Near by is another stone of a similar character of which nothing is known. In the new Chapter House the back can be seen, but the large Latin cross with which it is ornamented seems later. [Illustration: NORTH DOORWAY, NAVE (_see p. 20_).] [Illustration: THE COLLEGE OF ST. MARY FROM THE S. W. _From an engraving after H. Gastineau._] CHAPTER IV THE PRECINCTS--THE CLOISTERS AND ST. MARY’S COLLEGE The College of St. Mary was founded conjointly by John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, his wife Blanche, and Bishop Adam Houghton in 1377, but it was endowed solely by the Bishop for the maintenance of a Master and seven Priest-Fellows, who were bound by a solemn oath to live in strict obedience to such regulations as the founder thought fit to ordain. The priests wore the same dress as the vicars-choral, and were under the control of the Precentor or Treasurer of the cathedral. They were bound to say the Hours and Masses of Requiem and perform certain services in the church. Any view from the northern side of the cathedral must include the graceful proportions of St. Mary’s, and it is surprising how well these buildings group with those of the cathedral. The cloisters and the cloister-garth, which separate the two buildings, date from about the same time as St. Mary’s and doubtless were common to the members of both foundations. The Early Perpendicular chapel is built on a large crypt, being quite contiguous to the river Alan, not unlike the chapel and hall of Magdalene College, Oxford. At the south-east angle was a Sacristy, with an upper chamber built over the cloisters, which had alleys to the north, west, and east; the latter running from the college to the north wall of the transept. As at Hereford, therefore, a covered way existed between the cathedral and the college. To the north of the cloisters was the square occupied by the college; on the north side of which, again, was the principal entrance. And on the south side of the square stood the chapel of which we now see the remains, showing that it must have been a very fine building of its kind. The elegance of the proportions and subtlety of the detail betray the hand of a very skilful architect. The dimensions of the chapel are 69 ft. × 23 ft. 9 in. × 45 ft. high. It was lit by three windows in each side 24 ft. × 9 ft. broad each, and the east window must have been a grand affair, as it occupies the whole of the east wall. The tower is 70 ft. high, to the north of which are the remains of the Infirmary.[89] The cathedral cloisters, unlike most English cathedrals, never had an alley next the church, and it is most probable that no cloister existed before the time of Bishop Houghton. But so fragmentary are the remains of the cloister and so complete its destruction that we will only give a brief outline of its state as inferred by Freeman, that the visitor may understand the ruins.