There are also sixteen small stone heads, four connected with each
group of three Apostles, which are not very clearly seen, perhaps,
from the floor of the Cathedral, but which, when examined, shew by the
conventual prophetic cap given to them, that they are intended to
represent the sixteen Prophets of the Old Testament. Above these
canopies, in each of the four sides, is a gallery or passage with an
embattled parapet, and above that a large window of four lights with
geometrical tracery; it is extremely sharp pointed, and towards the
top each window is faced internally with a trellis or lattice-work of
stone, which adds to its elegance without intercepting the light.
These windows rise to the same height as the higher arches; they have
been filled with stained glass by Mr. Wailes, and the subjects are
chiefly representations of persons who were instrumental in the
foundation, erection, or restoration of the Cathedral, of the reigning
sovereigns at the respective periods, and of others who figured in the
traditionary history of the foundress.
The window in the south-east angle is designed to
commemorate the principal persons who figured in the
traditionary history of the foundress. The figures in the
upper tier represent Anna, father of St. Etheldreda; St.
Etheldreda as queen; Tonbert, her first, and Egfrid, her
second husband. In the lower tier, St. Etheldreda as abbess;
Wilfred Bishop of York; St. Erminilda, the third abbess; and
St. Sexburga, the second abbess. The tracery contains other
figures and emblems, with the arms of the donor, the late
Canon E.B. Sparke.
The window in the north-east angle, in continuation of the
same design, contains in the upper tier figures representing
St. Withburga, St. Edmond, St. Werberga, fourth abbess of
Ely, and Archbishop Dunstan. In the lower tier, Bishop
Ethelwold; Brithnoth, Duke of Northumberland; Abbot
Brithnoth, and King Edgar. The tracery contains the arms of
the University of Cambridge, with other figures and devices:
contributed by subscriptions from the Bachelors and
Undergraduates of the University of Cambridge.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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