Bell's Cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of Winchester: A Description of Its Fabric and a Brief History of the Episcopal SeeSergeant, Philip Walsingham
History
Bell's Cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of Winchester: A Description of Its Fabric and a Brief History of the Episcopal See
Sergeant, Philip Walsingham
Winchester Cathedral
The general effect of the nave can be gathered from the illustrations,
which bring out well the appearance of height which is bound to impress
the spectator standing near the central western door. In the nave aisles
also a fine view may be obtained, the comparative narrowness
counteracting the lessened height. As one looks down the church towards
the west, it will be noticed that the western interior wall is
practically entirely filled by the great window, for not only does this
stretch across the whole width, but the mullions also are carried right
down to the floor-level, a double series of panels occupying the space
below the sill of the window. The glass in the window proper is, for the
most part, very old, and, as is pointed out elsewhere (see p. 94), is
arranged in patterns after the fashion of a kaleidoscope. This arises
from the fact that the fragments of which it is composed are entirely
disjointed, and probably incapable of being pieced together.
The monuments and objects of interest in the nave are numerous, but
chief perhaps are, on the north side, the Minstrels' Gallery, the old
grill-work, and the font; and, on the south side, the chantries of
Bishops Wykeham and Edingdon. But, first of all, though not on account
of pre-eminent merit, should be mentioned the bronze statues of James I.
and Charles I. to the north and south of the main west door, against the
interior wall. They were executed by Le Sueur, the artist who executed
the fine equestrian figure of Charles I. at Charing Cross. A note on the
sculptor's payment for these bronzes may be seen in the "Record of
Exchequer," from which it appears that he received L340 for the two,
with a further L40 for "carrying and erecting them" at Winchester.
In the north-west corner stands the #Minstrels' Gallery# or #Tribune#,
the work of Edingdon. It is supported by two flattened arches springing
from the pier shafts, and is panelled on its face and spandrels The
panelling is decorated with flowered cusps, and the central bosses bear
the arms of Wykeham. This gallery appears to have been intended for use
on State occasions; now, however, it is merely used as a room in which
the episcopal registers may be stored. In height it extends half-way up
the neighbouring piers.
[Illustration: IRON GRILL-WORK FROM S. SWITHUN'S SHRINE.
_From Mr Starkie Gardiner's "Iron-work" Vol I., by permission of the
Science and Art Department, South Kensington._]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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