The Side Chapels

H.A. from the ScreenH.A. from the Screen

THEScreendividing the choir from the ante-chapel is one of the earliest and purest examples of renaissance woodwork in this country and is no doubt the work of foreign artists (probably Italian), several having been brought over and employed by Henry VIII. Carved upon it are the badge of Anne Boleyn, a crowned falcon holding a sceptre; the initials H. R., R. A., H. A., with true lovers' knots entwining these two letters; the arms of Henry VIII and Anne impaled; while below in the same compartment is a bull's head caboched. This last is not a rebus[9]in the true sense of the term (for at leastone would expect the letter N or something similar to appear), yet I venture to say it refers to Anne, and, with the rest, shows the date of the work to be 1533-1536, during which period her influence was at its height. At the back of the Provost's stall is carved an admirable representation of St. George and the dragon. Over the door on this side are the arms of King's and Eton emblazoned. The definition of the arms of King's is as follows: Sable, three roses argent, a chief per pale, azure a fleur-de-lis of France, and gules a lion of England.[10]That of Eton is the same, with the exception of three lilies in the place of the roses.[11]

The organ was put up in 1688 by René Harris,[12]taking the place of one erected in 1606 by an organ-builder named Dalham; some portions of the case date back to the time of Henry VIII. On the outer towers of the organ facing west are two angels holding trumpets. These were put up in 1859, taking the place of two pinnacles, which in their turn were substituted for two figures about the size of David on this same side. In 1859 the organ was much enlarged by Messrs. Hill, of London.

TheCoats of Armsat the back of the stalls on the north and south sides were put up at the expense of Thomas Weaver, a former Fellow of the College, in 1633. Amongst them are the arms of England as they were at the time; those of Henry V, VI, VII, VIII, Eton and King's College—for Henry VI (no doubt following out the scheme adopted by William of Wykeham, who founded Winchester School and New College, Oxford) founded Eton also—also the arms of Cambridge University, and, to show a friendly feeling to the sister University, those of Oxford placed on the opposite side. The canopies of the stalls and the panel work east of them were executed in 1675-1679.

TheAltar Table, from a design by Mr. Garner, was first used on Advent Sunday, 1902; and the woodwork round the chancel was finished in 1911. The architects were Messrs. Blow and Billary, the work being executed by Messrs. Rattee and Kett, the celebrated ecclesiastical builders, of Cambridge.

TheCandelabrawhich stand within the Chancel, were the gift of Messrs. Bryan, Wayte, and Witts, sometime Fellows; conjointly with the College, and are of the date 1872.

TheCandlestickson the Altar were given by Edward Balston, a former Fellow, in 1850; andtheCross(by Mr. Bainbridge Reynolds) is in memory of the late Rev. Augustus Austen Leigh, Provost, 1889-1905.

ThePictureon the north side, "The Deposition," by Daniel de Volterra, was presented to the College by the Earl of Carlisle in 1780. It previously occupied the central position in the woodwork placed there in 1774, and was removed in 1896 when the east window was re-leaded. The handsomeLecternwas given to the College by Robert Hacomblen, who was Provost from 1509 to 1528. The candle branches were added in 1668. It was removed to the Library in 1774, where it remained until 1854.

Before I go on to speak of the side Chapels, I think it is worth recording that on Wednesday, May 4, 1763, nine Spanish Standards taken at Manilla by Brigadier General Draper, formerly Fellow, were carried in procession to the Chapel by the scholars of the College. A Te Deum was sung, and the Revd. William Barford, Fellow, and Public Orator, made a Latin oration. The colours were first placed on each side of the Altar rails, but afterwards were hung up on the Organ Screen; they eventually found a resting-place in one of the South Chapels. About 20 years ago they were sent to a needlework guild in London with a view to their being restored, butit was found they were too far gone. Some of the remnants that were returned are preserved in a glass case in the vestry, where they may be seen.

I WOULD next draw the attention of my readers to two of the side chapels. The second from the west on the south side is known asHacumblen's Chapel, and contains a brass marking the place of his burial. It also contains a tomb (the only one in the Chapel) to the great Duke of Marlborough's only son, John Churchill Marquis of Blandford, who died of the small-pox in 1702 while resident in College. In the window next the Court is a portrait of the Founder, and the other figure is St. John the Evangelist. In the tracery are the evangelistic symbols and the four fathers of the Latin church—St. Jerome, St. Ambrose, St. Augustine and St. Gregory; and in the window which divides the chantry from the Ante-chapel is to be seen the Annunciation, with, on the one side, St. Ursula and the eleven thousand virgins, and St. Christopher with the infant Jesus; on the other, St. Anne with the Blessed Virgin, and St. John the Baptist with the Lamb.

