The Bishop is in relief and wears eucharistic vestments, with a rich mitre and pastoral staff unveiled but turned outwards, and the right hand is in the act of benediction. There is a kind of nimbus to the head and at the feet are two dogs, one of whom is pierced by the staff.
Proceeding to the next arch further east immediately behind
TOMB OF A KNIGHT AT THE BACK OF THE SEDILIA.
the sedilia, there is a recumbent figure in the armour of the late fourteenth century. This is attributed to Rhys ap Tewdwr, Prince of South Wales.[84] “The head, which has the conical basanet and camaille, is reclining upon a casque surmounted by the crest, On a chapeau a lion sejant. The body armour is covered by a jupon, on the breast and back of which are embroidered the wearer’s arms [Gules,] within a bordure engrailed [or,] a lion rampant [of the second]. It is not quite clear whether the jupon, which falls in a fringe round the hips, is meant to have sleeves, or whether the figure has a hauberk with short sleeves, those of the tunic appearing beneath them. The hands are clasped; there is a richly decorated belt and sword; the legs have complete plate armour, with genouillères; the feet have spurs, and rest on a lion.”
In a corresponding position in the north choir aisle is another very similar tomb (No. 11), evidently of a member of the same family, probably by the same designer. The head lies on a double cushion, and the heraldic bearings on the jupon have a label of three points.[85] The general conclusion seems to be that these monuments are to Lord Rhys ap Tewdwr and his son Rhys Gryg. Before the restoration they stood under the same arches in the presbytery, not, as now, in the aisles.
Under the easternmost arch of the presbytery on the south side is a mutilated figure of a priest (No. 20) in the eucharistic vestments of Bishop Gower’s time, which is commonly attributed to Giraldus Cambriensis,[86] but on slight authority. The head rests on a double cushion supported by angels, the hands are clasped (holding the Host) and the feet lie on a dog. Opposite in the south choir aisle is a fine slab (No. 22), with a cross floriated with branches in relief. The chamfered edge bears the following inscription in Lombardic letters:
SILVESTER: MEDICUS: IACET: HIC: EIVS[que] RUINA:
MONSTRAT: QVOD MORTI: [non]: OBSISTIT: MEDICINA:
[Silvester the physician lies here, and his dissolution proves that
medicine withstands not Death.]
Under the easternmost window in this aisle is the effigy of a vested priest with raised hands. The recess is Decorated, and has a foliated canopy which is remarkable as being the only instance of ball-flower in the church except that in the Decorated stage of the tower. In the westernmost bay (No. 21) is a much worn tomb of an ecclesiastic holding a book in his right hand.