APPENDIX II

EXTRACTS FROM SIR G. G. SCOTT’S REPORT TO THE DEAN AND CHAPTER, 1869

“ ‘The western piers consist each of two portions, the parts towards the nave belonging to De Leiâ’s work of the twelfth century, and those towards the transepts having been added after the catastrophe of 1220. Of these, the older or western portions are literally, at least so far as they are open to examination, shattered to fragments, and the same process has extended itself in a less degree into the later or eastern parts of each pier; in fact, the only security which the tower has from actually falling, is the buttressing it sustains from the walls of the transepts and the nave, though the latter have themselves severely suffered under the undue pressure thus brought upon them.

“ ‘The arch facing the nave is very much injured, and the wall which it sustains, up to the commencement of the later stages, is utterly disintegrated, so much so as to render it dangerous very closely to investigate the defects; and the same state of disintegration extends itself some feet into the north and south walls, but especially the former, which is at this point crushed throughout its whole thickness.

“ ‘It will be seen from what I have stated, that the whole remaining portion of the first tower is crushed and left at the mercy of the various walls which abut against, and, so to speak, bolster it up; and that this terrible failure extends itself to a certain distance into the later and, in themselves, better constructed portions; in fact, that of the four supports of the tower, two are sound, and two wholly untrustworthy.’

“It will be seen from the above, that the object to be aimed at was little (if anything) less than the rebuilding from their foundation of two of the four piers which sustained the tower, each of them bearing a load of 1,150 tons, which had to be supported by timber shoring during the operation.

“Our first work, however, was to take measures for binding together, and otherwise strengthening the tower itself, so as to avoid the danger of its becoming fractured, or otherwise injured, during the reconstruction of its supporting piers; and this was rendered the more necessary by the disintegrated state of the lower walls immediately resting on the arches, and the enormous cracks by which the north and south walls were rent throughout their entire height. This object was attained by the introduction of permanent iron ties of great strength, at several different levels, binding all the walls together; by the use of temporary girders of massive timber-work round the exterior of the tower, throughout the greater part of its height; and by repairing with new stone and strong cement many parts of the disintegrated walls.

“The shoring by which the weight of the western half of the tower has been temporarily supported is of three descriptions—1st, direct supports under the western, northern, and southern arches (the two former consisting of timber framing, and the latter being provided by an old stone wall, by which the arch was blocked); 2ndly, vertical shores of immense strength, supporting “needles,” or horizontal masses of timber, passing through the walls; and 3rdly, by ‘raking’ or inclined shores abutting against the walls in all directions, and both supporting weight and preventing lateral motion. All these had to be provided with firm foundations, having to bear the actual weight of the tower. The magnitude of the work may be judged of when I mention that, of the six main supports of the ‘needles,’ two consisted each of nine, and the others of six full-sized balks of timber, bound together into one mass by irons, and thus making timber supports, the first 3 feet 6 inches square, and the others 3 feet 6 inches by 2 feet 4 inches in thickness, and all of them 36 feet in length. The ‘needles’ are of oak, 2 feet 4 inches deep and 2 feet 4 inches thick, and shod with wrought iron. The raking shores are arranged in systematic groups, giving supports at all heights, from immediately over the piers to nearly the top of the tower.

“The shoring has required the use of nearly 12,000 cubic feet of timber.

“The state of the west wall of the tower was rendered alarmingly apparent by the difficulties encountered in making the holes for the ‘needles.’

“Mr. Clear, the Clerk of the Works, and myself, foreseeing some difficulty, arranged a plan by which, before cutting through the wall, a sort of tunnel of strong stone should be formed through it, by inserting the stones, one at a time, in the shattered rubble work, and then removing the enclosed wall. This was done, with some difficulty, to a depth of 2 feet from either side, but as the wall is 6 feet thick, there remained 2 feet in the middle untunnelled, and when the enclosed wall was attempted to be removed, the middle mass began to pour out like an avalanche, which was only stopped by the immediate insertion of sand-bags, and by subsequently running the wall from above with liquid cement, and thus solidifying the disintegrated rubbish.

