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THE 
 
 HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES 
 
 OF 
 
 THE ABBEY, AND CATHEDRAL CHURCH 
 
 OF 
 
 ^Peterborough : 
 
 ILLUSTRATED BY 
 
 A SERIES OF ENGRAVINGS 
 
 OF 
 
 VIEWS, ELEVATIONS, PLANS, AND DETAILS 
 
 OF THE 
 
 ARCHITECTURE OF THE CHURCH; 
 
 WITH 
 
 Biographical &necDotcs of Eminent persons connectcO toith the establishment. 
 
 BY JOHN BRITTON, F.S.A. M.R.S.L. 
 
 AND MEMBER OF OTHER ENGLISH, FOREIGN, AND SCOTCH SOCIETIES. 
 
 SonOon: 
 
 PUBLISHED BY LONGMAN, REES, ORME, BROWN, AND GREEN, PATERNOSTER ROW; 
 THE AUTHOR, BURTON STREET; AND J. TAYLOR, 59, HIGH HOLBORN. 
 
 1828. 
 
C. and C. Whittingham, Cliiswick 
 
TO THE VERY REVEREND 
 
 JAMES HENRY MONK, D. D. 
 
 DEAN OE PETERBOROUGH,ETC. 
 
 DEAR SIR, 
 
 Indebted as I am to you for personal kindness, for the interest 
 you have taken in promoting this Publication, and particularly for 
 the useful assistance you have rendered in correcting the literary 
 part of the ensuing Essay, I cannot better testify my gratitude and 
 esteem than by offering the Volume to the Public under the sanction 
 of your Name and Patronage. If you can award to it only a small 
 portion of that zeal which you have so meritoriously exerted in behalf 
 of the repairs and ornaments of your Cathedral, you will thereby 
 increase the obligations conferred on 
 
 Your obliged and obedient servant, 
 
 JOHN BRITTON. 
 
 June 14, 1828. 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 \ 
 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 The present volume, making the tenth of a series, illustrative of the 
 English Cathedrals, will be found to contain some novel elucidations of 
 ecclesiastical and biographical History, with many varieties and peculi¬ 
 arities of Christian Architecture. Like the Cathedral of Oxford, of which 
 an account has already been published, this of Peterborough is of modern 
 date, as attached to a bishop’s See, but of remote origin as a conventual 
 foundation: and hence its history embraces much matter relating to 
 monastic customs and annals, and to the contentions and warfare in which 
 its inmates were frequently involved. The peculiar geographical situa¬ 
 tion, and nature of the country in which Medeshamsted (the old name of 
 Peterborough) was seated, give it a marked and distinctive character. 
 Fens, meres, and forests were originally its chief, almost its only property, 
 and these are not calculated to render a home either pleasant or healthful. 
 It is a common remark, that the monks “ of the olden times,” like the 
 Romans, generally chose the sites of their respective establishments with 
 a view to salubrity, beauty, and fertility: and we find that most of the 
 Monasteries, as well as Roman stations, in England, possess these charac¬ 
 teristics. Peterborough, Ely, Croyland, and Thorney could never have 
 had the two former properties, however their absence may have been 
 counterbalanced by the last. Water, fish, and fuel were doubtlessly 
 abundant, whilst corn and cattle could be cultivated and fed on the dry 
 and better lands. At the times when these Abbeys were respectively 
 founded, Christianity was not universally adopted in the island; and its 
 disciples were exposed to opposition and danger. Hence places were 
 
VI 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 chosen which might either escape notice, or be difficult of approach to 
 marauding and piratical enemies. However difficult of access, however 
 obscure, and however guarded, we find that these Abbeys were repeatedly 
 plundered and burnt by the ruthless and savage Danes. The history of 
 all these houses furnishes appalling details of the devastations committed 
 by the northern plunderers. 
 
 Like a hive of bees that lose both honey and comb, and most of 
 them their lives, by the pitiless robber, but the survivors of whom 
 assemble and immediately proceed to construct new cells, and collect 
 fresh provender,—so the monks, after being repeatedly plundered and 
 dispersed, reunite at their old homes, and rebuild and replenish their 
 houses. Like the bees also, the monks elect their own monarch, or 
 governor, they congregate around him, and cordially and unanimously 
 unite for mutual protection, as well as for the general support and benefit 
 of the whole corporate body. 
 
 Although much care and exertion have been used in writing the pre¬ 
 sent volume, the critical antiquary and historian will doubtless detect 
 some errors and omissions. It should be borne in mind, that the 
 “Cathedral Antiquities” never professed to enter into minute historical 
 and ecclesiastical particulars: it was originally intended to glean and 
 concentrate the more prominent facts relating to antient architecture and 
 the arts, to biography and to popular history; and these will still continue 
 to engage the author’s attention. To produce a work like Bentham’s 
 History of Ely Cathedral requires long continued residence in a place— 
 free and unreserved access to all local and general records—much leisure 
 to devote to the subject, as well as zeal and love for such pursuits. 
 Another very essential requisite is either an independent income, or a 
 valuable Stall which demands from the possessor but little time or exer¬ 
 tion. In either case a man might steadily and earnestly prosecute such 
 a work, with honour to himself and benefit to the public; and when we 
 review the Cathedral establishments of this country, and find that there 
 are many of its members thus circumstanced, we feel surprise and regret 
 that so little has been done in this interesting department of literature. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 VI! 
 
 The Annals of our Cathedrals furnish only one Bishop Kennett, one 
 Bishop Tanner, and one Prebendary Bentham \ These are literary 
 planets in the ecclesiastical hemisphere, whose usefulness and splendour 
 will continue to benefit and enlighten all antiquaries who may wish to 
 profit by their labours, or imitate their exemplary conduct. Bishop 
 Lyttleton was president of the Society of Antiquaries, and manifested 
 a love for archaeological studies and writings; as he clearly proves by the 
 Essays in the Archaeologia, and by his Account of Exeter Cathedral.— 
 Although Bishops Godwin, Tanner, and Nicholson do not come 
 precisely under the head of antiquaries, or historians of the church, their 
 various and useful works are essentially connected with the subject, and 
 will always prove interesting and valuable sources of information to all 
 persons who have occasion to refer to them. The first in his “ Catalogue 
 of Bishops ,” and “ De Presulihus Anglia; the second, in “ Notitia 
 Monastica and the third, in his “ English, Scotch, and Irish Historical 
 Libraries,” have severally and collectively accumulated, and laid before 
 the public a vast mass of authentic and important literary materials. 
 
 A very pleasing part of the author’s prefatorial duty remains to be dis- 
 
 1 The Rev. George Millers of Ely, possessing a similarity of spirit and feeling with 
 Mr. Bentham, having new sources of information and better taste, has produced a valuable and 
 interesting original Essay on the same Cathedral, which work, like the prebendary’s, has been 
 embellished at the expense of members belonging to that See. It is a singular circumstance, 
 that the Church of Ely should thus be twice illustrated, and be occupied by a succession of 
 such generous and enlightened members; whilst scarcely any other Cathedral has had its local 
 historian, or been graphically embellished at the expense of its officers. A new edition of 
 Mr. Bentham’s History, with many valuable additions, has been produced by the late Mr. 
 Stevenson, of Norwich, whose work, like those just mentioned, is enriched by several prints, 
 the engravings of which were presented to the author. Peterborough has had its Gunton and 
 Patrick,—but here the list terminates of Cathedral Historians, who belonged to the respective 
 establishments. The hopes and prospect of promotion seem inimical to local improvements, 
 and operate to the disadvantage of churches, palaces, and deaneries. A tenant-at-will rarely 
 improves his premises, or lands, whereas the inheritor of a freehold feels a pleasure and an 
 interest in augmenting the permanent utilities and beauties of his hereditary possessions. 
 Although the members of a Cathedral are generally obliged to pay for dilapidations and waste, 
 they are rarely remunerated for the improvements they may make in their respective residences. 
 Hence arise the progressive neglect and decay of many fine and interesting houses attached to 
 these churches. 
 
Vlil 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 charged: to tender acknowledgments and thanks to the officers connected 
 with this Cathedral; and he cannot reflect on the associations and treat¬ 
 ment he experienced at Peterborough without feelings of pleasure and 
 grateful emotion. Here every individual, from the learned prelate to the 
 verger, was kind and courteous; eager to render assistance—to lend every 
 aid in promoting inquiry, to lay open every avenue to information, and 
 thus manifesting dispositions and conduct which not only demand the 
 grateful acknowledgments of the author, but entitle them to the appro¬ 
 bation of the reader, and of the public. 
 
 To the Bishop, the Dean, and those of the Prebendaries, whom the 
 author had the good fortune to meet at Peterborough, he is particularly 
 thankful. To the Dean, in particular, he is under peculiar obligations ; 
 for zealous as that learned gentleman is in preserving and improving the 
 noble Church entrusted to his care, and in adorning it with new screens 
 and tittings up suitable to its dignity and character, he is also equally 
 anxious to see the history and illustrations of the fabric, faithful, judicious, 
 and tasteful. Towards effecting this he very kindly laid before the author 
 such manuscript collections as were made by Bishop Kennett, and also 
 furnished many useful hints and corrections in the ensuing letter-press. 
 Had it been convenient to have submitted the whole of the manuscript to 
 his discriminating judgment, the result would have been highly beneficial 
 to the work, as well as gratifying to the author. 
 
