The appearance of the chantry when first finished, with all its rich colour and profuse gilding, must have been very rich. Some have thought it too elaborate and overweighted with ornament, but we may well call it one of the most glorious specimens of its time.
Among the heraldic decorations are to be found the chevrons of the Clares, and the arms of the deceased Earl. On the outside are to be traced the arms of the royal ancestors of Isabelle, of the Clares, and of the Despensers.
The arms upon the chapel are given in "Neale's Views of Tewkesbury" as follows:
On the side of the chapel next the choir, over the door—
1. France and England, quarterly, King Edward III.
2. Castile and Leon, quarterly, and Peter, King of Castile and Leon.
3. France and England, quarterly, Edmund of Langley, Duke of York.
4. France and England impaling Castile and Leon—for Isabelle of Castile, Duchess of York.
5. Clare quartering Despenser (Thomas Despenser, Earl of Gloucester).
6. Clare quartering Despenser and impaling France and England (Constance, the mother of the foundress of the chapel).