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The new

ILLUSTRATED HANDBOOK

SALISBURY CATHEDRAL

> .THE OLOSE.

SALISBURY:
EDWAED KOB, PUBLISHER, QUEEN STREET.

SALISBURY:
ED^S^AED EOE, PEINTEB,
QUEEN STBEET.

TABLE OP CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.
. fAGi
The Close of Salisbury-^he Walls— St. Anne's Gate— High Street Gate-
Widow's College — The Deanery — The King's House — Diocesan Train
ing School — Harnham Gate — Canonical House of the Rev. W. L.
Bo-wles — &c  4
CHAPTER II.
History of the Cathedral — Transfer from Old Sarum — Foundation — Con
secration of Altars — Visits of the King — Interment of William
Longspee, Earl of Salisbm'y — Progress of the Structure — Its com
pletion and dedication  17
CHAPTER III.
The exterior of the Cathedral — Its leading Characteristica — Its general plan
and dimensions — The West Eront — North Porch — ^The Tower and
Belfiy  36
CHAPTER IV.
The Interior of the Cathedral — Origin and Characteristics of Gothic Art —
General View of the Interior — The Nave — The Great Transept — The
Organ Screen— The Choir— The Lady Chapel— The Monuments  39
CHAPTER V.
The Library, containing a copy of the Magna Charta and other Ancient
Manuscripts, &c. — The Cloisters — The Chapter House and its Sculp
ture — The Burying Ground, &c., &c  ,  ,  ,  49

THE
NEW HANDBOOK TO SALISBURY CATHEDRAL.

CHAPTEE I.

The Close of Salisbury — The walls — St. Anne's Gate — High Street Gate 
Widows College — The Deanery — The King's House — Diocesan Training
School — Harnham Gate — Canonical House of Rev. W. L. Bowles — &c.
" See yonder hallowed fane — the pious work
Of names once famed, now dubious or forgot,
And buried 'midst the wreck of things which were.
There lie interred the more illnstrious dead. Blaie.
We propose in the following pages to supply in a sucoint form
such information regarding the past history and present state of
Salisbuky Caihedeal as the stranger would be likely to find
acceptable. The numberless beauties and matchless symmetry of this noble
effort of Gothic art, wUl unfold themselves as we proceed in our
examination : we need not therefore detain the reader by any
lengthened observations. The name of Salisbury Cathedral is
associated with the earliest readings and teachings of our child
hood, not merely in Britain but elsewhere ; and there are few
but can remember, on hearing or reading of its renowned spire
and perfect style, the yearning desire to be permitted to gaze
upon it and examine it for themselves. How many thousands
have been pri^vileged by the gratification of this desire : how
many thousands of pilgrims, from the date of its foundation to
the present day, have come from all parts of the wide world to
bow down in wondering admiration before the perfect beauty of

8 THE steangee's handbook to saiisbuey cathbbeai..
this noble edifice, which, as Emerson truly says, "is now esteem
ed the culmination of the Gothic art in England." It is a life-
memory to have patiently explored and lovingly investigated this
"poem in stone;" a possession, a treasure of beauty to be che
rished for ever after.
One advantage is possessed by Salisbury beyond most other ca
thedrals : — it is admirably situated for effect. It is not built in
by common-place, lumbering canonical and other houses, as if to
show the extremest contrast of good and bad taste, and how
closely the two can be brought together. It is completely isolated
on all sides, and stands in its own well kept grounds, — the green
turf surrounding it, iatersected by gravelled paths. The only
objects in close proximity to it, are the Bishop's palace on the
south east, and near the west front, a "row of reverend elms " of
great height and beauty overshadowing the broad carriage road
leading to the western entrance. The level fields, formerly a
meadow, with their adornment of trees, form the finest possible
setting for so perfect a gem of art ; and the eye is gratified by
the simple beauty of the arrangement.
The lawn is separated from the public roads of the close by a
dwarf stone wall. The residences of the clergy and gentry abut
on these roads, and ¦with their pleasure grounds, form a noble en-
ceint of handsome, and many of them venerable houses, constitu-
ing the parish or Liberty of the Close of Sarum. Its park-like ap
pearance has been generally remarked by strangers ; and the very
air seems laden with tranquillity and peace.
The privileges and liberties of the close have always been
most carefully conserved, and guarded from every attempt to in
terfere in any way with them . Very early the ide a w as entertained
of separating it from the other parts of the city. So far back as
1331 a grant was obtained from Edward the third announcing
that he had given to " Robert de Wyvil the Bishop, and to the
Dean and Chapter of the Church of the blessed Virgin Mary, at
Sarum, all the stone walls of the former cathedral church of Old
Sarum, and of the houses which had before belonged to the
Bishops and Canons of that church, within his fortress of Old

ST. ANNE S sate. 9
Sarum, as his donation, to be employed in the improvement of
the church at New Sarum, and the enclosure pertaining to the
same.* From these materials the present walls were erected ; they have
well stood the test of time, and are apparently as solid and sub
stantial now as ever they were. There is evidence in several
places that they were constructed of the materials of the old ca
thedral ; particularly in that portion of the wall adjoining
the east or St. Anne's gate, where may still be seen traces of
sculptures and Norman mouldings on many of the stones. There
are three gates, — the east, the north, and a smaller one, probably
a postern-gate, on the south.
The eastern, or St. Anne's gateway is a simple pointed arch
ha'ving a room over it in which until lately were modern win
dows, not at all harmonizing with the structure. These have
now been replaced by others of suitable style, the work of our
townsman Mr. Osmond, stonemason to the Dean and Chapter,
who in this as in all things entrusted to him has displayed great
taste and judgement. This room was at one time used as an
Assembly room by James Harris, the father of the first Lord
Malmesbury, and a distinguished literary character, whose man
sion adjoined the gate just within the close. Concerts, assemblies,
and sometimes theatrical representations were here given, presided
over by the exquisite taste of Mr. Harris ; and these in accord
ance with the habits of our ancestors were given at an early hour,
and terminated if not at curfew, at least soon afterwards.
The northern, or High street gate is the most beautiful of the
three gates of the close. It is situated in a direct line to Old
Sarum, and was probably erected first in order of time ; but the
structure being far more elaborate than the others, would seem to
indicate a later date. The arch is pointed ; the spandrils and
quatrefoils are richly decorated. Above on the north side are
the arms of England in the reign of Charles the second. On the
other side of the gate is a niche occupied by a clumsy figure
intended, it is said, to represent Charles the second, but far
* Hatcher's History of Salisbury.

10 THE STEANOEr's HANDBOOK TO SALISBITET CATHEDEAI.
more like James the first. It is attributed to Humphry Beckham,
who was a native genius in work and stone carving, and has left
behind him a curious piece of carved wood which adorns the west
end of St. Thomas's Church, and forms his own monumental tab- '
let. It is cut out of one block of oak and represents several
passages in Patriarchal history. At the bottom is the following
inscription, "Here under lyeth the body of Humphry Beckham
¦who died the second day of February, 1671. Aged 83. His
own worke." At one of James's visits to Salisbury, he was ob
served to mingle with the crowd, and taking little interest in the
pageant, fixed his gaze intently on the person of the king, appa
rently taking a mental portrait to be reproduced hereafter. The
statue which occupies the niche above the arch on the south side
of the gate is believed to have been the result. This gate, as
¦well as the eastern gate, has a room over it, to which access is
gained by a small door and winding stairs within the gateway,
forming a porter's lodge.
Nearly adjoining this gate is the Widow's College; an estab
lishment founded by Seth Ward, Bishop of Salisbury, in 1682,
for the maintenance of ten widows of clergymen of the established
Church'. An addition of 2000 guineas was made to the funds
of the college by the bequest of William Benson Earle, Esq. in
1790. The original endowment was more than £200 a year
from lands in the neighbourhood. The building consists of a
centre and two projecting wings. Over the gate is inscribed Col
legium hoc Matronarum. Do. Oo. Mo. Humilime Dedicavit
Sethus Episcopus Sarum. Anno Domine mdclxxxii."
While noticing this admirable institution, which is a perma
nent proof how well Seth Ward understood his duty to the
"¦widow and fatherless," — we are reminded of some touching
lines of Bowles's " On seeing plants in the "windows of Seth
Ward's college endowed for widows of clergymen at Salisbury ;"
which the poet adds in a note, were written -when the widows
were his guests, in accordance with the practice of the canons to
entertain the matrons during their term of residence. It is relat
ed of the founder by Dr. Pope that he had " often heard him

THE DEANEET. 11
express his dislike if any one called it an hospital ; for, said he,
many of these are well descended, and have lived in good re
putation : I would not have it said of them that they were reduced
to an Hospital, but retired to a College, which has a more hon
ourable sound."
In the north west corner of the close is a square piece of lawn,
foiimerly crossed diagonally by a path, surrounded on two sides
by majestic trees, and on the others by dwelling houses. Until
within a few years, an annual fair used to be held on this spot,
and the quiet of the ecclesiastical community was rudely dis
turbed by the discordant sounds of gongs and trumpets, and all
the "humours of a country fair." The propinquity of this rab-
blement and saturalia of mountebanks and coarse revelry, to the
sacred edifice, was felt to be incongruous ; and a crusade was
declared against it which was ¦vigorously prosecuted for several
years, until it was entirely suppressed, to the great gratification
of the decorous denizens of the place.
In this angle of the close is an old building which might
possibly be overlooked; it is an ancient canonical house, and
bears the mark of an age coeval with the halle of John Halle
and other similar buildings in Salisbury. The doorway and
¦windows are of the same style as many of the old manor-houses
to be found scattered through the County of Wilts. The pointed
window on the right belonged to the domestic chapel, so com
monly attached to the dwellings of the superior clergy. On the
cornice of the haU appears the name of John Hid (or Hyde)
of the noble family of Clarendon ; several of whom were canons
residentary, during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
There are several residences worthy of notice on the west side
of the close. Passing the cathedral school, we observe a gothic
House now in the occupation of James Hussey, Esq. which was
thoroughly repaired and restored by the late Mr. James Lacy.
" It has been known, from time immemorial by the title of ' The
Wardrobe,' and is conjectured to have served in that capacity as
an adjunct to the King's House."*
"¦ Rev. Peter Hall's Memorials of Salisbury.

