Chapter 15 of 17 · 4000 words · ~20 min read

Part 15

The memorial window to CHAUCER, immediately over his tomb, is intended to embody his intellectual labour, and his position amongst his contemporaries. At the base are the Canterbury Pilgrims, showing the setting out from London, and the arrival at Canterbury. The medallions above represent Chaucer receiving a commission, with others, in 1372, from King Edward III. to the Doge of Genoa, and his reception by the latter. At the apex, the subjects are taken from the moral poem entitled "The Floure and the Leafe." "As they which honour the Flower, a thing fading with every blast, are such as look after beauty and worldly pleasure; but they that honour the Leaf, which abideth with the root, notwithstanding the frost and winter storms, are they which follow virtue and during qualities, without regard to worldly respects." On the dexter side, dressed in white, is the Lady of the Leafe, and attendants; on the sinister side is the Lady of the Floure, dressed in green. In the spandrils adjoining are the Arms of Chaucer. On the dexter side, and on the sinister, Chaucer impaling these of (Roet) his wife. In the tracery above, the portrait of Chaucer occupies the centre, between that of Edward III. and Philippa his wife; below them Gower and John of Gaunt, and above are Wickliffe and Strode, his contemporaries. In the borders are disposed the following arms, alternately: England, France, Hainhault, Lancaster, Castile, and Leon. At the base of the window is the name Geoffrey Chaucer, died A.D. 1400, and four lines selected from the poem entitled, "Balade of Gode Counsaile."

"Flee fro the prees, and dwell with soth fastnesse, Suffise unto thy good though it be small;"

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"That thee is sent receyve in buxomnesse; The wrastling for this world asketh a fall."

This window was designed by Mr. J. G. Waller, and executed by Messrs. Thomas Baillie, and George Mayer, 118, Wardour Street, London, 1868.

EXPLANATION OF THE SUBJECTS.--The Pilgrims are arranged in the following manner:--The Departure from the Tabard, thus:

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

The Arrival at Canterbury, thus:

10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18.

_Arrangement of Portraits in Tracery._

Wickliffe. Strode. Edward III. Chaucer. Philippa. Gower. John of Gaunt.

Above is a neat monument to the memory of John Roberts, Esq., the very faithful Secretary of the Right Honourable Henry Pelham, Minister of State to George II. This marble was erected by his three surviving sisters, in 1776.--_Hayward, sculptor._

ABRAHAM COWLEY.--This monument, though apparently plain, is very expressive; the chaplet of laurel that begirts his urn, and the fire issuing from the mouth of the urn, are fine emblems of the glory he acquired by the spirit of his writings. The Latin inscription and epitaph on the pedestal is thus translated into English:--"Near this place lies Abraham Cowley, the Pindar, Horace, and Virgil of England; and the delight, ornament and admiration of his age:--

"While, Sacred Bard, far worlds thy works proclaim. And you survive in an immortal fame, Here may you, bless'd in pleasant quiet, lie! To guard thy urn may hoary Faith stand by! And all thy fav'rite tuneful Nine repair To watch thy dust with a perpetual care! Sacred for ever may this place be made, And may no desp'rate hand presume t' invade With touch unhallow'd this religious room, Or dare affront thy venerable tomb! Unmov'd and undisturb'd, till time shall end, May Cowley's dust this marble shrine defend!"

"So wishes, and desires that wish may be sacred to posterity, George, Duke of Buckingham, who erected this monument to that incomparable man. He died in the forty-ninth year of his age, and was carried from Buckingham House, with honourable pomp, his exequies being attended by persons of illustrious characters of all degrees, and buried August 3, 1667." His grave is just before the monument, as appears by a blue stone, on which is engraven his name.--_John Bushnell, sculptor._

Affixed to the pillar, on the left, is a tablet to the memory of Mrs. MARTHA BIRCH, who was daughter of Samuel Viner, Esq., and first married to Francis Millington, Esq., afterwards to Peter Birch, Prebendary of this Abbey. She died May 25, 1703, in the fiftieth year of her age.