$tstorj> anti 2tnttqutttes 
 
 OF 
 
 PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL CHURCH. 
 
 fffjap. S. 
 
 PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS:—UNCERTAIN ORIGIN OF THIS MONASTERY:-HISTO¬ 
 
 RICAL NOTICES RESPECTING ITS FOUNDATION AND PROGRESS DURING THE SAXON 
 
 ERA :-ITS DESTRUCTION BY THE DANES :-REBUILT IN THE TIME OF KING 
 
 EDGAR :-FURTHER PARTICULARS CONCERNING IT DURING THE ANGLO-NORMAN 
 
 AND SUCCEEDING DYNASTIES, UNTIL ITS DISSOLUTION AS AN ABBEY BY HENRY 
 THE EIGHTH. 
 
 The origin, foundation, and early history of the monastic establishment of 
 Peterborough, formerly called Medeshamstede like all other religious 
 houses of the early Anglo Saxon times, cannot be ascertained with 
 certainty. Any attempt to reconcile or harmonize the fabulous and con¬ 
 tradictory legends of those remote ages would lead us into a wide field 
 of conjecture, without guide or direction, and prove in the end a fruitless 
 
 1 The etymology of this compound word seems easy and rational. We need not resort to the 
 fables of monkish writers, who prefer the marvellous to the probable. Mede or Mead, meadow 
 —i. e. watered land :— Ham, a sheltered habitation ; and Sted, Stead, or Stad —a bank, station, 
 or place of rest. The Rev. Dr. Ingram’s Saxon Chronicle, p. 428. Dean Patrick says, “ 1 
 see no reason to think that Medeshamsted had its name from the Medeswell, there being no such 
 deep pit in the river." “ History of the Church of Peterburgh,” Supplement, p. 226. 
 
 B 
 
2 
 
 PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL. 
 
 and unprofitable task. It will be more useful and satisfactory, in the 
 present brief historical Essay, to confine our views and researches to the 
 most approved records and to genuine history, so that our deductions 
 and inferences may rest on a solid foundation, and not be drawn from 
 improbable theory, or questionable data. 
 
 The Annals of this Monastery, like those of Ely, Croyland, Thorney, 
 &c. in similar fenny and flat districts, involve in their respective histories 
 much that belong to the public memorials of the country. In order to eluci¬ 
 date the history of an antient edifice, it will be expedient to investigate 
 and clevelope the political and civil customs, institutions, and transactions of 
 the people under whom it had its origin, and by whom it was advanced to 
 maturity and importance. We must therefore endeavour to shew briefly, 
 but clearly, who were the founders of the great monastic establishment on 
 this spot, and also detail a few occurrences of its eventful history. 
 
 On the final abandonment of Britain by the Romans, successive hordes 
 of adventurers from Saxony landed on its shores, and after various conflicts 
 with the romanised Britons, succeeded in gaining possession of the most 
 valuable parts of the island, which they divided into several independent 
 kingdoms, or states, usually denominated the Saxon Heptarchy 2 . 
 
 Peada, the eldest son of Penda, fourth king of Mercia, the most power¬ 
 ful of those kingdoms 3 , it is generally admitted, laid the foundation of 
 a monastic edifice in 655 4 , at Medhamsted 5 . It has been asserted, that 
 
 2 Though most of our annalists have used this appellation, in which they have been copied 
 by modern historians, it is not critically correct, since, during the contests for power which took 
 place amongst the Anglo-Saxon states, the number of petty kingdoms often fluctuated with the 
 fortunes of war. 
 
 3 Mercia, the seventh and last of the kingdoms established in Britain by the Saxon invaders, 
 was more extensive than any of the others ; being bounded on the west by the river Dee, and the 
 Severn;—on the east by the sea, the East Angles, and the East Saxons;—on the south by the 
 Thames;—and on the north by the Humber and the Mersey. It was originally divided into 
 East, Middle, and West Mercia; and according to Bede there was afterwards South Mercia, 
 which consisted of five thousand families, and North Mercia containing seven thousand families. 
 Eccl es. His. b. iii. chap. xxiv. 
 
 4 Gunton’s “ Hist, of the Church of Peterburgh,” p. 2. 
 
 5 In a MS. commonly ascribed to Roberti de Sivapham, and puplished in Sparkes’s “ Histori* 
 Anglican® Scriptures Varii.” 1724, the Monastery is stated to be “built on an excellent spot, 
 
FOUNDATION OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 3 
 
 preparations were made for its erection in 650®, previously to the death of 
 his father 7 ; but this seems by no means probable, as Penda himself never 
 became a convert to the doctrines of Christ. On the contrary, he was almost 
 continually engaged in warfare with the neighbouring Christian princes, 
 and has been characterized by most monkish annalists as a sanguinary 
 enemy of their religion. Bede however affirms, that Penda did not “ obstruct 
 the preaching of the word among his people, i. e. the Mercians, if any were 
 willing to hear it; but on the contrary, he hated and despised those whom 
 he perceived not to perform the works of faith, saying they were con¬ 
 temptible and wretched who did not obey their God, in whom they 
 believed V’ 
 
 In 653 Peada visited the court of Oswy, the Christian king of Northum¬ 
 berland, where he became a suitor for the hand of the Princess Alfleda. 
 
 surrounded on one hand with a fen and the finest water, and on the other with woods, meads, 
 and many pastures, every way beautiful, and accessible by land, except on the east (south) side. 
 The river Nen flows by the south side of Burgh. In the middle of this river is a place so 
 deep, that in summer time no swimmer can get to the bottom of it; nor is it even frozen over 
 in winter: for there is a spring whence the water bubbles up. The antients called this place 
 Medeswell.” The foundation of the new Monastery, by Wulfere, says the same authority, 
 “ was laid with such prodigious stones, that eight yoke of oxen could scarce draw one, which I 
 saw when the Monastery was destroyed.” There are some variations in the Saxon Chronicle, 
 which may be here subjoined, from the translation of the Rev. Dr. Ingram, p. 40. 
 
 A. D. 655.—“ From the beginning of the world had now elapsed 5850 winters, when Peada, 
 the son of Penda, assumed the government of the Mercians. In his time came together himself 
 and Oswy, brother of King Oswald, and said they would rear a Minster (mynprpe) to the glory 
 of Christ, and the honor of St. Peter. And they did so, and gave it the name of Medhamsted : 
 because there is a well there, called Meadswell. And they began the ground wall, and wrought 
 thereon; after which they committed the work to a monk, whose name was Saxulf. Peada 
 reigned no while; for he was betrayed by his own Queen, in Easter tide” (656). Matthew of 
 Westminster says 657. 
 
 6 Leland, “Collectanea,” 1—91, says it was begun in 546, and finished in 633. Camden 
 repeats the latter date. It must however be observed, that the first was before Peada’s birth, 
 and the latter before he was converted to Christianity. 
 
 7 Gunton does not mention this circumstance, and as he was a Prebendary of Peterborough 
 Cathedral, and had access to the Archives of the establishment, we must deem his History the 
 best source for information on this and many other subjects. 
 
 8 Bede’s Eccles. Hist, book iii. chap. xxi. edition 1723. 
 
4 
 
 PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL. 
 
 Oswy declaring that his consent depended on Peada’s renouncing idolatry; 
 this condition was complied with, and the prince, after being baptized by 
 Finanus, a Scottish bishop, was united with Alfleda. Soon after this 
 union he returned to his own province, accompanied by the princess, and 
 also by four priests, who were to be employed in converting his subjects to 
 the Christian faith. 
 
 Two years had scarcely elapsed after this occurrence when Penda was 
 defeated in battle, and put to death by Oswy. It is sufficiently evident 
 that Peada must have maintained neutrality in this affair, since he was 
 immediately afterwards appointed by his father-in-law as deputy to rule 
 the South Mercians: and almost the first act of his reign was laying the 
 foundation of the Abbey at Medhamsted, as already stated. 
 
 The royal founder lived not however to finish his pious undertaking, being 
 murdered by his wife in the fourth year of his reign, as related by the Peter- 
 burgh historians; but no satisfactory account is given of this transaction 9 . 
 
 From this period the Northumbrian king, Oswy, ruled for three years 
 over the Mercian dominions, when the nobles, indignant at his tyrannical 
 sway, threw off the yoke, expelled his forces from their country, and placed 
 Wulfere, the younger son of Penda, on the throne 10 . 
 
 The Saxon Chronicler is more circumstantial than usual in his account of 
 this monastery. “In Wulfere’s time Medhamsted waxed very rich. He 
 loved it much for the love of his brother Peada, and for the love of his wed- 
 brother Oswy, and for the love of Saxulf the abbot. He said, therefore, 
 that he would dignify and honour it by the counsel of his brothers, Ethelred 
 and Merwal; and by the counsel of his sisters, Kyneburga and Kyneswitha; 
 and by the counsel of the archbishop, who was called Deus-dedit; and by 
 the counsel of all his peers, learned and lewd, that in his kingdom were. 
 And he so did. Then sent the king after the abbot, that he should immedi¬ 
 ately come to him. And he so did. Then said the king to the abbot:— 
 
 9 Speaking of this unnatural act, Gunton merely observes, that Alfleda, “ forgetting the 
 glorious memory of her Christian ancestors, betrayed him to death at the Paschal Feast.”— 
 Hist, of Peterburgh, p. 2. 
 
