OS1/23/12/78

Continued entries/extra info

St Magnus Cathedral (continued)
monuments of the time."
"Jarl Ronald laid the foundation of the Cathedral in the year 1137 and dedicated it to his uncle, St Magnus, the patron saint of Orkney, who, by his cousin was assassinated in the island of Eigleshay some 20 years before. But though founded in the earlier portion of the eleventh, it was not extended to its present proportions until the middle of the fifteenth century, when the latest additions were made to it by Bishop Reid. It is built almost entirely of Red Sandstone, and measures about 226 feet in length from east to west by 56 feet in width, and the cross or transept 92 feet in length from north to south by 28 feet in width. from the floor to thee roof is 71 feet and to the top of the present spire 140 feet. Th oldest part of the building is the cross, including the 4 massif Gothic pillars 24 feet in circumference, spanned by beautifully formed arches upon which rests the central spire of the edifice. The Gothic window measures 36 feet in height and 13 feet in breadth, and is composed of four arches separated by three stone mullions or astrigals - the central space, above which is a circle, subdivided into twelve divisions, resembling somewhat as many leaves of a rose, hence the local name "The Rose Window". From the spire... (continued on next page)