The next monument was erected to the memory of Mr. JOHN DRYDEN, by the late Duke of Buckingham, who valued his writings so much that he thought no inscription necessary to spread his fame.--"J. Dryden, born 1632, died May 1, 1700. John Sheffield, Duke of Buckingham, erected this monument, 1720."--_Scheemakers, sculptor._

Against the screen of the Choir, is the monument of ROBERT SOUTH, D.D., who is represented in a cumbent posture, in his canonical habit, with his arm resting on a cushion, and his right hand on a Death's head. In his left he holds a book, with his finger between the leaves, as if just closed from reading; and over his head is a group of cherubs issued from a mantling, beneath which is a long Latin inscription, showing that he was scholar to Busby, and student at Christ Church, Oxford, and Public Orator of that University; that, by the patronage of Lord Clarendon, he was made Prebendary both of Westminster and Christ's, and afterwards Rector of Islip, where he rebuilt the parsonage-house, and founded and endowed a school. His sermons have a peculiar turn, and are still much admired. He died July 8, 1716, aged eighty-two.--_Bird, sculptor._

Between this and Dr. Busby, a small portion of ANN of CLEVES' monument is to be perceived. She was sister of the Duke of Cleves, was contracted in marriage to Henry VIII., and received with great pomp on Blackheath, January 3, 1539, married to the king on the 9th, and in July following divorced, with liberty to marry again; but being sensibly touched with the indignity put upon her, she lived retired in England, with the title of Lady Ann, of Cleves, and saw the rival who supplanted her suffer a worse fate. She survived the King four years, and died in 1557.

A still more unfortunate Queen lies near this last, without a monument; viz., ANNE, Queen of Richard III., and daughter of Nevil, the great Earl of Warwick. This lady was poisoned by that monster of cruelty, her husband, to make way for his marriage with Elizabeth, daughter of his brother, Edward IV., and sister of the unhappy youths he had caused to be murdered in the Tower, which marriage he never lived to consummate, being slain at the battle of Bosworth Field.

Above is a tablet to Dr. Vincent, with the inscription thus translated:--"Here rests whatever is mortal of WILLIAM VINCENT, who having received his education in this College, returned to it when he had completed his academical studies, and from the situation of Junior Usher, arose to that of Head Master; he was at length exalted to the office of Dean of the Church, for which he entertained the greatest affection: on the subject of his life, his literary attainments, and his moral character, let this monumental stone be silent. He owes his origin to the respectable family of the Vincents, of Shepy, in the county of Leicester; he was born in London, 2nd November, 1739, and died on the 21st December, 1815."

Doctor RICHARD BUSBY.--On this fine monument is the effigy of this learned grammarian in his gown, looking earnestly at the inscription. In his right hand he holds a pen, and in his left a book open. Underneath, upon the pedestal, are a variety of books, and at the top are his family arms. The inscription is very elegantly written, and highly to his praise; intimating that whatever fame the school of Westminster boasts, and whatever advantage mankind shall reap from thence in times to come, are all principally owing to the wise institutions of this great man. He was born at Lutton, in Lincolnshire, September 22, 1606; made Master of Westminster College, December 23, 1640; elected Prebendary of Westminster, July 5th, 1660, and Treasurer of Wells, August 11th, the same year; and died April 5th, 1695.--_Bird, sculptor._

Affixed to the pillars in this cross are two tablets; one to the memory of Dr. ANTHONY HORNECK, who was born at Wettenburgh, in Zealand, but educated at Queen's College, Oxford; was King's Divinity Professor and Chaplain, a Prebendary of this Church, and Preacher at the Savoy. He died of the stone, January 31, 1696, aged fifty-six. The other to the memory of Dr. SAMUEL BARTON, a Prebendary of this Church, and a person of admirable genius and learning. He died September 1715, aged sixty-eight.

In front of Dr. Barrow's monument, lies the remains of that once celebrated poet, Sir WILLIAM DAVENANT, who, upon the death of Ben Jonson, succeeded him as Poet Laureate to Charles I., but having lost his nose by an _accident_, was cruelly bantered by the wits of the succeeding reign. He was a vintner's son at Oxford, whose wife, being a woman of admirable wit and sprightly conversation, drew the politest men of that age to their house, among whom Shakspeare was said to be a frequent visitor. His education was at Lincoln College, where he became acquainted with Endimion Porter, Henry Jermain, and Sir John Suckling. He died in 1668, aged sixty-three.

Not far from Davenant lies Sir ROBERT MURRAY, a great Mathematician, and one of the founders of the Royal Society, of which he was the first President, and while he lived the very soul of that body. He died suddenly, July 4, 1673, in the garden at Whitehall, and was buried at the King's expense.

