On the step of the altar is the effigy of ROBERT COURTEHOSE, [Plate VII.,] eldest son of the Conqueror, who died in 1134, at the castle of Cardiff, where he had been a prisoner twenty-six years. He had been a great benefactor to the monastery at Gloucester, and was interred here before the high altar. His monument continued entire until 1641, when it was broken to pieces by Cromwell’s soldiers. The pieces were bought by Sir Humphrey Tracy, of Stanway, who kept them until after the Restoration, when they were put together, and replaced in the cathedral. The monument now consists of a high tomb or chest (on wheels), of Irish oak, on which is laid the effigy, also of oak. The shields on the tomb, and the figure itself, were partly re-coloured, and the former very improperly, during the present century. The tomb has a border of leafage, of late Decorated character. The effigy itself may be of the same period (since the material is the same), and may perhaps have been copied from an earlier figure. It is cross-legged, and has a surcoat and a coronet. Whatever may be its real date, it cannot possibly be older than Henry II. The Norman pier remains at the north-east angle of the chapel, with the addition of a Perpendicular base, and a panelled ornament cut into it. Between the reredos and the east wall is a Perpendicular arch, which assists in carrying the east window, and is so contrived as to relieve the slight Perpendicular pier adjoining of the weight of the superstructure, which it was not strong enough to bear. The construction of all this east end of the choir, which is very ingenious, is best seen in the triforium, (§ XVI.) XIV. The termination of the Norman choir, as has already been mentioned, was polygonal, with a central and two side chapels. This original arrangement still remains in the crypt, (§ XVII.); but the central chapel at the east end of the choir, which had been undisturbed by the erection of the great east window, was altered about a century later, when the _Lady-chapel_ was commenced. The walls of the _ante-chapel_, by which this is entered, are in fact those of the Norman apsidal chapel, pierced on either side by a Perpendicular window, and having a rich panelled lierne vault, crossed by a double row of pendants. The _upper_ story of the ante-chapel was the Norman chapel of the triforium. This portion is separated from the Lady-chapel by a screen of open-work, through which is seen the vaulted roof, and three windows at the west and on either side. The west window looks across the low gallery intervening between it and the east window of the choir, (see § V.) The arch carrying the screen of the upper chapel, and forming the eastern termination of the lower roof, is bordered in front by a series of foiled panels, having shields in their centres.