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I Location

II General Description

Boxgrove church comprises an aisled choir, a crossing tower, N and S transepts, and an aisled nave. Only the E bay of the nave is incorporated within the present church; the rest lies in ruins beyond the W wall, which contains the remains of the monastic pulpitum. Due to the presence of the cloister on the N side of the church, only the westernmost 2.5 double bays of the nave had a N aisle. The earliest surviving parts of the building are the plain N and S transepts and the easternmost bay of the nave (c.1120-50). A phased rebuilding programme seems to have begunc.1180-1200, with the 'transitional' central tower, followed by the westernmost five bays of the nave. The rib-vaulted chancel (c.1200-20) is Early English in style, and makes extensive decorative use of Purbeck shafts. Little survives of the monastic buildings. The weathered facade of the chapterhouse probably dates from the mid-12thc. and the ruined guest-house, standing in a field to the NE, is of the 14thc.

III Exterior Features

1. Doorways

(i) Chapter-house, doorway

Located on the N side of church, this is aligned with the W wall of the N transept and faced the E walk of the cloister, of which there is now no trace. The ensemble is in an extremely vulnerable condition. In parts, the ashlar facing (courses 0.17m -0.19m in height) has been lost, exposing the rubble core of the wall. Moreover, much of the carving (including imposts, capitals and bases) is extremely weathered.

The central doorway is round-headed and of two orders. The plain inner order arch has a rounded profile (cf: Clymping) and is carried by very worn capitals with imposts having a groove on the upper face and a hollow chamfer below. The N capital is multi-scalloped, with four cones on the face and double-wedge motifs between the cones. The S capital is carved with two tiers of thick pointed leaves or petals. The capitals sit on top of fat engaged columns on high sills.

The plain outer order arch on the W side is again round headed, and has a slight chamfer. The capitals here are completely worn, but one upright attic base survives on the S side. The plain label is very worn.

On the E side of the doorway, two engaged columns abut the inner order, flanking the entrance. Their capitals are worn.

2. Windows

(i) Two windows flanking Chapter House doorway

Two-light windows flank the doorway, one on either side. The inner order of each is carried by engaged half-columns and a central shaft. The arches are rounded in profile (cf: doorway, inner order), and the spandrel or tympanum area above them remains plain.

Plain outer arches embrace the paired lights to E and W and have simple chamfers. Like the inner arches, they are carried by engaged half-columns which stand on a high sill. The capitals (heights: 0.18m-0.185m) are very worn, but the following carving can be distinguished:

N window, inner order

N capital: multi-scallop (2 + two half cones on face)

Central capital: V-shaped cone on E face only

S capital: multi-scallop (4 cones on face; 1 on angle and 2 each side)

N window, outer order (W)

N capital: worn

S capital: worn

N window, outer order (E)

N capital: worn

S capital: worn

S window, inner order

N capital: scalloped?

Central capital: worn

S capital: double trefoil

S window, outer order (W)

N capital: worn

S capital: trefoil

S window, outer order (E)

N capital: worn

S capital: trefoil

(i) Central tower, 3rd stage

In the centre of each face of the tower are two round-headed windows, or bell-openings, of two orders. In each case, the inner arch is plain, its arris cut back to receive louvres, while the second has an angle roll. The label of the S window on the E side is carved with a single band of chevron; the others are plain. The nook shaft capitals under the outer order, where visible, have thick pointed leaves but no crockets.