In front of Dryden's monument, is an ancient stone, on which, by the marks indented, has been the image of a man in armour. This covers the body of ROBERT HAULE, who, at the battle of Najara, in Spain, in Richard II.'s time, together with John Shakel, his comrade, took the Earl of Denia prisoner, who, under pretence of raising money for his ransom, obtained his liberty, leaving his son as a hostage in their hands. Upon their coming to England, the Duke of Lancaster demanded him for the King; but they refused to deliver him up without the ransom, and were therefore both committed to the Tower, from whence escaping, they took sanctuary in this Abbey. Sir Ralp Ferreris and Alan Buxal, the one Governor, the other Captain of the Tower, with fifty men, pursued them, and having, by fair promises, gained over Shakel, they attempted to seize Haule by force, who made a desperate defence, but being overpowered by numbers, was slain, August 11, 1378, in the choir before the prior's stall, commending himself to God, the avenger of wrongs. A servant of the Abbey fell with him. Shakel they threw into prison, but afterwards set him at liberty, and the King and Council agreed to pay the ransom of his prisoner, 500 marks, and 100 marks a-year. Some years afterwards Shakel died, and was buried here in 1396.

Under the pavement, near Dryden's tomb, lie the remains of FRANCIS BEAUMONT, the dramatic writer, who died in London in 1628, and was buried here, March 9, without tomb or inscription.

The new stained glass windows at the south end of the Transept of the Abbey were executed by Messrs. Thomas Ward and J. H. Nixon, 1847: description as follows:--

In the centre of the Rose Window, the name "JEHOVAH;" in the circle surrounding the figures of angels.

In the large circle of surrounding lights are thirty-two separate subjects taken from the principal incidents, miracles, and events in the life and sufferings of our blessed Redeemer.

The height of the figures are nearly three feet. The subjects selected for this circle are as follows:

1. The nativity of Jesus Christ.--_Luke_ ii. 7, &c.

2. Simeon's prophecy.--_Luke_ ii. 25.

3. Jesus reasoning with the doctors.--_Luke_ ii. 46.

4. The baptism of St. John the Baptist.--_Matt._ iii. 13.

5. The preaching on the Mount.--_Matt._ v. 1, &c.

6. Water made wine.--_John_ ii. 4.

7. The money changers expelled from the Temple.--_Matt._ xxi. 12.

8. The woman of Samaria.--_John_ iv. 7.

9. Walking on the sea.--_Matt._ xiv. 29.

10. Raising of Jairus' daughter.--_Mark_ v. 41.

11. The pool of Bethesda.--_John_ v. 4, &c.

12. The Centurion's faith.--_Matt._ viii. 8, &c.

13. John's disciples sent to Christ.--_Matt._ xi. 2, &c.

14. The Magdalen anointing the feet of Christ.--_John_ xii. 3.

15. The Syrophenician woman.--_Matt._ xv. 15.

16. The feeding of the multitude.--_Matt._ xiv. 15.

17. The lunatic boy cured.--_Matt._ xvii. 14, &c.

18. Peter, the fish, and Temple tribute.--_Matt._ xvii. 27.

19. The blind man healed.--_Mark_ viii. 25.

20. Lazarus raised.--_John_ xi. 43.

21. The entry into Jerusalem.--_Matt._ xxi. 1.

22. The tribute to Cæsar.--_Matt._ xxii. 15 and 21.

23. Little children brought to Christ.--_Mark_ x. 13.

24. The young rich man's question.--_Mark_ x. 17.

25. The widow's son restored.--_Luke_ vii. 11.

26. The agony in the garden.--_Matt._ xxvi. 39.

27. Jesus Christ captive before Pilate.--_Matt._ xxvii. 1, 2, &c.

28. Jesus Christ shown to the people.--_John_ xix. 5.

29. The Crucifixion.--_John_ xix. 25, &c.

30. The Resurrection.--_Matt._ xxviii. 1, &c.

31. Appearance to Mary Magdalen.--_John_ xx. 11.

32. The Ascension.--_Acts_ i. 9, &c.

The decorations which surround this circle are scrolages and ornaments of mosaic work on coloured grounds suited to the rest, among which are also interwoven the following symbols:--

1. I.H.S. at the Nativity.

2. The angel, the symbol of St. Matt.

3. The Paschal Lamb.

4. Cherub's head.

5. The pelican, as symbol of the Church.

6. Cherub's head.

7. The lion, the symbol of St. Mark.

8. The triangle, the symbol of the Trinity.

9. The hart, athirst for the water brooks.

10. The ox, the symbol of St. Luke.

11. Cherub's head.

12. The sacramental cup.

13. Cherub's head.

14. The dove descending.

15. The eagle, the symbol of St. John.

16. [Greek: A.Ô.]

