IX. In the north transept, cased by Abbot Horton, (1351-1377,) the new work differs in its mouldings, which are here angular instead of round; and in the greater richness of the roof. The mullions are here continued up to the roof, shewing the complete development of the Perpendicular. In this transept the eastern chapel is open. There is an ascent of seven steps to it, shewing what was the original arrangement of the chapel in the opposite transept. Within this chapel, looking west, the casing of the Norman work with the later is very evident.
Against the north wall of this transept, under the open arcade, is a structure of early Decorated character, which has been called, and probably with reason, a reliquary[14]. [Plate III.] It is in three divisions, the
THE RELIQUARY.
entrance being through the central arch. All the arches are enriched with foiled openings, and with intricate and very beautiful leafage. There are Purbeck shafts at the angles, heads at the spring of the arches, and a series of seated figures, under canopies, much mutilated, between the outer arch at the entrance and the trefoil within. Inside, the three divisions are groined, with bosses at the intersections; and each bay has three blind arches in the wall, between which piers project to some distance. The reliquary ends before reaching the north-west angle of the transept in which the square Norman turret projects, leading upward to the arcaded passage and to the triforium. (Compare the projecting turrets at the angles of the transepts in Worcester Cathedral.) At the north-east angle the Perpendicular work joins the reliquary; a bracket for a figure is placed between it and the steps leading to the chapel, and a shield bearing Abbot Parker’s arms has taken the place of the last corbel-head.
Three Norman windows remain at the east end of the chapel opening from this transept. Below them is a Perpendicular reredos, with three niches, from which the figures have disappeared. This chapel (as will be seen from the Plan) is of less size than that opening from the south transept, and the altar (owing to the polygonal apse) was not due east. A door opens south, into the choir-aisle; and in the opposite wall is a very good Perpendicular doorway, leading to rooms now used as vestries. The Perpendicular cresting, and the angels bearing scrolls in the hollow moulding, are good, and should be noticed. The Norman arch in the wall above this doorway, and the Norman work in the opposite wall, (which should be examined from the choir-aisle as well as from the chapel,) apparently indicate changes in this part of the building before the alteration of the entire transept, which it is not easy to explain. The groin edges of the vault of this chapel are carried down the piers in a manner of which no example occurs elsewhere.
The steps into the chapel, and a similar ascent into the choir-aisle, were rendered necessary from the height of the crypt, (§ XVII.), which extends under the whole of the building east of the tower, with the exception of the Lady-chapel. The very peculiar doorways opening to the aisle resemble those in the opposite transept. Within the smaller of these arches, on a level with the top of the stairs, is a small stone lectern, from which, it is probable, the pilgrims were addressed as they passed upwards to the shrine of Edward II.[15]
The Perpendicular screen below the tower-arch opening to the transept enclosed a chapel, now used as a vestry. A similar chapel existed beneath the south tower-arch. Under a Perpendicular window on the west side of the transept is a monument for John