3. Exterior Decoration

c. Corbel tables, corbels

(i) N transept, E side, S to N

1. Roll with disc on underside

2. Roll

3. Pellet in hollow

4. Clasped roll

5. Single roll; sawtooth at top

6. Single roll

7. Pellet in hollow

8. Billet

9. Curved V shape flanked by pellets

(ii) N transept, W side, N to S

1. Not deciphered (behind drainpipe)

2. Clasped roll

3. Double roll

4. Saltire with pellet in top quarter on roll

5. Roll in hollow

6. Roll in hollow

7. Hollow

8. Double roll

9. Human head with open mouth

10. Billet

(iii) S transept, E side, N to S

1. Damaged

2. Single roll

3. Damaged (possibly had single billet between two consoles, forming 'H' shape, cf: S transept W side, corbel 2)

4. Damaged (roll?)

5. Damaged (clasped roll?)

6. Damaged

7. Concave with roll

8. Double roll

9. Triple roll

10.Roll

11. Plain block with hollow chamfer on bottom edge

(iv) S transept, W side, N to S

1. Head with hands to sides of mouth?

2. Single billet between consoles, forming 'H' shape

3. Head

4. Head with snout held in hands

5. Curled roll (volute forms on sides)

6. Animal head with open mouth

7. Grotesque head with grimacing mouth and bulging eyes.

8. Plain roll

9. Saltire on roll, with pellets in top and bottom quarters

10.Billet

11.Damaged (possibly chip carved)

(v) Nave, S side, E to W

1. Dogtooth with pellet in each quarter

2. Dogtooth with pellet in each quarter

3. Roll clasped (by heart?)

4. Roll in hollow

5. Roll

6. Square in hollow

7. Roll

(vi) Nave, N side, E to W

1. Spherical

2. Clasped roll (modern?)

3. Head

4. Double roll (modern?)

5. Clasped roll

6. Boss, carved cf: dogtooth

7. Saltire on roll

(vii) Central Tower, E side (S to N)

1.Roll

2.Roll in hollow, in hollow, in hollow (pyramid effect)

3. Damaged (practically entirely cut back)

4. Roll

5. Roll

6. Roll

7. Hidden behind spout

8. Unclear (cut back?)

9. Roll

10. Roll

11. Roll

12. Roll

13. Four thin rolls?

14. Roll

(viii) Central Tower, S side (W to E)

1. Roll

2. Head

3. Roll in hollow, in hollow

4. Roll

5. Roll

6. Roll

7. Flower?

8. Damaged

9. Moulded?

10.Roll

11. Block

12. Roll

(ix) Central Tower, N side (E to W)

1. Roll in hollow

2. Roll

3. Roll in hollow

4. Roll in hollow

5. Damaged

6. Roll

7. Roll

8. Head

9. Roll

10. Plain

(x) Central Tower, W side (N to S)

1. Animal head with open mouth

2. Roll in hollow, in hollow

3. Unclear

4. Dogtooth? (damaged)

5. Cut back (to left of water spout)

6. Head? Damaged

7. Roll in hollow

8. Unclear

9. 'Jelly mould' boss

10. Animal head

11. Hollow in hollow

d. Miscellaneous

(i) Capital

Triple scalloped capital projecting from N wall of N transept, probably respond for chapter-house vaulting. Double wedge forms rise between the cones for their full height. Well preserved (restored?).

Dimensions

(ii) Carved blocks projecting from angle of N transept and nave

The carving is difficult to decipher, but includes a corbel with sawtooth on the top.

(iii) Nook shafts

Nook shafts in corners of the third stage of the central tower, and in the re-entrant angles of the buttress on the NW corner, have small capitals with thick pointed leaves (cf: bell-openings).

IV Interior Features

1. Arches

b. Tower/Transept arches

(i) Crossing arches

The four arches of the crossing tower have richly moulded pointed arches with shared label stops and capitals. The label stops are carved as follows: a human head (NE), a ram's head (SE), a human head (SW) and an animal head (NW). The elaborate multi-scallop capitals (270 degrees round) are all slightly different. All have sunken and keeled shields. The cones of the SE and NE capitals have V-shaped sheaths; those of the SW capital are in the form of waterleaf, with a central spade-shaped leaf, and those of the NW capital are ogee shaped (ie: like waterleaf without the leaf). Pyramidal (or inverted 'V') shapes rise between the cones of the SE, NE and SW capitals, but the NW capital has rolls. The clustered piers have five shafts, the central three keeled. The water-holding bases have wide lower torus rolls, and again the central three are slightly keeled.