12 THE STEANGEe's HANDBOOK TO SALISBITET CATHEDEAL.
Nearly adjoining, is the canonical residence no-w occupied by
Canon Fisher, — a fine old mansion of considerable antiquity.
The space in the projecting front now filled by square sashes was,
not long ago, a bay-^window. We learn from the biography of
Constable, the eminent landscape painter, that he was a frequent
visitor at this house ; and that it was here he painted his celebra
ted picture of Salisbury Cathedral, so well known by the beauti'-
ful engraving published from it.
Exactly opposite the West front of the Cathedral, is the
Deaneet, a large and commodious mansion surrounded by
grounds tastefully laid out. It was considerably beautified, we
believe, by the late Dean, Francis Lear, whose memory is fra
grant in the hearts of all who knew him.
" A man he was to all the country dear."
And very much of Goldsmith's description of the genuine
minister of religion applies to the memory of that good man,
whose simple piety and largeness of heart endeared him to all,
whether in or out of the established church.
" And even his failings lean'd to virtue's side ;
But in his duty prompt at every call,
He watch 'd and wept, he pray'd and felt, for all:
And as a bird each fond endearment tries.
To tempt its new-fledged offspring to the sties.
He tried each art, reproved each dull delay,
AUured to brighter worlds, and led the way.
The Deanery is at present occupied by the Eev. W. Parr
Hamilton, a distinguished champion of the cause of popular
education. We then come to an ancient mansion called The Ejng's
House. It was untU recently, divided into two residences, and
was nearly covered with ivy. It has undergone thorough resto
ration and improvement in order to adapt it to its present use — that
of The Diocesan Teaining School eoe Schoolmisteesses. It
is said to have been built about the beginning of the fifteenth cen
tury ; and derives its name from ha-ving been occasionaUy occu
pied by the Monarchs during the royal progresses through the
West. It was here Richard the third was staying at the time of

HAENHAM GATE. 13
the execution of the Duke of Buckingham, which took place in
Salisbury, in the Reign of Richard the third, it is believed in the
court yard of the Blue Boar Inn, the site now occupied by the
Saracen's Head in the Blue Boar Row. James the first often
¦visited Salisbury, and generally resided here as the guest of Sir
Thomas Sadler, the then proprietor. It was from this house
James proceeded to the episcopal palace, when, in 1618, he
created Augustus Robert Viscount Lisle, Earl of Leicester, and
William Lord Compton, Earl of Northampton. Its numerous and
spacious apartments admirably adapt it for its present purpose :
and the manner in which the necessary works were carried out
reflects credit upon Mr. Fisher the architect, Mr. Osmond, and
all concerned.
The establishment provides accommodation for sixty pupils,
and is throughly drained and ventilated, so that the health and
comfort of the inmates are well provided for. The various
apartments are lofty, the dormitories airy, and all the offices
complete and convenient.
Below this is a canonical House called Leadenhall, or Leyden
Hall, which was built by Elias de Berham, (or Derham) believed
to have been the architect of the cathedral. The house has been
so completely modernised as to present few traces of the original
building. Several other residences in this part of the close, deserve atten
tion ; but we must pass on. Before we leave the close, however,
we must ask the ¦visitor to contemplate the aspect of the cathe
dral and cloisters from this point of ¦view. It must be a matter
of individual opinion which aspect of the splendid edifice pre
sents it in the more satisfactory light as a whole ; but to us the
building never appears to greater advantage then when seen from
this part of the close ; the beautiful proportions of the structure
grow upon us as we gaze.
We have now reached the south gate of the close, usually cal
led the Haenhak Gate. This is a smaUer and more unpreten
ding structure than either of the other gates, though partaking
of the same style. It was originally simply a postern-gate, and

14 the STEANGEb's handbook to SALISBUET CATHEDEAL.
is not so wide as the others; but the arch is higher in proportion.
It is conjectured that the other gates were originally more lofty
than they now are ; and it is supposed their height has been
diminished by the accumulation of soil at their bases.
From this gate the walls of the close extend quite round to
the St. Anne's gate, enclosing on the South and East the epis-
capal Palace and the spacious gardens and pleasure grounds
attached thereto. These are separated from the pubUc path of
the close on the west, by a modem brick waU bounding the broad
graveUed promenade leading to the west front of the cathedral.
At the base, of this wall was formerly a ditch more or less stag
nant and unsightly. This has been recently fiUed in and the
space planted with evergreens protected by a light iron raUing
effecting a great improvement in this part of the close.
Following this broad pathway we pass the cloisters and west
front, and reach the square la^wn in the north west corner alluded
to before. Turning towards the east gate we pass several houses
of evident antiquity, and come to one of peculiar interest as the
canonical residence for many years of the late Rev. W. L. Bowles.
This house, if not coeval with the cathedral, is not of much later
date. It has been occasionally renovated but retains much of
its original peculiarity of style. It was previously occupied by
Archdeacon Coxe the Historian of Marlborough, House of Aus
tria, &c. On the right, in the garden, wiU be observed an open
arch, under which is a neat monumental tablet bearing the fol
lowing inscription: — "M. Gulmi. Coxe, Uteris per Europaim il-
lustris, W. L. B., Succeesor bis JEdibus Canonicis, P. — mdcccxxs."
One cannot but regard with interest this house, so deUght-
fuUy situated exactly opposite the north side of the Cathedral,
occupied successively by two eminent men of genius, men who
have "made their mark" in literature, and whose names ¦wiU not
easUy be obliterated from the muster roll of England's worthies.
During the later part of his life Bowles resided principally in Sa-
Usbury ; and it was in the close that many of his sweetest poems
were written. He was elected canon-residentiary in 1828 and
died, after a gradual decay of the vital powers, in SaUsbury, April

KEV. W. L. BOWLES. 15
7, 1850, aged eighty-eight years. This long Hfe was devoted to
duties of a clergyman and to literature ; and he has left behind
him evidence of his genius as a poet, a writer on topography and
as an editor and controversialist. " He was a diligent pastor, an
eloquent preacher, an active justice, and in every way an estima
ble man. Even Byron who met him at Mr. Rogers' in London,
speaks of him as a ' pleasant, gentlemanly man — a good feUow for
a parson.' " * To Moore, Coleridge, and his other contempora-
raries, Bowles was greatly endeared by his simplicity and geetle-
ness. Coleridge has recorded his sentiments in a beautiful sonnet,
commencing " My heart has thanked thee Bowles, for those soft strains !
Whose sadness soothes me like, the murmuring
Of wild bees in the summer showers of spring I"
In 1807 Bowles edited an edition of Pope in ten volumes, which
led to the celebrated controversy between him, and Byron, Camp
bell, Roscoe and the Quarterly Review. He was afterwards en-
I gaged in some skirmishes with Lord Brougham, Sir James Mack
intosh, and the late Rev. Edward Duke ; in which he displayed
considerable pluck, and skiU. It is chiefly, however, as a poet
that he will be remembered ; for it was in his poetry that his
gentle, amiable spirit made itself kno^wn and loved. During the
latter part of his life he might have been seen daily drawn about
the close in a Bath chair in a state bordering on second childhood.
We weU remember the feelings with which we used to look upon
the Bfged poet, from whose eyes the poetic fire had long ceased to
flash ; and we cannot forget his venerable form, his shrunken
cheeks, and lusterless eye in connection with the gravelled walks
he so constantly frequented ; nor can we think of him other than
as aSALisBUET Poet, of whose name and fame the city might
well be proud.
On this side of the close are several mansions more or less in
teresting as specimens of ancient domestic architecture : and
which would repay examination. From this a carriage road leads
to the principal entrahce to the Bishop's palace, passing beneath
* Gilfillan.

16 THE STEANGEE's HANDBOOK TO SALISBUET CATHEDEAL.
a noble avenue of trees of great height and beauty. In this road
is situated the Diocesan Board Room and Depository : in which
much of the business of societies connected with the diocese is
transacted. Below it are offices of the Diocesan Registry for the
Testamentary and other ecclesiastical business.

HISTOET OP THE CATHEDEAL. 17

CHAPTEE II.

