184 ENGLISH ARCHITECTURE. Part II. specimen of the form adojited for the larger spans, and that at New Walsingham of the mode adopted for roofing aisles. Some, of course, are simpler, but many much more elaborate. In later periods they became flatter, and more like the panelled ceiling of a hall or chamber ; but they were always perfectly truthful in construction, and the lead was laid directly on the boarded framing. They thus avoided the double roof, which w^as so inherent a defect in the vaulted forms, where the stone ceiling re- quired to be protected externally by a true roof. Among so many ex- amples it is difficult to select one which shall represent the class, but the annexed plan of Walpole St. Peter's, Nor- folk, will suffice to ex- plain the typical arrangement of an English parish church. In almost every instance the nave had aisles, and Avas lighted by a clerestoiy. The chancel was narrow and deep, without aisles, and with a square termination. There was one tower, with a belfry, generally, but not always, at the west end ; and the prin- cipal entrance was by a south door, usually covered by a porch of more or less magnificence, frequently, as in this instance, vaulted, and with a muniment room or library chamber over it. f^ * * |fe4J ' Often, as at Coventry, Boston, and other ^ ♦ ♦ BHF# places, these churches with the above-described arrangements almost reached the dimensions of small cathedrals, the towers and spires matching those of the proudest ecclesiastical edifices ; and in many instances the details of their tracery and the beauty of their sculptured orna- ments are quite equal to anything to be found in the cathedral of the diocese. 615. Koof of Aifile in New "Walsingham Chureli. 616. Plan of Church of "Walpole St. Peter's, Norfolk. Scale 100 ft, to 1 in.
