“The side windows of the choir-clerestory retain enough of their original glazing—which is precisely of the same date as that of the east window—to enable us to perceive that their lower tier of lights was filled with figures and canopies, and their upper tier and tracery-lights with borders and quarry patterns, having small roundels of ornament inserted of the same character as the pattern-work in the east window: a corroborative proof, if any were necessary, of the originality of the arrangement of the glass in the upper part of the east window, with which the arrangement of the glass in the side windows so perfectly harmonizes[19].” The date assigned by Mr. Winston to the east window, and to those of the clerestory, is between 1345 and 1350.
XII. On the south side of the presbytery is a projecting bracket of Perpendicular date, on which is placed the earlier effigy of an abbot—perhaps that of Henry Foliot, (died 1243). It is too shattered, however, to be of much interest.
On the north side of the presbytery, beginning from the east, are:—
(1.) A high tomb with effigy of Osric, the Mercian “kinglet,” who is said to have founded the first religious establishment at Gloucester. (See § I., and Pt. II.) On the east end of the monument is the inscription,—“Osricus Rex primus fundator hujus monasterii—681.” The tomb and effigy are said to have been erected during the abbacy of William Parker, (1515-1539,) whose arms, together with those of the abbey, appear on it. The effigy is crowned and sceptred, and carries the model of a church in the left hand. The ermine collar of the robe is unusual.
(2.) The superb tomb, with effigy of Edward II. [Plate VI.] It has been truly said that the whole of the choir, as it at present exists, is a memorial of the murdered King; since the alterations in it were commenced after his interment here, and their cost was mainly defrayed from the rich offerings made at his tomb. The tomb itself, however, is not unworthy a greater king than Edward II.
It was on the 21st of September, 1327, that King Edward was murdered in Berkeley Castle. The monasteries of Bristol, Kingswood, and Malmesbury refused to receive his body for interment, fearing the displeasure of the Queen and her party; but Abbot Thokey of Gloucester, more far-sighted, brought it from Berkeley in his own carriage, and caused it to be solemnly interred beneath the existing monument. This was erected at the cost of the King’s son, Edward III., and became at once an important place of pilgrimage. Offerings made here were thought to avert the Divine anger from the nation, and it is said that if all the oblations presented at the tomb during the reign of Edward III. had been expended on the church, it might have been built anew. Edward III. himself, when in danger of shipwreck, vowed an offering of a golden ship at his father’s tomb, which was duly presented, but afterwards redeemed, at the request of the Abbot and Convent, for £100. The Black Prince offered a golden crucifix, containing a portion of the holy Cross; the Queen of
MONUMENT OF EDWARD II.
Scots, a necklace with a ruby; and Queen Philippa, a heart and ear of gold. Such offerings were no doubt hung about the tomb, in the usual manner.