The #Pulpit# is a memorial of Archdeacon Paley, who is buried close at hand in the north choir aisle. It is of richly-carved Caen stone, on a plinth of black Manx marble, and ornamented with carvings in white alabaster, of scenes from the New Testament. In shape it is hexagonal, with shafts at the angles rising into an enriched cornice. The lectern--a brass eagle--was given in memory of the late G.C. Mounsey, sometime diocesan registrar. In the middle of the choir is a monument to Bishop Bell. On a blue slab under a triple canopy, the centre pediment of which has I.H.S., and its point the Deity and Christ, is a brass figure of a bishop _in pontificalibus_, mitre and gloves; his right hand holds on his breast an open book inscribed-- _Hec mea_ _Spes in sinu meo_ His left hand, over which hangs the maniple, has a rich crosier. On a semi-circular scroll over his head-- _Credo q^d redemptor meus vivit et noviss[~i]o die de terra surrect[~u]r s[~u] et in Carne mea videbo de[~u] salvatore me[~u]._ Under his feet-- _Hac marmor fossa Bell presulis en tenet ossa Duresme dud[~u] prior his post pontificat[~u] Gessit atq' renuit primum super o[~m]ia querit Dispiciens mud[~u] poscendo pramia fratr[~u]_ On the ledge round the slab-- _Hic jacet Reverendus Pater Ricardus Bell quondam Episcopus Karleolensis qui ab hac luce migravit videlicet vicesimo Quarto die ... Anno Domini.... Et omnium fidelium defunctorum. per misericordiam dei requiescant in perpetua pace_. Amen. The ancient high altar probably stood one bay nearer to the west than the present altar. There, in the presence of Bishop Halton, Robert Bruce took an oath of fidelity to Edward I. Ten years later he proved false to this oath, and the Papal Legate solemnly excommunicated him with bell, book, and candle. Very shortly after this, Edward I. dedicated the litter in which he had journeyed thus far, and mounting his horse at the cathedral door rode through the priory gateway bent on the conquest of Scotland. He never lived to reach that country, for he died in sight of the Scottish coast at Burgh-on-Sands. #North Choir Aisle.#--This aisle is entered by a handsome Decorated arch, a very good example of thirteenth-century work. The north wall, with the exquisite two-light lancet windows, is Early English, and dates from the period immediately after the demolition of the Norman choir about 1260. Each compartment of the cinquefoil #wall-arcade# is separated by triple columns, and the space divided into four parts by shafts, barely detached from the wall, supporting foliated arches. This is the general description for both north and south choir aisles. The eastern bay belongs to the retro-choir, and is of later date. Above the wall-arcade are the graceful two-light lancet windows, with their slender columns, deep mouldings, and rich dog-tooth decoration.