In after
times, however, considerable eastward extensions were made, as at
Canterbury, and the monks' seats were then in many cases moved eastward
into the part of the church beyond the tower, the rood-screen being
stretched across the church between the eastern piers that supported the
tower.[3]
[3] The chief argument against the belief that western towers
existed at St. Albans is that no documentary record of them is
found. On the other hand it may be said that, whether the towers
were built or not at the same time as the rest of the church, it
is far more likely that John de Cella and William of Trumpington
would have lengthened the church eastward than westward, when we
find so many instances of eastward extensions during the
thirteenth century, and of some before the twelfth century
closed. The plan given in the text, assuming the existence of
Norman towers, is that adopted by Sir Gilbert Scott, who had the
opportunity of examining the foundations when restoring the
church; his opinion was that the foundations were of Norman
date. Of one thing we may be certain, that if finished western
towers ever existed, they were of Norman date.
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