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
mutilated sculpture of the Crucifixion, surrounded by vine-leaves and
tendrils. The work resembles the leafage of the Cantilupe Shrine, and is
possibly by the same hand. In a recess decorated with the ball-flower
under the arch opening to the vestibule of the Lady-chapel, is the
effigy of an unknown lady, (fourteenth century,) dug up outside the
church during the restorations. Against the walls of the transept are
ranged some coffin slabs, with floriated and enriched crosses, found at
different times and in various parts of the cathedral. One of these
(_circa_ 1250?) is given in Plate VII.
XVI. From the transept we pass into the _ambulatory_, or _retro-choir_,
at the back of the altar. This is transitional Norman, and its two bays
are divided by a pointed arch, which springs from circular shafts, at
the back of the altar and at the entrance to the vestibule of the
Lady-chapel. The ribs of the quadripartite vaulting are enriched with
chevron and diamond mouldings of late character. The arches at the back
of the choir-screen were decorated (see § X.) by Mr. Cottingham. On the
base of the central shaft is an inscription recording the erection of
the screen as a memorial of the late JOSEPH BAILEY, Esq.; (see § X.)
The existing arrangement seems to indicate (although this has not been
directly proved) that the Norman ground-plan, like that of Norwich,
comprised an ambulatory or “procession-path,” passing round at the back
of the high altar, and giving access to the central and side apses,
which opened from it.
[Illustration: Window in vestibule of Lady-chapel.]
XVII. The walls of this central apse are retained in the _vestibule_ to
the Lady-chapel. They are pierced north and south with transitional
Norman window openings; pointed arches, with massive mouldings, one of
which, an enriched diamond, runs round the soffete, and is carried on
the capitals of triple side shafts. The foliage of the capitals is of
completely Early English character. These windows (the glass in which,
as is indicated by their rebated jambs, was fixed in wooden
[Illustration: EASTERN BAY OF LADY-CHAPEL.
PLATE VIII.
]
frames) were built up in the wall, until the restoration of this part of
the cathedral by Mr. Cottingham.
In the south wall of the vestibule is the very interesting monument,
with effigy, of Dean BEREW, or BEAURIEÚ, (died 1462). The head of the
effigy, delicately featured and full of expression, and the arrangement
of the robe, especially at the feet, are very striking, and should be
noticed. The feet rest on a boar; and in the hollow of the arch-moulding
are boars and rue leaves, forming a “rebus” of the Dean’s name. Over the
whole monument there are traces of painting, and at the back of the
recess the kneeling figure of an ecclesiastic is distinguishable;
possibly that of Dean Berew himself.
On the floor is the very fine _brass_ of Richard Delamare (1435) and his
wife Isabella. There is also here the _brass_ of a priest in cope,
_circa_ 1450.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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