How to Visit the English CathedralsSingleton, Esther
History
How to Visit the English Cathedrals
Singleton, Esther
Cathedrals -- England
“The choir is remarkable for the great beauty of the wood-work
which it contains, as well as for its architectural merits. The
style is that of the transition between the Early English and
Decorated. The north side differs from the south, especially in
regard to the mouldings. The north side is earlier than the south,
the building having been commenced at the east end of that side.
The mouldings on the north are bold rounds, while those on the
south are shallow and small hollows. The triforium has a series of
elaborately-carved cusped arches, and the clerestory windows are
light and graceful with geometrical tracery. The vault is modern,
constructed of good English oak. At the east there are figures of
the sixteen prophets and at the west are angels playing musical
instruments. There are some curious grotesque corbels, from which
the vaulting shafts spring.
“The carving of the CHOIR STALLS is equal, if not superior, to
anything in England. These are Fourteenth Century work and rival
the noble stalls of Amiens. They have been restored with much
accuracy and taste. The carving of the dean’s stall should be
noticed, as it represents the Jesse tree, surmounted by the
Coronation of the Virgin. That representing Jacob’s Dream is
modern. The _misereres_ are extremely interesting and curious and
full of religious instruction, though often conveyed in the way of
sarcastic reproof. There are forty-eight, of which three are
modern. Some of the most curious are: a pelican feeding her young;
St. Werburgh and the stolen goose; a wife beating her husband; the
strategy of the fox; stag hunt; Richard I. pulling out the heart of
a lion; a fox in the garb of a
[Illustration: CHESTER: CHOIR, WEST]
[Illustration: CHESTER: CHOIR-STALLS]
monk presenting a gift to a nun; various wild men; wrestlers;
unicorn resting its head on a virgin’s knee, and numerous
grotesques.”--(P. H. D.)
The =Altar= is modern and is made of oak of Bashan, olive-wood from the
Mount of Olives and the cedar of Lebanon. The Reredos, a mosaic of the
Last Supper, the Pulpit and the Bishop’s Throne are all modern.
For many years the =Shrine of St. Werburgh= was used for the latter. We
pause to look at this interesting piece of Fourteenth Century work,
remembering how many eyes of Mediæval pilgrims have gazed with reverence
upon it.
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