The Three Choirs: A Handbook to the Cathedrals of Gloucester, Hereford, and Worcester / A Complete Description of the Buildings, a History of Each Diocese and Biographical Notices of the Bishops

by R. J. King

Chapel, Triforium

The north-east Norman chapel beyond the gallery has a Decorated window; and in that adjoining the north transept is a very beautiful Decorated double piscina. The foliated ornament round the inner arch of the windows here and in the chapel opposite should be noticed. Taking into account the many chapels in this triforium, and in the crypt, it may be reckoned that there were nearly twice as many altars in this church as were usually to be found in churches of even the same size and importance.

XVII. The crypt, which is entered from the south transept, is one of five English eastern crypts founded before 1085; (the others are Canterbury, Winchester, Rochester, and Worcester). After that date (with one exception, the Early English crypt at Hereford—see that cathedral) they ceased to be constructed, except in continuation of former ones. The crypt of Gloucester extends under the whole of the choir, with its aisles and chapels; and the original form of the eastern end is here at once evident.

Crypt.

“The outer walls of the crypt are about 10 ft. thick, and the aisle floor is on an average 8 ft. deep below the level of the soil on the outside. The centre part is divided by two rows of small columns, from which spring groined arches carrying the floor of the choir. The bases and capitals of these are much out of level, falling considerably from west to east, and from north to south.... It is evident that great alterations have from time to time been made in this part of the building: the large semicircular columns against the walls, though of great antiquity, are not part of the original structure, but are casings, in which are enclosed the former and smaller piers; and the ribs springing from their capitals are built under, and with a view to support the groins[21].”

Much soil has been cleared from the crypt, and the original floors of the chapels have been laid open. These are composed of a rough concrete. There is a step into each chapel, and the floors rise gradually toward the east end. All contain remains of altars and piscinas, generally of later date than the crypt itself. The chapel adjoining the north transept was groined and decorated in the latter part of the thirteenth century. The windows of the crypt have been opened and glazed.

XVIII. The cloisters, [Plate VIII.,] which are entered from the nave, rank among the finest examples in the kingdom. They were commenced by Abbot Horton, (1351-1377); and completed by Abbot Froucester, (1381-1412).

The view looking down either of the walks is very fine, mainly owing to the richness of the groined roof, which, is the earliest existing example of the fan-vault.