he
western front, was erected, though it must have been about this time.
The name of the architect under whose directions this original and
strikingly beautiful design was carried out is also buried in
obscurity. This noble front is almost entirely built in the style
usually known by the name of early English Gothic, of which it is,
perhaps, the finest example we have now left us.

"It would seem that scarcely any time elapsed between the building of
the western transepts of this monastic church and the commencement of
the west front, as the style of the western transepts is Late
Transition Norman, and in some places almost Early English, and that of
the west front pure Early English. Now, as the Transition Norman gave
place to the Early English in this country, about the commencement of
the thirteenth century, it would seem probable that these western
transepts were built at that time, probably during the government of
Acharius [1200]; these works being carried on by Robert de Lindsay, his
successor, might have been completed by him: the mixture of Early
English work with that of the former style in them may thus be
satisfactorily accounted for. It would seem, therefore, that these
transepts were erected before the time of Walter St. Edmonds, and that
the building of the west front probably followed immediately after the
erection of them. Mr. Britton, in his 'History and Antiquities of
Peterborough Cathedral,' page 56, refers the building of this
interesting feature of the church to the times of Acharius and Robert
de Lindsay. It would seem, however, that though it was probably begun
in the time of the latter abbot, it was not finished till the time of
John de Caleto, who came to the government of this abbey A.D. 1249. The
reason for this opinion is the similarity of some of its details to
those of the infirmary church, which was erected by this abbot. Some
beautiful portions of this church are still to be seen. This abbot is
said to have been a great builder; and it is probable that the
refectory and south cloister were rebuilt by him; and that the door by
which the Bishop usually enters the Cathedral, was inserted at the same
time. The Chapel of St. Lawrance, which stood at the east end of the
infirmary church, seems to have been erected about this time. There was
an entrance into this chapel, from the infirmary church, through an
arch, which is still standing, the chapel having been converted into a
prebendal house