4 ins. wide, cut through their outer moulding (Fig. 11). The writer would suggest that these slots were intended to receive wooden uprights; hence having regard to the large corbels before referred to, a fairly correct hypothesis showing an outer defence to the east is obtained from which it will be seen that an archer stationed on this platform, himself protected, could command the body of the church with far greater ease than if standing behind the battlement (See Fig. 12). As some corroborative evidence to this theory, the opening on the east tower wall appears to indicate a SECTION OF PARAPET SHOWING THE PROBABLE ORIGINAL INTENTION Fig. 11.-Newton Nottage Church. way of access to the platform, as on the inside there is a large projecting corbel or "step-up" to this opening from the floor below; which tends to show that this was not only used as a window, but also as a means of egress. There are no traces of corbel stones to the west, the louvred opening into the belfry is modern. Viollet-le-Duc, in his Dictionnaire Raisonné de l'Architecture, vol. vi, gives several illustrations of almost identical methods of outer defence adopted in France during mediæval times. If the reader will compare Le-Duc's illustration with Fig. 12, he will at once see the similarity which exists, especially with regard to the great corbels at Newton. Another proof of the tower having been used for defence is, that the spiral stairway from the nave to the first floor is loopholed on the inside with openings which would command the western door. Several of the iron bars with which these openings were provided still remain. During the fifteenth century the defensive character of the tower appears to have been done away with. SHOWING OUTER DEFENCE OF TOWER E SIDE = Corbels are m Situs Parapet Coping is placed on us bed with Slot A receiving wooden upright. B =. Fig. 12.-Newton Nottage Church. The beautiful west door with crocketed label and pinnacles was inserted, and the roof assumed the present gabled form. The priest's door (Fig. 4) and adjacent windows, seem part of this rebuilding; there is little doubt that the circular stone pulpit, with its very rudely-carved representation of the flagellation of Our Lord, is of the same period. The belfry contains four bells: two given in 1622 and two in 1689. Of these, three are cracked and the fourth cannot be swung, but is only struck with the clapper. The bell-framing was once an excellent and really artistic piece of carpentry, but is now unfortunately in a very bad state of repair. NOTE. The above notes and sketches form part of the writer's report written at the instance of the Rector and Churchwardens, with a view to the reparation of the tower. |