The third chapel on the same side isProvost Brassie's Chapel, where he was buried in 1558. In the window is some fifteenth century glass, which, having been removed from the northside chapels, was repaired in 1857 and placed here. The Provost of Eton, whose knowledge of old glass makes him a competent authority, is now of opinion that it was made for the side Chapels, and was probably the gift of John Rampaine, Vice-Provost in 1495.

Of the remaining chantries on the south side, the first contains the Music Library; the next three are to be utilized as a Library of Ancient Theological works; and the last two will be fitted up and dedicated, as a War Memorial to those members of the College who made the great sacrifice in the War 1914-1919. Some fine Flemish glass, given by Mrs. Laurence Humphrey, and two lights purchased of St. Catherine's College, and other fragments of the XVth and XVIth century of great interest and beauty have already been placed in the windows, and a reredos is in course of erection. In the window of the second chantry from the west on the north side are the arms of Roger Goad (Provost 1569-1610) impaling the arms of the College,[13]in a most beautiful floral border.

Rose and Portcullis. (Badges of Henry VII.)Rose and Portcullis.(Badges of Henry VII.)

Arms of Henry VII.Arms of Henry VII.

Two otherSide Chapelsdeserve to be mentioned, viz. the two eastmost on the north side, which were the first roofed with lierne vaulting. The one furthest east has been lately restored to use for early celebrations of the Holy Communion and other devotional services. Visitors should pay special attention to the lovely doorway in stone through which you enter, and the one on the opposite side. In the apex of the arch are the arms of Edward the Confessor, on the left those of East Anglia, on the right those of England. On that of the opposite side is a figure of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the top, flanked on the right by one of St. Margaret, and on the left by St. Catherine. These figures have been defaced, probably by William Dowsing, who is said to have gone about the country like a lunatic, breaking windows, etc. He visited the College in 1644.

TheAnte-chapelis profusely decorated with the arms of Henry VII, with a dragon and greyhound as supporters, "the dragon of the great Pendragonship" and the greyhound of Cecilia Neville, wife of Richard Duke of York in every severy, and with crowned roses and portcullis alternating with each other, intimating that, as the portcullis was the second defence of a fortress when the gate was broken down, so hehad a second claim to the crown through his mother, daughter of John de Beaufort. After the accession of the Tudor dynasty there arose a mania for heraldic devices; in some cases an unsatisfactory mode of decoration, but in this building one that possesses not only historical interest, but great decorative value.

During the time when these styles of Gothic architecture prevailed that are now called the Decorated and the Perpendicular, the roof,[14]the columns, the stained glass windows, the seats, altar, tombs, and even the flooring, were filled with emblasonment. Nor was heraldic ornament confined to architecture; it formed the grand embellishment of the interior of palaces and baronial castles.[15]

In the middle of one of the roses at the west end, toward the south, may be seen a small figure of the Virgin Mary, about which Malden says: "Foreigners make frequent enquiries, and never fail to pay it a religious reverence, crossing their breasts at the sight, and addressing it with a short prayer." I cannot say that, in my long experience, I have ever observed an instance of this.

HAPPILY the chapel does not abound inepitaphs, a species of memorial often extravagant or even ridiculous, but there is one, viz. of Thomas Crouch, a former Fellow, M.P. for the University, who died 1679, written by himself, which, in my opinion, is of a high character. It is as follows:

"At the last dayGod will lay open the graves, and bring forthAll men from their sepulchres.It shall be known, when that dayShall come, what manner of man I was."

One may notice two striking features contained in this epitaph: (1) He believes in the resurrection; (2) he does not care what man thinks of him, it is God who shall decide whether he was good or bad.

Money was not a dominant motive with those employed on our old buildings, but master and man worked together for a common object, with a common sympathy; and especially in ourcathedrals and minsters they kept uppermost in their minds that they were working for the glory of God. "They thought not of a perishable home Who thus could build."

Froude, in hisHistory of England(I. 51), says of our ancestors: "They cannot come to us, and our imaginations can but feebly penetrate to them. Only among the aisles of the cathedrals, only as we gaze upon their silent figures sleeping on their tombs, some faint conceptions float before us of what these men were when they were alive."

