Malmesbury, Abbey, Nave East 1924

Photo ref: 76158

More about this scene

The nave arcade is built in the late Romanesque style, in which the rounded Norman arches begin to change to the pointed Gothic style. The nave has a stone rood screen of late Perpendicular date. The central doorway is now blocked, and the cornice has the royal arms of Henry VII. Above the screen is a large painting of The Raising of Lazarus, which was presented by the Earl of Suffolk and Berkshire. The arcades have pointed arches with simple bold mouldings supported on cylindrical piers with scalloped capping. The triforium has a semi-circular arch in each bay with zigzag moulding inside each arch, and on the small pillars are four smaller arches. The square structure on the south side of the nave is known as the Watching Loft; its origins and purpose are not certain. It has been suggested that it was used by the monastic community to either relay their ceremonies and services to the congregation or merely to observe pilgrims visiting the abbey.