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Tower of the Temple Church with the Armada Fountain
The Graphic (17 August 1878): 77.
Source: Hathi Digital Library Trust web version of a copy in the University of Minnesota library of “Bristol Illustrated” in The Graphic of 14 September 1878, p. 77
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Temple Church, with its leaning tower, nearly five feet out of the perpendicular, retains no structural connection with the Knight Templars, but undoubtedly occupies the site of a small church which belonged to these martial monks. No portion of the present building is of more remote antiquity than the beginning of the fourteenth century, to which date is to be referred the north, or Weavers' Chapel, and a portion of the chancel. With these exceptions the church, which consists of a nave divided from the aisle by light clustered columns, of quatrefoil section, is a good specimen of the Perpendicular style of architecture. On viewing the interior it will be regretted that the cold crystal daylight which illumines the aisles should have superseded the sombre religious hues obtained through the stained glass which once filled the tracericd windows, and was destroyed in the Commonwealth wars.
St. Catherine's Chapel was on the site of the present vestry. It was anciently ordained that on the vigil of St. Catherine, the Mayor and Sheriff and their brethren were “to walk to Saint Catherine’s Chapel, within Temple Church, there to hear their evensong and from evensong to walk unto the Katherine Hall, there to be worshipfully received of the wardens and brethren of the same; and in the hall there to have their fires, and their drinkings, with spiced cake-bread and sundry wines; the cups merrily filled about the house. And then to depart every man home of the Mayor, Sheriff, and the worshipful men ready to receive at their doors Saint Katherine's Players, making them to drink at their doors, and rewarding them for their plays. And on the morrow, Saint Katherine's Day, the Mayor, Sheriff, and their brethren to be at the Temple Church, and from thence to walk with the procession about the town, and return to the said Temple Church, mid there to hear mass and offer. And then every man retrny home.”
In the south wall of the Guild of Weavers’ chantry may lie discerned a blocked-up doorway, that once communicated with the high altar. Through this opening one Richard Sharp, a weaver, in the days of Mary, suddenly interrupted the elevation of the host, proclaiming the act to be idolatry, whereupon he was seized and finally condemned for the act, and burnt upon St. Michael’s Hill, where now stands Highbury Chapel. [67]
“Bristol Illustrated.” The Graphic (20 July 1878): 60-77. Internet Archive online version of a copy in the University of Illinois Library. Web. 16 August 2018.
Last modified 16 August 2018