 10 The Saxon Chronicle states that Wulfere succeeded Peada immediately on his death. 
 
wulfere’s grant to the monastery. 
 
 o 
 
 e Beloved Saxulf, I have sent after thee for the good of my soul; and I will 
 plainly tell thee for why. My brother Peada, and my beloved friend Oswy, 
 began a Minster, for the love of Christ and St. Peter: but my brother, as 
 Christ willed, is departed from this life; I will therefore intreat thee, beloved 
 friend, that they earnestly proceed on their work; and I will find thee 
 thereto gold and silver, land and possessions, and all that thereto behoveth.’ 
 Then went the abbot home, and began to work. So he sped as Christ 
 permitted him; so that in a few years was that minster ready. Then when 
 the king heard say that, he was very glad; and bade men send through all 
 the nation, after all his thanes; after the archbishop, and after bishops^ 
 and after his earls; and after all those that loved God, that they should 
 come to him. And he fixed the day when men shculd hallow the minster. 
 And when they were hallowing the minster, there was the king, Wulfere, 
 and his brother, Ethelred, and his sisters, Kyneburga and Kyneswitha. And 
 the minster was hallowed by archbishop Deus-dedit, of Canterbury; and 
 the bishop of Rochester, Ithamar; and the bishop of London, who was 
 called Wina; and the bishop of the Mercians, whose name was Jeruman; 
 and bishop Tuda. And there was Wilfrid, priest, that after was bishop; 
 and there were all his Thanes that were in his kingdom. When the minster 
 was hallowed in the name of St. Peter, and St. Paid, and St. Andrew .” 
 The king then gave various lands and waters, and other property, and said, 
 “ It is little this gift; but I will that they hold it so royally and so freely, 
 that there be taken therefrom neither gild nor gable, but for the monks 
 alone. Thus I will free this Minster, that it be not subject, except to 
 Rome alone; and hither I will that we seek St. Peter, all that to Rome 
 cannot go.” 
 
 The grant then details other privileges, and the king addressing the 
 abbot says, ‘ Beloved Saxulf, not that only which thou desirest, but all 
 things that I know thou desirest in our Lord’s behalf, so I approve and 
 grant. And I bid thee, brother Ethelred, and my sisters, Kyneburga and 
 Kyneswitha, for the release of your souls, that you be witnesses, and that 
 you subscribe it with your fingers. And I pray all that come after me, 
 be they my sons, be they my brethren, or kings that come after me, that 
 
6 
 
 PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL. 
 
 our gift may stand; as they would be partakers of the life everlasting;, 
 and as they would avoid everlasting punishment. Whoso lesseneth our 
 gift, or the gift of other good men, may the heavenly porter lessen him 
 in the kingdom of heaven; and whoso advanceth it, may the heavenly 
 porter advance him in the kingdom of heaven/ This solemn grant is 
 subscribed by the king himself; and by the whole assembly of bishops, 
 nobles, and priests, as witnesses,—the 7th year of King Wulfere, 
 a. d. 664 n . It was then sent to Rome for the ratification of Pope Vitalianus, 
 who returned it, confirming all that was desired, and, according to the 
 phraseology of the times, forbidding any king or any man to have ingress to 
 the Monastery, but the abbot alone; “ nor shall he be subject to any man, 
 except the Pope of Rome and the Archbishop of Canterbury. If any one 
 breaketh any thing of this, St. Peter with his sword destroy him; whoso¬ 
 ever holdeth it, St. Peter with heaven’s key undo him the kingdom of 
 heaven.” 
 
 Though on this and many other occasions Wulfere evinced himself to be 
 a sincere friend to Christianity, he has been stigmatised, in some monkish 
 legends, written several centuries after his death, as the murderer of his 
 two sons, and an apostate from the faith of Christ. Rut this story, as well 
 as his subsequent penitence and re-conversion by St. Chad, rest solely on 
 the authority of Walter de Whittlesea, a monk and historian of Peter¬ 
 borough, and would be wholly unworthy of notice had not Gunton related 
 that these events in the life of Wulfere formed the subjects of painted glass 
 in the windows of the western cloisters. 
 
 Wulfere dying in 675, was succeeded by his brother, Ethelved , who ap¬ 
 pears to have been even a more munificent benefactor to this Monastery 
 than any of his brothers. He not only built an abbatial house, and endowed 
 the Abbey with numerous lordships, but sent Wilfrid, archbishop of York, 
 
 11 “ By this charter it inay appear that the bounds of the Monastery of Medeshamsted, from 
 east to west, were twenty miles, and that Thorney and Whittlesey, with their appurtenances, 
 were within the limits thereof; but Saxulf intending to build Thorney, and authorized thereto 
 by King Wulfere, abated so much from his Monastery of Medeshamsted, and so made Thorney 
 an entire Abbey of itself.” Hist, of the Chur, of Peter. App. p. 122. 
 
RAVAGES BY THE DANES. 
 
 7 
 
 to Rome, to procure from Pope Agatho additional and very extraordinary- 
 privileges, with confirmation of all the former powers and prerogatives u . 
 
 Ethelred, after reigning thirty years, exchanged his crown and sceptre 
 for a cowl, became first a monk, and afterwards abbot of Bardney in 
 Lincolnshire, where he died in 716. 
 
 Under the year 775 the Saxon Chronicle 13 relates, that in the days of 
 King Offa “ there was an abbot at Medhamsted called Beonner, who, with 
 consent of all the monks, let to farm to Alderman Cuthbert, ten copyhold 
 lands at Swineshead, with leasow and with meadow, with all the appurten¬ 
 ances,”—for which he was to pay fifty pounds, and furnish entertainment 
 for one night, or pay 30 s. 
 
 Of Abbot Hedda , whose name appears to three royal charters granted to 
 Croyland Abbey, there are few particulars recorded ; but it appears that the 
 Danes infested and ravaged this part of the country during his abbacy. 
 
 These savage invaders, led on by Hubba, after laying waste the neigh¬ 
 bouring Monastery of Croyland, hurried towards Medhamsted with the 
 same barbarous design. Finding the gates of the Monastery closed, and 
 the inmates prepared for defence, they proceeded to batter the walls, by 
 means of the warlike engines then in use. During this assault, Tulba, 
 the brother of Earl Hubba, was mortally wounded by a stone thrown from 
 the walls, which so enraged the Danish leader, that, forcing an entrance into 
 the Monastery, he slew all the monks with his own hand, not even sparing 
 their venerable superior. 
 
 The sacred edifice was then given up to the mercy of these lawless and 
 brutal pirates, who, after plundering it of every thing valuable, set fire to the 
 buildings, which are related to have continued burning for fifteen days. The 
 
 12 The Abbey was, in fact, by these privileges raised to the dignity of a vice-papal See: for 
 not only was its abbot rendered superior to all others north of the Thames, and allowed to take 
 precedence in all conventions and ecclesiastical assemblies; “ but if any Briton, or any person 
 of the neighbouring islands, had a desire to visit Rome, and could not by reason of its distance, 
 they might repair to St. Peter’s in this Monastery, there offer up their vows, be absolved from 
 their sins, and receive the apostolical benediction.” Appendix to Gunton, p. 123. 
 
 13 Edition by Ingram, p. 7-3. 
 
8 
 
 PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL. 
 
 library, the archives of the Abbey, its charters, and other important writings, 
 were either wantonly torn and destroyed, or else committed to the flames. 
 It appears, however, that these savage plunderers reaped little advantage 
 from this sacrilegious exploit, as the waggons filled with the valuable spoils 
 of the Abbey were lost either in the river Nen, or in the neighbouring 
 marshes. 
 
 Tranquillity being restored by the departure of the invaders, a small 
 number of the brotherhood of Croyland, who had escaped the general 
 carnage, again sought shelter beneath the dilapidated walls of their Abbey, 
 and elected Godric their abbot. After settling the affairs of his own little 
 community, he repaired to Medhamsted, and having collected the mangled 
 remains of the murdered monks, to the number of eighty-four, interred them 
 in one large grave, over which he raised a stone, sculptured with the effigies 
 of some of the ecclesiastics u . 
 
 a. d. 852. About this time the Saxon Chronicle relates that Abbot 
 Ceolred “ let to hand the land of Sempringham to Wulffed,” who was to 
 send each year to the Monastery “CO loads of wood, 12 loads of coal, 
 C loads of peat, 2 tuns full of fine ale, 2 neats’ carcases, 600 loaves, and 
 10 kilderkins of Welsh ale; one horse also each year, and 30 shillings, and 
 one night’s entertainment.” p. 93. 
 
 During the remaining years of his life, Godric paid an annual visit to this 
 mausoleum of his murdered brethren, pitching a tent over the stone, and 
 saying mass two several days for the souls of those interred beneath. 
 
 The rights and privileges of the Monastery of Medhamsted were soon 
 again invaded by Beorred, king of the Mercians, who seizing all the lands 
 belonging to it between Stamford, Huntington, and Wisbech, divided them 
 amongst his soldiers. He soon afterwards fled to Home, where he died in 
 874. The Danes, again obtaining ascendancy, placed Ceolwolph on the 
 throne of Mercia, who exacted ruinous tribute from his subjects, and fleeced 
 the Abbeys of Croyland and Medhamsted Ir ’. 
 
