XVIII. Remarks upon some remains of ancient Architecture, disclosed in taking down a portion of the Church of St. Mary Overy, in Southwark. By John Buckler, Esq., F.S.A.; in a Letter to John Gage Rokewode, Esq. Director

Extract

I beg to submit to the Society of Antiquaries a sketch of the interior of the west end of the Nave and South Aisle of Saint Mary Overy's Church, Southwark (Plate XXIX.), in compliance with the request which you made in the early part of last year. I will trouble you with only a few remarks upon this ancient and elegant specimen of architecture. It was disclosed to view upon the removal of the masonry by which it had been concealed in the latter part of the fifteenth century, at which period the west doorway and window were inserted. The arches alluded to in a double tier at the west end of the nave, the clustered pillars attached to the same wall, the arches under the windows in the side aisles, the windows themselves in the westernmost compartment of both aisles, and the south porch, are all of the same age. The architectural features in these portions of the church are distinguished from the rest by the general design of the capitals, and the detail of the sculptured ornaments, both of which present a near resemblance to the forms characteristic of late Norman architecture, and may fairly be assigned to the reign of King John. It was owing to an unaccountable deviation from parallel lines in the position of the newer pillars in the nave, that the groined vault in the western portion of the aisles was constructed in the irregular manner shewn in the drawing. The bases of all the columns were nearly concealed by the pavement. It was observed, upon their being opened, that they had been carefully restored in cement; but the period of this restoration, and of that when the floor was raised, are unknown.