There are fourSepulchral Brasseson the floor of the chantries. The earliest one is that of Dr. William Towne, who is buried in the second chantry from the east, to which I have already referred as being the first roofed in. He is represented in academical costume; and on his hands hangs a scroll with the following words: "Farewell to glory, to reputation in learning, to praise, to the arts, to all the vanity of this world. God is my only hope."[16]Under his feet is the inscription: "Pray for the soul of Master William Towne, Doctor of Divinity, once a Fellow of this College, who died on the eleventh day of March, 1494. Whose soul God pardon.Amen." The words "Pray for the soul" and "Whose soul God pardon. Amen," have been partially effaced.[17]

The most ancient brass after Dr. Towne's is that of Dr. Argentine, who is buried in the vestry on the south side nearest to the east. His figure is placed, according to his last desire, on the tombstone in his doctoral robes, with his hands elevated towards the upper part of the stone, where there was formerly placed a Crucifix. From his mouth proceed these words: "O Christ, Son of God and the Virgin, crucified Lord, Redeemer of mankind, remember me." Below his feet are the words: "This stone buries the body of John Argentine, Master of Arts, Physician, Preacher of the Gospel; Passenger, remember, thou art mortal; pray in an humble posture, that my soul may live in Christ, in a state of immortality." On a fillet round the tombstone the following words are engraved: "Pray for the soul of John Argentine, Master ofArts, Doctor of Physick and Divinity, and Provost of this College, who died February 2, 1507. May God have mercy on his soul. Amen."[18]

The next is that of Robert Hacumblen, in the second chantry from the west on the same side. He is represented in ecclesiastical costume in processional vestments. On a label proceeding from his mouth is inscribed the following line: "O Christ, be thy wounds my pleasing remedy." This applies to a shield in the sinister corner of the stone, which represents the five wounds of Christ. The shield in the dexter corner is missing. It probably contained his coat of arms, which were: vert, a cross saltire argent between four lilies of the second. On the fillet,which on all sides surrounds the stone, are the words:

"O Lord, judge me not according to my actions.I have done nothing worthy in Thy sight.Therefore I beseech Thy majesty,That Thou, O God, wouldst blot out my iniquity.Have mercy, Jesu."

At the corners are the evangelistic emblems. The inscription that was under his feet has been taken away. It may be that it contained the words "Pray for the soul," etc.

The fourth brass is in the next chantry toward the east, and is that of Robert Brassie. He is also in ecclesiastical costume in processional vestments, without the cope exposing the almuce. The label that proceeded from his mouth is missing. At his feet are the following words: "Here lies Robert Brassie, Doctor of Divinity, formerly Provost of this College, who departed this life November 10,a.d.1558."

On the walls of the Ante-chapel there are severalMemorial Brasses. The oldest is a diamond-shaped one, on the left of the south porch, to the memory of John Stokys, Public Orator, who died 17th July, 1559. That of a similar shape on the right is a repoussé tablet in copper, and is to the memory of J. K. Stephen, Fellow, who died February, 1892. In the last bay is one to Richard Okes, Doctor in Theology,who was Provost of the College from 1850 to 1888.

On the north wall there are seven tablets. Taking them in order of death, the first is to Roland Williams, S.T.P., Fellow, who died 15th February, 1870. Then Henry Bradshaw, M.A., Fellow, University Librarian, died 15th February, 1886; William Johnson (afterwards Cory), M.A., Fellow, and for many years a Master at Eton, died 1892; Charles Vickery Hawkins, Scholar, died 6th August, 1894; John Henry Middleton, M.A., Professorial Fellow, Slade Professor, died 1896; Arthur Thomas Reid, Scholar, who met his death in climbing a mountain near Bangor, North Wales, September, 1907; Frederick Whitting, M.A., Senior Fellow, who was for 24 years Bursar and 20 years Vice-Provost, died suddenly in London, 1st January, 1911. Other tablets in the chantries commemorate various members of the College.

LIKE human beings, the chapel has received well-merited praise from many, while some have used their knowledge (or want of it) to criticise. Fuller speaks of it "as one of the rarest fabricks in Christendom, wherein the stonework, woodwork, and glasswork contend which shall deserve most admiration." To quote Carter again: "It is entitled to be ranked with the finest buildings of the world," although he further goes on to say: "The exterior aspect is perhaps justly open to some criticism, but it has received unqualified abuse at the hands of some writers." Ruskin was very severe, comparing it to a billiard table, turned upside down, the four corner turrets being the four legs; but he afterwards, it is said, retracted. The late Rev. Augustus Austen Leigh, Provost of the College from 1888 to 1905, in writing a history of the College, says: "Like other really great works, King's Chapel produces an impression which is instantaneous, and at the same time permanent. It does not disarm criticism, butit compels admiration. And if anyone is inclined to criticise, let him look at the exterior on a moonlight night from the south side of the Quadrangle, or from the top of Trinity Street, or let him take his stand within the ante-chapel at the northwest corner on a bright summer's day, and cast his eye along the coloured glass and stone vaulting till he catches a part of the east window rising above the stately rood-loft; and if he does not feel that there is an inspiration in the building which is above criticism, he must be a man that hath no music in himself."

