Hec mea
Spes in sinu meo
His left hand, over which hangs the maniple, has a rich crosier. On a semi-circular scroll over his head—
Credo qd redemptor meus vivit et novissio die de terra surrectur
su et in Carne mea videbo deu salvatore275; meu.
Under his feet—
Hac marmor fossa Bell presulis en tenet ossa
Duresme dudu prior his post pontificatu
Gessit atq' renuit primum super omia querit
Dispiciens mudu poscendo pramia fratru
On the ledge round the slab—
Hic jacet Reverendus Pater Ricardus Bell quondam Episcopus Karleolensis qui ab hac luce migravit videlicet vicesimo Quarto die ... Anno Domini.... Et omnium fidelium defunctorum. per misericordiam dei requiescant in perpetua pace. Amen."
The ancient high altar probably stood one bay nearer to the west than the present altar. There, in the presence of Bishop Halton, Robert Bruce took an oath of fidelity to Edward I. Ten years later he proved false to this oath, and the Papal Legate solemnly excommunicated him with bell, book, and candle.
Very shortly after this, Edward I. dedicated the litter in which he had journeyed thus far, and mounting his horse at the cathedral door rode through the priory gateway bent on the conquest of Scotland. He never lived to reach that country, for he died in sight of the Scottish coast at Burgh-on-Sands.
North Choir Aisle.—This aisle is entered by a handsome Decorated arch, a very good example of thirteenth-century work.