 11 This monument is supposed to be still preserved, and will be noticed in a subsequent page. 
 15 Ingulphus, ed. Gale et Fell. “ Rerum Anglicarum,” 1. i. p. 25. 
 
DESTRUCTION AND REBUILDING OF THE ABBEY—A. D. g72—966. 
 
 9 
 
 In 872, the year following the destruction of this Monastery, Alfred the 
 Great ascended the throne of England, and by the energy and wisdom of 
 his measures, so effectually curbed the power of the Danes within his realm, 
 that for several years his subjects enjoyed a comparative degree of tran¬ 
 quillity. This interval of repose was employed by Alfred in building a fleet 
 sufficiently powerful to secure his kingdom from future invasion, a policy 
 wisely pursued by his successor, Edgar, so that no hostile ship from Den¬ 
 mark, for nearly a quarter of a century ventured to approach the English 
 coast. Encouraged by this state of security from foreign invasion, some 
 persons of rank and opulence turned their attention to the re-establishment 
 of the religious edifices, which had fallen a prey to the barbarity of the 
 Danish pirates, and amongst others to that of Medhamsted. 
 
 The precise period at which the rebuilding of this Monastery commenced 
 has not been satisfactorily ascertained; but as it was destroyed in 870, and, 
 according to Gunton, “ lay buried in its ruins for the space of ninety-six 
 years I6 , ,? it must have been begun about 966 l7 . Its restoration appears to 
 have been brought about chiefly through the zeal and influence of Athelwold, 
 Bishop of Winchester, who, having visited it at this time, prevailed on 
 King Edgar to assist in its re-erection ,s . 
 
 Athelwold is described by Dean Patrick to stand in relation to King 
 Edgar as Saxulf had been to Wulfere, a manager or steward of the royal 
 bounty in erecting and rebuilding Monasteries. Hence he is called by 
 Edgar, in his charter, constructor, i. e. builder or architect; and it is re¬ 
 corded as a memorable fact of the times and monarch, that the latter “ built 
 
 16 Godwin, in his “ Catalogue of English Bishops,” says one hundred and nine years. Others 
 assign different dates to this event, and it is impossible to reconcile their discrepancies. See 
 History of Peterburgh, p. 244. 
 
 17 Ingulphus, in his account of Croyland Abbey, Savile’s “ Rerum Angli. Scripior. post 
 Bcdam,’ 1601, says, “ that in the year 966 Bishop Athelwold restored (restauravit) the ruined 
 Monastery of Medhamstede.” 
 
 18 Gunton and Patrick : the latter enters into a long argument to prove that the laws and 
 discipline of St. Benedict, or Bcne’t, were introduced to Burgh about this time, or at least an 
 improved modification of laws founded on those of St. Benedict. Hist, of Peterb. p. 246. 
 
 C 
 
10 
 
 PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL. 
 
 and repaired above forty Monasteries, among which he reckons this of Burch, 
 as it now began to be called 19 .” 
 
 When the building of the Abbey was completed, Edgar visited it in 
 company with Dunstan, then Archbishop of Canterbury, Oswald, Archbishop 
 of York, and a number of the nobility and clergy, who all expressed them¬ 
 selves pleased with the situation and appearance of the edifice. The king 
 being informed that some of the ancient charters of the Abbey had escaped 
 the ravages of the Danes, expressed a desire to examine them; and finding 
 from their evidence that he possessed a vice-popedom, or second Rome, in 
 his own kingdom, he is said to have “ wept for joy.” In the presence of the 
 assembly he then confirmed all the former privileges of the Monastery, 
 and changed the name to that of Burgh. His majesty, as well as the 
 nobles and clergy, bestowed on the Abbey large donations of gold, silver, 
 relics, and grants of lands 20 . 
 
 Amongst the train of courtiers who attended the king on this occasion 
 was his chancellor, Adulph, or Adulphus, who, a short time before, having 
 accidentally caused the death of his only son, was so much affected by the 
 misfortune, that, in conformity with the superstition of the age, he resolved 
 to undertake a pilgrimage to Rome, as a penance for his involuntary crime. 
 Bishop Athelwold advised him, however, rather to aid in the restoration of 
 St. Peter’s church, at Burgh; and, swayed by this counsel, he endowed 
 the Abbey with all his wealth, laid aside his courtly robes, and assumed the 
 habit of a monk. He was the first abbot of the restored Monastery, being 
 appointed to that office in 971, or 972. 
 
 Under the direction of the new abbot, that part of the abbey lands, then 
 termed the Nasee, and now known by the name of the hundred of Nassa- 
 
 19 History of Peterb. 245, from the abbot of Rieval, “ Be Genealocj. Regum Anglia?” and 
 Brompton. William of Malmesbury, “ Be Gestis Pontif. Angli.” 1 . iv. says that Athelwold 
 built so sumptuously, and endowed with such ample possessions, that almost all the country 
 round about Burgh was subject to it. Matthew of Westminster, ad anno 664, characterises 
 Burgh, as urbs regia, a royal city. 
 
 20 From these valuable bequests it is said that the place obtained the name of Gildenburgh: 
 Gunton, p. iO: but the Saxon Chronicle, under A. D. 1052, assigns this title to the time of 
 Abbot Leofric, who gilded the Minster. 
 
CATHOLIC RELICS—A. D. 1006—1055. 
 
 11 
 
 burgh, was cleared of wood, and let out in farms, at a stipulated annual 
 rent. In consequence of this judicious measure the people increased in 
 numbers ; and having no churches in their respective districts, they resorted 
 to Burgh for baptism and marriage, to receive the eucharist, and to pay 
 their church dues; and these practices continued for many years. 
 
 In 992 this abbot, who had been advanced to the archiepiscopal chair of 
 York, was succeeded by Kenulfus, who enclosed the Monastery with a 
 wall 21 , improved its library, and augmented its revenues. He also pro¬ 
 cured from Ethelred, the son of Edgar, a confirmation of all the different 
 charters, formerly granted to this Abbey. He was translated to the See of 
 Winchester in 100G. The celebrity which his eloquence and virtue gave to 
 the Monastery continued long after his removal; for in the reign of the 
 Conqueror the monks of Burgh were so famous, and the world had such an 
 high opinion of them, ut tolus mundus abiret post eos: and many of the 
 great men of the land, both the highest bishops, and other noble-men, and 
 lieutenants of the counties, chose to be interred among them 22 .” 
 
 He was succeeded by Elsinus, or JElJius, whose avidity for collecting 
 relics was singular, even in that superstitious age. Gunton has preserved a 
 list or “ bederole,” of them, taken from Swapham and De Whittlesey, 
 amongst which the arm of Saint Oswald was deemed the most precious. 
 So great indeed was said to be its power of healing the sick, that King 
 Stephen visited Peterborough on purpose to see this wonder-working 
 relic, on which occasion he offered his ring to Saint Oswald, and also 
 
 21 It has been asserted on the authority of William of Malmesbury, that on this account the 
 Abbey was called Burgh, but this name already occurs in the charter of Edgar of a previous 
 date. Dean Patrick is of opinion, however, that William of Malmesbury might only mean that 
 the place did not deserve the name of Burch till it was walled round; Burh, Burgh, and 
 Byrigh, signifying any place walled about, from the Saxon word Deorgan, to defend or keep 
 in safety. The Dean however admits that Malmesbury’s words imply something more, for he 
 saith, “ the place, formerly called Medeshamstede, being now encompassed with a wall by 
 Kenulphus, a similitudine urbis, Burch vocatvs cst, was called Burch from its likeness to a city.” 
 Hist, of Peterb. Sup. p. 249. 
 
 22 History of Peterb. Sup. p. 249, from Ingulphus, ut sup. 
 
12 
 
 PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL. 
 
 remitted to the Monastery the sum of forty marks which it was indebted to 
 him 23 . According to Ingulphus, Sweyn, the Danish King, invaded England 
 about this time, and laid waste this Monastery, with many of the neigh¬ 
 bouring villages and manors. 
 
 Whilst Elsinus was engaged in collecting relics in Normandy, Hoveclen 
 in Yorkshire, and many other lands were wrested from his Abbey 24 . After 
 presiding here for fifty years he died in 1055 25 , and was succeeded by 
 Arwinus, of whom nothing of moment is recorded. Preferring a private 
 and solitary life, he voluntarily relinquished the abbacy, after ruling for 
 eight years, according to Gunton, but Dean Patrick states that he lived 
 eight years after resigning the abbey. Abbot John places his resignation 
 in the year 1057 20 , making his presidency only two years; whilst the Saxon 
 Chronicle says he gave up the “ abbacy in full health” in 1052, in favour 
 of Leofric 27 , or Levricus. He redeemed certain lands belonging to the 
 Monastery 28 from King Edward the Confessor ; also enriched the church with 
 
 23 This Osivald, whose supposed arm performed many miraculous feats in the monkish panto¬ 
 mime for several centuries, was a Christian prince of Northumberland, and distinguished for his 
 piety and charity. Aydanus, a Scottish bishop, witnessing one of the king’s charitable deeds, took 
 him by the right hand, and exclaimed, “ Let this hand never wax old or be corrupted.” Oswald 
 was afterwards defeated by Penda king of the Mercians, in 043, and by his order torn in pieces; 
 his right arm was however preserved and conveyed to Peterborough, where it is asserted it re¬ 
 mained uncorrupted for several centuries. Gunton, Hist, of Peterb. p. 12. 
 
