SOME ACCOUNT

OF THE

ABBEY CHURCH OF ST. PETER AND ST. PAUL,a

Dorchester,

OXFORDSHIRE.

WHETHER the site of the present church is that once occupied by the fabric built by the Saxons is a point which cannot with certainty be ascertained. It is plain, however, that no portion of the present building is earlier than Norman times, or indeed than the latter part of the twelfth century. Probably it is the work of Alexander, bishop of Lincoln, who is considered as the second founder of the abbey.

In the following description care has been taken to observe as nearly as possible a chronological arrangement, with little reference to the present appearance.

The church, as it now stands, is a large, lofty,

a Some ancient records state this church to have been dedi

cated to St. Peter, St. Paul, and St. Birinus.

b Chron. John Bromton, p. 756. Bede, Hist. Eccles., lib. iii. c. 7.

B

and spacious structure, of great length in proportion to its breadth. It is in a state of much dilapidation, being too large for the present wants of the parish, only a portion of it is used for Divine service, and the rest being partitioned off is either wholly unoccupied or used for the reception of the parish engines. These divisions, which are modern lath and plaster erections, render it difficult, on first entering the church, to understand its plan. It will, however, be found, on examination, to be divided into nave and chancel, the chancel being of unusually large proportions, and having a north and south aisle, commencing from the original Norman chancel-arch, though the part which is now used as a chancel commences nearer to the east end. As here defined, however, it is by far the most beautiful part of the church; its pillars and arches are lofty and well-proportioned, and its windows magnificent, and if restored to its original design there are few buildings which could excel it.

The Norman church appears to have consisted of the present nave (exclusive of the south aisle), and to have extended for some distance beyond the chancel-arch, including the north aisle of the chancel nearly as far as the present door. In this part of the wall a late window has been inserted, and from this window to near the north door the thickness of the wall has been cut away on the inside, so that only the lower part of the wall for a

few feet from the ground has been left, but this serves to mark what has probably been the extent of the original church.

The chancel-arch is pointed, and of transition Norman character, and cannot be earlier than about 1180. The capitals are richly sculptured; they are half octagonal, but are irregular in their plan, the outer sides being much longer than the inner ones, which gives them a somewhat awkward appearance. The shafts to which they belong are square, with a round on each side. There is a bold string

Stringeourse.

course of similar character, which runs along both the walls of the nave, and is carried round the shafts, which affords a convincing proof of the date of this part of the building.

In the same wall as the chancel-arch, and at the