The Antiquities of London; Comprising Views and Historical Descriptions of Its Principal Buildings Also Anecdotes of Eminent Persons Connected Therewith - Softcover

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1818. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... ST. PAUL'S; The cathedral of St. Paul more than fills the space of Ludgate-hill. The best authority we have for the origin of this church, is from its great restorer, Sir Christopher Wren. His opinion, that there had been a church on this spot, built by the Christians in the time of the Romans, was confirmed : when he searched for the foundations for his own design, he met with those of the original presbyterium, or semicircular chancel of the old church. They consisted only of Kentish rubble-stone, artfully worked, and consolidated with exceeding hard mortar, in the Roman manner, much excelling the superstructure. The first church is supposed to hayd been destroyed in the Dioclesian persecution, and to have been rebuilt in the reign of Constantine. This was again demolished by the pagan Saxons; and restored in 603, by Sebert. When the city of London was destroyed by fire in 1086, this church was burnt; the Bishop Mauritius began to rebuild it, and laid the foundations; which remained till its second destruction, from the same cause, in the last century. Notwithstanding Mauritius lived twenty years after he had begun this pious work, and Bishop Beaumes, or Belmeis, enjoyed the see twenty more, yet such was the grandeur of the design, that it remained unfinished. The steeple was finished in 1221. The noble subterraneous church of St. Faith was begun in 1257. it was supported by three rows of massy clustered pillars, w ith ribs diverging from them to support the solemn roof. This was the parish church. This undercroft, as these sort of buildings were called, had in it several chantries and monuments. The style of the ancient cathedral was a most beautiful Gothic; over the cast end was a most elegant circular window; alterations were made in the ends of th...