A dictionary of the architecture and archaeology of the middle ages: including words used by ancient and modern authors in treating of architectural and other antiquities ... also, biographical notices of ancient architects / By John Britton ... Illustrated by numerous engravings by J. Le Keux.

John Britton

Date:: 1838

Credit: A dictionary of the architecture and archaeology of the middle ages: including words used by ancient and modern authors in treating of architectural and other antiquities ... also, biographical notices of ancient architects / By John Britton ... Illustrated by numerous engravings by J. Le Keux. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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$king, who sold or gave their lands and buildings to his favourite courtiers. About three hundred and eighty houses were thereby dissolved, and a revenue of 30,000/. per ann. obtained by the crown, which also acquired at least 100,000/. value in plate and jewels. Nearly ten thousand persons were calculated to be thus deprived of homes and support. Thirty-one of these houses had license to remain in statu quo a short time longer. In 1537 a commission of visitors was appointed, and the remaining abbots and priors made voluntary” surrender of their houses and possessions ; and, in 1539, an act of Parliament confirmed these proceed- ings, as well as completed the dissolution of all monastic establishments, except hospitals and colleges, the former of which were not abolished until the 33d, and the latter until the 37th of Henry VIII. The king dying in the latter year, they were re-granted by another act to Edward VI., when ninety colleges, one hundred and ten hospitals, and two thousand three hundred and seventy-four chantries and free chapels, were suppressed. — \_Pref, TannePs Not, Mon,, hy Nasmith, p. xxiii — xxv.] (See College, Convent, Friary, Hospital, Monastery, Nunnery, Priory; see also Cathedral, to which is annexed a ground-plan, with references to the various parts and appendages of a monastic church and its attached buildings.) Abbey Gate-house. In the exterior wall of every abbey was either one, two, or three gate-houses, forming lodges for warders, or porters. These were of various sizes and archi- tectural features. That to the great abbey of St. Alban’s is of the size of a considerable house. The chief gate-house of St. Augustin’s at Canterbury is flanked at the angles with octagonal turrets of singular elegance. Two gate-houses of the abbey at Bury St. Edmund’s are also striking examples, but in very different styles. One is a massive square tower, adorned with early Norman arcades, like the towers of Exeter and Durham cathedrals; the other, a square house, is decorated with niches and pointed arches. The great gate-house of Evesham Abbey is a campanile, or bell-tower, decorated with pierced battlements, high pinnacles, and entirely covered with panelling. That of St. Augustin’s Abbey, now the cathedral, Bristol, has a large carriage$