previously were small, simply made them of similar strength to those of
the west arch.
We therefore conclude that the original north and west arches and piers
of the crossing are old, perhaps of the thirteenth century; while the
east and south arches and piers have been rebuilt, and the additional
piers and arch added to the north opening, probably when the tower was
erected.
Let us now turn to the choir. When we consider the forms of the tracery
of the three windows of the presbytery (see Figs. 983 and 984, and the
north window in Fig. 999), the thickness of the mullions, and the number
and smallness of their mouldings, there cannot be much difficulty in
assigning these windows to a late date. The forms and decorations of the
arches of the sedilia (see Fig. 986) also clearly indicate a late
period. These are exceedingly good of their kind, and it is a misfortune
that the Celtic ornament with which they are covered is now so far
decayed as to be scarcely legible; but there can be no question as to
the lateness of their date.
On turning to the south aisle the same impression is received. The
circular and stunted form of the piers, with their remarkable bases and
the peculiar form of their enriched capitals (see Figs. 989 and 990),
strike one at once with the idea that they belong to a late and rather
debased epoch. The insertion of the clerestory windows over the piers
(an arrangement which is also met with at the nunnery) is bad
construction, and led to the adoption of the low and poor flying
buttresses (which are evidently an afterthought) as a means of steadying
the main structure.
[Illustration: FIG. 999.--Iona Cathedral. Window in North Side of Choir,
East End of South Aisle, &c.]
The north side of the choir is so peculiar in its arrangements that
little can be gathered from it with regard to dates. If the pillar and
[Illustration: FIG. 1000.--Iona Cathedral.