How to Visit the English CathedralsSingleton, Esther
History
How to Visit the English Cathedrals
Singleton, Esther
Cathedrals -- England
“Vaulting shafts of great beauty support one of the grandest
Perpendicular roofs that has ever been made. Each boss in the roof
is worth minute inspection, and since the restoration (1896) it is
possible to see the bosses in practically the same condition as
they were when they left the masons’ hands in the Fifteenth
Century. With three exceptions they are all representations of
foliage.
“It has been said above that the chapel is cruciform. The arms of
the cross are represented by the two side chapels, like diminutive
transepts on the north and south sides, with oratories above them,
to which access is given by small staircases in the angles of the
wall. Both these side chapels contain some exquisite fan-tracery
vaulting, which is supported upon flying arches, fashioned in
imitation of the graceful flying arches in the choir.
“On the north side the chapel contains a full-length effigy of
Bishop Goldsborough (who died in 1604) robed in his white rochet,
black chimere, with lawn sleeves, scarf, ruff and skull-cap.
“The east window in this chapel is in memory of Lieut. Arthur John
Lawford (1885), and is dedicated to St. Martin.
“The chapel above has a vaulted roof with bosses of foliage, and
there are small portions of ancient glass.
“The Lady-chapel is one of the largest in the kingdom, and is said,
at the time of the Dissolution, to have been one of the richest. A
great part of it is said to have been gilded and gloriously
ornamented. Traces of the colour can be seen in the mouldings of
the panellings and in the carving upon the walls.”--(H. J. L. J.
M.)
The =Reredos= still retains traces of its gorgeous colours. It is very
richly ornamented.
The =East Window=, consisting of nine lights, dates from 1472-1479. The
monuments are not especially remarkable. The tiles of the floor and the
sedilia are notable.
On our right, as we leave the Lady Chapel, we come to =Abbot Boteler’s
Chapel= (1437-1450). It contains a fine ancient reredos, interesting
tiles and a curious wooden =effigy of Robert, Duke of Normandy=, son of
William the Conqueror. Critics think it nearly contemporary with the
Duke himself. The figure rests on a Fifteenth Century chest.
Next we come to =St. Paul’s Chapel= (north-west) entered by a doorway. The
reredos here is very fine. It was repaired in 1870. St. Peter, St. Paul
and St. Luke, by Redfern, ornament the niches.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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