Issue 123 – September 2016
ENTRANCES AND EXITS By Stephen Guy, West Derby Society
DOORWAYS tell us a great deal about the buildings and structures they serve, from huge office blocks to tiny cottages. People often comment on the relatively small size of some doors in ancient buildings. It is frequently claimed that this was because folk were smaller in far off days. This was generally true although there have always been very tall or large people. It is said that John Middleton, the Giant of Hale, famously stood at 9 ft 3 inches. Kings such as Edward IV and Henry VIII were over 6 ft tall. There were other possible reasons doorways were small. For example, in the days before central heating it was important to reduce draughts and conserve heat. There were also security issues – the smaller the door, the less likely people could easily barge in. The type of doorway is determined by the architectural style of the building it serves. In ancient and classical times, entrances developed special significance. Doorways were of very great importance to the Egyptians.
Colossal statues and obelisks were placed on either side and the approaches often lined with rows of gigantic sphinxes. The Greeks surrounded their doorways with mouldings and cornices. Doors were originally made of wood, iron, bronze or even stone but now many other materials are used from plate glass to plastic. In medieval times castles and cathedrals needed massive gateways to protect the interiors. In addition, fortresses often had portcullises as a secondary defence. These were large iron or wooden gratings suspended in grooves which were lowered to bar the entrance. Exterior doors were sometimes studded as an extra defence against intruders. There are several local examples including one at St Michael’s Parish Church in Huyton (pictured). There has been a church on this site since the 12th century although most of the existing structure was built between 1647 and 1663. The tower was added in the 1700s. Other studded doors can be seen at West Derby Courthouse and Croxteth Hall.
Sometimes whole buildings are dismantled and moved elsewhere but more often parts are recycled – a process called architectural salvage. A door of West Derby’s ancient chapel was saved when the
building was demolished in the 1850s. It now serves as the vestry door in nearby St Mary’s Church. n Join the West Derby Society at West Derby Courthouse open 2 pm - 4 pm most Sundays April to October, admission free.
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