History of the Cathedral — Transfer from Old Sarum — Foundation — Consecra
tion of Altars — Visits of the King — Interment of William Longspee, Earl
of Salisbury — Progress of the struclure — Its completion and dedication.
" What cannot Art and Industry perform.
When Science plans the progress of their toil ." Beattie.
In the preceding chapter we have devoted our attention to the
beautiful cathedral close which adorns our city. In the present
chapter, in order to ^render our guide complete, we propose to give
so much of the history of the sacred edifice, and of the ecclesiasti
cal affairs of the diocese, as will add to the interest of the visitor's
examination of the structure itself, and afford him desirable in
formation. In our Sieangbe's Handbook to Salisbuey we haye traced
the events which led to the transference of the See from Sher
borne to Old Sarum, about the year 1073 ; and the appointment
of Osmund to the bishopric. This iUustrious prelate energetically
set himself to the promotion of the ecclesiastical establishment
over which he presided. He immediately commenced his Cathe
dral, and devoted his large possessions to its endowment. He
illustrated his prelacy by inauguratiug a new ritual, and conso
lidating in many ways the power and influence of the clergy. For
these important services to the church he was afterwards can
onized, and St. Osmund became the patron saint of the city. We
have also sketched the events of the next hundred years, during
which the see passed successively through the hands of Roger,
Joceline de Bailul, Hubert Walter, and Herbert Poore ; and the
state of affairs in the "hill city," as Old Sarum was sometimes

18 THE STEANGEe's HANDBOOK TO SALISBUET CATHEDEAL.
called, which superinduced the idea of removal from the hill to
a more convenient site in the plain. Several causes were alleged
which operated more or less in bringing about this movement.
It was said the hill was barren and dry, — water was scarce and
difficult to be obtained ; but if this was aU, we might ask how it
was the fortress had existed so long, and found sufiicient water
for its inhabitants, during so many years as had elapsed from its
foundation ? As to the bulk of the inhabitants who resided on
the slope of the hUl towards the Stratford meadows, surely the
Avon supplied abundance of water to meet their necessities. We
are inclined to believe that the truer reason was, the growing
uneasiness of an increasing body of ecclesiastics, in the midst of
a military fortress which overawed them ; and the ill-concealed
jealousy between the military authorities and the clergy. With
in the fortress, the church could hold but di-vided authority ¦with
civilians ; which the churchmen of that age with their charac
teristic craving for supremacy, could iU brook. This would
appear from the language of Peter of Blois, a contemporary writer,
who describes the church " as a captive on the hUl, where it was
built, like the ark of God, when shut up in the profane house of
Baal;" and he goes on to say, "Let us in God's name descend
into the plain. There are rich champain fields and fertile vallies,
abounding in the fruits of the earth, and watered by the Uving
stream. There is a seat for the Virgin patroness of our church,
to which the world cannot produce a parallel."
Whatever were the causes which led to the change, certain it
is that there was, amongst the ecclesiastics and civilans, wonder
ful unanimity in the desire to escape from the military fortress in
which they were located. The design was first formed by Her
bert Poore, but from various obstacles then in the way, it was for
a time abandoned, to be revived with greater energy by Richard
Poore, who succeeded his brother in the bishopric, and obtained
in 1218, from the Pope the necessary permission to remove the
cathedral and ecclesiastical establishment to a new site in the
vaUey. These events are quantly chronicled in Dr. Pope's " Sa-

SALISBUET BALLAD. 19
Usbury Ballad," written about the latter end of the seventeenth
century.* " The Soldier and Church-men did not long agree,
For the surly men with the Hilt on, <
Made sport at the Gate, with the Priests that came lata
From shriving the Nuns of Wilton.
Whereupon Bishop Poor went to the King,
And told him his piteous Tale,
That rather than abide such a Thorn in his side,
He'd build a new Church in the vale.
I'll bmld a new Church in the Vale, said he.
If your Highness will give me scope :
Who, I, said the King ? I'll not do such a Thing
Without our Old Father the Pope.
After describing his journey to the Pope to obtain his leave for
the removal, he goes on to say,
" He went, he prevail'd ; he retmned in a Trice,
With ample Authority seized.
To remove Azrwrn-stones, and St. Osmv.niTs Bones,
And to bmld a new Church where he pleas'd.
The Bishop consulted with the Abbess of Wilton as to the site
" Yet they could not agree of a Place."
In this state of indecision the Virgin appeard to him in his slum
bers and gave him the command,
" Go build me a Church without any Delay,
Go huUd it in Merryfield.
He awakes and he rings ; up ran Monks and Friars
At the sound of his little BeU ;
I must know, said he, where 'M.erryfield is j
But the Devil-a-bit could they tell."
He wandered forth and overheard a soldier speaking about the
Merryfield, and on enquiring where it was situated,
" The Soldier reply'd, by the River-side,
Where you see that Brindle-Cow.
Upon this he declared his pious Intent,
And about the Indulgencies ran.
And brought in bad People to build a goodSteeple,
And thus the Cathedral began."
We do not vouch for the miraculous selection of the site of the
new cathedral ; the reader may credit it on the faith of the Sa-
* Printed in the year 1713. Reprinted by E, Easton, Salisbury, 1770.

20 THE STEANGEe's HANDBOOK TO SALISBUET CATHEDEAL.
lislury Ballad if he pleases ; but a tradition certainly exists in
the locality that the finding by the monks of a peculiarly marked
cow browsing in the meadows, determined the spot upon which
the new cathedral was to be built. Whatever led to its selection,
the place chosen was in the angle formed by the junction of the
the Nadder and the Avon, "a spot" says Mr. Hatcher, "which
might almost be considered as chosen in contrast to the airy situa
tion about to be relinquished."
So eager were the inhabitants of Old Sarum to take advantage
of the decree of the Pope, that within two years from the date of
the important document, viz April 28, 1220, the first stone of the
new church -was laid in the presence of a vast concourse of people.
It is said there was not a large gathering of the nobility on the
occasion ; but the common people mustered very strongly. A
full service was performed ; after which the Bishop laid the first
stone for " our Lord Pope Honorius ;" the second for Stephen
Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury, and a Cardinal of the Church,
who was absent ¦with the King in Wales ; and a third stone he
laid for himself. The fourth stone was laid by William Longs
pee Earl of Sarum ; and the fifth stone was laid by his wife, Ela
Countess of Sarum. After these other stones were laid by noble
men then present; and by the dignitaries of the church of
Sarum : the people manifesting great interest in the ceremony,
and contributing largely to the cost of the fabric. On their return
from Wales many of the nobility laid stones, contributing their
alms and agreeing to an annual oblation for a period of seven
years. The Dean and Chapter had previously, on receipt of the
Papal Bull, resolved to assist in the building of the new church,
assessing themselves according to their prebendal estates for the
same period. Other methods of raising money were adopted ; and
the plan was pursued, much practised in modern times, of send
ing out preachers who were to travel the length and breath of
the country to collect the offerings of all good christians towards
the new cathedral. By these means the building progressed so
rapidly that in 1225 it was sufficiently advanced for the perfor
mance of Divine Service. The Bishop summoned all the Canons

CONSECEATION OE THE ALTAES. 21
to be present at the ceremony of consecrating the altars upon the
vigil of St. Michael. The first altar was at the east end of the
buUding, in honour of the Trinity and All Saints, at which mass
was to be sung daily ever afterwards. Three silver basons and
two silver candlesticks were offered by the Bishop upon this altar
and he gave the clerks who were to say mass, thirty marks of sil
ver a year out of his own property until a permanent endowment
could be arranged for them. The second altar was in the
northern part of the church, dedicated to St. Peter and the rest
of the Apostles ; and the third was in the southern part in ho
nour of Stephen and the other Martyrs.
At this ceremony several distinguished personages were present.
Amongst others were Stephen. Archbishop of Canterbury
Henry, Archbishop of Dublin; Richard, Bishop of Durham
Joceline, Bishop of Bath ; Ealph de Nevil, Bishop of Chichester
the Bishop of Eureux, in Normandy ; and Otto, the Pope's Nuncio
besides a brilliant list of knights and barons. On the following
day the Archbishop of Canterbury preached to the people who
crowded to hear him. Richard, the Bishop of Sarum, splendidly
entertained the august company for a week at his own charge :
and it is recorded by De Wanda that the whole festival was
happily conducted, and satisfactorily brought to a conclusion,
¦without aught to mar the harmony of the festivities.
On the Thursday foUowing the feast of St. Michaels, the King,
Henry the third, who was at that time staying at Clarendon,
came to Salisbury with his grand Justiciary, Herbert de Burgh,
to hear mass and made his offering at the altar of the blessed
Virgin. The King offered ten marks of silver and one piece of silk
and further signalised the occasion by granting to Salisbury a
yearly fair for eight days from the Assumption of the Virgin. The
Justiciary, not to be behind his royal master, offered for the use
of the altar a gold text, or book of the Old and New Testament,
set with precious stones and relics of divers saints. The Bishop
gained permission that the oblations of the principal altar should
be devoted for seven years to the use of the fabric, after which
time they were to go to the common use. Henry held his court

22 THE STEANGEe's HANDBOOK TO SALISBUET CATHEDEAL.
much at Clarendon during this year ; and at Christmas he and
Hurbert de Burgh again visited the Cathedral and heard mass, pre
senting a gold ring set with a ruby, one piece of silk, and a gold
cup weighing ten marks ; and the Justiciary offered the gold text
he had before given, with great devotion upon the altar.
On the 10th, of January following, WiUiam Longspee, Earl of
Salisbury, returned from his military command in Gascony, after
having encountered great perils by land and sea, and came to
Salisbury were he was received with great demonstrations of joy
by the inhabitants who were strongly attached to him. He
went publicly with a procession, to offer his thanksgivings in the
new cathedral, and retired to his castle at Old Sarum, where he
died on the 7th of March following, the victim, there is reason to
believe, of the treachery of the Justiciary Hurbert de Burgh. Dur
ing the Earl's absence, it would appear that the Justiciary had
endeavoured to force the supposed widow of the Earl into a
marriage with his nephew, Raymond, for the purpose of securing
her wealth and dignitires. On his return, the earl complained
to the king, and the favourite had to sue for forgiveness. The
mysterious death of the Earl so soon afterwards, leads to the con
clusion that the treacherous revenge of his enemy, the disgraced
Justiciary, had been satisfied in a manner not uncommon in those
days. The body of the Earl was brought to the new cit^, " ¦with
maey tears and great lamentation, at the same hour of the day
on which he had been received with great joy there ;" and accord
ing to Matthew Paris, although during the transit of the body
from Old Sarum it blew a violent storm, the torches of the fune
ral procession were not extinguished, but burned brightly aU the
way. This was the first interment in Salisbury Cathedral; and
as we shaU see hereafter, his monument is stiU remaining.
In the year 1226 on the feast of the Trinity, De Warda says-
the bodies of four of the bishops were brought from Old Sarum,
Eerman, Osmund, Roger, and Joceline, and interred in the new
jhurch with great ceremony.
In the meanwhUe the edifice was going on steadily towards
Jompletion ; for though opened for Divine service, it was by no