I cannot end this brief sketch better than by quoting Wordsworth's two famous sonnets on King's College Chapel:—

"Tax not the Royal Saint with vain expense,With ill-matched aims the Architect who planned—Albeit labouring for a scanty bandOf white-robed Scholars only—this immenseAnd glorious work of fine intelligence!Give all thou canst; high Heaven rejects the loreOf nicely-calculated less or more;So deemed the man who fashioned for the senseThese lofty pillars, spread that branching roofSelf-poised, and scooped into ten thousand cells,Where light and shade repose, where music dwellsLingering—and wandering on as loth to die;Like thoughts whose very sweetness yieldeth proofThat they were born for immortality.

. . . . . . . .

What awful pérspective! while from our sightWith gradual stealth the lateral windows hideTheir portraitures, their stone-work glimmers, dyedIn the soft chequerings of a sleepy light.Martyr, or King, or sainted Eremite,Whoe'er ye be, that thus, yourselves unseen,Imbue your prison-bars with solemn sheen,Shine on, until ye fade, with coming night.But from the arms of silence—list! O list!The music bursteth into second life;The notes luxuriate, every stone is kissedBy sound, or ghost of sound, in mazy strife;Heart-thrilling strains, that cast, before the eyeOf the devout, a veil of ecstasy!

William Millington, D.D.April 10, 1443John Chedworth, D.D.Nov. 5, 1446[Y]Robert Woodlarke, D.D.May 17, 1452Walter Field, D.D.Oct. 15, 1479John Dogget, D.C.L. (Oxon)April 18, 1499John Argentine, D.D. and M.D.May 4, 1501Richard Hatton, LL.D.Mar. 21, 1507Robert Hacumblen, D.D.June 28, 1509Edward Fox, D.D.Sept. 27, 1528[Z]George DayJune 5, 1538Sir John Cheke, M.A.April 1, 1548Richard Atkinson, D.D.Oct. 25, 1553Robert Brassie, D.D.Oct. 3, 1556Philip Baker, D.D.Dec. 12, 1558Roger Goad, D.D.Mar. 19, 1569Fog Newton, D.D.May 15, 1610William Smith, D.D.Aug. 22, 1612Samuel Collins, D.D.April 25, 1615Benjamin Whichcot, D.D.Mar. 19, 1644James Fleetwood, D.D.June 29, 1660Sir Thomas Page, M.A.Jan. 16, 1675[AA]John Coplestone, D.D.Aug. 24, 1681Charles Roderick, LL.D. and D.D.Oct. 13, 1689John Adams, D.D.May 2, 1712Andrew Snape, D.D.Feb. 21, 1719William George, D.D.Jan. 30, 1742John Sumner, D.D.Oct. 18, 1756William Cooke, D.D.Mar. 25, 1772Humphrey Sumner, D.D.Nov. 3, 1797George Thackeray, D.D.April 4, 1814Richard Okes, D.D.Nov. 2, 1850Augustus A. Leigh, M.A.Feb. 9, 1889Montague R. James, Litt.D.May 13, 1905Sir Walter Durnford, LL.D.Nov. 16, 1918

Edward Gibbons, Mus.B. (Cantab. & Oxon)1592-1599John Tomkins, Mus.B. (Cantab.)1606-1622Matthew Barton1622-1625Giles Tomkins1625-1626—— Marshall1626-1627John Silver1627Henry Loosemore, Mus.B. (Cantab.)1627-1671Thomas Tudway, Mus.D. (Cantab.)1671-1728Robert Fuller, Mus.B. (Cantab.)1728-1743John Randall, Mus.D. (Cantab.)1743-1799John Pratt1799-1855William Amps, M.A. (Cantab.)1855-1876Arthur Henry Mann, F.R.C.O., Mus.D.(Oxon), 1882; M.A. (Cantab.), 19101876-

Printed byW. Heffer & Sons Ltd.Cambridge, England.

