Bells Cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of Durham | Page 8

entirety, with two exceptions. These are the addition of the
eastern transept or nine altar chapel at the east, and the Galilee or Lady
Chapel at the west end. The entire length of the building, not including
the Galilee chapel, is 431 feet, which is made up as follows:--Nine altar
chapel 51 feet, the choir 120 feet, the transept 57 feet, and the nave 203
feet.
The #Western Towers# are square and solid, and were evidently
included in Carileph's own scheme, as the wall arcades on both the
interior and exterior are carried round them. The Norman work is
continued as far as the nave roof, and it is extremely probable that they
were originally terminated at this height, in accordance with the
Norman custom, with low pyramidal spires, probably of wood. Exactly
at what date they were raised is not on record, but the style of
architecture of the upper portion suggests the early part of the thirteenth
century. The added portion, namely that above the clerestory, consists
of four stages, and is beautifully varied by moulded arcading, with
blind and open arches. The first and third stages have pointed arches,
while those of the second and fourth are round. Above this again were
tall wooden spires covered with lead. These were removed about the
year 1657, and towards the close of the eighteenth century the present
pinnacles and open parapets were added. At this time, also, much of the
surface of the towers was renewed.
The #Central Tower.#--The present central tower is noble in proportion,
and forms a fitting and harmonious summit to the whole group. It must
needs be of a very different character from the old Norman tower, of
which no trace now remains; and was most probably of the usual type,
low and square, and surmounted by a short pyramidal spire. The
existing structure may be attributed to Bishop Booth and Prior Richard
Bell, about 1474, when the letter previously quoted was written.
Externally the tower is divided into two storeys. The lower portion

contains, on each side, a pair of two-light windows, glazed, each
divided by a transom, and their heads having an ogee label crocketed
and finished with a tall finial also crocketed. Between and on either
side of these windows are panelled pilasters and brackets carrying
figures. The lower and upper stages are divided by a narrow external
gallery running round the tower, and protected by a pierced, embattled
parapet. This is known as the Bell Ringers' Gallery, and certainly adds
greatly to the effect of the tower as a whole. The upper stage, which is
much less lofty, has also two two-light windows on each face,
surmounted by crocketed ogee label mouldings and finials. These lights
are louvred. The whole is surmounted by a deep open-work parapet. On
each angle of the tower are two buttresses, which are decorated with
panelling and canopied and crocketed niches containing figures. The
interior of the tower or lantern is remarkable for the gallery which runs
round it, which is reached from the roofs of the nave and choir
transepts by doors. It rests on corbels, each alternate one being carved
with grotesque heads, and is protected by a parapet pierced in
quatrefoils. The four doorways are ogee-headed, with crockets and
finials. There is strong evidence in the construction of the present tower
that it was the original intention to surmount it by some other erection,
probably a spire. Each interior angle contains strong and massive
squinches which are of no constructive use at present, and must have
been originally inserted to carry some superstructure. The buttresses at
the angles are also carried up to the parapet, which would seem to point
to the same conclusion. Why this project was never carried out cannot
be said, but probably it would not have added to the artistic effect of
the tower. The belfry contains a peal of eight bells.
[Illustration: The Central Tower.]
The #East Front.#--The circumstances which led to the removal of
Carileph's apses and the erection of the eastern transept have already
been referred to. The present east end is divided into three bays by
massive buttresses, each of which contains three lofty lancet windows
separated by smaller buttresses. Over all, and in the gable, is the
famous large rose window. The north and south ends of the transept are
finished with the tall pyramidal pinnacles erected by Wyatt.

The #West Front# of Durham has, curiously enough, also lost its
original character. The western doorway of the cathedral is hidden on
the exterior by the Galilee or Lady Chapel, which was added by Pudsey
in 1175. Above the Galilee roof is the large window inserted about the
year 1346, while John Fossor was prior. The pointed arch of this
window has over it, on the exterior,