DEDICATION. 28
means finished. The oblations of the pious poured into the trea
sury, for the purpose of carrying on the good work, with great
liberality ; the good Bishop urged forward the building ¦with much
energy and devotedness. He was called upon, however, to leave
the scene of his zealous labours ; for in 1228 he was translated
by a Papal Bull to the See of Durham. This, though a promo
tion, was a source of grief to the prelate, wbo resigned the great
work reluctantly into other hands. He was succeeded by Bishop
Bingham, who prosecuted the work during his eighteen years re
sidence; but apparently with no great vigour, for he left the
edifice still incomplete. WiUiam of York, his successor, carried
on the undertaking for ten years, and nearly brought it to a con
clusion. On his decease, Egidius, or Giles de Bridport, who suc
ceeded him, completed the building within two years from his
accession to the See. At length the splendid structure, in all its
freshness and beauty, was ready for dedication, after thirty eight
years spent in the building of it, at an expense of forty thousand
marks, or £26,666 13s. 4d. sterling. On 80th September, 1258,
Boniface, Archbishop of Canterbury presided at the solemn dedi
cation of the splendid temple ; and the imposing ceremony was
graced by the presence of the king and queen, and a large assem
blage of prelates, and nobles, as well as by a great concourse of
the people.
Although we have stated that the building was completed by
Egidius, we should explain that the spire was a subsequent addi
tion to the structure. The original finish was a species of lantern,
at the intersection of the principal transept and the nave, which
rose about eight feet above the roof, and was ornamented inter
nally by a colonnade supporting a series of subdivided arches.
During the progress of the edifice, numerous indulgencies were
granted by different Bishops to persons who should aid the work,
and perform their devotions within the building. Soon after the
foundation, Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury granted
an indulgence of thirty days to contributors to the new fabric.
Indulgencies were also granted by two Bishops of St. Asaph ;
the Archbishop of Cassell ; Bishop of Bath and Wells ; Arch-

24 THE STEANGEe's HANDBOOK TO SALISBUET CATHEDEAL.
bishop of DubUn, &c., ranging in date from 1220 to 1306. The
attractions of such spiritual privileges in that age were irresist-
able ; and it can easily be supposed that great concourses of pil
grims were thus brought to Salisbury to pay homage and contri
bute of their substance to the noble structure. There is evidence
that this was so, from references in various authorities to the nu
merous inns and hostelries, which are mentioned by name, that
existed in the new city. The rapid growth of the city also attests
the attrections of the cathedral, in drawing around it a thriving
population. Very soon we find the Parish churches, one after the
other, required by the increasing number of the inhabitants ; and
it is probable that the city at that time had taken as nearly as
possible its present form, and occupied nearly as much ground as
it now does.
The feudal supremacy of the Bishops led subsequently to some
unpleasantness between the inhabitants and the prelates ; and the
demand for tallage was resisted, and an appeal made to the king.
The privileges of the charter were freely resigned by the citizens
at that time, rather than submit to the Bishops.
These matters, however, were afterwards accommodated: the
inhabitants submitted humbly to the Bishop ; the charter, on
his intercession, was restored, and harmony once more estab
lished in the city. We need not enter further into such affairs;
it is time to turn to the edifice itself, and proceed with our in
spection of the sacred building.

THE BXTEEIOE OP THE CATHEDEAL. 25

CHAPTEE III.

The exterior of the Cathedral — Its leading characteristics — Its general plan and
dimensions — The West front — North Porch — The Tower and Spire — The
Belfi-y. " As many days as in one year there be.
So many windows in this church we see ;
As many marble pillars here appear,
As there are hours throughout the fleeting year ;
As many gates as moons one year does view —
Strange tale to tell I yet not more strange than true."*
A thousand eloquent descriptions have been given of the glori
ous temple which is the subject of this little work. Each has done
his best to describe its numberless beauties in adequate and ap
propriate terms, and each has proved the poverty of language to
convey the impressions derived from its contemplation. Thorough
ly to appreciate the achievements of perfect art, demands an
amount of knowledge and technical skill, combined with imagi
native and reflective faculties of no mean order, — a combination
but rarely to be found. Recondite art demands the artist's eye,
practised and keen ; the artist's love of the beautiful and true ;
and the artist's fine feeling to understand it, and sympathize with
it: The noblest painting, the matchless "statue that enchants
the world," the grandest temple conceived in the imagination of
an architect and " blossoming in stone," — find their truest admi
rers in the men who come the nearest in artistic status to the
minds that gave them birth. Yet there is, in the highest speci-
* Translation from some Latin verses by Daniel Rogers, printed in Camden's
" Brittannica."

26 THE STEANGEe's HANDBOOK TO SALISBUET CATHEDEAL.
mens of art, that which commands the intuitive admiration of all ;
for art is a " broad and deep sea " in which a child may lave its
feet, and Leviathan disport himself :— it is a noble river at which
aU may drink, and drink their fiU. The purest art has a sim-
pUcity which attracts the humble, and satisfies the great : it sets
the uneducated rustic agape with wondering joy, and pours a deep
deUght into the bosoms of the cultivated and refined.
Such a gem of art is before us in SaUsbury Cathedral. Not a
ploughboy strays into its precincts but gazes awestruck and aston
ished at the noble structure, and puzzled and thrUled pursues his
way — " Pleased he knows not why, and cares not wherefore :"
not a schoolboy but sometimes strains his eyes to measure the
height of that airy spire, and goes away with a germ of grandeur
in his heart that might strike its roots there and lead to greatness
and to glory : — and surely not a man of noble inteUect, — be he
scholar, philosopher, artist, poet, — but drinks a deep draught of
beauty, and feels within him a "joy too deep for words " as he
contemplates the manifold loveliness and harmony of proportion
manifested in the splendid structure. It has charms for all ; for
the severe mathematician, as well as the ardent admirer of aes
thetic beauty. Who can wonder then, that the thoughtful and
intelligent of all countries for the past six centuries have bent
their steps to this shrine of Gothic perfection ! who can be aston
ished at the space it occupies in books of EngUsh travel and to
pography !
But instead of quoting the opinions of others ¦with reference to
Salisbury Cathedral, as a kind of voucher to character, we wUl
turn to the edifice itself and commence our examination with the
exterior. The first impression generally produced by the build
ing on those who see it for the first time is, that of extreme
lightness and elegance. It looks so light that but for its size it
might be a model in pasteboard ; and at the same time it looks so
substantial that we have no misgivings as to its solidity. It pre
sents a great contrast to the Norman style of building, such as is
seen in some other cathedrals, where the first effect is that of

ITS LEADING CHAEACTEEISTICS. 27
massiveness and strength. The numerous windows of the pointed
style, and the Ughtness of the mouldings and pUlars, rendered it
necessary to resort to other expedients, to obtain the requisite so
lidity. The walls are everywhere strengthened by buttresses of
considerable projection ; at all the principal angles as well as in
the weaker parts of the walls between the ¦windows. The same
support is given to the waUs of the nave, by flying buttresses con
cealed within the roofing of the aisles. There are also in places,
exterior flying buttresses to give additional solidity. These bold
projections presenting so many angles to the light, and forming
such deep shadows, throw the various parts of the building into
strong reUef, and in some lights have a remarkable effect. The
pediments and pinnacles are introduced with great skill to aid the
strength of the structure, and impart el^ance to its appearance.
The many points thus presented to the eye while severally plea-
ing when examined in detail, produce unitedly a harmonious
whole, which Uke the finest music, though composed of minor
discords, yet blend into a grand diapason of harmony. Not an
angle, buttress, or pinnacle can be spared : nowhere is the orna
mentation too elaborate, and nowhere is the simplicity of the
architect's design overlaid by unmeaning or meretricious adorn
ment. Indeed, when taken in detail, one is disposed to blame the
builders for the meagreness of their decoration ; but taken as a
whole, we must confess that it would have been impossible to hit
the exact medium more completely, than has been done in this un
dertaking : for every requisite is present, and nothing beyond is
needed. The church is built in the form of a double cross : its exterior
dimensions are from west to east 473 feet; and from north to
south 229 feet 7 inches ; the smaller transept extends in length
1 70 ; the width of the west front is 1 1 1 feet 4 inches ; the nave
and aisles 99 feet 4 inches ; the height of the west front 130 feet ;
the roof 115 feet ; to the top of the parapet wall of the tower 207
feet; to the capstone of the spire 387 feet; and the extreme
height from the pavement 400 feet.
The late eminent antiquarian and topographer, Mr. Britton,

28 THE STKANGEE's handbook to SALISBUET CATHEDEAL.
recommends visitors to the cathedral to approach it from the east,
from which point of view the entire bmlding is commanded at
one glance, embracing the lady chapel, transept, nave, tower and
spire, bristling everywhere with pinnacles and buttresses in
seeming confusion, but presenting wonderful homogeneousness
and varied harmony. He further remarks that, to be seen to ad
vantage, it should be visited when the morning sun lights up one
side of the tower and the eastern sides of the transepts; or when
the summer sun is declining in the west and throws its golden
rays on the northern part of the transepts, and tips the pinnacles
with sparkling gleams of brightness. But it matters compar,a-'
lively Uttle at what hour it be visited, or whether the sun be
brightly shining in the east, or glowing in the west ; in whatever
light it be seen, and under whatever skies, the edifice will be
found to show itself " clothed ¦with beauty as a garment," taking
its peculiar charm from the hour and the " skiey influences."
We have seen it at all hours, and under almost every aspect, with
a background of sky of all descriptions of hues, from the leaden
gray of winter to the etheral blue of autumn ; we have gazed upon
it at early morn and at eventide; we have visited it "by the pale
moonlight," as Scott recommends to those who would " view fair
Melrose aright," and seen it wrapping itself in elfin beauty as in
white robes relieved by masses of the deepest shadows ; we have
seen it covered with snow as in a winding sheet, ¦with every bit
of tracery and moulding pricked out by the lodgments of the snow-
flakes, the roofs so covered as to present scarcely any sky-Une,
and the traceried tower and spire brought out in wonderful relief
and newness ; and we have seen large portions of the structure
glazed by the frozen rain, gUttering with unwonted sheen ; — and
we are stiU at a loss to decide in which aspect, at what hour, and
from what point, the edifice is displayed to the greatest advantage.
We are disposed to recommend the stranger to visit it at what
ever time it may suit him to do so, regardless of atmosphere effects,
and take his chance of a favourable Ught ; for we are sure he will
find in it at all times sufficient to rivet his gaze and fill him with
delight.