 24 Among other saintly treasures brought from Normandy was the body of St. Florentinus, 
 which the abbot purchased of the monks of an abbey dedicated to that saint. This being 
 deposited at Burgh, caused many of the religious devotees of the foreign house to visit England 
 to offer vows and oblations to their patron. 
 
 25 This seems an extraordinary period of presidency over an Abbey; but it is vouched by 
 John, abbot of Burgh, in Sparke’s History. The Saxon Chronicle places his death in 1042. 
 Ingram’s translation, p. 213. iElfric, archbishop of York, was buried at this Abbey in 1051. 
 Chron. de Mailros, ed. Gale et Fell, p. 157. 
 
 26 Monast. Angl. Ed. 1817, vol. i. p. 348. Dean Patrick, from the MS. Chron. of Abbot John, 
 says that an abbot named Kinsinus presided between Kenulfus and Elsinus. Hist, of Peterb. 
 p. 250. 
 
 27 n 
 
 e was related to the royal family, and is said to have held at once five abbeys; viz. 
 Burton, Coventry, Croyland, Thorney, and Peterborough. Gunt. Hist. Peterb. p. 15. 
 
 28 Fiskerton for twenty, Fletton for eight, and Burleigh for eight marks. Ibid. 
 
PLUNDERING OF THE ABBEY—A. D. 1069—1098. 
 
 13 
 
 various gifts of great value, and procured from the king a confirmation of 
 all the grants of his predecessors. 
 
 It was during the third year of his abbacy, according to Gunton, that 
 England was invaded by Duke William of Normandy; but Candidus says 
 this event took place in the thirteenth year of his rule 2<J . The abbot was 
 then in the English army; but the state of his health obliged him soon after 
 to return to his Monastery, where he died on the third of the kalends of 
 November, a. d. 1066 30 . 
 
 Brando, a monk of Burgh, who had been a benefactor to the Monastery, 
 while only a brother, succeeded to the abbacy on the death of Leoforic. He 
 gave great offence to the Conqueror by applying to Edgar for confirmation, 
 and was at last obliged to pay a fine of forty marks of gold before either his 
 own election or the privileges of the Monastery were secured to him. He 
 conferred on Hereward de Wake, his nephew, the honour of military inves¬ 
 titure, according to the religious ceremonies of the Anglo-Saxons. Brando 
 did not long enjoy his abbatial government, and died in November, 1069 3I . 
 
 Soon after the accession of the Conqueror, Thoroldus, a Norman, was 
 placed by him in the vacant chair of Burgh Monastery. Owing to his 
 foreign descent, and from having alienated some lands belonging to the 
 church, he was extremely unpopular in the convent. During his govern¬ 
 ment, the Monastery was once more a place of outrage and warfare: 
 Hereward de Wake, already alluded to, joining a Danish force in the 
 Isle of Ely, proceeded to Peterburgh, and on reaching Bolehith-gate, 
 now commonly called Bull dyke-gate, they met with powerful resistance, and 
 setting fire to the building, they entered the Monastery under cover of the 
 flame and smoke. Regardless of the entreaties and prayers of the monks, 
 the soldiers proceeded to rob the church of its most valuable treasures 32 . 
 
 29 Monasticon. Ang. ed. 1817, vol. i. p. 348, &c. 30 Saxon Chronicle, by Ingram, p. 265. 
 
 31 Gunton, Hist, of Peterb. p. 17 and 260. Abbots were afterwards denied the privilege of 
 making knights. 
 
 32 They endeavoured to carry away the great cross, but could not: “they took the golden 
 crown from the head of the crucifix, with the precious stones, and the footstool under its feet, 
 made of pure gold and gems: together with duo aurea feretra (two golden or gilded biers , 
 whereon they carried the saints’ reliques, and other such like things in procession), and nine 
 
14 
 
 PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL. 
 
 which they conveyed to Ely. Some of the monks were detained as prisoners, 
 one of whom contrived to secrete the sacred arm of St. Oswald, with some 
 gold and silver. In consequence of a treaty between the Conqueror and 
 Sweyn, the Danes retired to their homes, but carried with them many of 
 the reliques. These were afterwards again obtained for the Monastery by 
 the secretary, who visited Denmark on purpose to procure them. The abbot 
 soon returned to his house, taking with him a large body of Normans, who 
 raised a fortification near the church, called Mount Thor old™. Notwith¬ 
 standing these and other precautions, he again became prisoner to De Wake, 
 to whom he gave thirty marks of silver for his ransom 34 . 
 
 The goods of the Monastery were greatly diminished by the profusion 
 and waste of this abbot, who is accused of having admitted two foreign 
 monks into the Abbey, who plundered it of many valuable articles. It is 
 even said that he scrupled not himself to embezzle the property committed 
 to his charge, which he employed to procure the bishoprick of Beauvois, in 
 France. From this dignity he was however expelled in four days, and, 
 returning to England, gave the king a large sum of money for permission to 
 reseat himself in his former Monastery. Having ruled the Abbey twenty- 
 eight years, he died in 1098, according to Candidus and the Saxon Chroni¬ 
 cle, though others say in 1100 ir> . 
 
 silver ones, and twelve crosses, some of gold, some of silver. And besides all this, went up to 
 the tower, and took away the great table, which the monks had hidden there, which was all of 
 gold and silver and precious stones, and wont to be before the altar: with abundance of books 
 and other precious things, which were invaluable, there being not the like in all England. And 
 they pretended to do all this out of faithfulness to the church; for the Danes, they told them, 
 would preserve those things for the use of the church, better than the Franks would do.” Gun- 
 ton’s Hist, of Peterb. Suppl. p. 263. 
 
 33 A conical mound of earth, called Tout-hill, forming a basement to the keep of this fortress, 
 is now remaining on the north side of the cathedral. At the base of it was discovered, in the 
 year 1817, a Well, with a subterraneous archway, said to lead towards the church. 
 
 34 This sum is mentioned by Gunton; but Dean Patrick says, “ that the abbot was kept in 
 custody till he redeemed himself and other considerable persons with the sum of three thousand 
 marks.” History of Peter. Sup. p. 264. 
 
 33 At this period the Domesday Register of property was compiled, in which is an enumeration 
 of the manors belonging to this Monastery. These are again specified in the Monasticon 
 Anglicanum, edit. 1817, vol. i. p. 386 to 390. 
 
NEW BUILDINGS, AND EXACTIONS FROM KNIGHTS—A. D. 1102—1114. 15 
 
 The monks, in consequence of the evils they had suffered under his 
 government, gave the king three hundred marks of silver for permission to 
 choose their own abbot, which having obtained they elected Godricus or 
 Bodricus , brother to Brando, to that office. Whether the Simoniacal contract 
 thus made was objected to is not uniformly stated, but in 1102 Godric, who 
 had not been consecrated, was deposed, according to Simeon of Durham 
 and the generality of writers, in the council of Westminster 36 . During the 
 short period that he occupied the abbatical chair, only one year, some thieves 
 from France and Flanders, entering the church through one of the windows, 
 stole a large ornamented cross of gold, two chalices and patens of the same 
 metal, and two golden candelabras, which had been bestowed on the church 
 by zElfric, archbishop of York, and formerly a monk of Burgh 37 . The 
 offenders were taken: but the king seized the recovered treasures, and 
 retained possession of the Monastery for four years Js . 
 
 The next abbot was Matthias, brother to Galfridus Ridel, the king’s 
 justiciary, to whom he appears to have made a conveyance of the Manor 
 of PitheslS, or Pightsly. After possessing the abbacy only one year, the 
 king again seized and retained it in his possession for more than three 
 years . 
 
 Ernulphus, prior of Canterbury, was elected abbot in 1107. He built 
 the “ new dormitory and the refectory, and finished the chapter-house.” He 
 also made an agreement betwixt his convent and the knights who held lands 
 of the Abbey, that “ each of them should pay yearly to the sacristary two 
 parts of his tithes, and at his death the third part of his whole estate, for 
 his burial in the church, all his knightly endowments, as well horses as 
 
 36 Matthew Paris, edit. 1684, p. 49, and Matthew of Westminster, edit. Francof. 1601, p. 236, 
 say, the council, in which Godric was deposed, was held at St. Paul’s. Eadmer however joins 
 Simeon of Durham in placing it at Westminster, and expressly asserts that the removal of 
 Godric was for simony. Bishop Godwin, who calls him Geoffrey, says that his deposition from 
 the Abbey was for not being in holy orders. See Monast. Angl. ut sup. 
 
 According to Dean Kipling, this prelate was buried near the steps of approach to the high 
 altar. Epitome of the Hist, of Peterb. p. 12. 
 