FOOTNOTES:[1]Henry was born at Windsor in the year 1421. When Henry V was informed that Catherine had borne him an heir he asked: Where was the boy born? At Windsor was the reply. Turning to his Chamberlain, he gave voice to the following prophetic utterance:"I Henry born at Monmouth,Shall small time reign, and much get;But Henry of Windsor shall long reign and loose all.But as God will, so be it."[2]The preamble to the charter granted by Henry in January 1441, and confirmed by Act of Parliament in February of the same year, as translated, reads as follows:—"To the honour of Almighty God, in whose hand are the hearts of Kings; of the most blessed and immaculate Virgin Mary, mother of Christ; and also of the glorious Confessor and Bishop Nicholas, Patron of my intended College, on whose festival we first saw the light."[3]In the College Library may be seen a small piece of silk in which his bones were wrapped, and which was taken from the coffin by the late Sir W. H. St. John Hope in the presence of Dr. M. R. James, when it was opened on the 4th November, 1910.[4]The accounts show that a chapel existed from the beginning, and that it stood between the south side of the old court and the north side of the present Chapel. It consisted of a chancel, nave, and ante-chapel, and had a door at the west end, and east and west windows. It was richly fitted up; and numerous allusions to plate, hangings, relics, service books, vestments, choristers and large and small organs, show that the services were performed with full attention to the ritual of the day.[5]He was buried in his chapel at Westminster beside that of his wife, Elizabeth of York. Lord Bacon says "He lieth at Westminster in one of the stateliest and daintiest monuments of Europe both for the chapel and the sepulchre. So that he dwelleth more richly dead in the monument of his tomb than he did alive in Richmond or in any of his palaces."[6]The side windows are 49 feet in height from the base to the point of the arch, and 16 feet in width.[A]Joseph, Mary, and a number of little angels adore the Child. Through an opening in the background are seen the Angels appearing to the Shepherds.[B]The Virgin and Child on right: the Star above. Just above the Virgin in the picture the head of an Ox and an Ass may be seen.[C]In the background on right Rebecca is seen bringing Jacob to Isaac to be blessed.[D]Simeon is a conspicuous figure.[E]At the bottom are the figures 15017, generally read as a date (1517).[F]Below in front the devil (represented as an old man) tempts Christ to turn stones into bread. Above on left the two are seen on the high mountain: on right they stand on the pinnacle of the temple.[G]David enters on left balancing the huge head of Goliath on the point of a sword. On right are the women with musical instruments.[H]A man in a tree cuts down branches: others spread garments.[I]Christ on left stands and gives the sop to Judas, who bends over the table from right. He is red-haired.[J]A cup is shown at the left upper corner, and an angel is represented as coming down to comfort our Lord. The disciples are shown asleep at the bottom of the picture.[K]Judas kisses Christ. Peter attacks Malchus.[L]Annas and other Jews look on from above.[7]This window from its base to the top of the arch is 53 feet and 25 feet wide.[M]There was originally only half a window here. The lower half was intended to have a building (which was in part begun) abutting on it. This building was removed in 1827, and the lower part of the window opened up. The old glass was moved down to the lower lights in 1841, and in 1845 the glass which now occupies the upper main lights inserted by Hedgeland. The only thing that can be said in its favour is its vivid colours.[N]This subject is often asked about. The whale is represented as a great green monster with a large black patch for the open mouth. Jonah is shown in a recumbent position on the ground. At the back is part of a ship, while in the extreme background may be seen Ninevah.[O]Mary Magdalene is also seen alone in the background, looking into the Sepulchre.[P]In the upper part of the left hand light is depicted the killing of the fatted calf.[Q]This subject and its type ought to precede numbers 1 and 3.[R]He casts his mantle, represented by a lovely piece of ruby glass, down to Elisha.[S]In the background, Peter and John are seen bound to a pillar and scourged.[T]In the background, Peter preaching inside the building.[U]In the background is seen his body being carried out for burial.[V]In the background he is seen being let down in a basket from a window. In this and the preceding window figures of St. Luke, habited as a doctor, with his ox by him, alternate with figures of angels in the central light.[W]In this subject is a beautiful specimen of a late fifteenth century ship. The ship has her sails furled, and is anchored by her port anchor as her starboard anchor is fished (i.e.made fast with its shank horizontal) to the ship's side by her cable. An empty boat is alongside. At the top of the mainmast is a fighting top from which project two large spears.An excellent article on this ship was contributed by Messrs. H. H. Brindley, M.A., and Alan H. Moore, B.A., and read to the members of the Cambridge Antiquarian Society in 1909.