In the left quatrefoil, at the corner, are the arms of the Abbacy; in the right the arms of the reigning sovereign; in the head of the arches beneath are figures of angels holding scrolls.

The subjects for the twelve lower windows are selected from the Old Testament, and are as follows:--

1. Noah's sacrifice.--_Gen._ viii. 20.

2. Abraham and the angels.--_Gen._ xviii. 1.

3. Jacob's dream.--_Gen._ xxviii. 12.

4. Joseph interpreting Pharoah's dream.--_Gen._ xli. 25.

5. The finding of Moses.--_Ex._ ii. 5.

6. Moses before the burning bush.--_Ex._ iii. 2.

7. Moses striking the rock.--_Ex._ xvii. 5.

8. Moses with the tables of the law.--_Ex._ xx. 20.

9. David chosen from among his brothers, and anointed by Samuel.--_1 Sam._ xvi. 13.

10. Dedication of the Temple by Solomon.--_1 Kings_ viii. 22.

11. Elijah's sacrifice.--_1 Kings_ xviii. 37, &c.

12. Josiah renewing the Covenant.--_2 Kings_ xxii. 3, &c.

Having thus noticed what is usually considered most interesting in the interior, we will take a glance at the exterior. We have already observed that the form of the Abbey is that of a cross, in which you are to consider Henry the Seventh's Chapel has no part. The south side answered exactly to the north in the original plan, by attending to which, you will be able to form a true judgment of the whole. The cloisters on the south side were added for the conveniency of the monks, and the contiguous buildings are of a still later date.

What will principally engage your attention, in viewing the outside of this building (the new towers excepted), is the magnificent portico leading to the north cross, which, by some, has been styled the _Beautiful_, or _Solomon's Gate_. This portico is Gothic, and extremely beautiful; and over it is a most magnificent window of modern design, admirably executed. The entire height of the north front to the top of the centre pinnacle is one hundred and seventy feet.

The north side of the Church, between the west front and the Transept, is supported by nine graduated buttresses; each has a turreted niche, wherein are placed full length statues of the founders and principal benefactors of this Church.

The towers at the west end were raised under the directions of Sir Christopher Wren, and terminate with pinnacles at the height of two hundred and twenty-five feet. _The Exterior_ length of the Abbey is four hundred and sixteen feet; including Henry Seventh's Chapel, five hundred and thirty feet.

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Having now pointed out what is accounted most worthy of observation in the construction of this ancient Abbey, both without and within it, we shall next say a word or two of--

Henry Seventh's Chapel.

This _wonder of the world_, as it well may be styled, is adorned without with sixteen Gothic towers, beautifully ornamented with admirable ingenuity, and jutting from the building in different angles. It is situated on the east of the Abbey to which it is so neatly joined, that at a superficial view it appears to be one and the same building. It is enlightened by a double range of windows, that throw the light into such a happy disposition, as at once to please the eye and inspire reverence.

An author some years ago, has very highly, and yet not undeservedly expressed the beauty of this Chapel in the following words:--"It is the admiration of the universe; such inimitable perfection appears in every part of the whole composure, which looks so far exceeding human excellence, that it appears knit together by the fingers of angels, pursuant to the direction of Omnipotence."

And here we cannot help taking notice of a most beautiful window that was designed for this Chapel. It was made by order of the magistrates of Dort, in Holland, and designed by them as a present to Henry VII., but that monarch dying before it was finished, it was set up in Waltham Abbey, where it remained till the dissolution of that monastery, when it was removed to New-Hall, in Essex, then in possession of General Monk, and by him preserved during the civil wars. Some years ago, John Olmius, Esq., the then possessor of New-Hall, sold it to Mr. Conyers, of Copt-Hall, who resold it to the inhabitants of St. Margaret's parish, in 1758, for four hundred guineas; and it now adorns St Margaret's Church. Thus it has arrived near to the place for which it was originally intended, but is never likely to reach it. The grand subject is that of our Saviour's crucifixion; but there are many subordinate figures: those at the bottom of the two side panels represent Henry VII., and his Queen, and were taken from the original pictures sent to Dort for that purpose. Over the King is the figure of St. George, and above that a white rose and a red one. Over the figure of the Queen stands that of St. Katharine of Alexandria; and in the panel over her head appears a pomegranate _vert_, in a field of _or_, the arms of the kingdom of Grenada.

