. The imperial island; England's chronicle in stone;. until theReformation, but the history of the priory is not 1523, Cardinal Wolsey converted it into a college with pro-vision for 186 members, and after various changes, Henry VIII.,in 1545, translated an Episcopal See from Oseney, establishedthree years before, and, November 4, 1546, made the existingedifice the Cathedral Church of Christ in Oxford. The exterior is nearly hidden by surrounding buildings, andthe best or only view of it is from a canons garden on thenorth side. Its chief feature is the central spire, said to be t
. The imperial island; England's chronicle in stone;. until theReformation, but the history of the priory is not 1523, Cardinal Wolsey converted it into a college with pro-vision for 186 members, and after various changes, Henry VIII.,in 1545, translated an Episcopal See from Oseney, establishedthree years before, and, November 4, 1546, made the existingedifice the Cathedral Church of Christ in Oxford. The exterior is nearly hidden by surrounding buildings, andthe best or only view of it is from a canons garden on thenorth side. Its chief feature is the central spire, said to be theearliest in the country. The interior shows a nave now only about one half of its for-mer length, built in a peculiar style of Norman, with round,heavy pillars, bearing arches that enclose a low triforium andsupport a curious clerestory and a flat wooden roof. Origi-nally the central tower was open to the spire. The choir issimilar to the nave, except in the ceiling, which is a curiouslow vault elaborately ribbed and panelled, and ornamented with. GLOUCESTER. 171 late Pointed pendants. In general color the interior is quitelight, varied, however, by several windows with old glass, whichimprove its effect and also increase its interest, as do a few ob-jects among the simple fittings. Of the latter the richest thing-is a lofty and elaborate screen with three rows of niches thatdates from the thirteenth century and belonged to the shrineof St. Frideswide, or more probably, to the watching chamberfor the protection of its treasures. The monuments, if notnumerous, are valuable, and these and elaborate bosses in theLatin chapel should be examined. Among recent changeshave been the removal of some curious but incongruous wood-work introduced in 1630, and the repair of the interior abouttwenty years ago. Usually the chapter-house is a very interest-ing part of a cathedral, and here it is one of the best parts, adouble square in shape, Early English in style, and effect. G
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, bookidi, booksubjectarchitecture
