THE REREDOS.
First, the Norman sanctuary and apses were demolished, except that a length of Norman wall was retained on either side of the sanctuary. If this had been removed the tower might have collapsed. The chief feature of the new sanctuary is the clerestory windows, with tracery of early type, c. 1250.
Soon after, the lower parts of the Saint’s chapel and the ante-chapel were built; these were not completely finished till c. 1315. There, too, “vaulting ambition had o’erleapt itself”: the monks made preparations for vaults both within and without the ante-chapel, but in the end put up an unworthy flat ceiling.
About 1295 they commenced a new Lady chapel. This was not finished till about 1326. Thus it was built in the last years of the Geometrical and the early years of the Curvilinear style, and, like Selby choir, illustrates charmingly the transition from the one to the other.
V. Curvilinear.—The monks had now done all they meant to do. The eastern limb was rebuilt. They meant to do no more in the nave. But their hands were forced. Five Norman bays collapsed on the south side of the nave in 1323, and the monks had perforce to rebuild them. The design is closely assimilated to that of the Lancet bays to the west; the clerestory actually having lancet windows without tracery. To this period belong the shrines of St. Alban and St. Amphibalus, the Rood-screen, the doorway and arcade of the cloister.
THE SHRINE.
VI. Perpendicular.—The great gateway was built c. 1380. The nave and choir were better lighted on the north side by the insertion of windows in the triforium. The watching-loft was constructed c. 1420; the choir was ceiled, and the great reredos was erected c. 1480. To the same period belong the brass of Abbot de la Mare, c. 1390; and the grand chantries of Abbot Wheathampstead and Duke Humphrey of Gloucester, c. 1440.
VII. Tudor.—The grandest chantry of all is that of Abbot Ramryge, c. 1520.
VIII. In recent times vast sums have been spent in underpinning and securing the walls and tower: and we have had the amazing west front and transept-ends designed by Lord Grimthorpe.