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I Location

II General Description

The 12thc. core of the building is rectangular and has a N–S axis. Of this the undercroft retains the only 12thc. work, while the hall above it (New Hall) belongs to the early 14thc. To this core were added two wings projecting to the E. The 14thc. NE wing was built to house the Treasury Chamber, probably after 1344, while the SE wing belongs to the 15thc.

IV Interior Features

4. Vaulting/Roof supports

d. Other

(i) Undercroft

The 12thc. undercroft is six bays long and two wide, divided longitudinally by a central row of columns carrying quadripartite vaults. Vault bays are divided by transverse, double-chamfered ribs. The three double bays to the N are groin vaulted while the three to the S are vaulted with double-chamfered diagonal ribs, which Pevsner suggests were added later. In the NW corner is a stair turret. The central columns are circular with circular capitals and bases on plinths that are square (in the three S bays) or octagonal (in the N bays). Base profiles are roll/hollow or hollow chamfered. On the side walls the vault is carried on half-column responds, and at the angles on corbels (which only survive at the S end). The undercroft has been partitioned halfway along to form two three-bay rooms. In the descriptions of capitals and corbels that follow, numbering is from N to S. All capitals have hollow chamfered imposts with a groove at the bottom of the face.

Central pier capitals

C1 (N respond): multi-scallop with shields defined by a groove, and a vertical groove down the centre of each scallop. Between the scallops are rolls with their outer quadrants cut away. Chamfered necking.

C2: Multi-scallop. A continuous frieze of shields of quirked nebuly form with a groove to emphasise it and wedges between the scallops (cf C7). Roll necking.

C3: Multi-scallop with shields defined by a groove and wedges between the scallops. Roll necking.

C4: As C3.

C5: As C3 but with chamfered necking.

C6: Multi-scallop. Zigzag shields with slipped roll scallops. Chamfered necking.

C7 (S respond): Multi-scallop. A continuous frieze of shields of quirked nebuly form with a groove to emphasise it, like C2, but there are no wedges between the scallops. Roll necking

E wall capitals

E1: missing

E2: As C7.

E3: As C3.

E4: As C3.

E5: As C3.

E6: Multi-scallop with shields alternately round and triangular, and all defined by a continuous groove. Chamfered necking.

E7 (SE corbel): Multi-scallop. Zigzag shields with a round slot at the lower apex of each (i.e. each shield the shape of a W), all defined by a continuous groove. Chamfered necking.

W wall capitals

W1: missing.

W2: Multi-scallop with rolls between scallops (no defining groove). Roll necking.

W3: Badly damaged and largely obscured.

W4: Multi-scallop with conical wedges between the scallops (no defining groove). Roll necking.

W5: Multi-fluted capital with wedges in the flutes. Chamfered necking.

W6: As C6.

W7 (SW corbel): Multi-scallop with shields alternately round and triangular (cf E6). Chamfered necking.

VII History

No construction date is known, but the style of the capitals confirms a dendrochronological date from roof timbers of c.1165–85 (Dixon (2003), 147).

VIII Comments/Opinions

The capitals are not elaborately carved but show an interesting range of designs, related to the more spectacular work in the Infirmary and to the nave capitals of St Mary's Ely.

The building is now a boarding house of the King's School.

IX Bibliography