Upper elevations of the choir and apse, c.1685–94

WRE/3/1

16 drawings

{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang2057{\fonttbl{\f0\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Microsoft Sans Serif;}{\f1\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 System;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue128;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\cf1\f0\fs20 The drawings in this section illustrate several phases in the design of the eastern arm above the principal lower entablature from mid-1685 to 1694.\par \par By early 1685 construction had reached the \lquote underside of the great Cornices, inside and outside\rquote , the level agreed in contracts signed on 18 July 1679 (Wren Society 16, pp.17-18). Contracts to carve and set the internal cornice were agreed with Edward Pearce, Jaspar Latham and Edward Strong on 18 April 1685 and work began in the choir that month (\i ibid\i0 ., pp.20-21; and 13, p.199). Setting the outside cornice of the choir began in June-September 1685 (Wren Society 13, p.200). No contract was issued for its construction, and henceforth agreements for masonry construction were made informally, rather than by contract. An undated and unwitnessed \lquote memorandum\rquote in the St Paul\rquote s Cathedral Contract Book, signed by Jon Tompson and Samuel Fulkes, is an example of this working method. The two master masons agree to build the south-west and north-west quarters of the west end, according to \lquote the same rates and prices as have beene given and allowed in the Bookes of the Office for the same sorts of work respectively at the same hightes\rquote (Wren Society 16, p.22).\par \par In April or May 1686 work started above the internal and external cornices at the east end of the choir (Wren Society 14, p.6). Over the previous year Wren had revised the whole design by enlarging the west end to the height of the main eaves north and south of a broad western vestibule, and by extending its upper flank elevations as \lquote screen walls\rquote above the aisle walls. These blank upper walls join with the transept ends and the upper apse to form a continuous two-storey church body; see WRE/3, Introduction. \par \par Nicholas Hawksmoor (c.1662-1736) joined the St Paul\rquote s office some time in 1685. Two sheets of record drawings of internal and external profiles up to the tops of the lower entablatures, WRE/3/1/1 and 2, include cornices that were being set in that year. One of his earliest working drawings for St Paul\rquote s shows the mouldings and stonework of the internal attic almost as built from April or May 1686, WRE/3/1/3.\par \par WRE/3/1/5 is an incomplete scheme drawn by Hawksmoor for a triforium gallery straddling open vaults in the choir aisles; it lacks a flying buttress and the beam of the triforium roof is higher than built. \par \par WRE/3/1/8 and WRE/3/1/9, by the unidentified draughtsman (fl.1675-c.1687), are more advanced studies for the triforium gallery and screen wall and show the timber supports for the triforium roof and a plan of the flying buttress. \par \par The flying buttress first appears in study by Edward Pearce for the section through the triforium roof and screen wall, WRE/3/1/10. The triforium roof structure and the sill of the clerestory window are now at their built levels. \par \par WRE/3/1/6 is a study for the masonry walling of the apse by Edward Strong, datable shortly before the start of work in this area in April 1686. A more finished design shows the attic of the apse nearly as built in 1694, WRE/3/1/7.\par \par Four record drawings of the east end of the choir are attributable to Simon Gribelin, WRE/3/1/12-15. They record the design of the east end of the choir in plan, elevation and a long section in 1694 when the design of the attic above the apse was being finalised. Dating soon after these is a half-section through the choir as built by the mid-1690s, WRE/3/1/16. It includes a later study for the balustrade above the upper entablature, perhaps added by John James in c.1716. \cf0\b\f1\par }

Access to the Wren office drawings held at London Metropolitan Archives is available only with advance notice and at the discretion of the Heritage Services Director, London Metropolitan Archives, 40 Northampton Road, London, EC1R 0HB.

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