as the art of manufacturing glass became more known; so we must account for the subsequent introduction of the Gothic windows in the north and south ailes of this church. The form of the upper windows is still original, as shewn in the Section Pl. XXI. the tops being circular and not pointed. The end of the chancel, or sanctuary, though now squared off, was originally circular, like those of the primitive British churches, which may be seen on the plan; and what is still more extraordinary, the same form may be traced at the east end of both the side-ailes, which terminated in the same circular manner, precisely like that described by Jacobus Goar, as inserted in Bingham's Antiquities of the Chriftian Churches[1]. These were probably Oratories or Chantries[2], dedicated perhaps to various saints, like those divisions of the Portico's. The north and south windows of the chancel still retain their original form, though the east windows of both the chantries are in the Gothic style[3], evidently introduced in the new wall built when the circular parts were taken down. The plan Pl. XX. will explain this better than words.
These compartments at the end of the ailes are placed like those of the ancient Saxon church at Ely, differing only in the circular
- ↑ B. viii. ch. iii. p. 287.
- ↑ Sir Ralph Shirley, who died in the year 1516, bequeathed lands in Melbourne and Worthington to the Chantry of St. Catherine in St. Michael's church in Melbourne for ever, to pray for his soul. Pilkington's Derbysh. Vol. I. p. 81.
I learn since, by Mr. Dawson, who has examined the Evidence Chamber at Donington Park, there were two Chauntries, one dedicated to St. Katherine, the other to St. Michael, the patron saint of the church. - ↑ Perhaps it is unnecessary to comment upon the word Gothic, as here applied. Almost every writer on these kind of buildings has endeavoured to explain it, as proper or improper. Its general acceptation is pretty well understood, as denominating the kind of buildings which succeeded the Norman style; I think it is as applicable as any term, and indeed more so than Saracenic, Moresque, &c.
termination
