Opposite, between the tower-piers, is a small chapel, said to have been dedicated to St. Anthony. It is used as the Dean’s vestry.
The South Transept (St. Andrew’s Aisle) was transformed from the Norman in 1329-1337. The vaulting is lierne with short ribs. The walls are panelled.
On the north side of the south transept, we find the Seabroke Chapel.
“The alabaster effigy represents the Abbot in his alb, stole, tunic, dalmatic, chasuble, amice and mitre, with his pastoral staff on his right side. The chapel has been partially restored. Traces of colour are to be seen in the reredos and the roof over it.
“Almost opposite to this, but nearer to the iron gate, is a recessed tomb to a knight in mixed armour of mail and plate, and by his side his lady, with kirtle, mantle and flowing hair. Both wear SS. collars, and this helps to give the age of the monument, by narrowing the date down to a year not earlier than 1399.”—(H. J. L. J. M.)
On the east side the Chapel of St. Andrew occupies a corresponding position to that of St. Paul in the north transept. This chapel has been restored. Some of the best glass in the Cathedral is contained in the east window over St. Andrew’s Chapel. It dates from about 1330 and consists of the head of a white scroll-work of vine leaves, etc., on a fine ruby-coloured ground, and below plain quarries with very simple borders.
Opposite Boteler’s Chapel we find St. Philip’s Chapel (south-east), restored in 1864. There is some dog-tooth moulding near the piscina. A fine Perpendicular arch, supporting the triforium above, attracts attention before the Lady-Chapel is entered.
The Crypt is entered from the eastern door in the south transept. It is one of the five great eastern crypts erected before 1085[5] and consists of an apse, three small apsidal chapels and two chapels underneath the eastern chapels of the north and south transepts.
“Great alterations have from time to time been made in the crypt. The large semicircular columns against the walls, though of great antiquity, are not parts of the original structure, but are casings built round, and enclosing the former smaller piers, and the ribs springing from their capitals are built under, with a view to support the vaulting.”—(F. S. W.)
Through a door in the organ screen in the north aisle of the nave we enter the Cloisters, which are among the most perfect and beautiful in England. They form a quadrangle and each walk is divided into ten compartments. Fan-tracery is thought to have originated here in the vaulting. They were begun by Abbot Horton (1351-1377) and completed by Abbot Froucester (1381-1412).