 38 Gunt. Hist, of Peterb. p. 19. 
 
 39 Monast. Angl. vol. i. p. 350. 
 
1G 
 
 PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL. 
 
 arms, being to be brought with his body, and offered up to Saint Peter; 
 the convent were to receive the corpse with procession, and to perform the 
 office for the dead 4 ".” Such exactions tend to account for the accumulation 
 of property, which the Monastery progressively acquired 41 . In 1114 
 Ernulphus was promoted to the bishoprick of Rochester, when he appears to 
 have procured a confirmation of the lands and liberties of Peterborough 42 . 
 
 In the same year he was succeeded by John de Sais, incorrectly termed 
 by Gunton, John of Salisbury, who had been abbot of Sais or Seez in 
 Normandy. Soon after his election he was sent to Rome, by Ralph, arch¬ 
 bishop of Canterbury, to bring the pall from Pope Paschal. He returned 
 in 1110, and soon afterwards a fire occurred in the Monastery which nearly 
 consumed the whole edifice. According to Gunton, “ the chapter-house, 
 dormitory, and the new refectory escaped the flames, which took hold of 
 the village and wholly consumed it 43 .” This calamity is said by Candidus, 
 already quoted, to have been a divine punishment on the blasphemy of the 
 abbot, who in a passion “ fell a cursing,” and one of his servants in the 
 bakehouse, following the example, “ cursed” also, and said, ‘ come devil and 
 blow the fire.’ ” 
 
 On the eighth of the ides of March, a. d. 1117, John of Sais laid the 
 foundation of a new church, which is generally supposed to be the origin 
 of the present Cathedral; but he did not live to witness its completion. He 
 also recovered for the Monastery the Manor of Pightesly, which had been 
 alienated by Abbot Matthias, and gave to King Henry I. sixty marks for 
 the confirmation of it. Having governed the Abbey eleven years, he died 
 on the 2d of the ides of October, 1125. 
 
 ' 10 Gunt. Hist, of Peterb. p. 10. 
 
 41 Madox, in his “Baron. Anglicanum,” cap. v. p. 91, states that this Abbey possessed sixty 
 fees, or the service of sixty knights. Each of these fees consisted of 680 acres of land, i. e. 
 40,800 acres. The Norman Conqueror required military service from bishops, abbots, friars, 
 and also from the clergy who held lands of the crown. 
 
 42 Monast. Ang. vol. i. p. 350. 
 
 43 The Saxon Chronicle states that the whole Monastery, excepting the chapter-house and 
 dormitory, fell a sacrifice to the fire; but Candidus and Gunton agree in stating that the newly 
 built refectory was preserved. Monast. Angl. vol. i. p. 350. 
 
ABBOTS ANGELI AND DE VECTI—A. D. 1128—1146. 
 
 17 
 
 Henri de Angeli, or Anjou, was appointed to the vacant abbacy, in 
 1128. He was bishop of Soissons, and afterwards a monk and prior of 
 Cluni; and then prior of Savenni. Being related to King Henry II. and 
 also to the Count of Aquitain, the latter bestowed on him the Abbey of 
 St. John Angeli, whence he received his name. He afterwards obtained the 
 archbishoprick of Besan^un, which he is said to have retained only three 
 days, and the bishoprick of Saintes, which he kept but seven. 
 
 On being appointed collector of the Peter-pence in England, the king 
 bestowed on him the abbotship of Burgh, though he still held that of Angeli. 
 He calumniated the community of his house to the king, in order to procure 
 its annexation to Cluni; but failing in the attempt, he was forced to sur¬ 
 render this Abbey and quit the kingdom 44 . 
 
 Martin de Vecti, or de Bee, as he is sometimes called, was appointed 
 abbot by the king in 1133 45 . He was not only assiduous in forwarding 
 the new church, but also in repairing the other parts of the Monastery, 
 which had suffered by the fire. The building being far advanced, the relics 
 were removed, and the monks were introduced into the church, which was 
 re-dedicated to St. Peter, with great pomp and ceremony, in the presence of 
 the bishop of Lincoln, the abbots of Croyland, Thorney, and Ramsey, and 
 a numerous assemblage of barons, knights, and clergy 46 . This abbot built 
 one of the gates to the Monastery, but which, says Gunton, “I cannot say,” 
 and changed the situation of the village to the western side of the Abbey. 
 He likewise altered the wharfage, and removed the church of St. John 
 Baptist to the close. He pulled down a castle near the Abbey Church, 
 
 44 Monast. Angl. vol. i. p. 351. See also the Saxon Chronicle, A. d. 1131. 
 
 45 Gunton says that some writers call him Martin Cook. He was originally prior of St. Neot’s 
 in Huntingdonshire, and was received with great pomp into the minster by the monks on 
 St. Peter’s mass-day, A. D. 1133. Saxon Chron. p. 364. Dugdale, Mon. Ang. vol. i. p. 351. 
 
 46 This ceremony, according to the Saxon Chronicle, and to Hugo Candidus, took place on 
 the feast of St. Peter, A. D. 1140; but according to more approved authorities in 1143. Mon. 
 Angl. vol. i. p. 351. Antient Register of Peterb. Mon. MS. in the Library of the Society of 
 Antiquaries, of London : and Patrick’s Suppl. to Gunton, p. 277. 
 
 D 
 
18 
 
 PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL. 
 
 supposed by Gunton to have been Mount Thorold, planted a vineyard, 
 added many buildings to his own dwelling 47 , and recovered some lordships 
 which had been alienated by his predecessors. He took a journey to Rome, 
 with the view of obtaining a confirmation of King Ethelclred’s charter from 
 Pope Eugenius III.; but a debate arising in the consistory respecting the 
 form of the charter, one of the cardinals entreated his Holiness, “ not to 
 give the honour of his name to another;” and in consequence of this sugges¬ 
 tion a new charter was granted to De Bee, dated in 1146, in the name of 
 Eugenius, while that of King Etheldred, the founder and benefactor of the 
 Monastery, was left out, after standing for nearly five hundred years 48 . His 
 death took place on the 4th of the nones of January, 1155, after he had 
 governed the Monastery nearly twenty-two years 49 . 
 
 The abbacy of De Vecti was remarkable for the numerous improvements 
 made to the church, in the monastery, and in the town; it was also a period 
 noted for the disorganized and distracted state of the country. Social order 
 seemed dissolved throughout the land; violence, robbery, and murder had 
 
 47 When Abbot Martin is thus said to have increased the buildings, and restored the town 
 to a better condition, it is plainly meant, according to Bishop Kennet, that “ he changed the 
 passage over the river, and built a bridge a little more up the river, westward, where it now 
 continues, which bridge, from the founder, was called Pons Martini, and the street leading from 
 it was called Brigg Street, which name it still retains. And by this change of passage, the 
 town, which before lay eastward of the Abbey, with the common road through Bungate, was by 
 degrees altered to the west side, by means of the new bridge and direct passage through Brigg 
 Street, &c. Yet Mr. Gunton and Dr. Patrick did not describe this alteration. The first only hints 
 that Abbat Martin changed the place of wharfage for boats, to that place which is now com¬ 
 monly used; when that change of wharfage was owing purely to the change of passing the river 
 by the new bridge: and Dr. Patrick goes a little farther from the true occasion of this change, 
 by imagining the new bridge was built by Martin the second, above a hundred and twenty 
 years after this time.” Dugdale, Mon. Angli. vol. i. p. 351, from the Lansdowne MSS. in the 
 British Museum. See Catalogue, 8vo. No. 1083, 203. 
 
 48 Dean Patrick, who has engraven the leaden seal appended to this charter, says, the original 
 grant, signed by Pope Eugenius himself, and attested by the cardinal of St. George, was found 
 about thirteen years ago (1073), by some workmen employed in repairing the roof of Peterborough 
 Minster. Hist, of Peterb. Supp. p. 280. 
 
 49 Gunton, Hist, of Peterb. p. 23; and Suppl. p. 282. The Monasticon, vol. i. p. 352, con¬ 
 tains many particulars of this Abbot’s times. 
 
ABBOTS DE VECTI AND DE WATERVILLE—A. D. 1155—1177. 
 
 19 
 
 arisen to such a height, that neither u church nor churchyard was spared, nor 
 was a bishop’s land, or an abbot’s, or a priest’s, but monks and clerks were 
 both plundered; and every man robbed another who could. If two men or 
 three came riding to a town, all the township fled for them, concluding them 
 to be robbers. The bishops and learned men cursed them continually; 
 but the effect thereof was nothing to them, for they were all accursed and 
 foresworn, and abandoned. To till the ground was to plough the sea: the 
 earth bare no corn, for the land was all laid waste by such deeds; and 
 they said openly, that Christ slept, and his saints. Such things, and more 
 than we can say, suffered we nineteen winters for our sins. In all this time 
 Abbot Martin found the monks and the guests in every thing that behoved 
 them, and held much charity in the house. He was a good man; and for 
 this reason God and good men loved him 50 .” 
 
 Fearing to have a stranger placed over them, the monks met on the day 
 of De Vecti’s death, and unanimously chose William de Waterville, or 
 Vaudeville, chaplain or clerk to Henry II., to succeed their late abbot. The 
 following day, Reinaldus, the prior, and Hugo Spiritus proceeded with the 
 abbot elect to Oxford, where the monarch held a court, who readily confirmed 
 their choice by his charter. Having performed his homage to the king, the 
 new abbot returned to Burgh, and was installed with great ceremony on 
 the Sunday termed Sexagesima, a.d. 1155. 
 
