The works at the Eastern end of the Chancel and the rebuilding of the Eastern Chapel, now being begun (the whole of which will be carried out at the expense of our generous benefactor, Mr James Hall), is the first part of the series of important works so long proposed to be undertaken, and which we trust will terminate in the necessary repairs and completion of our most interesting Abbey Church.
The plan of the new Chapel will follow, as nearly as the present ground will allow, that of the ancient 14th Century building which was removed in 1864. At that time the North Eastern angle of the old Chapel site was cut off to widen the side street, and this cutting off has compelled the Architect to adopt a somewhat different treatment in planning the new building, but as this will give if a more picturesque outline, it is rather a gain than a loss.
The new Chapel will be about the same height as the Aisles of the Chancel, and the plan is such that the central portion projects from the end of Chancel to the extreme limit of the site facing the Market place; whereas the two outer bays of the Chapel (which will terminate the North and South Aisles of the Chancel, respectively), only project Eastward half the distance of the central portion, for the reason already mentioned. The Eastern end of the central portion of the Chapel will be divided by the buttresses into three bays, with a three light tracery window in each bay, and there will be three two light tracery windows lighting the Chapel on the North and South sides between the buttresses which mark the bays as on the Eastern end.
The roof of the Chapel will be flat and covered with lead, the walls around being finished at the top with a moulded cornice and a parapet over it which will be ornamented with sunk moulded tracery along its face and terminated with a moulded coping.
Internally the Chapel will have a richly groined stone vaulted ceiling, supported at the intersections of its principal divisions in the centre portion of the Chapel by slender moulded shafts or pillars. The intersections of the moulded ribs and compartments of the vault will be further enriched with stone bosses carved with varied suitable subjects.
The modern East wall of the Chancel will be rebuilt in the same style as the Chapel, but is so designed as to carry or connect across the Eastern end of the Chancel the leading or prominent lines in the design of the ancient Arcades, triforium, and clerestory respectively; thus joining the North and South sides in one harmonious continuation at each level or storey. The approaches to the Chapel will be through three arches opening through the Eastern wall of the Chancel into the centre portion of the Chapel, and through single arches through the Eastern ends of the North and South Chancel Aisles into the corresponding side portions of the Chapel. The fenestration of the new Eastern end of the Chancel will be:— Three windows in the Triforium storey, and a group of richly traceried windows in the Clerestory above.
The Easternmost bay or division of the Chancel roof, now roofed in at a higher pitch than the rest of the Chancel, will be restored to its old pitch with a new Oaken roof, wrotTimber of which one or more surfaces have been planed smooth; wrought or dressed timber. moulded and boarded internally, and slated externally, all in exact accordance with the ancient portion of the roof.
Generally speaking, we may say that the style of Gothic adopted both for the new Chapel and Eastern wall of Chancel will be the same as that of the old demolished Chapel, but somewhat richer in detail, as being more in agreement with the rich type of Early English which it will join.
The Contractors for the new works are Messrs Thompson & Co, of Peterborough. This firm, which has been well known for many years, is esteemed especially for their skill and experience in carrying out this class of work.
They have carried out very many important ecclesiastical works, both restoration and new works, and many of the Cathedral restorations in this country of our time have been entrusted to them.