DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.20917#0119
HEREFORD CATHEDRAL. 95
Out of which porch or entrance you pass into
the Chapter-house itself; which is in form deca-
gonal, with windows round, supported in the
middle by one single column, of very exqui-
site work, embossed with figures. Under the
windows are, in every square, five niches, there
being nine squares besides the square of the
entrance. In every niche is an esfigies, or picture,
as big as the life, in all 45 pictures on the wall,
admirably painted. On the left hand the first
square presents you with five esfigies: two crowned
kings, the two first which I do judge to be St. Ethel-
bert and Milfrith, the first founder of the church.
Third, a bishop mitred, Quaere St. Athelstan,
or Robert Lorrain, having the figure of a church
in his hand. Fourth and fisth were the two listers
Wluine and Godive. If Godive had been mar-
ried, as supposed to be the wife of Leofric and
mother of Algar (which nevertheless is probable),
surely they would not paint them in such maid-
enly, but rather in a matronly habit.
The second, third, fourth, and fifth squares,
are the esfigies of Christ, some of the apostles
and primitive saints, which, being embezzled by
private hands, and some pulled down, cannot be
discovered. In the sixth square is a knight, in
antique armour, underwritten S. Georgius; a
bishop, mitred, underwritten S. David Ep'us;
a nun,
Out of which porch or entrance you pass into
the Chapter-house itself; which is in form deca-
gonal, with windows round, supported in the
middle by one single column, of very exqui-
site work, embossed with figures. Under the
windows are, in every square, five niches, there
being nine squares besides the square of the
entrance. In every niche is an esfigies, or picture,
as big as the life, in all 45 pictures on the wall,
admirably painted. On the left hand the first
square presents you with five esfigies: two crowned
kings, the two first which I do judge to be St. Ethel-
bert and Milfrith, the first founder of the church.
Third, a bishop mitred, Quaere St. Athelstan,
or Robert Lorrain, having the figure of a church
in his hand. Fourth and fisth were the two listers
Wluine and Godive. If Godive had been mar-
ried, as supposed to be the wife of Leofric and
mother of Algar (which nevertheless is probable),
surely they would not paint them in such maid-
enly, but rather in a matronly habit.
The second, third, fourth, and fifth squares,
are the esfigies of Christ, some of the apostles
and primitive saints, which, being embezzled by
private hands, and some pulled down, cannot be
discovered. In the sixth square is a knight, in
antique armour, underwritten S. Georgius; a
bishop, mitred, underwritten S. David Ep'us;
a nun,