[X]She kneels in the centre, full face. On right the Son, seated; on left the Father, crowning Mary. The dove between. Angels playing music in front.[8]This window is 49 feet from its base to the top of the arch and 33 feet 6 inches in width.[9]A rebus was invariably a badge or device forming a pun upon a man's surname. It probably originated in the canting heraldry of earlier days. A large number of rebuses ending in "ton" are based upon a tun or barrel; such are thelupon atonof Robert Lupton, Provost of Eton 1504, which appears in the spandrils of the door in the screen leading into his chapel at Eton College, or thekirkandtonof Abbott Kirkton on the deanery gate at Peterborough. Theeyeand theslipof a tree, which form, together with a man falling from a tree (I slip!), the rebuses of Abbot Islip, are well known. Theoxcrossing afordin the arms of Oxford, and theCamand its greatbridgein the arms of Cambridge are kindred examples.[10]"The founder designed, by the colour of the field, to denote the perpetuity of his foundation; by the roses, his hope that the college might bring forth the choicest flowers, redolent of science of every kind, to the honour and most devout worship of Almighty God and the undefiled virgin and glorious mother; and by the chief, containing portions of the arms of France and England, he intended to impart something of royal nobility, which might declare the work to be truly regal and renowned."—Cooper's Memorials of Cambridge.[11]At a meeting of old Etonian generals at Eton on May 20, 1919, the following reference was made to the arms of Eton:—"What bears Etona on her shield?What each true son should be;A lion valiant in the field;At heart a fleur-de-lis."Daily Telegraph, May 21, 1919.[12]Mr. T. F. Bumpas in hisLondon Churches, Ancient and Modern, speaks of him as an organ builder of some note. Renatus Harris he is there styled. "In 1663 the Benchers of the Temple Church being anxious of obtaining the best possible organ, we find him in competition with one Bernard Schmidt, a German, who afterwards became Anglicized as 'Father Smith.' Each builder erected an organ which were played on alternate Sundays. Dr. Blow and Purcell played upon Smith's organ, while Draghi, organist to the Queen Consort, Catherine of Braganza, touched Harrises. The conflict was very severe and bitter. Smith was successful. Harrises organ having been removed, one portion of it was acquired by the parishioners of St. Andrew's, Holborn, while the other was shipped to Dublin, where it remained in Christ Church Cathedral until 1750, when it was purchased for the Collegiate Church of Wolverhampton. In 1684 he competed again with Father Smith for the contract for an organ for St. Laurance, Gresham Street, and was successful. In 1669 he built a fine large organ for St. Andrews, Undershaft." He was also engaged in 1693 to keep in order the organ in Jesus College Chapel, Cambridge, at a yearly salary of £3.[13]Heads of Colleges have the right of impaling with their own arms the arms of the College of which they are the head in the same way as a Bishop impales the arms of the See over which he presides. Deans of secular churches and the Regius Professors of Divinity at Cambridge (since 1590) have the same privilege.[14]Of Melrose it is written:"The keystone that locked each ribbed aisleWas a fleur-de-lys or a quarterfoil."[15]"The gorgeous halls which were on every sideWith rich array and costly arras dight."[16]In all cases I have refrained from using the Latin, and have contented myself with giving the English translation.[17]The words "Pray for the soul," or "May whose soul God pardon," were sufficient excuse for fanatics such as Dowsing to destroy or deface the beautiful brasses in various parts of the kingdom. But the fanatics were not alone to blame; for it is well known that churchwardens and even incumbents of our churches have in many cases taken up and sold the brasses to satisfy some whim of their own in what they called "restoration" of the edifice over which they had charge.[18]It may appear to my readers somewhat strange that in this case the words "Pray for the soul" and "May God have mercy, &c." are intact. Until 1898 this chantry had a boarded floor above the slab, the fillet round not being visible. The figure itself with label was affixed to a board and placed in the vestry for those who cared to inspect it. When the floor was removed the Brass was placed in its proper place on the slab and the whole inscription could then be seen. There are the matrixes of four coats of arms. Probably they were King's, Eton, the University, and Argentine's own coat, which was gules, three covered cups argent. At the upper corners of the fillet are the evangelistic emblems of St. Matthew and St. John, while those of St. Mark and St. Luke, which were evidently at the bottom, have been taken away.[Y]The last Provost appointed by the Founder.[Z]It is very strange, but there is no evidence of Provost Day having taken a degree of any kind. He was Master of St. John's College, Cambridge, 1537; Provost, 1538; Bishop of Chichester, 1543. On making enquiry at Chichester, the answer is "We have no reference whatever to his having taken a degree, odd as this is to us."[AA]The last Provost nominated by the Crown.