2. Arcades

c. Nave

(i) S arcade, E bay

This arcade comprises two bays, with a circular central pier and semi-circular responds. Evidence that this was conceived as a paired or double bay can be seen above the arcade, where the blocked clerestorey window corresponds to the central pier. This probably represents the full extent of the mid-12thc. church. The arches are semi-circular and of two orders. The arches are both slightly chamfered to N and S, and have no labels. The E springer and first voussoir on the aisle side of the E bay are carved with chevron. There are semi-circular responds to E and W, and a central cylindrical pier, all capped by multi-scallop capitals with grooved cusping in the shields. In addition, the E and W sides of the main capital are enriched by V-shaped sheaths and inverted 'V' shapes rising between the cones. The imposts have a nick and roll on the upper face, and a hollow chamfer below; the bases have spurs and stand on high plinths.

(ii) Nave, five W bays (unroofed), S arcade

Only the E bay of this 'transitional' arcade is intact, and the arch (currently encased) has probably been either reconstructed or heavily restored. The form of the arches, with two plain orders, is best seen from the surviving springers of the second bay. The surviving bay is, in fact, one half of a double bay with an alternating pier system. The stone is a pale, shelly limestone. The E respond is in the form of a compound pier, with paired shafts (now missing) on the dosseret and one nook shaft (also missing) to either side. The capitals have thick pointed leaves which spread outwards at the top. The impost blocks have an overhanging roll beneath the nick on the upper face, and a swelling at the bottom of the hollow chamfer. The W pier is circular, and has a multi-scallop capital with plain cones and shields, very similar in form to those of the earlier W nave bay. The impost block has a nick on the upper face, and a pronounced hollow. The short base has a pronounced and slightly water-holding lower torus, and sits on a cylindrical plinth.

(iii) Nave, five W bays (unroofed), N arcade

Due to the position of the cloister, the first 3.5 bays of this arcade were, in fact a blind arcade. The pointed arches have two plain, chamfered orders and the supports obey the same alternating system as the opposing S arcade. Only the first two double bays retain any ashlar facings. Each of the two E respond capitals has a thick pointed leaf on the angle, and similar leaves terminating in proto-crockets to either side. The imposts have the same moulding as the E respond of the S arcade and, again, the shafts are missing. The second and fourth piers are semi-circular, each with a multi-scallop capital, impost block and base of the same type as the cylindrical pier on the S side. Each capital and impost block is composed of two blocks of stone. The third and fourth piers are of compound type, and were bisected vertically by vaulting shafts (three clustered shafts; central shaft keeled). The capitals of both piers are extremely badly damaged, but enough survives to show that they were carved with thick pointed leaves and/or thick leaves terminating in crockets. The surviving capitals of the clerestorey and vaulting shafts have more developed crockets, and the ribs of the vaults are decorated with dogtooth.

(iv) Crossing/Central Tower, arcading in second stage of tower, E,S,N and W

On each side are four pointed arches, grouped in two pairs, separated by twinned columns which are carried by a console directly above the apex of each crossing arch. Behind the arches runs a wall passage giving access to the bell-chamber. The capitals (described in clockwise direction from NE)are carved as follows:

E side, N arch

N capital: smooth upright leaves in two tiers.

C capital: round bell with a smooth upright leaf, sprouting proto-crockets, under each angle of the impost.

S capital: smooth upright leaves.

E side, S arch

N capital: smooth upright leaves.

C capital: fluted.

S capital: smooth upright leaves.

S side, E arch

E capital: smooth upright leaves?

C capital: scallop?

W capital: smooth upright leaves?

S side, W arch

E capital: smooth upright leaves?

C capital: scalloped (restored?)

W capital: smooth upright leaves?

W side, S arch

S capital: upright foliage?

C capital: upright foliage?

N capital: upright foliage?

W side, N arch

S capital: upright foliage?

C capital: multi-scalloped, with sunken shields, on S face; foliage on E face

N capital: smooth upright leaves

N side, W arch

W capital: smooth upright leaves.

C capital: waterleaf.

