The style of the shrine is Early English merging towards Decorated. The base extends from pier to pier of the third arch from the east on the north side of the presbytery. On this are three low chamfered and pointed arches, about 12 inches high, and four deeply-sunk quatrefoils occupy the spandrils; the recesses beneath the arches are also about 12 inches in depth and backed with a stone wall. The outer quatrefoils are merely ornamental, but the two central ones communicate with lockers at the back for offerings. Above these arches is a flat table, restored in many places, on which rested the movable feretory and which also bears the principal structure of three arches and round shafts. The capitals are rather Early English in character, as are the heads[53] at the junctions of the arches, but the crocketed hood-moulding and label running across the archway are most undesirable Perpendicular additions. The arches contained frescoes on the wall at the back. According to Browne Willis,[54] “_St. David_ himself is painted in his Pontificalibus; and on each side of him is a Bishop Saint; one by the Inscription is known to be _St. Patrick_ (to the west); the other is somewhat defac’d.” It is a figure in episcopal attire and said to be St. Denis. He goes on to say that the whole was formerly surmounted by a wooden canopy--“a fair Arch of Timber work painted”--and marks of this remain. The back--towards the north choir aisle--is supposed to be imperfect. It has three low rounded arches, the centre being the widest, and over each was a chamfered quatrefoil, and between these were two rather high niches. A string runs round the each opening, but does not run along the base of the quatrefoils. Quite recently stones were to be seen in the pavement hollowed by continual friction with the knees of the pilgrims. Undoubtedly this shrine suffered when the presbytery arcade was walled up owing to the collapse of the aisle roofs, but now that all is dry and in good repair the three saints might well be repainted. THE SHRINE OF ST. CARADOC. Often mistaken for, somewhat similar to, and of about the same date as, the shrine of St. David, is that of St. Caradoc on the south side of the north transept (dedicated to St. Andrew), where he was buried by his own express wish near the altar of St. Stephen. He died in 1124, and at the instance of the historian Giraldus was canonised by Pope Innocent III.[55] The tomb consists of a round arch, with a stone shelf below supported by a wall in which are two pointed arches and a couple of quatrefoils chamfered inwards. Above the arch is a small portion of wall containing some air-holes. It has been suggested that as this transept has been dedicated to St. Andrew, one of the patron saints of the Church, that it was designed as a receptacle of relics of that saint.[56]