[1]Henry was born at Windsor in the year 1421. When Henry V was informed that Catherine had borne him an heir he asked: Where was the boy born? At Windsor was the reply. Turning to his Chamberlain, he gave voice to the following prophetic utterance:"I Henry born at Monmouth,Shall small time reign, and much get;But Henry of Windsor shall long reign and loose all.But as God will, so be it."

"I Henry born at Monmouth,Shall small time reign, and much get;But Henry of Windsor shall long reign and loose all.But as God will, so be it."

[2]The preamble to the charter granted by Henry in January 1441, and confirmed by Act of Parliament in February of the same year, as translated, reads as follows:—"To the honour of Almighty God, in whose hand are the hearts of Kings; of the most blessed and immaculate Virgin Mary, mother of Christ; and also of the glorious Confessor and Bishop Nicholas, Patron of my intended College, on whose festival we first saw the light."

[2]The preamble to the charter granted by Henry in January 1441, and confirmed by Act of Parliament in February of the same year, as translated, reads as follows:—

"To the honour of Almighty God, in whose hand are the hearts of Kings; of the most blessed and immaculate Virgin Mary, mother of Christ; and also of the glorious Confessor and Bishop Nicholas, Patron of my intended College, on whose festival we first saw the light."

[3]In the College Library may be seen a small piece of silk in which his bones were wrapped, and which was taken from the coffin by the late Sir W. H. St. John Hope in the presence of Dr. M. R. James, when it was opened on the 4th November, 1910.

[4]The accounts show that a chapel existed from the beginning, and that it stood between the south side of the old court and the north side of the present Chapel. It consisted of a chancel, nave, and ante-chapel, and had a door at the west end, and east and west windows. It was richly fitted up; and numerous allusions to plate, hangings, relics, service books, vestments, choristers and large and small organs, show that the services were performed with full attention to the ritual of the day.

[5]He was buried in his chapel at Westminster beside that of his wife, Elizabeth of York. Lord Bacon says "He lieth at Westminster in one of the stateliest and daintiest monuments of Europe both for the chapel and the sepulchre. So that he dwelleth more richly dead in the monument of his tomb than he did alive in Richmond or in any of his palaces."

[6]The side windows are 49 feet in height from the base to the point of the arch, and 16 feet in width.

[A]Joseph, Mary, and a number of little angels adore the Child. Through an opening in the background are seen the Angels appearing to the Shepherds.

[B]The Virgin and Child on right: the Star above. Just above the Virgin in the picture the head of an Ox and an Ass may be seen.

[C]In the background on right Rebecca is seen bringing Jacob to Isaac to be blessed.

[D]Simeon is a conspicuous figure.

[E]At the bottom are the figures 15017, generally read as a date (1517).

[F]Below in front the devil (represented as an old man) tempts Christ to turn stones into bread. Above on left the two are seen on the high mountain: on right they stand on the pinnacle of the temple.

[G]David enters on left balancing the huge head of Goliath on the point of a sword. On right are the women with musical instruments.

[H]A man in a tree cuts down branches: others spread garments.

[I]Christ on left stands and gives the sop to Judas, who bends over the table from right. He is red-haired.

[J]A cup is shown at the left upper corner, and an angel is represented as coming down to comfort our Lord. The disciples are shown asleep at the bottom of the picture.

[K]Judas kisses Christ. Peter attacks Malchus.

[L]Annas and other Jews look on from above.

[7]This window from its base to the top of the arch is 53 feet and 25 feet wide.

[M]There was originally only half a window here. The lower half was intended to have a building (which was in part begun) abutting on it. This building was removed in 1827, and the lower part of the window opened up. The old glass was moved down to the lower lights in 1841, and in 1845 the glass which now occupies the upper main lights inserted by Hedgeland. The only thing that can be said in its favour is its vivid colours.

[N]This subject is often asked about. The whale is represented as a great green monster with a large black patch for the open mouth. Jonah is shown in a recumbent position on the ground. At the back is part of a ship, while in the extreme background may be seen Ninevah.

[O]Mary Magdalene is also seen alone in the background, looking into the Sepulchre.

[P]In the upper part of the left hand light is depicted the killing of the fatted calf.

[Q]This subject and its type ought to precede numbers 1 and 3.

[R]He casts his mantle, represented by a lovely piece of ruby glass, down to Elisha.

[S]In the background, Peter and John are seen bound to a pillar and scourged.

[T]In the background, Peter preaching inside the building.

[U]In the background is seen his body being carried out for burial.

[V]In the background he is seen being let down in a basket from a window. In this and the preceding window figures of St. Luke, habited as a doctor, with his ox by him, alternate with figures of angels in the central light.

[W]In this subject is a beautiful specimen of a late fifteenth century ship. The ship has her sails furled, and is anchored by her port anchor as her starboard anchor is fished (i.e.made fast with its shank horizontal) to the ship's side by her cable. An empty boat is alongside. At the top of the mainmast is a fighting top from which project two large spears.An excellent article on this ship was contributed by Messrs. H. H. Brindley, M.A., and Alan H. Moore, B.A., and read to the members of the Cambridge Antiquarian Society in 1909.

An excellent article on this ship was contributed by Messrs. H. H. Brindley, M.A., and Alan H. Moore, B.A., and read to the members of the Cambridge Antiquarian Society in 1909.

[X]She kneels in the centre, full face. On right the Son, seated; on left the Father, crowning Mary. The dove between. Angels playing music in front.

[8]This window is 49 feet from its base to the top of the arch and 33 feet 6 inches in width.

