Part 3 (2/2)
5. Brando (1066), Abbot.
6. Hereward, the Saxon patriot (1070), nephew of Abbot Brando, and knighted by him.
7. John deSais (1114), Abbot. He commenced the building of the existing choir.
8. Hedda (died 870), Abbot, murdered by the Danes.
9. Robert of Lindsey (1214), Abbot. He holds a model of the west front, probably built or begun in his time.
10. G.o.dfrey of Crowland (1299), Abbot. He bears a model of the gateway to the palace grounds.
11. William Ramsey (1471), Abbot. He was one of the donors of the bra.s.s eagle lectern still in use.
12. William Parys (died 1286), Prior. He built the Lady Chapel.
13. S. Giles, the famous Benedictine Abbot, with his tame hind beside him.
14. Hugo Candidus, the chronicler.
15. Henry of Overton (1361), Abbot.
16. Queen Katherine of Arragon.
17. John Cosin (1640), Dean, afterwards Bishop of Durham.
18. Simon Gunton (1646), Prebendary, the historian of the church.
19. Herbert Marsh (1819), Bishop.
20. George Davys (1839), Bishop.
21. James Henry Monk (1822), Dean, afterwards Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol.
22. Marsham Argles (1891), Dean. Previously Canon (1849).
The dates in the above lists, unless stated otherwise, are the dates of appointment. With the single exception of Henry of Overton, of whom very little indeed is known except that he was abbot for nearly thirty years, the selection that has been made appears to be very good. In some way or other all the persons represented are eminent. The authorities are to be congratulated upon their including in the series several dignitaries of the last century.
The smaller figures on the south side are all characters from the New Testament; those on the north side are taken from the Old Testament. The carving on the sides of the two westernmost stalls is of great interest.
The panels on the south represent the miraculous preservation of the arm of S. Oswald. This arm was one of the greatest treasures of the house, and was reputed to be the cause of many cures. The legend is given hereafter in the notice of Abbot Elsinus, the great collector of relics.
In the corresponding position on the north side is represented the story of S. Ethelwold, Bishop of Winchester. On the back of the stalls in the south aisle are two pieces of tapestry, picturing the release of S.
Peter and the healing of the lame man at the Gate Beautiful.
The carving on the =Pulpit= and =Throne= will repay careful study. In the niches at the base of the pulpit are four abbots, chiefly connected with the erection of the building. They are John de Sais, who holds a model of the apse, Martin de Bec, William of Waterville, and Walter of S. Edmunds. Round the main body of the pulpit are four saints in niches, SS. Peter, Paul, John and James, each easily identified by what is held in the hand. Between these niches are wide panels carved with subjects a.s.sociated with preaching. Abbot Saxulf preaching to the Mercians; Christ sending forth the Apostles; S. Peter preaching after the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
The throne is raised on three steps. Above the canopy is a lofty spire.
On the sides of the seat are SS. Peter and Paul. On the book board are symbolical representations of the virtues of Temperance, Wisdom, Fort.i.tude, and Justice. In the lower tier on the canopy are six figures: Saxulf, first Abbot; Cuthwin, first Bishop of Leicester; John de Sais; Benedict; S. Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln, his hand resting on the head of his tame swan; and John Chambers, last Abbot and first Bishop of Peterborough. In the upper tier are four Bishops: Bishop Dove, the theologian; Bishop c.u.mberland, the philosopher; Bishop Kennett, the antiquary; and Archbishop Magee, the orator.
One of the statues over the stalls, that representing S. Giles, has also a figure of a hind; in the representation of S. Hugh of Lincoln on the throne we see a swan. The hind was really a type of solitude and purity of life, and as such is found in many ancient carvings and paintings accompanying various Saints. There is also a legend specially connecting this creature with S. Giles. In a retreat in a forest in the diocese of Nismes, the recluse, with one companion, is said to have lived on the fruits of the earth and the milk of a hind. Some dogs that were out hunting pursued this hind, and she took refuge in the dwelling of the Saint. The sportsman, Flavius Wamba, King of the Goths, treated him with every mark of respect, and gave him land wherewith to endow a monastery.
Of S. Hugh's swan a long account is given in the ”Vita S. Hugonis Lincolniensis” published in the Rolls Series. A swan never before seen at the place flew to the Bishop at his manor at Stowe directly after he had been enthroned at Lincoln. He became pa.s.sionately attached to the bishop, but exhibited no liking for anyone else, he considered himself bound to protect his master, driving other people away from him, ”As I myself,” writes Giraldus Cambrensis, ”have often with wonder seen,”
with his wings and beak.
[Ill.u.s.tration: The Pulpit.]
=The Organ= was rebuilt in 1894 by Hill and Son at a cost, including the case, of 4,400, and at the expense of the late Mr. W.H. Foster of Witley, Surrey, though his name, at his own wish, remained undisclosed during his lifetime. The action is now controlled by electricity.
The Great, Swell, Solo, and Pedal Organ (except the two stops Bourdon and Ba.s.s Flute of the last) are placed in four bays of the north triforium of the nave; the choir organ and the two Pedal stops are in the first bay of the north aisle, and the Console in the second bay behind the stalls. There are 68 speaking stops and 4,453 pipes as follows:
Great Organ (Compa.s.s CC to C in Alt.) 17 stops 1,342 pipes.
Choir ” 11 ” 671 ”
Swell ” 17 ” 1,330 ”
Solo ” 11 ” 720 ”
Pedal ” (Compa.s.s CCCC to F) 12 ” 390 ”
[Ill.u.s.tration: Apse and Canopied Reredos.]
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