The crossing is the point where the transepts and nave intersect under the tower. It now serves as the chancel and sanctuary.
The four massive Totternhoe stone piers supporting the tower are actually Norman (Romanesque) in origin – there are similar forms in the Norman work of the cathedrals at Durham and Norwich.
The carved details seen here are in the 13th century architectural style termed Early English, with clustered columns, and bases and capitals typical of that period. We call the style Early English, but it was equally fashionable in Normandy and originated there. Comparable work can be seen in French churches such as the Abbaye aux Hommes in Caen (built around 1166-1200). The bases are carved in a hollow “water-holding” form, which was fashionable in England between about 1155 and 1240. Look up to notice the small carved medieval faces. The large dove in the ceiling, a traditional symbol of the Holy Spirit, also dates from the 1960 re-ordering.
The stonework of the great tower piers bears many masons’ marks and the same masons’ marks have been discovered on interior stonework from the same period in St Alban’s Abbey. Records at St Albans indicate that the Early English work at the west end was begun by John de Cella, who was Abbot between 1195 and 1214. St Peter’s was probably consecrated in 1222 and it seems likely that the same masons worked on both buildings, and that the crossing was part of the original building.
