should be of the " crabbed genus ;" for neither education, profession, nor even extensive intercourse with mankind, will entirely subdue or counteract constitutional moroseness. Though I have met with a few of this class, and have consequently experienced vexation and inconvenience, it has been my fortunate lot to encounter but few; whereas my researches have often been facilitated by prompt and unreserved com- have been tendered than I munications ; and far more civilities and assistance could either accept or profit by. Thus, though my path has been occasionally impeded by the briars of ill-nature and envy, it has more generally been smoothed with courtesy, and strewn with the fragrant flowers of kindness. church, It is this courtesy and kindness, from the principal dignitaries of the from some of the nobles of the country, and from many antiquarian and professional friends, which jointly cooperate to impel me onward in the apparently long journey that I have undertaken; and whilst thus favoured, and life and health are awarded to me, I hope to continue in the same track to the end. More than half of this journey may be said to be performed; as the most interesting of the English Cathedrals have already been illustrated in this work '. It is true, that the majority, in number, remain to be described and it is equally true, that some of them are highly curious and important as objects of Architecture, Antiquity, and History. But as the Cathedrals of Wales and London are not intended to be comprised in the proposed Series, we have the following only to bring under review, \iz. Exeter, Peterbo- 2 rough , Bristol, Gloucester, Hereford, Rochester, Lincoln, Durham, Chi- 1 The names of these, with the sizes, prices, and number of engravings to each Cathedral are enumerated in a list at the end of this volume. ' The drawings for Exeter and Peterborough Cathedrals are prepared and in progress, and some of the plates are engraved. It is proposed to complete the History of Exeter Cathedral about Michaelmas next, and that of Peterborough by January, 1826. vi PREFACE. of them, like Chester, Chester, Worcester, Carlisle, and Ely ; and some that at Oxford, may be displayed in a series of eleven or twelve engravings. My present calculation is to complete the work in sixty numbers, or six volumes; the price of which will be £3G. small paper; and the embellish- ments of which will amount to, at least, three hundred and thirty. Consider- ing the number and variety of subjects, facts, and evidence which will thus be brought into one focus—the styles of execution which the engravings will col- lectively display of the respective talents of draftsmen and engravers—the mass of information thus concentrated respecting every class and variety of Eccle- siastical Architecture in this country—and the antiquarian, historical, and biographical elucidations that will be collected, and rendered subservient to the purposes of genius and the uses of science, it cannot be denied that a publication in which so many requisites are combined will form a most important, as well as valuable feature in the embellished literature of Great Britain. In the execution of a work like the present, the author is, or ought to be, divested of all personal and private feeling; for he is performing a public task, and is amenable to the public tribunal. It is his duty to seek every opportunity to obtain correct and judicious information—to impart that to his readers with fidelity—and in every way to render his undertaking as nearly perfect as possible. It is, also, the duty of the dignitaries and other temporary officers of Cathedrals (for each one is only a life trustee on the Establishment), to render every facility to the artist and the author, whose integrity is unimpeached, and whose abilities are equal to his integrity. When this be done, the labours of the latter are made comparatively easy, and he pursues his inquiries with cheerfulness to himself, and with senti- ments of respect and gratitude towards those who have forwarded his pur- suits. On the other hand, when he is obliged to petition, and to entreat, to brook " the insolence of office," and to put up with " the proud man's con- tumely," he is naturally irritated, and may be excited to speak in unpleasant and unpolite terms.— It is not my intention, however, to pen personal cen- sures for the present work. My feelings incline me rather to use the language of commendation, in recording instances of condescension and urbanity; and it is with sincere pleasure that I name the following Prelates and officers of Cathedrals as demanding my own esteem, and as entitled to the thanks of PREFACE. Vll every admirer of this work :—the present Bishops of Salisbury, Norwich, Norwich, Peterborough, Wells, and Lichfield ; the Deans of Winchester, Lichfield, Oxford, Wells, Bristol, York, Ripon, Westminster, and Canter- Prebendaries and Canons Residentiary of the Cathedrals bury ; and the various already illustrated, and whose names will be found in the Prefaces respectively devoted to each Cathedral. It gives me much pleasure to learn that many of the amateur subscribers to this work, who formerly disregarded the engravings of plans, sections, &c. even which it contains, are not only reconciled to their adoption, but consider them as essential illustrations. The architect and scientific anti- that quary have long known and appreciated their utility ; they also know such prints are the only authentic and satisfactory evidence to elucidate the true forms of arches, mouldings, and architectural details. Had the anti- quaries of the past century, Gough, Grose, King, Whitaker, &c. studied and understood this species of elucidation, they would have shortened and simplified their own writings, and furnished more accurate and satisfactory information to their readers, than is now to be found in their respective publications. Plans and sections have been systematically introduced into this work from principle; and from a conviction that they are the only evidences to be confided in, when illustrating the history and characteristics of architecture. Had I modelled the work to amuse the eye, at the expense of the judgment, the engravings would have been made pretty and shewy to the rather than elaborate and accurate ; but I have preferred the useful agreeable, although without disregarding the latter whenever the two classes could be properly associated. It is well known to the antiquary that neither the Architectural excellencies nor the History of the Cathedral Church of Wells have ever been duly investigated: both are attempted in the present work, and it is hoped that both will be satisfactory to those who are best qualified to appreciate the execution. The sources for the literary part have been numerous, but sometimes contradictory, and often very imperfect. They were mostly our that there are scarcely old Chronicles and Histories ; for I am informed In the any original documents or evidence among the Cathedral archives. who execution of this department I am much indebted to Mr. Brayley, has scrupulously investigated every statement of other writers, and has not \iil PREFACE. mule any himself without reference to all accessible authorities. This will appear by the numerous notes to every page, and by the list of publications at the end of the volume. In the original prospectus relating to Wells Cathedral, I engaged to give twenty-two eng ravings, but have actually given twenty-four; and hence in this, as in some former instances, have exceeded my pledge. By the list at the end it will be seen, at one view, that nearly all these engravings manifest the skilful and tasteful execution of an artist whose works have conferred honour on his name, and have tended in a powerful manner to give interest and fascination to this branch of art. The plate of the interior, under the tower, is of the same class and character; and I cannot allude to its merit without thanking the engraver for the care and skill he has bestowed on it.

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