In the South Choir Aisle are four Perpendicular tombs under Decorated arched recesses, supposed to represent Bishop William de Vere (1199); Bishop Hugh Foliot (d. 1234); Bishop Robert de Betun (1148); and Bishop Robert de Melun (1167). There is a brass of Dean Frowsetown (1529), an effigy of Bishop Mayew (1516), who conducted Catherine of Arragon to England from Spain; and an effigy of Bishop de Losinga (1096), erected in Perpendicular period. The vestries are of Norman construction; the vaulting is the only example of Norman vaulting in the Cathedral. Here in this south choir aisle is preserved the famous Map of the World, as known in 1300. It was designed by Richard de Haldingham, Prebendary of Hereford. This was generally supposed to be the most ancient of its size in the world; but another map has been discovered at Ebstorp, near Hanover, which is larger, more highly coloured, and about the same age. The library of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, has an earlier map of Henry of Mainz, and there is a small Psalter map in the British Museum. The world is shown to be round; at the top is Paradise, with its rivers and trees, Eve's transgression, etc. Above is the last Judgment with the Virgin interceding for mankind. Jerusalem is in the centre. Rome proclaims itself the head of the world, and Troy the most warlike city. The British Isles have much space, and most of the cathedrals are mentioned. Monstrous animals, birds and fish abound. The monkey appears to live in Norway, the scorpion on the Rhine. There is very much that is strange and curious to be seen in this wonderful map.
The Library has a splendid collection of chained books. The building is modern, having been opened in 1897, and built on the site of the old west cloister. There is an ancient copy of the Gospels at least 1000 years old, written in Anglo-Saxon characters, a beautiful twelfth-century MS., a copy of the "Hereford Use" of thirteenth century, Wycliffe's Bible (1420), "Bangor Use" (1400), with a curious charm for toothache inserted in the book, Decreta Gratiani, of twelfth century. There are many Incunabula, Nicholas de Lyra's Bible and Commentary (1485), Polychronycon, by R. Higden, with additions by Caxton (1495); Caxton's Golden Legend, a very fine copy.
Here is an ancient Reliquary, with representation of the martyrdom of St. Thomas of Canterbury, a pre-Reformation chalice and paten, taken from the coffin of Bishop Swinfield (1316), and some episcopal rings. This collection of chained books is the finest in England.
Dimensions
| Total length (exterior) | 342 ft. |
| Length of nave to screen | 158 ft. |
| Breadth of nave | 31 ft. |
| Breadth of nave and aisles | 73 ft. |
| Height of nave | 64 ft. |
| Height of lantern | 96 ft. |
| Height of tower with pinnacles | 165 ft. |
| Length of choir to reredos | 75 ft. |
| Length of Lady Chapel and retro-choir | 93 ft. |
| Width of central transepts | 146 ft. |
| Width of eastern transepts | 110 ft. |
Principal Building Dates
- Norman (1079-1115)—Main arcade of nave, arcade and triforium of choir, font, east wall of south transept, vestry. (1189-1199)—Retro-choir.
- Early English (1200-1250)—Lady Chapel, crypt.
- (1282-1287)—North transept.
- Decorated (1300-1360)—Walls and windows of aisles, choir transepts, upper part of tower, stalls and throne.
- Perpendicular (1400-1530)—Cloisters, windows in south transept, north porch, Audley and Stanbery Chantries.
- Modern—West front, triforium and clerestory of nave, east front, library.