The history and antiquities of the abbey church of StPeter, Westminster : including notices and biographical memoirs of the abbots and deans of that foundation . astic composition ; and thatsuch was in use at a very early period can be proved by referring to theminute decorations of the Painted Chamber; and to those above the ceilingof the present House of Commons*. * The Painted Chamber is connected with the House of Lords, and is, at present, (September,1819) undergoing some repairs and alterations for the better accommodation of the Peers. It was ori-ginally one of the principal apartments
The history and antiquities of the abbey church of StPeter, Westminster : including notices and biographical memoirs of the abbots and deans of that foundation . astic composition ; and thatsuch was in use at a very early period can be proved by referring to theminute decorations of the Painted Chamber; and to those above the ceilingof the present House of Commons*. * The Painted Chamber is connected with the House of Lords, and is, at present, (September,1819) undergoing some repairs and alterations for the better accommodation of the Peers. It was ori-ginally one of the principal apartments of the ancient Palace of our Kings at Westminster. How well itdeserved its name, may be known from its present appearance, although the adornments are now in amost wretched state of dilapidation. The walls were, literally, covered with paintings, and with closewriting in Latin and Norman French ; and even the splays of the windows were similarly most of the subjects, the figures appear to have been the size of life, and some are yet to bedistinguished that possessed great character, as well as correctness of form. Oil colours were certainly. DESCRIPTION OF THE SCREEN. 61 The principal admeasurements of the Screen are as follow. Entireheight, fourteen feet two inches. Extreme length of entablature, thirty-eightfeet six inches ; width of ditto, two feet eight inches : general length below,thirty-seven feet. Width of central compartment, thirteen feet three of doorways, three feet six inches : height of ditto, to the top of thepointed arch, ten feet ten inches; ditto to the middle of the circular arch,eleven feet. Width of the large niches, between the buttresses, two feet oneinch and a half; height of ditto, to the centre of the groining, six feet*. The few writers who have attempted to determine the age of this Screenhave assigned it to periods extremely remote from each other. There doesnot, indeed, appear to be any known record either of the time
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, booksubjectchurchar, booksubjectchurchbuildings