“These systems of supports having been completed, the actual operations commenced, and for this another and less permanent system of shoring was requisite. If the main shoring may be compared to the solid masses of an army, those I am now speaking of may be viewed as the skirmishers. They consist of needles and props inserted immediately above the part to be operated on, and supporting a portion of the shattered pier while that below it was renewed, and as soon as this was effected, a new needle was inserted above the first one, to make way for the renewal of another batch, each lower needle being in its turn removed, when that above it was secured. Besides this, however, endless extemporised precautions had at every hour to be taken, to provide against contingencies which were ever arising; blocks of timber inserted under stones threatening to fall; struts and shields against masses in danger of bursting; sand-bags, &c., against the rushing out of the avalanches of rubbish; temporarily running together, with liquid cement, of parts which, though eventually to be removed, had not yet been reached, and threatened, if not consolidated, to bury the workmen in their ruins. All these, and many more precautions, had to be taken to meet the exigencies of every day and every hour; and when it is considered that each pier took months to reinstate, that these dangerous operations could not, in many cases, be suspended day or night, and that the Clerk of the Works would never leave the spot while any dangerous work was pending, you may judge of the wearing anxiety which he and others engaged in the work have undergone.

“By the process I have thus briefly sketched, the entire piers, excepting a small central portion, have been rebuilt from their foundations to their capitals; the new stone-work having to be inserted a little at a time, has been aided, in all cases, by strong copper cramps, so as to tie its courses together in their circuit round the pier.

“All the stones are laid in strong cement, and all that remains within of the old work is run together at each course with liquid cement till it will hold no more. I saw, myself, ten pails full of this material poured into a single hole.

“The stone made use of is the purple stone of the neighbouring cliffs, and closely resembles the old stone, though somewhat harder, and is worked in a similar manner. Any old stones which are unshattered (of which I regret to say that but very few were found) have been re-used.

“I had hoped that the southern pier, which was the second operated upon, would have proved less dangerous than the northern one, but on a close examination of it, just before the work on it was commenced, I found that it was really as much shattered as the other had been, and, in point of fact, was ready to burst at the middle of its height. The Clerk of the Works, when he reached this point, told me that a cat could walk in and out of the cracks which intersected the pier!

“I have been the more minute in describing our operations, and the state in which we found the old piers to be, because, when such a work is completed, there is a tendency to forget, or to discredit, the danger which has been avoided; indeed, to any one who sees the piers as now reconstructed, it would be impossible to believe that the tower could have stood on such masses of shattered fragments as those which they have replaced.”

At the time that the above description was written the shoring had not been removed. This has now been the case for several years, and the piers, I am thankful to say, have sustained the weight perfectly.

When the crushed substructure had been thus rendered trustworthy, we not only proceeded with the restoration of the remainder of the choir, which formed a part of the same contract, but your orders were given to proceed also with the repairs of the upper portions of the tower, which were sadly dilapidated, and with the aisles of the choir, one of which had long been in ruins and roofless, and the other in but little better condition.

I have had to bear some little ridicule for taking down the dead wall, by which the sides had been heightened, and building it up again. I can only say that the roof having been of necessity temporarily removed, and these additions to the walls, being devoid of any character or value of their own, being a mine of wealth in the debris they contained, I simply worked them as a mine, and having obtained the treasure which lay hidden within them, I reconstructed them with their old materials.

In doing this we discovered the curious eaves-course and gutters of the original roof, which is of a remarkable construction, and is now exposed to view with some restoration.

Among the timbers of the later roof were found portions of that of the earlier date, shewing that it was perfectly plain, though massive, and of the cradled form so usual at early periods.

The design of the early stonework of the eastern arm, apart from its intrinsic merits, is interesting from the evidences it presents of its double date, being a union of the original work of Bishop De Leiâ (begun in 1180) with that resulting from the reparations after the fall of the tower in 1220. The tower falling eastward would of course destroy the parts immediately adjoining it, and it would appear that it, by the fall of its upper portions, must also have reached and damaged the eastern wall.

We accordingly find that, while the eastward portions of the side walls and the lower parts of the east end are of the original date, the western bays of the sides and the upper parts of the end are of the later date. This is made very manifest on the south side of the clerestory by a triforium passage, originally communicating with that in the south transept, but which was omitted in the reconstructed parts, thus cutting off the communication.

Curiously enough, we also find that in the reconstructed portions of the sides a very marked preparation was commenced for vaulting, which, however, was suspended at a few feet in height, and on one side niches added just where the groining arches would come; while at the east end the upper range of windows (as already mentioned) was designed without reference to vaulting.

We made a curious discovery in the eastern end, where a walled-up arch was visible below the cill of the central window in Bishop Vaughan’s Chapel (formerly the exterior of the end). On opening this we found it to be a deep recess into the thickness of the wall, at the back of which are some ornamental crosses of the older period, in the principal of which (which is very beautiful) the intervals between the arms of the cross are perforated through into the interior, opening just behind the high altar, as if to allow a person while kneeling in the external recess to participate in the services going on within.

