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THE OLD - Old Wirral.com

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ARCHITECTURE OF WIRRAL <strong>OLD</strong> CHURCHES<br />

classifications have their vahie so long as<br />

they are received with caution,<br />

treated as guides rather than laws.<br />

following<br />

and<br />

The<br />

is an example :—<br />

RICKMAN'S CLASSIFICATION.<br />

NORMAN :<br />

TRANSITION NORMAN : Henry<br />

EARLY ENGLISH GOTHIC :<br />

William I to Stephen, 1066-1154.<br />

1189-1272.<br />

DECORATED :<br />

PERPENDICULAR :<br />

TUDOR : Henry<br />

II, 1154-1189.<br />

Richard I, to Henry III,<br />

Edward I, 11, III, 1272-1377.<br />

Richard II to Henry VII, 1377-1486.<br />

VIII to Elizabeth, 1485-1600.<br />

Applying now such a system to the old<br />

churches of <strong>Wirral</strong>, we must begin with<br />

the Norman style, for though several of<br />

the churches boast a Saxon foundation it<br />

is doubtful if any authenticated Saxon<br />

work is now to be seen above ground.<br />

But of Norman work there are a number<br />

of interesting examples, notably the Norman<br />

chapel at Birkenhead Priory, the fine<br />

old south doorway of Shotwick parish<br />

church, the ancient low-side window in<br />

the north side of the chancel in Woodchurch,<br />

the Norman columns of Lower<br />

Bebington Church, and the Norman<br />

fonts at Lower Bebington, Eastham, and<br />

St. Luke's, Poulton,*and these examples,<br />

• This Font was originally in St. Hilary's Church,<br />

Wallasey.<br />

27

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