Ripon Minster: An Archaeological Analysis and Reconstruction of the 12th-Century Church

Abstract

Whilst the exact plan of the original 12th-century church at Ripon can probably only be recovered by archaeological excavation, the evidence suggests that it may have had an eastern ambulatory and was intended to have high stone vaults in the choir and transepts. Substantial evidence for the roof framing of the north transept has been recognised within the core if its north-east turret. The original central tower was at least one storey higher than the present one but the type of termination to the west end if the aisleless nave is uncertain. This revue of the evidence remaining in the nave at Ripon strongly indicates that Sir George Gilbert Scott's original suggestion that the nave had an alternating wide and narrow bay system was correct. Close inspection of the nave wide west bay triforium shows that it was considerably modified during the insertion if the 13th-century basement tower arch. Its original form if a tall round-headed opening flanked by lower lancet arches, which is essentially the same arrangement of the clerestory above, forms the key to the main fenestration of the 12th-century nave. The chapter house is wholly late 12th century in date and was later vaulted throughout on the upper floor. The projecting chamber at its south-east corner can clearly be shown to have been designed as a garderobe.