 Besides discharging all the debts of his predecessor, he purchased ample 
 provisions for his Monastery. He also regained the fee and service of De la 
 Mere for one hundred marks, and gave one hundred more for the confirmation 
 of nine knight’s fees: according to Hugh Candidus, he likewise bought 
 and secured to the Abbey many lands, rents, and pensions, all of which are 
 enumerated by that chronicler. The same historian, who is followed by 
 other old writers, ascribes numerous acts of liberality, and even munificence, 
 to this abbot. He is said to have founded St. Michael’s Nunnery at Stam¬ 
 ford, built St. Martin’s church, in the same town ; founded the hospital of 
 St. Leonard, now called Spittal, near Peterburgh; laid the foundation of 
 
 50 Ingram’s Saxon Chronicle, p. 307. 
 
20 
 
 PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL. 
 
 Thomas a Becket’s chapel 51 , covered the cloister with lead, “ built the 
 transept, or two cross ailes, arnbce crucis ecclesice, and three stories of the 
 great tower of the church, a chapel in his own house, and other offices; he 
 likewise bestowed numerous ornaments and vestments on the church 52 .” 
 Though this abbot appears to have been active, generous, and devoted to 
 the prosperity of his abbey, he was deposed by the monks, and much 
 intrigue and interest appears to have been made with the pope and the 
 monarch to confirm his expulsion and degradation. To carry on his works 
 he is said to have borrowed much money, from which debts the monks were 
 afterwards absolved by a bull of Pope Urban 53 . The Abbey was retained 
 by the king for two years, when Benedict, prior of Canterbury, was made 
 abbot in 1177, who, from affection to the lately murdered Thomas a Becket, 
 is said to have carried to Peterburgh the martyr’s shirt, surplice, some of 
 his blood, and some of the stones on which he fell. These were important 
 relics, and calculated to attract superstitious visitors, and consequent obla¬ 
 tions to the Monastery. He proceeded to finish the Chapel of Thomas a 
 Becket, which had been commenced by his predecessor; raised the great 
 gateway, and founded a chapel to St. Nicholas near it 54 . He also built 
 “ a large and goodly house of stone for several offices.” The nave of the 
 church, “ from the lantern to the porch, as it now is,” according to Gunton 
 (p. 26), was likewise built by him. The same fact is also stated in Dugdale’s 
 Monasticon, and both evidently derived from Swapham 55 . In a subsequent 
 
 51 Gunton considers this to be the chapel and porch under the centre arch of the western 
 front. Dean Kipling says it adjoined the western gate, between the close and the town, “ ad 
 portam Monasteriiand that the present school-house is the chancel of the chapel. See 
 Epitome of the History, &c. p. 16, and Bridges’s History of Northamptonshire, 11, 543. 
 
 52 Dugdale’s Mon. Angl. vol. i. p. 353. 
 
 53 During this abbot’s government Henry II. visited Peterburgh, where “ he was received 
 with great worship,” and “ where he remained with the abbot for some time.” Saxon Chron. 
 p. 374. 
 
 54 Ipse quoque erexit magnam portam exteriorem, et desuper capellam sancti Nicholai.”— 
 Swapham. 
 
 55 U 
 
 is w ords are, “ iEdificavit totarn navem ecclesiae opere lapideo et ligneo a turre chori 
 usque ad frontem, et pulpitum similiter editicavit.” In the MS. Chron. of John, abbot of 
 
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ABBOTS BENEDICT, ANDREAS, AND ACHARIUS—A. D. 1177—1200. 21 
 
 description, &c. of the church I shall have occasion to offer a few remarks on 
 these statements. Benedict is represented as “ a man of considerable repu¬ 
 tation for literature 56 ,” and an intimate friend of the once arbitrary Becket. 
 He is also said to have liberated the Monastery from debts, amounting 1 to 
 one thousand five hundred marks. He was made keeper of the great seal, in 
 1191, under Richard I., and received other favours from that monarch, in 
 return for which he was urgent in recommending the sale of church plate, to 
 ransom the king when he was imprisoned by the Archduke Leopold. He 
 did not however live to see his patron return, as his death occurred on 
 Michaelmas-day, 1193, and the king came to England in the following year. 
 
 Andreas, who was first a monk and then a prior of this Abbey, was 
 advanced to the abbacy in 1194. He gave the manors of Alwalton and 
 Fletton for the augmentation of the commons, and also conferred other 
 advantages on his house. Dying in 1199, he was buried in the south aile of 
 the church, where, according to Gunton, an epitaph was lately remaining “ in 
 Saxon letters.” 
 
 The archbishop of.St. Andrew’s, in Scotland, having been appointed to 
 the custody of the Abbey, after the decease of Andreas, having plundered 
 and wasted its property, left it in a state of desolation to Acharius, or 
 Zacharius, or Akary, a prior of St. Allans, who was presented to this 
 abbacy by King John in 1200. After providing his house with necessaries, 
 and even luxuries, he purchased for two hundred and fifty marks some houses 
 near St. Paul’s Church, London; and gave two hundred marks to King 
 John for a charter of liberties. He caused several halls, chambers, and other 
 edifices to be built on his manors of “ Scotere, Fiskertone, Gosberchirch, 
 Tynewell, Irtlingburch, and Stanewigge.” Swapham also describes his 
 beneficent acts as numerous and liberal, yet he could not escape calumny and 
 
 Peterburgh, we find the following:—“ Benedictus, qui fecit construere totarn ncivem ecclesiae 
 Burgi ex lapide et ligno a turre usque ad frontem.” Dean Kipling says that Benedict’s building 
 ended where the two most westerly pillars are, and w here the side ailes of the nave end.” 
 Epitome of the Hist, of Peterb. p. 17. 
 
 56 Besides the Life of Henry II. and Richard I., which have been edited by Hearne (8vo. 
 2 vols. Oxford, 1735), from a MS. in the Ilarleian Library, he wrote a life of Becket, and directed 
 numerous transcripts of it to be made. See Dr. O’Connor’s Catal. of the Stowe MSS. 1—317. 
 
22 
 
 PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL. 
 
 enmity; for great discord then prevailed between the civil and ecclesiastical 
 powers. “ It would be tedious,” says Patrick, “ to tell the persecutions he 
 endured, from a hard king, and from untamed tyrants, from foresters, and 
 from other ministers.” He died on the second ides of March, 1210, after 
 which the revenues were received for the king till 1214, when Robert de 
 Lyndesheye, a monk and sacrist of the house, was elected to succeed him. 
 In the capacity of sacrist, he glazed more than thirty-nine windows of the 
 church, which had been previously “ stuffed with reeds and straw to keep 
 out the rain.” Besides making other improvements in his buildings here, 
 he erected the chancel of the church at Oxney, and disafforested the district 
 called Nasse-of-Burgh 57 . In the south cloister he formed a lavatory, for the 
 use of the friars, the refectory being on the other side of the wall. Accord¬ 
 ing to Gunton this lavatory continued entire till the year 1651, when, with 
 the whole cloister, it was destroyed 58 . 
 
 Alexander de Holderness, the next abbot, was elected November the 
 30th, 1222, and built a hall at Castor, another at Oundle, and the “ Solarium 
 Magnum ,” at the door of the abbot’s chamber, with the Cellarium beneath. 
 Dying November 19th, 1226, he was succeeded by Martin de Ramsey, 
 who was installed at Peterburgh on the Sunday after the octaves of 
 Epiphany, 1226-7. During his presidency Pope Gregory the Ninth granted 
 a charter, called u Magnum Privilegium ,” to the Abbey. By common con¬ 
 sent of the abbot and convent, sanctioned by the bishop of Lincoln, it was 
 agreed that the abbot should not, under pain of excommunication, borrow 
 money on usurious terms from the Jews, or even from the Christians.— 
 During the government of his successor, Walter de St. Edmund, and in 
 compliance with certain constitutions 50 made in a council at London, the 
 
 37 “ The description of the woods disafforested at this time forms a curious article in the older 
 of the two Registers of Peterborough, preserved in the library of the Society of Antiquaries.”—- 
 Dugdale, Mon. Ang. vol. i. p. 354. 
 
 58 Gunton’s History, &c. of Peterb. p. 28. 
 
 59 These are called the “ Legatinc Constitutions of Otto,” and were passed at “ a council of 
 all England holden at London, in the church of St. Paul, on the morrow after the octaves of 
 St. Martin, A. d. 1237.” This assembly consisted of the legate, the archbishops of Canterbury 
 and York, all the bishops of the realm, two hundred armed soldiers, &c.; and decreed, that many 
 
ABBOTS DE CALETO AND DE SUTTON—A. D. 1248—1272. 
 
 23 
 
 churches of Peterburgh, with those of Ramsey and Santrei were dedicated, 
 in 1238; by the bishops of Lincoln and Exeter. This abbot was assiduous 
 in the repairs and augmentation of the buildings of the Monastery, and was 
 noted for his hospitality. King Henry III., with his queen and Prince Ed¬ 
 ward, were entertained here on one occasion, and the monarch personally on 
 another. Thirty additional monks were added, making the whole number 
 one hundred and ten, to the establishment by this abbot, who, after presid¬ 
 ing here twelve years, died January, 1245. The custody of the Abbey 
 was then entrusted to “ Magister R. de Gosebek,” who either sold, wasted, 
 or carried away every thing that was moveable. 
 