Returning for a moment to the choir roof, I will mention that we have restored it precisely to its old form, retaining every part not unfitted by decay. The chief exceptions are the beams, which were hopelessly decayed, and which were of so great a size as to cause us much difficulty and delay in obtaining trees of sufficient size to contain them. They were eventually procured from Radnorshire, Shropshire, Herefordshire, and the Forest of Dean.

The old roof was decorated throughout with colour, which has been carefully restored. The panels had been repainted in the seventeenth century, in a discordant style; these have been now decorated in a manner agreeing with the older work.

The roof contains ancient shields, bearing the arms of Bishop Tully, the Earl of Richmond, Roderic the Great, Bishop Martin, Owen Poole, treasurer to the church; the arms of France and England quartered; those of Edward V., Richard III., and (perhaps) Henry VII., of Rhys ap Tudor and of Bishop Young. Those which were affixed to the corbels had been obliterated, and have been supplied by the arms of the present bishop, dean, canons, and archdeacons, thus marking the period of the restoration.

The walls, pillars, arches, &c., of the eastern arm, are now put into a thorough state of repair; and the beauty of the interior will be greatly increased by the munificence of the Rev. John Lucy, of Hampton Lucy, in Warwickshire, who, as a memorial of Bishop Lucy, a member of the ancient family to which he belongs, has undertaken to fill the upper tier of windows in the east end with stained glass, and the lower tier (blocked up by Bishop Vaughan’s Chapel) with Venetian enamel mosaic work, the opaque co-relative of stained glass, though a much more costly form of art. This will give to these noble lancets just the relief and beauty which they had lost when deprived of their light, and that in a form more unique and striking than stained glass itself. I had in my first report suggested for these blank windows that “possibly some more durable kind of decoration (than painting) may be introduced,” and Mr. Lucy’s benefaction precisely meets the want.[103]

The aisles of the eastern arm, which owing to their ruined condition had been walled off, have now been opened out and brought back to a perfect state, which of course brings out the beauty of the interior in a very marked degree. In opening the second arch from the east the old sedilia were found. They are of wood, and of the fifteenth century. These have been carefully restored. The piscina, which occupied the south-eastern arch, is too ruined for its design to be recovered, though I think that a beautiful basin dug up in the churchyard must have belonged to it. Three arches on the north side are occupied by ancient tombs (including the substructure of St. David’s shrine). These are a good deal ruined, and must be in some degree restored. The tombs similarly placed in the northern arch of the tower, and which had to be removed for the repairs, have been carefully replaced.

The aisles of the choir have been twice prepared for vaulting, first in the original structure, and again when the aisles were widened, and the walls raised and remodelled, by Bishop Gower. I doubt whether in either case it was carried out, as I could find no evidences of it on the inner side, and after some perplexity I determined not to attempt it, but to cover them with handsome oak roofs, suited in character to Bishop Gower’s work.

The windows were in a most ruined condition. We found on the north side evidences of the old form of their tracery, which we have followed. Those of the south aisle had no remains of the tracery left, and even the jambs were so shattered that it was only by a fragment here and there that the mouldings were recovered. These were found to be curiously varied, out of four windows two only being alike. The tracery introduced has been founded on fragmentary evidences from other parts of the church of the same date.

One thing caused us a little puzzle: we found the remains of windows in all four bays, though the westernmost of them would be blocked up by the eastern aisle of the transept. On close scrutiny, however, we found that the place of this aisle was at first only occupied by a single chapel,[104] with a space between it and the aisle of the choir, which had been at a later period built over, so as to form the aisle which stopped the window in question. This we have restored to its older form, at the same time repairing the adjoining stair turret of the transept, which was in a dangerous state.

I will now return to the space beneath the tower, which in this church is the choir proper, as containing the stalls; the eastern arm of the church being more correctly the presbytery.

The great engineering works already described necessitated the temporary removal of the stalls. They have subsequently been restored to their old position, and have undergone a most careful process of reparation. On close examination they were found to have been deprived of many of the more delicate of their decorative details. These have been or still are in process of being restored from fragments, more or less extensive, which have been discovered; the greatest care being taken to preserve the ancient work as nearly untouched as is possible. The whole is a very excellent and interesting specimen of ancient woodwork, and retains traces of coloured decoration, including some armorial bearings.

The same process of careful reparation has been applied to the Bishop’s throne, and the unique screen, which severs the choir proper from the presbytery, neither of which have been moved from their positions, but have been repaired as they stood. The similarity of the panels of the lower parts of the screen and the throne, show them to be practically one work. I suppose their date to be late in the fourteenth or early in the fifteenth century. Both are very curious and valuable ancient works. I am aware that the conservative manner in which they have been dealt with has provoked some criticism from those who undervalue these relics of ancient workmanship. For myself, I do not hesitate to express my high satisfaction at the manner in which they have been both preserved and restored; and I trust that the hand of spoliation and innovation will never be permitted to tamper with the works I have thus endeavoured to hand down in their integrity to future generations.