E capital: smooth upright leaves in two tiers, with proto-crockets.

N side, E arch

W capital: smooth upright leaves in two tiers, with proto-crockets.

C capital: smooth bell with small, tight volutes.

E capital: smooth upright leaves with proto-crockets.

VII History

In 1086 'the clergy' or 'clerks' (clerici) of Boxgrove (Bosgrave) church held one hide of land, a reference which has been interpreted to mean the church was collegiate. It was given to the Benedictine abbey of Lessay in Normandy in 1105, by Robert de Haye, and was established as a priory c.1117. Initially the monks numbered three, but the number was raised to 15 by the middle of the century. The style of the transept and E nave bay suggests that rebuilding quickly followed the foundation of the priory. Later in the century,c.1170-90, the crossing tower was rebuilt and the nave extended by five bays. The clerestorey of the E nave bay was probably reconstructed around the same time: traces of the earlier round-headed clerestorey opening are revealed in the wall to N and S. The four-bay choir was rebuilt in an Early English style, echoing the Chichester retrochoir,c.1200-20. Later work was insignificant: the addition of a S chapel (now porch) to the E nave bay in the 14thc.; the erection of a sacristy or vestry on the N side of the choir in the 15thc. and the installation of the de la Warr chantry chapel in the S choir arcade in 1532. In 1537, the Priory was suppressed and purchased by Thomas West, Lord de la Warr, for the sum of £136 13s. 4d. It was at this time that the parish moved into the E end of the church, converting the former pulpitum into a W wall and leaving the rest of the nave to fall into ruin. The frater and kitchen were converted into dwellings in the 16thc. and demolished in 1780.

VIII Comments/Opinions

The date of the E bay of the S arcade of the nave, which contains the earliest sculpture in the church, probably lies in the 1130s or 1140s. The multi-scallop capitals are very simple, but one is elaborated with 'V' shapes in a typical High Romanesque manner.

The facade of the chapterhouse also appears to date from the middle of the 12thc., and includes a typical range of High Romanesque motifs such as trefoil and multi-scallop capitals. Its squat proportions suggest an early date, yet the rounded inner orders of the arches are very sophisticated. It seems unlikely that the community would have erected permanent conventual buildings before they had reconstructed the church to their liking, and for that reason this facade can probably be placed after the E nave bay,c.1150.

It has been maintained that the arcading inside the central tower incorporates early 12thc. capitals (eg: Nairn and Pevsner 1965, 115) but that seems uncertain. The crossing incorporates some forms which are considered Romanesque (multi-scallop capitals, animal label stops) and others which are Early English (keeled shafts, pointed arches). Although this work is usually dated toc.1170, parallels in the Chichester Lady Chapel suggest that this should be pushed forward slightly, perhaps toc.1180.

There are few forms in the crossing tower which can be directly compared with the nave extension. The thick, pointed leaves on the upper (and therefore latest) stages of the tower do not sport crockets, while the arcade, clerestorey and vaulting capitals of the nave all do. The impost blocks and string courses of the tower are of standard Norman form, while those in the nave have distinct overhangs. Dogtooth appears in the nave, but not in the tower. Furthermore, there seems to be formal continuity between nave and chancel, which is usually datedc.1220. All of this suggests that the nave (c.1190-1210) followed on from the tower (c.1180), and that the nave workshop then moved on to the chancel (c.1200-20).

The nave extension of Boxgrove respected the style and proportions of the earlier E bay in a manner which echoes the situation at Chichester after 1187, when much of the post-fire rebuilding was inspired by what was already there.

There appears to have been much exchange between the masons of Chichester and Boxgrove in the late 12thc. The closest parallel for the Boxgrove crossing capitals is found in the Chichester Lady Chapel, built before the fire of 1187. The use of Purbeck shafts in the nave of Boxgrove was repeated in the Chichester retrochoir (after 1187), and then again in the Boxgrove chancel. The latter closely resembles Portsmouth Cathedral choir, but their relative chronology is not clear.

IX Bibliography