The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 17, No. 488, May 7, 1831 — John Shaqi
The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 17, No. 488, May 7, 1831Various
History
The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 17, No. 488, May 7, 1831
Various
Popular literature -- Great Britain -- Periodicals
There are several small chapels in this edifice, in which are the
monuments of many illustrious persons; particularly of Edward, Earl
of Lincoln, a renowned naval warrior; George Manners, Lord Roos, and
Anne, his consort, niece of Edward the Fourth; Anne, Duchess of Exeter,
mother of that lady, and sister to the king; Sir Reginald Bray, before
mentioned; and Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, who married the sister
of King Henry the Eighth.
At the east end of St. George's Chapel is a freestone edifice, built by
Henry the Seventh, as a burial-place for himself and his successors; but
afterwards altering his purpose, he began the more noble structure at
Westminster; and this remained neglected until Cardinal Wolsey obtained
a grant of it from Henry the Eighth, and, with a profusion of expense,
began here a sumptuous monument for himself, whence this building
obtained the name of Wolsey's _Tomb House_. This monument was so
magnificently built, that it exceeded that of Henry the Seventh, in
Westminster Abbey; and at the time of the cardinal's disgrace, the tomb
was so far executed, that Benedetto, a statuary of Florence, received
4,250 ducats for what he had already done; and 380l. 18s. had been paid
for gilding only half of this monument. The cardinal dying soon after
his disgrace, was buried in the cathedral at York, and the monument
remained unfinished. In 1646, the statues and figures of gilt copper,
of exquisite workmanship, were sold. James the Second converted this
building into a Popish chapel, and mass was publicly performed here.
The ceiling was painted by Verrio, and the walls were finely ornamented
and painted; but the whole having been neglected since the reign of
James the Second, it fell into a complete state of decay, from which,
however, it was some years ago retrieved by George the Third, who had it
magnificently completed (under the direction of the late James Wyatt,
Esq.) in accordance with the original style, and a _mausoleum_
constructed within, as a burial-place for the royal family.
Windsor Castle, as the reader may recollect, was magnificently re-built
by William of Wykeham, who was Clerk of the Works to Edward the Third,
in 1356. Little now remains of Wykeham's workmanship, save the round
tower, and this has just been raised considerably. Wykeham had power
to press all sorts of artificers, and to provide stone, timber, and all
necessary materials for conveyance and erection. Indeed, Edward caused
workmen to be impressed out of London and several counties, to the
number of five or six hundred, by writs directed to the various
sheriff's, who were commanded to take security of the masons and
joiners, that they should not leave Windsor without permission of
the architect. What a contrast are these strong measures with the
scrutinized votes of money recently made for the renovation of the
Castle!
* * * * *
ORIGIN OF THE WORD ALBION.
(_To the Editor._)
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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