THE WEST FEONT. 29
We may here quote Dodsworth's description of the exterior.
He says, " This magnificent structure consists of a nave and side-
aisles, ¦with transepts, forming a double cross. On the east of
each transept is a side-aisle. The nave, choir, and transepts rise
to an elevation of three tiers. The lower arches are of the
lancet kind, supported by clustered columns, each composed of
four pillars, with as many slender shafts." These carry the
upper or clere-story, lighted by triple lancet windows, the cen
tral light being of greater height than the others. " The
projecting parts are marked with additional ornaments. The
arches of the east end, the terminations of the transepts, and the
front of the north porch, are embellished with shafts and mould
ings, — simple, yet tasteful, and calculated to give a more elegant
and elaborate appearance to those portions which first strike the
eye. The whole building, and likewise the cloister, are surmount
ed with a parapet wall, the style of which has been much
admired." But the west front is that which will probably most command
the attention of the visitor : and of this Mr. Britton says, it was
the part in which the architect has chosen to display his taste
and fancy. The lancet and subdivided arches are here gracefully
intermixed, and trefoil-headed niches, surmounted with pedi
ments, terminating in trefoils, are profusely scattered over the
whole front itself, as well as the sides and reverse of the square
turrets, with which it is flanked. These originally contained
images, which, to judge from the mutilated remnants still left
were in no wise contemptible, either for style or exection.
Many of the string-courses and heads of the niches are decorated
with an open zig-zag moulding ; and the division is marked by a
fillet of lozenge work, enriched with trefoUs and quatrefoils.
A comparision of this front with the other parts of the structure,
¦will prove that the design of the builder was to exhibit his power
of combining grandeur with elegance and simplicity; and that, if
he was elsewhere sparing of his ornaments, it was from taste and
judgment, not from poverty of imagination."

80 THE STEANGEe's HANDBOOK TO SALISBUET CATHEDEAL.
Four large buttresses divide the west front, and project from
the elevation. In the central compartment is the principal
entrance underneath a portico consisting of three arches with
pediments : the middle arch being divided into two equal parts
by a clustered column. Above this is a series of arcades, exhibit
ing a row of quatrefoils and terminating in pointed canopies.
Above this is the grand western ¦window divided into three Ughts
and fiUed in with rich stained glass. In the upper di^vision are
two windows of two lights each ; and the centre is crowned by a
bold pediment surmounted by a cross. On each side of the prin
cipal portico is another similar one, but smaller, giving access to
the side aisles. Above are double windows; and above that
again two windows of two lights each. Then a series of niches,
each of which contained an image. The buttresses and turrets
are also highly ornamented with niches, columns, canopies, and
other details of Gothic tracery. A broad band of lozenge work is
carried round the turrets and across the west front ; and similar
bands are carried round the spire and tower.
On the north side of the nave is an entrance porch, of style
and height corresponding with the walls of the side-aisle, to
which it gives access. It projects boldly from the main building,
and consists of two stories. A lofty pointed arch of clustered
columns and rich tracery, flanked on each side by low, strong
buttresses, gives an entrance to the highly-ornamented interior of
the porch. Above the arch is a beautiful double window, divided
into four lights by clustered shafts, and filled in with rich tracery
above. The porch is finished by an acute pediment, with a cross
in the centre and a light pinnacle of clustered columns on each
side. In the interior are rows of clustered columns and niches,
and the roof is groined and pointed. A double doorway, corres
ponding in character to the windows, admits to the north aisle
of the edifice.
On the north side of the principal transept there was formerly
an entrance porch, which has been removed, and now stands in a
corner of Mr. Campbell Wyndham's park. It was removed during
the alterations which were made in the cathedral by Bishop Bar-

NOETH POECH. 31
rington. It is rather an elegant architectural fragment, and
harmonizes with the cathedral in its character. It is formed of
four piers, with pointed arches between them ; and on each pier
are niches for statuary. It is finished above by a low parapet
wall, with pinnacles at each corner, and a low steeple in the
centre. It is said to be of older date than the cathedral; but
fliere is some doubt about it. The Rev. Peter Hall says : — " There
cannot be the slightest ground for assigning this elegant structure
to an earlier, if, indeed, so early a date as that of the present
cathedral." Its history is set forth in the Latin inscription, of
which the following is a translation : —
" This building, originally constructed in the City of Old Sarum, aud afterwards
" transferred to the New City, where, for upwards of live hundred years, it
" served as a Vestibule to the Northern Door of the Cathedral, now closed
" up, was placed on this spot, with consent of the Dean and Chapter, by
" Henry Penruddocke Wyndham, in the year 1791."
To the south of the building we have the cloisters, chapter
house, and muniment room, of which more anon : and at the back
of these, and to the east of the chapter-house is the Episcopal
Palace. The walls and buttresses of the edifice are of Chilmark stone,
brought from a village of that name about twelve miles distant.
Alicia, heiress of the powerful family of Brewer, granted from
her quarries all the stone required for the church during twelve
years. The piUars and shafts are of Purbeck marble, from the
Isle of Purbeck, in Dorsetshire. The material is very durable,
and susceptible of a high poUsh ; indeed, most of the shafts retain
their polish to this day. Those which sustain any pressure are
laid according to their natural bed in the quarry, but the merely
ornamental shafts are inverted. They were not generally intro
duced in the order of building, but inserted in sockets of lead left
for the purpose, after the work had settled, and were bound to
the other parts of the structure by bands of brass.
The timbers throughout the structure are of oak; and, from a
computation laid before the Lords of the Treasury in 1737, it
would appear that at least 2,641 tons of oak were employed in
the several roofs of the building.

52 THE stranger's HANDBOOK TO SALISBUET CATHEDEAL.
We have said that the tower and spire formed no part of the
original structure. This stupendous addition was made in the
reign of Edward the third, and is a wonderful example of English
taste and science. The conception of the design was singularly
bold ; for never poet dreamed of any fantastic structure so ethereal
and so daring; and certainly never architect had attempted to
realize, in stone, a thing so "like an exhalation" and so weird. No
ordinary task had to be accomplished in rearing such a super
structure as this; and the manner in which it was performed
is no less extraordinary than the originality and boldness of the
design. The original finish, as we have pointed out, was a lantsm
ornamented with a colonnade within, and rising only eight feet
above the roof of the nave. The wall in this part is only two
feet thick, and is built with hewn stone, without and within,
filled in the middle with flints and rubble. Into this was inserted
a course of stone a foot in thickness, parallel to the declivity of
the roof, as a water-table for the lead covering. On this slender
foundation, the architect had the hardihood to build the tower
and spire, trusting to the strength of the braces and flying but
tresses which he might be able to introduce. " Of these. Price
enumerates no less than one hundred and twelve, amounting,
together, to 387 superficial feet, in addition to the 260 feet con
tained in the original arcade. Besides these, additional strength
was given by walling up the doorway, left for communication with
the upper windows, and bj' numerous bars and bandages of iron,
particularly one about the upper part of the arcade, which
embraces it within and without, and was ranked, by Sir Chris
topher Wren, among the best pieces of smith's work in Europe,
for the time."*
The tower consists of three stories. The firsf is the original
finish, marked by an embattled moulding. The waUs of the
second are six ieet thick, with large piers and narrow windows.
Those of the third, as if from some apprehension caused by the
pressure of the mass, are reduced to a hollow Ught work, con-
* Dodsworth.

