Page:County Churches of Cornwall.djvu/194

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160 THE CHURCHES OF CORNWALL E.E. roof, still discernible above present roof of nave. Early in 14th cent, came about the enrichment of this church by addition of exceptionally beautiful spire, which the late Mr. Street, when repairing it, after gale of 1883, termed "the pre-eminent glory" of the W. of England. It required, too, consum- mate skill to add to such a work to earlier tower. An octagonal lantern was built up around base of old broached spire ; each of the 8 sides is pierced by gabled coupled-lights, having quatrefoils in apex and crossed in centre by transomed panel of 4 open quatrefoils — save that in N.E. light a circle of 6 trefoils, forming a wheel, takes place of 4 quatrefoils. Whole effect of this singular arrangement is sur- prisingly light and graceful. The octagonal spire that rises from amidst this lantern, to height of about 1 10 ft., has 4 dormered lights on cardinal faces. Somewhat later in 14th cent., work of completely rebuilding church, as it now stands, was taken in hand. Nave and continuous chancel are divided from aisles by arcades of 5 arches on each side. Piers have no capitals, mouldings being carried up continuously into arches. Such an arrangement, common enough in N. of France, is decidedly un- common in England. Whole effect of these arcades is distinctly foreign ; they closely resemble arcades of like date at fine church of Fowey at mouth ot estuary. In both cases they are built, like most of rest of fabrics, of Pentewan stone. Westernmost