London and Its Environs Described, vol. 6 (of 6): Containing an Account of Whatever is Most Remarkable for Grandeur, Elegance, Curiosity or Use, in the City and in the Country Twenty Miles Round ItAnonymous
History
London and Its Environs Described, vol. 6 (of 6): Containing an Account of Whatever is Most Remarkable for Grandeur, Elegance, Curiosity or Use, in the City and in the Country Twenty Miles Round It
Anonymous
London (England) -- Description and travel -- Early works to 1800; London (England) -- Gazetteers -- Early works to 1800
In passing from hence the stranger usually looks into the inner or horn
court, so called from a pair of stag’s horns of a very extraordinary
size, taken in the forest and set up in that court, which is painted in
bronze and stone colour. On one side is represented a Roman battle, and
on the opposite side a sea fight, with the images of Jupiter, Neptune,
Mercury and Pallas; and in the gallery is a representation of King
David playing before the ark.
From this court a flight of stone steps lead to the King’s guard
chamber; and in the cavity under these steps, and fronting this court,
is a figure of Hercules also in stone colours. On a dome over the
steps, is painted the battle of the Gods, and on the sides of the stair
case is a representation of the four ages of the world, and two battles
of the Greeks and Romans in fresco.
_St. George’s chapel_, among the buildings of this noble palace we
have mentioned the chapel of St. George situated in the middle of the
lower court. This antient structure, which is now in the purest style
of Gothic architecture, was first erected by King Edward III. in the
year 1337, soon after the foundation of the college, for the honour
of the order of the garter, and dedicated to St. George, the patron
of England; but however noble the first design might be, King Edward
IV. not finding it entirely completed, enlarged the structure and
designed the present building, together with the houses of the dean and
canons, situated on the north and west sides of the chapel; the work
was afterwards carried on by Henry VII. who finished the body of the
chapel, and Sir Reginald Bray, knight of the garter, and the favourite
of that King, assisted in ornamenting the chapel and compleating the
roof.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account