a gallery, which existed over this
doorway, has increased the rude appearance of the west front, but
the inner part of this gallery still remains. Within the great
thickness of the wall a chamber of considerable size was obtained,
and it opens into the nave by six pointed arches, and to the outside
over the doorway by three arches. It is regarded as obvious that
three gablets projected outwards from the wall for a distance of
about four feet, supported on two intermediate shafts, and that the
gallery was closed in at each end with walls or haffits, both of
which still remain in part. We now see the west front robbed of its
most unique features; the gallery was reached by a long passage at
each end from stairs in the angle-buttresses. It probably was a
gallery for an orchestra, and may have also been used as a pulpit to
address an open-air audience.[441]

Above this gallery was an immense circular window, a portion of
which still survives. "It is probable that this part of the building
was erected at two different times, the west doorway and some of the
pillars of the gallery being in the early transition style, while
the triple windows to the front and the six-light arcade towards the
interior are in the first pointed style. When the gallery was
completed in the first pointed period, the floor space was enlarged
by extending it to the front, hence the necessity for the deep
tunnel arch over the west doorway. The pointed arches in the ingoing
also indicate this first pointed period."[442]

The western towers opened with arches into the north, south, and
central aisles, but only the north tower retains its massive pier
and arches, while of the south tower nothing but the foundation of
the pier exists. The south wall of the transept is externally plain,
the upper part being visible above the dormitory roof. The facade
has two plain lancet windows, one shorter than the other, and above
them is a large wheel window. The interior of the transept is a very
grand design in the early pointed style.[443] Beneath the splayed
lancets there is a round arched open arcade, with a passage behind
it, and beneath this, two tiers of wall arcades with pointed arches,
the central arcade being very acutely pointed, the lower one not so
decidedly, and with trefoil cusps in the arches. A staircase in the