_General Admeasurements of the Exterior of Henry VII.'s Chapel._

Ft. In. Extreme Length 115 2 Breadth to the Extremities of the Buttress Towers 79 6 Height of the Buttress Towers 70 8 Do. to the Apex of the Roof 85 6 Do. to the Top of the Western Turrets 101 6

Of the Monuments in the Cloisters.

There are many persons of distinction buried in the Cloisters, as will appear from the number of inscriptions, many of which are almost obliterated from wear or time; we shall therefore only notice a few of the most particular. The most ancient are in the South Walk of the Cloisters, towards the east end, where you will see the remains of four Abbots, marked in the pavement by four stones. The first is inscribed to the Abbot VITALIS, who died in 1082; and was formerly covered with plates of brass. The second is a stone of grey marble, to the memory of GESLEBERTUS CRISPINUS, who died in 1114. The third is a raised stone, of Sussex marble, under which lies interred the Abbot LAURENTIUS, who died in 1176, and is said to have been the first who obtained from Pope Alexander III. the privilege of using the Mitre, Ring, and Glove. The fourth is of black marble, called Long Meg, from its extraordinary length of eleven feet ten inches, by five feet ten inches, and covers the ashes of GERVASIUS DE BLOIS, natural son of King Stephen, who died 1106. All these seem to have had their names and dates cut afresh, and are indeed fragments worthy to be preserved.

In 1349 twenty-six of the monks of this Abbey fell victims to a dreadful plague which at that period had extended its ravages over great part of the globe, and are reported by Fuller to have been buried all in one grave in the South Cloisters, under the remarkable large stone called Long Meg.

Against the wall is a monument to PETER FRANCIS COURAYER, a Roman Catholic clergyman, born at Vernon, in Normandy, 1681. He was Canon and Librarian of the Abbey of Geneviève, at Paris. He translated and published several valuable works. In 1727 he took refuge in England, and was well received, and presented by the University of Oxford with the degree of D.D. On his dedicating a book to Queen Caroline, his pension was augmented to £200 per annum from £100 which he had obtained before from the court. He died, in 1776, after two days' illness, at the age of ninety-five.

At the end of this walk is the monument of DANIEL PULTENEY, who served the court several years; abroad in the reign of Queen Anne, and at home in the reign of George I. The following is the inscription:--"Reader, if thou art a Briton, behold this tomb with reverence and regret! Here lie the remains of Daniel Pulteney, the kindest relation, the truest friend, the warmest patriot, the worthiest man! He exercised virtues in his age, sufficient to have distinguished him even in the best. Sagacious by nature, industrious by habit, inquisitive with art, he gained a complete knowledge of the state of Britain, foreign and domestic; in most, the backward fruit of tedious experience; in him, the early acquisition of undissipated youth. He served the court several years; abroad, in the auspicious reign of Queen Anne; at home, in the reign of that excellent Prince, George I. He served his country always; at court independent, in the senate unbiassed. At every age, and at every station, this was the bent of his generous soul, this the business of his laborious life; public men and public things he judged by one common standard--_the true interest of Britain_; he made no other distinction of party; he abhorred all other. Gentle, humane, disinterested, benevolent, he created no enemies on his own account; firm, determined, inflexible, he feared none he could create in the cause of Britain. Reader, in this misfortune of thy country, lament thy own; for know, the loss of so much private virtue is a public calamity."

EAST WALK.

Near the iron gate is a tablet sacred to the memory of the Rev. THOMAS VIALLS, of Twickenham, Middlesex, A.M., many years vicar of Boldre, in the New Forest, who departed this life May 7, 1831, aged sixty-two.

To the left is a very beautiful arch, beneath which is a doorway leading to the Chapter House and Library; in front of which was buried Abbot BYRCHESTON, who died of the plague, May 15, 1349; but no stone left to mark the place of his interment.