IHE TOWER. 33
sisting of pilasters and recesses. Two bandages of iron encircle
the tower just below the finish, and others are, doubtless, con
cealed within the walls.
The spire is octagonal ; hence, four arches were necessarily
thrown across the angles of the tower to carry the foundations,
and these were strengthened with cramps of iron. As these four
arches have no abutment, the architect contrived to supply the
defect, by erecting pinnacles on the angles which confine the
arches, and blend the square form of the tower with the octagon
of the spire. At this part is another bandage of iron, consisting
of a two-inch bar covered with lead, and inserted in the
masonry. The walls of the tower are here five feet thick, of which two
are employed for the foundation of the spire, two for a passage,
and one for the parapet. The walls of the spire diministi
gradually until, at the height of twenty feet, they are reduced to
nine inches, which thickness is preserved to the summit. To
add artificial strength to this thin shell of stone, the architect
contrived a timber framework, which was carried up ' till the
narrow limits of the spire prevented its being carried further, and
then it was suspended to the capstone by the iron bar which
bears the vane.
Access to the inteiior of the tower is gained by spiral stone
staircases within the angles, and to the spire by means of ladders,
until the "weather door" is reached, beyond which further
progress must be by strong iron rings cramped into the stonework
on the outside.
The architect of this later portion of the edifice, it is admitted
on all hands, has admirably discharged his duty, and produced a
work which at once harmonizes with and crowns the other glories
of the structure. He has judiciously adopted the same style of
ornamentation, introducing the embattled moulding of the original
finish round the turrets which crown the angles of the tower, and
also, as we have before mentioned, the bands of lozenge-work with
which the west front is adorned. The work is highly elaborated
and enriched with a profusion of finials, trefoUs, roses, and other

34 THE STEANGEe's HANDBOOK TO SALISBUET CATHEDEAL.
ornaments of the early part of the fourteenth century ; and in
no part is there the slightest poverty of invention. Dodsworth
imagines that the same architect added the pinnacles which rise
from the different angles of the church.
But the structure had scarely been completed before it became
apparent that the bold, but beautiful, addition of the architect
had endangered the safety of the building. In spite of all the
skill employed, various cracks and flaws appeared in the vaulting
underneath; and, so early as 1416, considerable expense was in
curred to save the fabric from premature ruin.
In 1669 Charles the second, despatched his architect, Sir Chris
topher Wren, to examine the fabric and execute the necessary re
pairs. An abstract of his report has come down to us. After des
cribing the structure, he notices the defects of the original struc
ture, and the decays produced by age or accidents. He enume
rates three faults in the primary design : the want of care in the
foundation, the lowness of the floor in case of inundations, and
the defect in the poise of the building, the substructions being too
slender for the weights above. He then alludes to the declination
of the tower and spire." Of the four pillars on which it stands,"
he observes, " those towards the west have sunk, but not equally ;
that to the south west seven or eight inches ; that to the north
west half as much. This occasioned the tower and spire to lean
towards the south west. He estimated the decline at 27i inches
to the south, and 17^ to the west. After suggesting proper re
pairs, he points out the smaller defects of the steeple. One of
the four pinnacles had been much shaken by lightning, as well as
the walls of the spire, and the door jamb leading to the pinnacle
had given way, and occasioned large cracks in the space above it
which, he said, being on the decUning side, called for speedy
amendment. He also says there were other defects in the spire ;
some the effects of the declination, others arising from tempests
by which it had been assailed. To remedy these defects he rec-
commends that the example of the architect who made great use
of iron should be followed, and suggests the appUcation of iron
bandages. ' ' In consequence of this advice, the hoops or ban-

THE SMEE. 55
dages which bind the spire together were put up ; the choir was
newly paved ; and other repairs and renovations carried into
effect."* In 1681 the calculations made by Sir Christopher Wren became
unsatisfactory ; and a new experiment was made by Mr. Naish,
clerk of the works, by means of a plumb line fixed at the weather
door. This experiment was repeated by Mr. Mill with greater
accuracy under the direction of Bishop Sherlock, when the declina
tion was calculated at 22-|- inches to the south west ; and the result
was marked on the pavement as a guide for future observations.
In the beginning of the last century, Mr. Price, Clerk to the
works, again surveyed the tower and spire. He found that the
declination is not in a direct line, as from any single course. At
the height of 89 feet, the decUne is f of an inch southward, and
1^ westwards, which he attributes to unequal pressure of the graid
arches. At the top of the parapet waU of the tower, 209 feet
above the floor, the decline to the south is 9 inches, and west 3|-
At the bottom of the weather-door, 358 feet from the ground, the
' decline to the south is 20 inches, and west 12^. At the top of
the capstone the decline is 24| inches south, and 1 ^\ west.
The spire narrowly escaped destruction by the electric fluid on
several occasions. In the years 1431, 1560, and 1641 the top of
the spire had been struck and a cleft of twenty feet in length oc
casioned : but on 21st, June, 1741, during a ¦violent storm, a flash
of lightning was observed to strike the upper part of the tower.
The next morning the sexton was alarmed by indications of fire ;
and it was ascertained that the fluid had set fire to one of the
braces. The flames had begun to spread and communicate with
the adjacent timbers; but prompt assistance saved the edifice
from destruction.
A curious discovery was made by Mr. Lush, Clerk of the works
in 1762, when fixing a new vane. On the south side of the cap
stone a cavity was found, in which was concealed a leaden boxi
containing another of wood neatly carved, ¦with an opening in the
¦* Dodsworth.

36 THE STEANGEe's HANDBOOK TO SALISBUET CATHEDEAL.
side, in which was found a piece of silk or fine linen so decayed
as to resemble tinder. It is supposed that this was a relic of the
Virgin Mary deposited in that place as a charm or taUsman to
preserve the building from accident.
We close this chapter by pointing out the site of the Beleet.
This was a separate building rather massively constructed, which
was situated a short distance to the north of the north porch of
the cathedral. Of this structure no traces whatever now exist ;
it was removed entirely during the alterations effected by Mr.
Wyait, to whose spoliations we have already referred and shall do
BO again. It is greatly to be regretted that this interesting struc
ture, which was certainly coeval with the cathedral, had not been
preserved. It consisted of a square tower strengthened by but
tresses of the same style as those of the church, and pierced by
lancet windows. It was divided into three stories: the lower
being finished by a parapet waU corresponding with that of the
church. The second story was more ornamented, and had a
greater number of double windows ; this also was finished by a
similar parapet wall. From the roof of this story sprung an oc- .
tagonal turret surmounted by an embattled parapet waU and fin
ished by a small steeple. The centre was supported, like the
chapter-house," by a single shaft of Purbeck marble embedded in
its natural soil according to the strata of the quarry from which
it was brought.
The spire which was composed of timber frames covered isvith
lead, was taken down for repairs in 1758; and Mr. Price proposed
its restoration. The whole fabric, however, was condemned and
removed by that prince of spoliators, Wyatt, whose handywork
has been justly anathematised by every competent authority down
to the present day.
The Belfry was the scene of some interesting transactions dur
ing the civil war ; when it was garisoned and fortified by Ludlow
in 1645, under circumstances fully detailed in our Steangee's
Guide to Salisbuet,* to which we refer the reader.
We may briefly mention, however, that after the battla of Al-
' Cbnptcr 7 pnjc ni. Published by E. Roe, Salisbury, price Is.

, IHE BELFET. 37
resford, the 'city was entered and plundered by Sir William Bal
four, who had been despatched in pursuit of some of the king's
troops. The Royalists were for a time successful ; and Ludlow,
unable to maintain his ground in the west, came with bis follow
ers flying through the city towards Southampton pursued by the
king's troops. The inhabitants thoroughly loyal throughout this
contest, assailed Ludlow with derisive cheers as he passed through.
He was not a man to brook such treatment ; and he soon returned
with eighty horse and levied fines upon the inhabitants.
The city was alternately occupied by the opposite forces ; and,
in 1645, Ludlow having possession of it, fortified himself within
the close, and took up his head-quarters in the Belfry. One
evening, whUe he was giving orders and setting his guard for the
night, he received the unwelcome intelligence that a party of
royalists were approaching, and had already reached Amesbury.
Then followed a night skirmish in the streets of the city, and
particularly in the market-place and adjoining streets. Ludlow
displayed some valour and generalship on the occasion, and took
a prisoner himself, who proved to be Colonel Middleton, a royalist
ofieer, who gave Ludlow valuable information, upon which he
considered it prudent to effect his retreat.
The little garrison he had posted in the Belfry held out nearly
a whole day against all the force of the royalist troops; but they,
having compelled a collier to drive his cart laden with charcoal
to the door of the Belfry, set fire to the doors and effected a
capture of the entire gallant little band before succour could
reach them from Southamptom.
Ludlow effected his retreat safely by way of Fordingbridge and
Southampton, in hope of procuring succour for the men whom he
had left behind in the Belfry ; but, before he could reach them
with aid, he heard that they had been burnt out, and that he
was, therefore, too late to attempt their rescue.
The close being surrounded by a strong embattled wall, was
the only part of the city considered at that time capable of
defence, without the execution of works which would occupy

38 THE steangee's handbook to SALISBUET CAIHEDEAL.
considerable time in their formation. The close, therefore, was
frequently, by one party or the other, converted into jnilitary
head-quarters, and became the centre of the military movements
of the period. But, to enter further on these transactions would
require more space than we have at command in this little work;
we, therefore, return to the edifice, and pursue our observations
on the other parts of the structure.

39 THE steangee's handbook to SALISBUET CATHEDEAL.

CHAPTEE IV.