[9]A rebus was invariably a badge or device forming a pun upon a man's surname. It probably originated in the canting heraldry of earlier days. A large number of rebuses ending in "ton" are based upon a tun or barrel; such are thelupon atonof Robert Lupton, Provost of Eton 1504, which appears in the spandrils of the door in the screen leading into his chapel at Eton College, or thekirkandtonof Abbott Kirkton on the deanery gate at Peterborough. Theeyeand theslipof a tree, which form, together with a man falling from a tree (I slip!), the rebuses of Abbot Islip, are well known. Theoxcrossing afordin the arms of Oxford, and theCamand its greatbridgein the arms of Cambridge are kindred examples.

[10]"The founder designed, by the colour of the field, to denote the perpetuity of his foundation; by the roses, his hope that the college might bring forth the choicest flowers, redolent of science of every kind, to the honour and most devout worship of Almighty God and the undefiled virgin and glorious mother; and by the chief, containing portions of the arms of France and England, he intended to impart something of royal nobility, which might declare the work to be truly regal and renowned."—Cooper's Memorials of Cambridge.

[11]At a meeting of old Etonian generals at Eton on May 20, 1919, the following reference was made to the arms of Eton:—"What bears Etona on her shield?What each true son should be;A lion valiant in the field;At heart a fleur-de-lis."Daily Telegraph, May 21, 1919.

[11]At a meeting of old Etonian generals at Eton on May 20, 1919, the following reference was made to the arms of Eton:—

"What bears Etona on her shield?What each true son should be;A lion valiant in the field;At heart a fleur-de-lis."Daily Telegraph, May 21, 1919.

[12]Mr. T. F. Bumpas in hisLondon Churches, Ancient and Modern, speaks of him as an organ builder of some note. Renatus Harris he is there styled. "In 1663 the Benchers of the Temple Church being anxious of obtaining the best possible organ, we find him in competition with one Bernard Schmidt, a German, who afterwards became Anglicized as 'Father Smith.' Each builder erected an organ which were played on alternate Sundays. Dr. Blow and Purcell played upon Smith's organ, while Draghi, organist to the Queen Consort, Catherine of Braganza, touched Harrises. The conflict was very severe and bitter. Smith was successful. Harrises organ having been removed, one portion of it was acquired by the parishioners of St. Andrew's, Holborn, while the other was shipped to Dublin, where it remained in Christ Church Cathedral until 1750, when it was purchased for the Collegiate Church of Wolverhampton. In 1684 he competed again with Father Smith for the contract for an organ for St. Laurance, Gresham Street, and was successful. In 1669 he built a fine large organ for St. Andrews, Undershaft." He was also engaged in 1693 to keep in order the organ in Jesus College Chapel, Cambridge, at a yearly salary of £3.

[13]Heads of Colleges have the right of impaling with their own arms the arms of the College of which they are the head in the same way as a Bishop impales the arms of the See over which he presides. Deans of secular churches and the Regius Professors of Divinity at Cambridge (since 1590) have the same privilege.

[14]Of Melrose it is written:"The keystone that locked each ribbed aisleWas a fleur-de-lys or a quarterfoil."

[14]Of Melrose it is written:

"The keystone that locked each ribbed aisleWas a fleur-de-lys or a quarterfoil."

[15]"The gorgeous halls which were on every sideWith rich array and costly arras dight."

[15]

"The gorgeous halls which were on every sideWith rich array and costly arras dight."

[16]In all cases I have refrained from using the Latin, and have contented myself with giving the English translation.

[17]The words "Pray for the soul," or "May whose soul God pardon," were sufficient excuse for fanatics such as Dowsing to destroy or deface the beautiful brasses in various parts of the kingdom. But the fanatics were not alone to blame; for it is well known that churchwardens and even incumbents of our churches have in many cases taken up and sold the brasses to satisfy some whim of their own in what they called "restoration" of the edifice over which they had charge.

[18]It may appear to my readers somewhat strange that in this case the words "Pray for the soul" and "May God have mercy, &c." are intact. Until 1898 this chantry had a boarded floor above the slab, the fillet round not being visible. The figure itself with label was affixed to a board and placed in the vestry for those who cared to inspect it. When the floor was removed the Brass was placed in its proper place on the slab and the whole inscription could then be seen. There are the matrixes of four coats of arms. Probably they were King's, Eton, the University, and Argentine's own coat, which was gules, three covered cups argent. At the upper corners of the fillet are the evangelistic emblems of St. Matthew and St. John, while those of St. Mark and St. Luke, which were evidently at the bottom, have been taken away.

[Y]The last Provost appointed by the Founder.

[Z]It is very strange, but there is no evidence of Provost Day having taken a degree of any kind. He was Master of St. John's College, Cambridge, 1537; Provost, 1538; Bishop of Chichester, 1543. On making enquiry at Chichester, the answer is "We have no reference whatever to his having taken a degree, odd as this is to us."

[AA]The last Provost nominated by the Crown.

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