North–south section of the north-west tower, showing the belfry floor in its final position

WRE/6/2/3

c.1701–02

Sir Christopher (1632–1723) Wren, William (1671–1725) Dickinson

Pen and brown ink over pencil, with grey wash, pen and pencil shading. Smooth laid paper, with central horizontal fold, torn at left edge. 49.1 x 38.3 cm. Watermark: Strasbourg lily (no WR pendant).

{\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 A study for the north-south section of the scheme for the square clock/belfry in WRE/6/2/1 and 2 (stage 3), drawn by Dickinson, but revised and annotated by Hawksmoor to set the wall passage at a higher level. Datable 1701-02. Implied scale, about 5.7 ft to 1 inch (10 ft = 45 mm).\par \par The mid-brown ink outlines and shading and the overlay of grey wash are all by Dickinson, who wrote next to the horizontal dashed line at mid-height, \lquote\i Top of the bell frame\i0\rquote . Drawn at the same level as the one on WRE/6/2/2, it is the baseline for the same radius points for the curves of the lower and upper stages of the belfry vault, although differently positioned on this axis. The vertical dimensions of the belfry chamber correspond on both drawings, the only difference being the addition of joists above the beam of the belfry floor. This floor was lowered at stage 4, WRE/6/2/6, only to be raised again in the final scheme, WRE/6/2/11. On the left side, a pencil outline reduces the plinth to the level on WRE/6/2/6.\par \par A window is introduced in the plinth course to light the void between the two belfry floors; in the final scheme a larger opening was formed at this level on the inner (south) side of the north-west tower; see WRE/6/2/11.\par Hawksmoor\rquote s sketched alterations in dark brown ink set the wall passage above rather than below the belfry opening, a change incorporated at stage 4, WRE/6/2/6. He erased the lower passage on the left and added notes \lquote A\rquote , \lquote B\rquote and \lquote C\rquote to the left side of the section, with reference to his note on the right: \lquote\i what soer water drops out of / ye Gutter and falls into ye / small Corridor will dribble into / ye window soyle at A and fall / downe with the other bearing / wett from A to B\i0\rquote ; and below this, \lquote\i There must be a declivity from / C to A\i0\rquote .\par \par The \lquote\i Gutter\i0\rquote is immediately above the wall passage, or \lquote\i small Corridor\i0\rquote , and the \lquote\i window soyle\i0\rquote is the sill of the belfry opening. Rain water will fall from the passage into the belfry opening and down the outer wall to the cornice, \lquote\i B\i0\rquote . The sill from C to A should be sloped outwards. This sloping sill is introduced in WRE/6/2/6.\par \par Next to the cornice of the drum of the lantern Hawksmoor wrote \lquote\i same hight as the basmt of ye / great Dome\i0\rquote . This cornice stands level with the cornice of the drum in Kip\rquote s engraving of the north elevation (stage 2) and Gribelin\rquote s engraving of the west front (stage 4); see WRE/6/2/7. It was raised about 5 ft higher in the final scheme. \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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WRE/6/1/4, WRE/6/1/8