The window in the south-west angle also contains eight figures in the four principal lights, arranged in the following order—the Queen in her coronation robes; the Prince Consort in his robes as Chancellor of the University of Cambridge; and under these are represented Dr. Turton, the then bishop, and Dr. Peacock, the then dean of Ely; these figures being commemorative of the present extensive restorations: the other four represent King Edward III. and his queen Philippa, in whose reign the Octagon was built; and under these, Bishop Hotham and Prior Crauden, the great officers of the Cathedral at that period. The tracery contains the arms of the University of Cambridge in the centre, and on either side the arms respectively of those whose figures are represented in the window. The cost of a portion of this was graciously defrayed by Her Majesty; Bishop Turton and Dean Peacock gave the cost of their own figures respectively, and the remainder was paid by the capitular body.
Midway up each vaulting shaft is a canopied niche of unusual but very beautiful character; these niches rest upon sculptured corbels representing some striking incidents of St. Etheldreda's life, by beginning at the right-hand side of the north-west arch, and continuing our course to the right-hand round the Octagon, we may examine them in detail.
The first represents her marriage.
The second, her taking the veil at the Monastery of Coldingham at the hands of Wilfred, bishop of York; her crown laid upon the altar.
The third, her pilgrim's staff taking root and bearing leaves and branches over her whilst she slept by the way.
The fourth, her preservation, with her attendant nuns, on a rock surrounded by a miraculous inundation, when pursued by the king and his attendants.
The fifth, her installation as abbess of Ely, by Wilfred.
The sixth, her death and burial.
The seventh, a legendary tale of one Brithstan delivered from bonds by her merits.
The eighth, the translation of her body.