Fig. 597.—St. Mungo’s Cathedral. Chapter House, from North-West.
The chapter house wing is two stories in height, and the staircase finishes on top ([Fig. 598]) with a cape house, after the manner of the pele towers. This wing measures on Plan about 30 feet square internally, and has a central pillar supporting the vaulting on both floors. The chapter house, which is on the ground floor, was, as we have seen, left in an unfinished state in the thirteenth century. In the early part of the fifteenth century, Bishop Lauder has evidently recommenced work at it.
Fig. 598.—St. Mungo’s Cathedral. East End of Cathedral and Chapter House, from South-East.
The wall shafts (see [Fig. 584]), with their early section and first pointed caps and bases, have the appearance of being older than his time; but the Dean’s seat, which has been inserted in the east side ([Fig. 599]), is part
Fig. 599.—St. Mungo’s Cathedral. Dean’s Seat in Chapter House.
of his work. It is in the design of that period, and contains the following inscription along the top—viz., Wilms: fuda: instut: Caplm: Dei, which Archbishop Eyre thus renders,[67] “William laid the foundation of this chapter house in God’s honour.” The William referred to was Bishop William Lauder, whose arms (a Griffin Segreant) occur on a shield on the lintel below the inscription. The shield is surmounted by the bishop’s crosier.