“North Aisle.—Bishop offering a model of the cathedral at an altar (perhaps Bishop Henry de Blois, d. 1236). The Annunciation. The Visitation. The Nativity.
“North Transept.—Old Testament subjects. A bishop. A monk chastising a novice.”—(E. F. S.)
The tracery of the windows in the choir aisles and the Lady-Chapel is modern, patterned on Early English models. The entire east wall is modern. The window consists of five lights in two tiers. The glass dates from 1860 and represents the Crucifixion and the Ascension.
In the south aisle of the Lady-Chapel we notice one of the finest effigies in the building. It is a Fourteenth Century lady, whose left hand holds the cord of her cloak. A little dog lies at her feet. It is interesting to compare this with another unknown effigy of a lady of the Thirteenth Century in the north aisle of the Lady-Chapel. The left hand holds a glove.
In front of the altar and on the floor of the Lady-Chapel are the effigies of Bishop William de Blois (died 1236) and his successor Bishop Walter de Cantelupe (died 1265). The latter is in higher relief than the former and was originally set with gems. In the north aisle we must also note the large effigy of Sir James de Beauchamp, in complete armour with surcoat and long shield of Henry III.’s reign. Beneath the reredos lies the richly robed figure of Hawford, Dean of Worcester in 1553-1557. On the south side lies William, Earl of Dudley, in white marble on arches of alabaster. The Lady-Chapel is of the same date as the choir.
From the south transept of the nave we enter the famous Crypt, which dates from 1084. It was built after that of Winchester (1079) and before those of Gloucester (1089) and Canterbury (1096). Three rows of pillars form four walks, with an outer aisle of two rows of pillars. It was surrounded by several chapels, but only the southern chapel is now accessible. The pillars are admired for their grace and lightness, when illuminated. It suggests the Mosque of Cordova. In comparing the crypts of Winchester, Gloucester, Canterbury, and Worcester, Willis says:
“The height of all these crypts is nearly the same; so that at Winchester and Gloucester the arches are flattened into ellipses, the pillars are low and squat, and the crypts appear as sepulchral vaults; while at Worcester, where the arches are semicircular and the pillars more slender, the crypt is a complex and beautiful temple.”
The Cloisters form an irregular quadrangle enclosing a lovely green garth, 83 feet square. The roof of the walks is richly vaulted. The glass in the windows in the south alley depicted the history and miracles of St. Wulstan, but the glass was destroyed by the Puritans.
Beyond the south walk is the Refectory, a handsome building of red sandstone, dating from about 1372. It is now used as a class-room of the Cathedral School founded by King Henry VIII. The monks’ lavatory occupies two bays in the north alley.
From the west walk we enter the Chapter-House, originally a Norman building of the Eleventh Century. It was repaired about 1400, when the Norman windows and vaults were supplanted by those we now see. The present Chapter-House