The Interior of the Cathedral — Origin and Characteristics of Gothic Art —
General View of the Interior — The Nave — The Great Transept — The Organ
Screen — The Choir — and Lady Chapel — The Monuments.
" 'Twas the deep forest bodied forth that fane,
S9 rose the arches of the old oak trees.
So wreathed the close-set branches at their side,
So through the open spaces gleamed the sun r
While, like an authcm, sung the morning birds."
It has come to be tolerably weU understood now that, as Art had
its birth in Nature, so is it elevated or debased as it cleaves to or
departs therefrom ; and never can a style of Art be perpetuated
that is radically untrue to Nature. In nothing is this more clearly
manifest than in Gothic art.
" The groves were God's first temples ;" and this the Gothic
artists well knew. To the woods and majestic forests they went
for their models. They studied nature there ; they acquired their
grand style, their noble vistas, their lofty pointed arches, their
rich tracery, their airy spires and pinnacles there. From the
forests they drew their strength, their elegance, their elaborate
ornamentation : hence the subUmity of Gothic Art, its perfect
beauty, and its perpetual youth. Simplicity lies at the root of all
great things ; and a few simple curves, capable of almpst endless
combinations, are the foundation of such gorgeous superstructures'
as we have before us in Salisbury Cathedral. As all the infinite
beauties and harmonies of Nature are derived from a few simple

40 THE steangee's handbook to SALISBUET CATHEDEAL.
elements, so the Gothic buUders, foUovring Nature, from a few
simple forms rear the wondrous temples that are the triumphs of
genius, and the embodiments of the highest sentiments of which
the mind is capable.
One cannot but be struck with this, standing, as we do, on the
threshold of the western entrance of our noble cathedral. At this
point, the interior is seen to the greatest perfection ; and the eye
requires time to take in its varied perfections. As it bursts sud
denly upon the vision, the first feeUng is that of bewilderment ;
and the scene seems to be a glorious contusion of arches and
columns, tier above tier reaching to
"  The high embower'd roof.
With antique pillars, massy proof.
And storied windows, richly dight.
Shedding a dim religious light."
But, as we gaze upon this " organised disorder,*' the seeming
confusion vanishes, and the full beauty of the structure is revealed
tons. The lightness of the columns and slenderness of the marble
shafts, the proftision of windows and traceried openings, the lofti
ness of the groined roof, stretching far away above us, the sparing.
use of ornament, and yet the chasteness of the effect — become the
more apparent the longer we gaze. All is the purest and loftiest
harmony ; and yet there seems a discordant note which we would
willingly miss — one sole drawback to the perfection of the interior,
as seen from this part of the edifice. It is felt, mijre or less, by
all ¦visitors ; and it is expressed, in the following language, by
Emerson, who visited the structure a short time ago. He says: —
" The interior of the cathedral is obstructed by the organ in the
middle, acting like a screen. I know not why, in real architec
ture, the hunger of the eye for length of line is so rarely gratified.
The rule of art is, that a colonnade is more beautiful the longer it
is, and that ad infinitum. And the nave of a church is seldom so ,
long that it need be divided by a screen." ¦*¦' The defect aUurted
to is not peculiar to Salisbury; in other structures, the same
* " Emerson's English Traits."

the iniueior. 41
thing is seen, and in some of them it has been remedied by
removing the obstruction, and opening up the entire vista of the
n ive, with the most decisive results. No edifice with wtiioh we
are acquainted would repay such an alteration so well as this.
The nave, choir, and transepts are divided into three tiers.
" The lower arches are of the lancet kind, supported by clustered
c ilumns, each composed of four pillars, with as many slender
shafts. In the second tier, or gallery, answering to the roof of
the aisles, the double arch, of the Norman style, is replaced by a
fi it pointed arch, sub-divided into four smaller, which are varied
with different sweeps or divisions, and ornamented alternately
¦with quatrefoils and rosettes of eight leaves. The upper or clere
story consists of triple windows, of the lancet shape. Between
the middle arches are corbel heads, supporting clustered shafts,
with a capital of foliage. From these rises the vaulting, which
is plain, and turned with arches and cross-springers only. The
columns dividing the principal transept from its aisle, consist of
clusters of four without shafts ; those of the smaller transept of
two columns, with as many shafts. The upper stories of both
transepts are simUar to those of the nave. The lower arches of
the choir, as weU as those of the transepts, are enriched with an
open zig-zag moulding ; and the space above the smaU lights of
the upper -windows is relieved with an ornament, resembling an
expanded flower. Throughout the vaulting, the intersection of
the cross-springers is marked with a tuft of foliage ; and smaller
tufts, or single leaves, are gracefully introduced in other parts of
the building. The four arches at the principal intersection are
also decorated with a rich moulding of rosettes. The windows of
the side-aisles are double lights of the lancet kind, unornamented
without, but -with slender shafts ¦within. Those of the upper
story, both internaUy and extemaUy, are reUeved ¦with shafts.
The mouldings are plain curves, and the bases and capitals of aU
the columns exactly similar."*
¦* " Dodsworth History of Salisbury Cathedral."

42 THE steangee's handbook to SALISBUET CATHEDEAL.
We have quoted this architectural description on account of its
accuracy and succinctness, in neither of which qualities could we
hope to compete with so distinguished an authority.
Proceeding up the nave, we reach the great transept ; and, pro
bably, the -visitor wUl regard ¦with some amount of curiosity,
mingled with astonishment, the four piUars which support the
stupendous tower and spire. In most respects, this transept is a
repetition of the nave, save that it has only one side aisle, towards
the east. The windows of the southern end of the transept are
filled with stained glass. Immediately under the spire, a figure
is cut in the pavement, showing the extent of the declination of
the spire from the perpendicular.
The organ screen here divides the choir from the nave and
transept. It owes its origin to the tasteless alterations of Wyatt,
and is made up partly of portions of the Beauchamp and Hunger
ford chapels now destroyed. The organ itself was the gift of
George the third, and is a noble instrument.
Passing underneath the organ we enter the Choie, the appear
ance of which is striking and impressive. The windows at the
east end are of painted glass. The ¦window of the clerestory was
a gift of the Earl of Radnor in 1781, and iUustrates the elevation
of the Brazen Serpent in the Wilderness. The subject fiUs the
three lights of the window, and is 21 feet in height by 17 feet 6
inches in width. In the tracery above are the arms of the Radnor
family. The great window of the Lady Chapel, until lately,
contained a painted window, the subject of which was the Re
surrection, designed by Sir Joshua Reynolds and executed by
Mr. Eginton. This window is 23 feet in height, and is also in
three compartments. The central Ught was chiefly occupied by
the figure of our Saviour just emerged from the tomb, from which
a light or glory dispersed itself over the entire composition. In
the compartment to the left was a distant view of Calvary and
the crosses. This windo^w has given place to the present one,
which was dedicated to the memory of the Rev. Francis Lear, the
late Dean of SaUstury, ia March 1854. The memorial occupies

THE LADT CHAPEL. 43
the five lancet windows of the east end of the Lady Chapel. The
first on the left hand is devoted to the early history of our
Sa^viour, from the Annunciation to the Baptism by John. The
central lights comprise the Passion and Crucifixion in eighteen
tableaux, with other smaUer iUustrations. The window on the
right contains the Resurrection and Ascension. The whole of the
subjects are in medallions, on a rich diapered ground. The whole
is tastefully designed and admirably executed. The windows of
the sides of the Lady Chapel are of similar style, and painted in
mosaic. The Lady Chapel is a bold and striking specimen of the skill
of the architect. It consists of a body and side aisles of the same
breadth as the choir, divided from each other by alternate single
and clustered columns of remarkable lightness : these are scarcely
nine inches in diameter, though nearly 30 feet in height, and are
rendered secure only by the weight of the vaulted ceUing.
This part of the church was originally dedicated to the Virgin,
and in it early prayers used to be celebrated. On the north side
formerly stood the Hungerford Chapel, and on the southern side
the Beauchamp Chapel. Both of these were exquisite specimens
of the kind: they were destroyed in 1789, and, from their
remains, the present altar-piece of the Lady Chapel was composed.
This altar-piece consists of five niches — three over the communion
table, and one on each side — and are curiously ornamented. The
pavement of white and black marble was raised by Wyatt, to give
an ascent from the choir. From this point, the choir has a noble
appearance. The elegant chantry chapel of Bishop Audley terminates the ,
choir on the north. The work of this chapel is extremely curious
and elaborate, and wUl repay attentive inspection. It was built
by the prelate himself in 1520, and is now the only perfect monu
ment of the kind left in the cathedral. On the opposite side, the
choir is terminated with a chantry chapel founded by Walter, Lord
Hungerford, about 1429. It was originally placed in the nave,
but was removed, ia 1778, by the Earl of R&dnor, a descendant

44 THE steangee's handbook to S.ALISBUET CATHEDEAL.
of the Hungerford famUy. It is elaborately ornamented, and
at present used as a pew by the Radnor family.
On the left of the choir is the Bishop's throne, richly decorated,
with three tiers of canopies, with pinnacles, crockets, &c., termi
nated with a crown and finial. Exactly opposite is the pulpit,
also highly decorated. On each side of the chapel are the pre
bendal stalls, with canopies of florid Gothic.
In the south-east transept is a stained glass window, with the
following inscription :—" To the memory of the officers, non
commissioned officers, and privates of the 62nd or Wiltshire
Regiment, who fell in the service of their country in the Sutlej
campaign; of whom 7 officers, 107 non-commissioned officers and
rank and file, were slain in the gallant attack of the Sikh batteries
at Ferozeshaw, 21st December, 1845; and 1 officer and 12 non
commissioned officers and rank and file at Aliwal, 28th January,
and Sobraon, 10th February, 1846. This window is erected by
their surviving comrades."
But, before leaving the choir, we ought to notice that it is ter
minated at the east end by three lofty pointed arches, springing
from clustered columns, and forming the entrance to the Lady
Chapel. Over these the triforium, or gaUery, previously noticed,
is continued, and opens to the choir by five arches. Above this
is the painted window contributed by the Earl of Radnor already
mentioned. " Formerly," remarks J. B., " the choir was termi
nated by the high altar, which was placed immediately before
ihe Screen, which separated the choir from the Lady Chapel.
We would not, for the world, propose to re-erect the high altar,
havinga due respect for Bishop Jewel, who sleeps beneath the pave
ment of the choir ; but, in the opinion of Sir Richard Colt Hoare
and a multitude of competent judges, every principle of good taste
requires that the partition screen should be replaced where it
formerly stood, and the perspective of this part of the building
restored according to the design of the original architect."*
* " The SaUsbury Guide," by J. B.

