James Goodeve Miall

Yorkshire Illustrations of English History James Goodeve Miall

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1865 Excerpt: ... till the beginning of the present century. Since that time every year has witnessed improvements--some new view opened, or some old ones improved, yet always in such a manner as not to "o'erstep the modesty of nature." The church occupied eighty years in building. Its external walls are still nearly complete. Its choir was first erected (though the east window is later); then the nave and west front which, with its three lancet windows, is exceedingly beautiful, though now deplorably hidden. The church had, like other Craven churches, no south aisle. A tower originally stood over the transept; but this was subsequently begun to be replaced by another erection which covered the west front, and was in progress at the time of the dissolution. A frieze in its front bears this inscription--"In the yer of our Lord (MVCXX.) E--' (Moon) begann thes fondachon on quwho souwl god have marce amen." Bolton was the burial-place of the Cliffords who died in Yorkshire, though the spot of interment is unknown. It was probably, however, on the south side of the choir. The JVIauleverers had also a place of burial here, in a chantry at the east end of the north aisle, and the Cliffords and the Claphams (who descended from them), are reported to have been interred upright. Burton says, "Upon the north side of the choir of the Claphams, there is a vault for setting bodies erect in." "There, face by face, and hand by hand, The Claphams and Mauleverers stand." Scarcely any trace remains of the cloister court, chapter house, dormitory, refectory, &c. The prior's house may yet be traced, as also the priory oven, a building of such extent that sixty missing sheep were once found sheltering within it. We have already written of the Benedict...