The Three Choirs: A Handbook to the Cathedrals of Gloucester, Hereford, and Worcester: A Complete Description of the Buildings, a History of Each Diocese and Biographical Notices of the BishopsKing, R. J. (Richard John)
Religion
The Three Choirs: A Handbook to the Cathedrals of Gloucester, Hereford, and Worcester: A Complete Description of the Buildings, a History of Each Diocese and Biographical Notices of the Bishops
The coffin in which the King’s remains were discovered in 1797 (at the
beginning of some repairs in the cathedral) was found at the bottom of
the tomb, level with the pavement. It was cut out of Higley stone, and
only covered with two elm boards. “Part of the royal apparel was firm in
texture, but the colour was gone; part of the sword and leather sheath
were lying on the left side of the body, but much mouldered; the boots
on the feet were more perfect; part of one of the robes appeared to have
been embroidered: the head was covered with a close-fitting scull-cap,
which appeared to have been buckled under the chin. A quantity of a sort
of white paste, which lay in lumps, was, I think, the salt of which
Matthew Paris speaks, used for preserving the body for a time. The tomb
was shortly after closed. It is hardly to be doubted that the body of
the King had been arrayed in the same apparel as that exhibited on his
effigy[81].”
X. PRINCE ARTHUR, the eldest son of Henry VII., born at Winchester in
1486, died at Ludlow Castle April 2, 1502, and was brought to this
cathedral for interment. His chantry fills the whole bay on the south
side of the altar, and is a very rich example of late and elaborate
Gothic. [Plate II.] The sides are formed of open and closed panel-work,
enriched with figures and heraldic devices, among which occur the rose,
fetter-lock, and portcullis. The small figures, however, are rudely
executed, and have been greatly injured. Within, the chantry has a flat
groined roof, with curious flying supports. In the central panel are the
arms of the Prince, with stags as supporters. At the west end is a small
seated figure of Henry VII. The east wall is covered by a rich mass of
tabernacle-work, with niches. In the central niche is a small figure of
the Saviour on the Cross, with censing angels at the head. On either
side are figures of saints, one of which is apparently St. George. The
whole has been terribly shattered, but the details deserve attention. In
the centre of the chantry is the high tomb of the Prince, with shields
and armorial bearings in the side panels. There is no effigy.
XI. Passing out of the choir we ascend from the transept into the _south
choir-aisle_ by a flight of five steps, rendered necessary by the crypt
below. The aisle is of the same date and character as the choir, and an
Early English chapel, which, has been restored in the same manner as the
choir, opens from the two westernmost bays. The view into this chapel
from the south transept has already (§ VII.) been noticed. From within
the chapel the fine and lofty Norman arch, receding in three orders,
which opens to the
[Illustration: CHANTRY OF PRINCE ARTHUR.]
transept, is well seen. It is of late Norman character. A doorway in the
south wall, close to this arch, now opens to the apartments formerly
used as treasuries, over the narrow ‘slype’ or passage between the great
south transept and the chapter-house.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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