THE MONUMENTS. 45
f
There is reason to believe, on the authority of Dodsworth, that
the choir was formerly surrounded by a stone screen, separating
it from the other parts of the church and corresponding with it
in style.
Between the pillars supporting the spire, strong buttress arches
have been thrown across the transept to strengthen the piers, and
prevent their yielding inwards from the weight of the superin
cumbent mass above them. They are effectual for this purpose ;
but, though light and not ineffective in themselves, they destroy
the unbroken vista of the transept.
We will take leave of the interior of the church by a brief
description of the principal Monttments.
Near the chancel, and terminating the south aisle, is a hand
some monument of various descriptions of marble, with several
well-executed figures. It is to the memory of Edward, Earl of
Hertford, son of Edward, Duke of Somerset, uncle and regent to
King Edward VL, who died .^pril 6, 1621. Also, to the memory
of his wife Catherine, Countess of Hertford, daughter of Henry
and Francis Grey, Duke and Duchess of Suffolk, who died January
22, 1563. Under the monument are also interred John, Duke of
Somerset, who died June, 1675; and Lady Elizabeth Seymour,
daughter of the eleventh and last Earl of Northumberland, wile
to Charles, Duke of Somerset, who died December, 1722.
Near the chancel, at the end of the north aisle, is a fine tomb
of Purbeck marble with an arch over it, supported by four twisted
piUars and as many pUasters ; on the top of which are four pyra
mids with balls on the apex ; and, on the top of all, a globe. At
the comers are the four cardinal virtues. Underneath are male
and female effigies of full size, — the man in armour, with the
head lying on a cushion and a horse at his feet ; and the woman
in a widow's dress, and at her feet a greyhound. The monument
was erected by Edward Gorges, Lord Dundalk, to the memory of
his parents. Sir Thomas Gorges, Bart., of Longford ; and Helen
Snachenburg, Marchioness Dowager of Northamptnti his -wife.
She was maid of honour to Qupp^n "Plizabeth.

46 THE steangee's HANDBOOK TO SALISBUET CATHEDEAL.
On the south aisle of the choir is a fine monument, in the early
EngUsh style, to the memory of Bishop Brideport, who died
December 13, 1262.
Near this is a tablet to the memory of the Rev. WilUam Lisle
Bowles, a "poet, critic, and divine," who died 7th April, 1850,
in the 88th year of his age.
A beautiful stone monument wiU be observed, to the memory
of Bishop Burgess, which, like many other modern monuments
and tablets in the church, reflects credit upon Messrs. Osmond
and Son, the sculptors.
Against the south wall of the eastern transept is the monument
of Bishop Seth Ward, who has, however, a more enduring memo
rial in the Widows' College founded by him and described in
a former part of this Guide.
In the principal transept are several monuments of interest.
Against the south waU is one to the celebrated Mr. Harris, father
of the first Lord Malmesbury — a distinguished scholar and patrofi
of the fine arts.
On the north of the transept is the monument to the memory of
the late Sir Richard Colt Hoare. The deceased is represented
seated in a chair ¦with an open book on his knees, in the act of
writing. The drapery is a loose morning gown. The likeness is
said to be very accurate, and the countenance is grave and digni
fied. This fine work of art is from the chisel of Mr. E. C. Lucas,
formerly of this city.
On the south waU of the transept is a monument, erected in
1817, to Edward Poore, and Rachel, his wife. The style is florid
Gothic, and the work admirably executed.
In the same part of the church is a handsome Gothic monument
to the memory of Bishop Fisher, who died May 6th, 1826, and
was buried in St. George's Chapel, Windsor.
On the south side of the nave, near the western door, is a
handsome marble monument to the memory of Thomas Lord
Wyndham, Ireland. It is surmounted by a figure of Hibemia,
from the chisel of Bysbrack.

THE MONUMENTS. 47
Between the pillars of the nave are some interesting altar-
tombs and monuments, removed from other parts of the church
by Wyatt. Some of these axe genuine, and others are made up
by the false taste of that daring innovator.
The verger will point out and describe the various tombs and
monuments; and to him we would refer the visitor for many
interesting details, necessarily omitted from want of space, in this
little work. We would mention, however, one or two others in
passing. On the south side is an effigy of a Bishop, in pontificalibus,
¦with a crozier piercing a dragon. This is supposed to have been
brought from Old Sarum with the bones of Bishop JoceUne
in 1226.
Near this is a monument attributed to the memory of WUliam
Longspee, son of the Earl of SaUsbury, of that name. He was
one of the noble band of Crusaders, who fought under St. Louis,
and died in action near Cairo in 1250. He was buried in the
church of the Holy Cross at Acre.
At the head of the Templar is one of the niost curious monu
ments in the church, which long lay buried under the seats near
the pulpit, where it was discovered about the year 1680. This
monument is that of a youth, in episcopal vestments, -with a
mitre on his head, and holding a crozier in his hand : and so far
as can now be ascertained, the foUowing is the origin of the
memorial : —
On the eve of St. Nicholas' day the choristers attended the
cathedral in state, for the purpose of electing their choral bishop,
the other choristers acted the part of prebendaries. The spec
tacle annuaUy drew crowds to -witness it; and it was not only
tolerated by the real dignitaries of the cathedral, but express re
gulations were made to prevent the boys from any interruption or
annoyance. They entered the church by the west door, preceded
by the Dean, Canons, and Chaplains, foUowed by the Boy Bishop,
in fuU pontificals, with pastoral staff and mitre, surrounded by
the other mimic dignitaries. They advanced in procession up

48 THE steangee's handbook to SALISBUET CATHEDEAL.
the nave, chauntiSg, and on reaching the altar of the Holy
Trinity and All Saints, the boy bishop took his seat, the other
choristers occupying the highest seats next to him ; the resident
canons bearing the incense, and the minor canons the tapers. Full
service was then performed, including the collect stUl retained,
"0 Almighty God, who out of the mouths of babes and sucklings
has ordained strength," &c. The ceremony was forbidden by
royal proclamation in 1542 by Henry the Eighth; it was revived
during the reign of Mary; and finally abolished in that of
EUzabeth. The curious tomb on the south side of the nave with three
circular openings on each side is the monument of Lord Stourton,
who was hanged by a sUken cord in the market-place of Salis
bury, on the 6th of March, 1556, for the murder of Mr. HartgiU
and his son, at Kilmington, Somerset. So lately as 1775 a
t^wisted wire, with a noose representing a halter, was suspended
above the tomb, indicative of "what death he did die."
We pass over many other interesting memorials of the mighty
dead, which the visitor wUl explore for himself, and find his own
reward in so doing.

CL0ISTEE9 49
CHAPTEE V.

The Library, containing a copy of the Magna Charta and other Ancient llan-
uscripts, &c. — The Cloisters — The Chapter House and its Sculpture — The
Burying Ground, &c., &c.
" Memorial of olden time.
Telling of the feudal prime; .
And the glorious pageantry.
Waking heart and kindling eye.
And now by a doorway in the south west angle of the gi'est
transept, let us emerge from the body of the church and
" Walk the studious cloister pale."
But let us first ascend to the Libeaet. This was built by
Bishop Jewell, and partly furnished with books by Bishop
Gheast and some of his successors. The collection is not an
extensive one, but it contains some valuable works on history
and divinity. There are also about 180 manuscripts, some of
which are rare and interesting : amongst them are an Anglo
Saxon version of the Gregorian Liturgy; and an early copy of
Geoffrey of Monmouth. Amongst the Chapter Records is a copy
of Magna Charta, supposed to be the transcript which was en
trusted to William Longspee, Earl Salisbury, who was one of the
witnesses to the original deed.
The Cloisters are greatly admired, and have been spoken of
as "one of the finest ornamental inclosures in the kingdom."
They are built in the form of a quadrangle ; and occupy the
space between the west front and the great transept, and measure
fiom out to out of the walls 195 feet. There is a covered way,
inclosing a space of 18 feetj running around each side of the
quadrangle; and the open space in the centre is turfed, and used
as II burial place for the inhabitants of the Close. These cloisters
were for many years in a neglected state ; but they were restored
by the late Bishop Denison, chiefly at his own expense, and now
present a beautiful appearance. There are two cedar trees in
the centre of the green, aud nea-.- tliem lie the remains of Bishop
Denison, who died the 6th of March, 1854, and those of his wife.

50 THE steangee's HANDBOOK TO SALISBUET CATHEDEAL.
Louisa Mary Denison, who died September 22nd, 1841. The
ambulatory is divided from the open space by large open win
dows between strong buttresses which support the roof. The
-windows nearly correspond in style with the other parts of the
cathedral : they are divided into four openings by a clustered
column in the centre, and two single shafts. The tracery above
is considered a fine specimen of the skiU of the architect. From
the south west comer a very fine view of the tower and spire is
to be obtained.
From the eastern side of the cloisters opens a vestibule and
double doorway, which forms the entrance to the Chapteb House.
It is an octagon, and the dimensions are about 58 feet in dia
meter, and about 52 feet in height. The style is of later date
than the body of the cathedral, being of what is technically known
as the early decorated or geometrical pointed style.
On entering the interior of the buUding, the first thing that
strikes one is the exquisitely light and beautiful proportions of the
edifice. It is lighted by eight windows, a window between each
buttress, and these are all divided into four lights by their mul
lions of tall thin shafts. Six sides of the building correspond in
character, and a stone seat is continued around seven of the
sides. The east side has a raised seat, one step above the others,
and is said to have been intended for the Bishop and six of the
principal dignitaries of the chapter. The other side having
seven niches in each, were intended for the canons, and the seats
upon each side of the doorway were for the Chancellor and
Treasurer respectively. The shafts dividing the niches are of
Purbeck marble with enriched capitals of exquisite foliage ; and
the upper mouldings of the canopies spring from grotesque
heads .
We have now completed our survey of this magnificent Gothic
Temple ; and we feel assured that the impression left on the mind
of the visitor will bear out all we have said of the beauty and
impressiveness of the edifice. THE END.

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