Page:Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal, Volume 1, 1869.djvu/517

 1869.] The Minsters of England. 423 " foot for three miles over rough broken " stones. He prostrated himself before " the tomb, and remained some time in " prayer, directing the Bishop of London " to proclaim to the people, that he was "not accessory to the death of Becket. " He then commanded all the monks " to scourge him ; and afterwards con- " tinued his prayers at the tomb, where " he remained all da}' and night on the " bare stones and without food. He was " clad in sack-cloth, and after paying "his devotions to all the altars of the "church, he bequeathed a revenue of " forty pounds a year for wax candles to "be always burning about the tomb. He " then returned to London, exhausted "and ill." Opening by a lofty arch from the aisle of the Trinity Chapel is a curious build- ing, a sort of appendage to the Cathe- dral, called BeckeVs Grown. A passage from the north end of the east transept communicates with the library, deanery, prebendal houses, &c. At an angle of this passage is an ancient octagonal apartment, containing an elaborate font, and known by the name of "Bell Jesus." This name was given in consequence of its having been built in imitation of a large bell. The parts of the church remaining to be noticed are the Crypt, cloisters, and chapter house. The first may be re- garded as the largest, the finest, and the most interesting in England. In extent, construction and ornamental detail, it must excite the unqualified admiration of the architect and antiquary. Whilst the first may derive from a minute ex- amination of it much useful knowledge, in designing for foundations, piers, and vaulting ; the latter will find in its archi- tectural style and adornment a fertile theme for inquiry and speculation. The age of the oldest part, that from the western end to the eastern extremity of the circular aisle, has not been ascer- tained ; and consequently is a source of controversy. Some refer its erection to the Anglo-Saxons, others to the first prelate under the Norman dynasty. But others again insist that it was executed by Lanfranc, the architect of the Cathe- dral, and the protege of William the Conqueror. The great crypt consists of a large central space, between a continued range of square piers, from the west to the east end, divided into three parts by two rows of small columns. Another aisle, or open space, extends all round the outside of the piers ; and is bounded by the outer wall. Branching off from this aisle are two vaults, or open spaces, with a single column in the centre of each, and semi-circular recesses on the east side. The northern transept has a door- way and arched passage, which formerly communicated with the priory. Its vaults have only plain ribs from column to pier, with plain vaulting between. There is a regular entrance doorway in this transept, by a descent of steps, being the approach to a church, or chapel, which has been fitted up in the south aisle of the crypt ; and appropri- ated to a sect of Walloon and French refugees, some of whom sought refuge in this city from the cruelties of the In- quisition in the time of Edward VI. At the semi-circular end of this crypt is a part inclosed by a screen, which has lateral doorways. This was a chapel sacred to the Virgin, and from the style of the screen and altar, was formerly an elegant inclosure. " This chapel," says Erasmus, " was not shown, but to no- " blemen and especial friends. Here " the Virgin Mother had a habitation, " but somewhat dark, inclosed with a " double sept or rail of iron for fear of " thieves ; for, indeed, I never saw a " thing more laden with riches : lights " being brought, we saw more than a " royal spectacle. In beauty it far sur- passed that of Walsingham." Imme- diately behind the Virgin Chapel and semi-circular range of columns are two very large insulated columns, before noticed, that are evidently subsequent to the crypt ; and yet are of a very early