DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6914#0166
134
ARCHITECTURAL ANTIQUITIES.
fold circle of oak-leaves. The front spanclrils are sculptured in mezzo relievo,
with a vine branch, fructed; and a large acanthus fully expanded, and two
smaller ones.31
In the adjoining tomb of Aymer de Valence there is a far greater similarity to that
of the Countess32 than is displayed in the tomb of the Earl of Lancaster, which
is constructed after a much more elaborate design than either of the others, and
when in its perfect state, (as may be seen from an engraving in Sandford's History,)
was probably, for the time of its erection, the most splendid example of its kind
in England. In this, which is much larger and more elevated than either Valence's
or Aveline's, the surmounting canopy consists of three cinquefoil-headed arches,
an expansive one in the centre, and two smaller lateral ones, separated by gradu-
ated buttresses, terminating in rich pinnacles. A lofty pediment rises over each
arch, and within the large trefoil of the principal one, on each side, is an alto
relievo figure of the earl, armed cap-a-pee, in mail, on a charger, caparisoned in
the style of his age. The sides of the tomb are separated into compartments,
including small niches and statues of regal personages, like those of Aveline's
tomb. On the covering slab is a cumbent figure of the earl, cross-legged, in
chain mail, and inclined somewhat to the right, as though looking towards the
high altar. Besides its other adornments, the canopy was formerly surmounted
by octagonal pedestals, sustaining figures of angels. The under parts of each
31 It should be noticed as one of the first instances of the kind, that the spandrils in front of the
tomb were originally ornamented with small heater shields, emblazoned with the arms and alliances of
the deceased, in which the respective bearings were embossed, or raised, with a plastic composition, and
the whole properly coloured, &c. similarly to those which yet remain on the tomb of the earl her
husband. All the shields of this tomb are gone, but each facia of the dripstone, or weathering of the
canopy, is blazoned with arms in small oblong squares (separated by roses) many of which may still be
ascertained. Independently of its other ornaments, this monument (like those of Valence and Crouch-
back) was richly gilt and painted in the general style of nearly all our principal sepulchral memorials of
the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries.
31 The monument of Archbishop Peckham, who died in 1292, in Canterbury Cathedral, is very
similar to that of Aveline, in its general design, but may be regarded as one remove beyond the latter in
graceful decoration and floridness of style. In this the pier buttresses, as well as the recesses in front of
the tomb, are enriched with small statues: the under part of the canopy is formed into trefoil radiations ;
and the mouldings both of the arch and pediment are embellished with trailing vine branches. Within
the angle of the pediment is a rich six-leaved open flower within a circle. Vide " History, &c. of Can-
terbury Cathedral," Plate xviii.
ARCHITECTURAL ANTIQUITIES.
fold circle of oak-leaves. The front spanclrils are sculptured in mezzo relievo,
with a vine branch, fructed; and a large acanthus fully expanded, and two
smaller ones.31
In the adjoining tomb of Aymer de Valence there is a far greater similarity to that
of the Countess32 than is displayed in the tomb of the Earl of Lancaster, which
is constructed after a much more elaborate design than either of the others, and
when in its perfect state, (as may be seen from an engraving in Sandford's History,)
was probably, for the time of its erection, the most splendid example of its kind
in England. In this, which is much larger and more elevated than either Valence's
or Aveline's, the surmounting canopy consists of three cinquefoil-headed arches,
an expansive one in the centre, and two smaller lateral ones, separated by gradu-
ated buttresses, terminating in rich pinnacles. A lofty pediment rises over each
arch, and within the large trefoil of the principal one, on each side, is an alto
relievo figure of the earl, armed cap-a-pee, in mail, on a charger, caparisoned in
the style of his age. The sides of the tomb are separated into compartments,
including small niches and statues of regal personages, like those of Aveline's
tomb. On the covering slab is a cumbent figure of the earl, cross-legged, in
chain mail, and inclined somewhat to the right, as though looking towards the
high altar. Besides its other adornments, the canopy was formerly surmounted
by octagonal pedestals, sustaining figures of angels. The under parts of each
31 It should be noticed as one of the first instances of the kind, that the spandrils in front of the
tomb were originally ornamented with small heater shields, emblazoned with the arms and alliances of
the deceased, in which the respective bearings were embossed, or raised, with a plastic composition, and
the whole properly coloured, &c. similarly to those which yet remain on the tomb of the earl her
husband. All the shields of this tomb are gone, but each facia of the dripstone, or weathering of the
canopy, is blazoned with arms in small oblong squares (separated by roses) many of which may still be
ascertained. Independently of its other ornaments, this monument (like those of Valence and Crouch-
back) was richly gilt and painted in the general style of nearly all our principal sepulchral memorials of
the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries.
31 The monument of Archbishop Peckham, who died in 1292, in Canterbury Cathedral, is very
similar to that of Aveline, in its general design, but may be regarded as one remove beyond the latter in
graceful decoration and floridness of style. In this the pier buttresses, as well as the recesses in front of
the tomb, are enriched with small statues: the under part of the canopy is formed into trefoil radiations ;
and the mouldings both of the arch and pediment are embellished with trailing vine branches. Within
the angle of the pediment is a rich six-leaved open flower within a circle. Vide " History, &c. of Can-
terbury Cathedral," Plate xviii.