One thing I will mention which stands, I think, alone, as a deliberate deviation on my part from the old work.

Bishop Gower, in building the middle stage of the tower, had made it form a fine lantern storey to the choir. Late in the fifteenth or early in the sixteenth century, wooden groining had been introduced, which, strangely enough, cut Gower’s lantern windows in two, entirely hiding their traceried heads. I have done away with this desight, by lifting the wood groining a stage higher, so as to show Gower’s windows in their integrity, which forms the lantern into a very fine feature. I trust that, as regards the general principle of conservative restoration, this exception will be accepted as one of the class which proves the rule. The wood groining was decorated with colour, and has been repainted.

. . . .

Since the date of the last Report the works have been proceeding. The restoration of the roofs of the nave and south aisle with their ceilings has been accomplished. The clerestory of the nave has been fully restored externally and internally; some of its windows which had been walled up have been opened out, and the whole of them have been reglazed.

In carrying out this portion of the work it was found that the parapets had been corbelled in the same manner as those of the presbytery, although the corbels had been cut off flush with the face of the wall. Fortunately in a sheltered corner next the tower two or three of the corbels remained in a perfect state; these have been the guide in the restoration. The parapet was probably of less height originally, but the position of the sixteenth century roof would not allow of the height being kept lower than at present.

The ceiling of the south aisle, which until lately was open, showing the rough timbers above, has been panelled in completion of the ancient design. The parapet and pinnacles have also been repaired.

The walls internally of the nave and south aisle and the piers and arches have been cleaned, restored, and pointed.

The north transept has been groined in oak, carrying out the design which had been commenced in stone. The modern roof, which was truncated and of very slight timbers, has been strengthened, and the pitch carried up to fit the fifteenth century gable. The ruined pinnacle at the north-west angle has been completed.

Whilst speaking of this transept, it will be well to call attention to the doorway on the western side, which was originally of considerable width, but at a period very shortly after its erection was narrowed, the later jamb with its shaft, cap, and base being precisely like the original jamb which remains built up in the wall; and at a still later period the doorway appears to have been walled up to form a recess, in which was placed a hollowed stone sink with a stone shoot projecting through the wall.

The roofs of Bishop Vaughan’s Chapel and of the cross aisle eastward (page 6) have been thoroughly repaired and releaded.

The works now in progress (July, 1873) are the reparation of the roof of the north aisle of the nave and the restoration of the upper part of the Chapter-house building. The windows in the north aisle, two of which have lost their tracery, are being restored, and the walls internally will be cleaned.

The modern roof of the Chapter-house building, which has for years been in a very unsafe condition, is now being removed, and will be replaced by a new roof covered with lead. The walls, &c., of the upper part of the building will be restored as far down as the floor of the Chapter-house. This will include the completion of the triangular window in the gable, and the windows in the north side of the uppermost storey or “Treasury.” The window in the north wall of the Chapter-house has enough of its tracery remaining to enable the design to be completed with certainty, and will be restored. The pinnacles flanking the eastern gable, which are of very curious design, will be completed.

The cost of these works on the Chapter-house building is being defrayed by one of the Canons Residentiary, to whose liberality the new roof and groined ceiling of the north transept, and the renewal of the roofs of Bishop Vaughan’s Chapel, and of the adjacent ante-chapel are also due.

Now that the substantial repair of the nave with its aisles is so nearly completed, the nave should without further delay be paved and provided with fittings for the parochial services.

The pavement of the north transept should follow, with the restoration of St. Thomas’s Chapel, stone tracery being substituted for its present wooden window-frames, and an open screen for the existing partition between it and the transept.

The south transept should be dealt with in a similar manner to the northern one. The unseemly condition of its roof is rendered more apparent by contrast with the restored roofs and ceilings of other parts of the church.

There would still remain the porch, with sundry external repairs to the north and south aisles. There is also the eastern group of unroofed chapels, for which some provision should be made, to prevent further dilapidation to their walls and injury to the delicately wrought tombs still remaining within them.

It is unnecessary at present to give estimates for the works enumerated above, or for the amelioration of the western front.

The extent to which these very desirable objects will be effected, must depend on the liberality with which the present appeal is responded to.

The outlay and liabilities up to the present time are—for the Drainage, £500; the Tower, with the Presbytery and its Aisles, £15,700; the South Transept Chapel and Stair Turret, £600; the Nave and its Aisles, £6,500.

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