The History and Antiquities of London, Westminster, Southwark, and Parts Adjacent, vol. 4
Allen, Thomas
1827
Chantry and Monument of Henry the Fifth.
The screen, which is particularly elegant, is ornamented with deer, and swans chained to a beacon, a female figure with an animal on her knees, and pointed shields of arms; but they are much damaged. Several iron hooks are left, from which, it is probable, lamps were formerly suspended. From this part buttresses ascend; between them canopies ( of which are destroyed) of exceeding richness. are for figures as large as life. The middle statue is removed; the others consist of a man kneeling at his devotions, a king erect, praying; St. George in armour, piercing the dragon's throat, a female seated, with her hands crossed, another man, and St. Dionysius, who carried his head after decapitation. | |
Directly over the tomb of Henry the is the Chantry which had an altar-piece of fine carvings. steps are still in being, and the marks of its back against the wall, with a square niche on each side. other recesses remain on the north and south walls o the chantry which have had shutters that have been wrested from their hinges, now broken in the wall. On the cornice over the altar, are statues in ranges; they are greatly broken and decayed. | |
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In this oratory are preserved several relics of this justly renowned monarch, which consist of his helmet, saddle, and shield. The is of iron, and is fixed on a bar extending across the front of the chapel. The wood work of the saddle alone remains; it was formerly covered with blue velvet, powdered with fleurs-de-lis, , and is inches long, inches high before, and behind. The shield is lined with sage green damask semee of fleurs-de-lis across the middle, worked on rich crimson velvet an escarbuncle or on a field , referring to the king's mother Joan of Navarre. | |
The present coffin of Edward the confessor may be seen from the parapet of Henry the 's chapel; it is deposited within the ancient stone work, about the height of the architrave. It was made by order of James the , (who commanded the old coffin to be enclosed within it) of strong planks inches thick, cramped, or banded with iron. | |
In the chantrey are several curious and interesting models of churches, now closed from the inspection of the public. The best is sir C. Wren's design for erecting a tower and spire to the abbey; this design was never executed, owing to the great columns having given way in their shafts. The other models, in number, are very fine; of them represent , and St. Mary le Strand. | |
Underneath the chantry, is the | |