DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6914#0170
138
ARCHITECTURAL ANTIQUITIES.
elegance of decoration is evident in many parts of this fabric ; particularly in the
richly-sculptured corbels, or brackets, which support the upper tier of shafts, sus-
taining the main groins of the vaulting,—in the diversity of subjects which orna-
ment the key-stones, or bosses,—in the open-work parapet of the tritorium,—and
in the variety of patterns exhibited by the tracery of the windows, which is far
greater than in any other building, not any two being alike on either side of the
church, yet those ranged opposite to each other, (north and south,) correspond in
almost every respect. There is also much ingenuity in design, and superior skilful-
ness in execution, displayed in the ramifications of the great east and west windows,
and also in that of the western gable : the masonic arrangement of the west win-
dow has but few parallels.38 The three stalls, or stone seats, on the right of the
altar, (under the easternmost arch of the choir,) which were erected by Bishop Sta-
peldon in the latter part of Edward the Second's reign, are of almost unrivalled
lightness and elegance. They have very rich open-work canopies formed by a
graduated succession of arches, buttresses, and pinnacles, and rising somewhat
higher than the springing lines of the great arches of the choir. Another peculiarity
of this Cathedral is the sumptuously ornamented screen, or facade, of the west front,
which has sometimes been called Grandisson's monument, that prelate having been
interred in the small chapel on the right of the great entrance. This is adorned
with several ranges of statues both scriptural and historical, in enriched niches, &c,
the entire screen being profusely overspread with sculptured work of divers kinds.
Ely furnishes several remarkable examples of this class, viz. the Priory Chapel,
(now belonging to the deanery, and converted into a dwelling house,) which was
erected by John de Crouden, who was elected Prior of Ely in 1321, and retained
that office about twenty years ;39—the chapel of St. Mary, now the Trinity Church,
which stands contiguous to the presbytery, or present choir, on the north side,
and the first stone of which was laid on Lady-day, 1321 :—and the octagon tower
and lantern of Ely Cathedral, the building of which was commenced in 1321,
33 Rickman, speaking of the windows of Exeter Cathedral, remarks, that " the tracery is of an early
character, and not what can be strictly called flowing, like the decorated tracery of the northern counties,
but principally formed of arches and circles intermixed, and there is a great prevalence of trefoils, com-
paratively but few cinquefoil heads being found either in the windows, or other stone work." Vide
« Attempt," &c. p. 158, 3rd edit.
39 In the " Aichseologia,'' vol. xiv. is a descriptive account of this chapel, by Wm. Wilkins, jun.
architect, illustrated by six engravings from his own drawings.
ARCHITECTURAL ANTIQUITIES.
elegance of decoration is evident in many parts of this fabric ; particularly in the
richly-sculptured corbels, or brackets, which support the upper tier of shafts, sus-
taining the main groins of the vaulting,—in the diversity of subjects which orna-
ment the key-stones, or bosses,—in the open-work parapet of the tritorium,—and
in the variety of patterns exhibited by the tracery of the windows, which is far
greater than in any other building, not any two being alike on either side of the
church, yet those ranged opposite to each other, (north and south,) correspond in
almost every respect. There is also much ingenuity in design, and superior skilful-
ness in execution, displayed in the ramifications of the great east and west windows,
and also in that of the western gable : the masonic arrangement of the west win-
dow has but few parallels.38 The three stalls, or stone seats, on the right of the
altar, (under the easternmost arch of the choir,) which were erected by Bishop Sta-
peldon in the latter part of Edward the Second's reign, are of almost unrivalled
lightness and elegance. They have very rich open-work canopies formed by a
graduated succession of arches, buttresses, and pinnacles, and rising somewhat
higher than the springing lines of the great arches of the choir. Another peculiarity
of this Cathedral is the sumptuously ornamented screen, or facade, of the west front,
which has sometimes been called Grandisson's monument, that prelate having been
interred in the small chapel on the right of the great entrance. This is adorned
with several ranges of statues both scriptural and historical, in enriched niches, &c,
the entire screen being profusely overspread with sculptured work of divers kinds.
Ely furnishes several remarkable examples of this class, viz. the Priory Chapel,
(now belonging to the deanery, and converted into a dwelling house,) which was
erected by John de Crouden, who was elected Prior of Ely in 1321, and retained
that office about twenty years ;39—the chapel of St. Mary, now the Trinity Church,
which stands contiguous to the presbytery, or present choir, on the north side,
and the first stone of which was laid on Lady-day, 1321 :—and the octagon tower
and lantern of Ely Cathedral, the building of which was commenced in 1321,
33 Rickman, speaking of the windows of Exeter Cathedral, remarks, that " the tracery is of an early
character, and not what can be strictly called flowing, like the decorated tracery of the northern counties,
but principally formed of arches and circles intermixed, and there is a great prevalence of trefoils, com-
paratively but few cinquefoil heads being found either in the windows, or other stone work." Vide
« Attempt," &c. p. 158, 3rd edit.
39 In the " Aichseologia,'' vol. xiv. is a descriptive account of this chapel, by Wm. Wilkins, jun.
architect, illustrated by six engravings from his own drawings.