 John de Caleto, Calecto, or Kaleto, who was appointed abbot in 1248, 
 gave a great bell 60 to the church, and built the infirmary 61 at the west end 
 of the chapel of St. Lawrence, of which some interesting portions remain. 
 
 Robert de Sutton, who was elected on the seventeenth of the kalends of 
 April, 1262, was installed with great splendour. Two years afterwards he 
 joined the barons in defending the town of Northampton against the king. The 
 latter, with his son Edward, espying the banner of the Abbey waving among 
 the troops, threatened vengeance against the abbot and his house. To avert 
 the royal anger, De Sutton paid a heavy tine, and agreed with the monks 
 to join the king’s forces. “During the whole of the contest between the 
 king and the barons, the hospitality of the Monastery was continued, and 
 partaken of by the partisans of either side 62 .” In a parliament held at 
 Winchester, after the battle of Evesham, our abbot was again fined to a 
 large amount for his “ tergiversation.” According to W. de Whyttlesey, 
 he was obliged to pay at least four thousand three hundred and twenty-four 
 pounds, before he obtained the king’s favour. The succeeding monarch, 
 
 churches and some cathedrals, not having been consecrated ivith holy oil, though built of old, 
 shall be solemnly dedicated within two years. New churches were also to be dedicated within 
 the same period. The diocesan is likewise required to see all new works finished without delay, 
 or deny his licence. See Johnson’s “ Ecclesiastical Laws,” &c. part ii. sheet k. 
 
 60 On this was inscribed, “ Jon de Cans, Abbas Oswaldo, consecrat hoc vas.” 
 
 61 Dean Kipling states that the monks, after serving fifty years in the Monastery, were entitled 
 to retire to the Infirmary, exempt from the duties and cares of office. 
 
 62 Dugdale, Mon. Angl. vol. i. p. 35G, from Walter de Whyttlesey, 134, nt sup. 
 
24 
 
 PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL. 
 
 Edward I., visited the abbot in the first year of his reign, and at this place 
 signed a charter to the church of Ely. 
 
 Richard de London, after passing the offices of subchamberlain, prior, and 
 sacrist, was elected abbot at the age of sixty. As sacrist he erected one of 
 the “ greatest steeples of the church.” In 1272 the Lady Chapel was built 
 by William Parys, the prior, on the north side of the church. 
 
 William de Woodford, or Wodefqrd, was the next abbot. The most 
 memorable act of his time was a taxation of all the manors of the Abbey, 
 by papal authority, which was done by twenty-four jurats—twelve clergy¬ 
 men, and twelve laymen, the particulars of which are preserved in Swapham’s 
 History. Dying September 2,1299, he was succeeded by Godfery de Croy- 
 land, who being in favour with the king obtained the remission of certain 
 fees on his appointment. The king also made him a present of a silver cup, 
 gilt. W. de Whyttlesey gives a minute record, or journal, of this abbot’s 
 government and good deeds; among which it is related that he built many 
 granges, stables, and other offices on the manors of the Abbey, erected 
 mills, planted woods and orchards, and effected other improvements. u In 
 his fourth year he began a new entrance to the Abbey, which he completed 
 in his ninth year 03 .” This is presumed to be the great gate-house leading 
 to the bishop’s palace, over which was the knight’s chamber; on the walls 
 of which were pictures of knights, with their coats of arms, &c. He also 
 lengthened the chancel of Oxeney church, and, in his ninth year, built a 
 new bridge across the Nen, which being carried away by ice, he built one of 
 larger dimensions in the following year. The king and queen were sump¬ 
 tuously entertained here in 1303; and soon afterwards Prince Edward and 
 Pierce Gaveston were also treated with much hospitality. The monarch 
 was received a second time at Burgh; and was liberally assisted by the 
 abbot in his wars with the Scots. Two cardinals travelling from London 
 to Scotland, to negotiate peace between the rival kingdoms, were splendidly 
 received by our abbot, both in going to, and returning from the embassy. 
 The authority already referred to, says that Godfrey expended three thou¬ 
 sand six hundred and forty-six pounds, four shillings, and threepence, on the 
 
 63 Mon. Angl. vol. i. p. 358; and Gunton’s History, &c. p. 40. 
 

CATHEDB-AJL AIITIQUITIES'. 
 
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ABBOTS BOTHEBY, GENGE, AND ASTON—A. D. 1321—149G. 
 
 25 
 
 purchase of lands, &c. for the monks, and in presentations. After governing 
 for twenty-two years with much liberality, credit to himself, and advantage 
 to the Abbey, he died in September, 1321, and was interred at the east end 
 of the choir of his church. Gunton and Brown Willis describe the slab stone 
 with the figure of the abbot in brass, and an inscription on the verge. 
 
 Of Adam de Botheby’s abbacy, the successor of Godfrey, the anonymous 
 continuator of Whittlesey has recorded a circumstantial narrative; from 
 which it appears that Edward the Third, his Queen, John of Eltham, and the 
 whole court, passed the Easter at Burgh in 1327, on which occasion the 
 abbot expended four hundred and eighty-seven pounds, six shillings, and five- 
 pence. Again, during five subsequent years, he is charged in the monastic 
 accounts with eight hundred and sixteen pounds, eighteen shillings, and 
 threepence, for expenses in providing entertainments for the monarch and 
 his family with the dowager queen; and afterwards he lodged and treated 
 Prince Edward, with his sisters and suite, for eight weeks: whence it may 
 be inferred that the royal family became a heavy tax on the establishment. 
 At his death, in November, 1338, the king was at Antwerp, which occa¬ 
 sioned delay in placing a successor in the See of Peterborough. Henry de 
 Morcot, the next abbot, obtained the king’s license to convert the parochial 
 church of Irtlingburgh into a collegiate foundation, for six secular canons, 
 one of whom was to be dean. William Genge, appointed in 139(3, was, 
 according to Gunton, the first mitred abbot of Burgh; but it appears that 
 an abbot had been summoned to parliament, in the fourth year of Edward 
 the Third. During Genge’s abbacy the parish church of this town, which 
 was on the east side of the Cathedral, in St. John’s Close, and subject to 
 floods, was taken down, and a new one erected, in the middle of the town, 
 west of the Cathedral, where it now stands. It was completed in 1407. 
 
 Richard Aston was elected abbot in 1438; during his rule a fair was 
 granted for three days, to be held at the southern extremity of the town, 
 in Huntingdonshire and Northamptonshire. It is now called Brigg, or 
 Bridge Fair. At the time of Aston’s election there were sixty-four 
 monks in the Monastery, but thirty-two “ of the best of them” died, in 
 consequence of which the numerous church duties at festivals, commemora- 
 
 E 
 
26 
 
 PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL. 
 
 tions, and masses could not be performed. The building at the east end 
 of the church was commenced by this abbot, and completed by Robert 
 Kirton, who was appointed to succeed liamsey in 1496. To Kirton w r e 
 may ascribe the beautiful Gateway of entrance to the deanery, also an apart¬ 
 ment in the bishop’s palace, called Heavens Gate, or chamber; attached to 
 both of which he left his hieroglyphic signature, i. e. a kirk, or church—upon 
 a tun or barrel. The state of the Monastery and town, about this time, 
 may be inferred from the facts that Abbot Ramsey accepted a bribe of forty 
 shillings, to suffer a felon to escape from prison; for which he was indicted at 
 the sessions, found guilty, and forced to give security for his good behaviour. 
 About one hundred tenants of the Abbey rose in insurrection, and com¬ 
 mitted great waste. When the Bishop of Lincoln visited Burgh in the nine¬ 
 teenth year of Kirton’s abbacy, he found great disorders and irregularities 
 practised by the monks. One had stolen jewels from St. Oswald’s shrine, 
 and given them to women in the town; others haunted a tavern near the 
 Monastery, where they continued singing and dancing till ten and eleven 
 o’clock at night. 
 
 With the next abbot, John Browne, of Burgh, or Chambers, we close 
 the History of the Abbey, and commence that of the Cathedral. He was 
 advanced to the abbatial chair in 1528, and entertained the magnificent 
 Cardinal Wolsey here, at Easter in his first year. This “ proud prelate,” 
 as Shakspeare calls him, was humble enough, according to monastic prac¬ 
 tices, to wash and kiss the feet of fifty-nine poor people, to each of whom 
 he gave twelve-pence, three ells of canvass for shirts, a pair of shoes, and a 
 portion of red herrings. Another memorable event connected with this 
 abbot’s life, is the interment of Katharine of Arragon, the first wife of 
 King Henry VIII., who, dying at Kimbolton Castle, in Huntingdonshire, 
 January 8, 1535-6, was brought to, and deposited in, the south aile of the 
 choir of the Abbey Church. Lord Herbert, in his Life of Henry VIII., 
 and Holinshed, ascribe the preservation of the Abbey, and its conversion 
 into a Cathedral, to this event; for although the lustful and murderous 
 tyrant had long been divorced from this queen, and had married Anne 
 Roleyn, he appears to have felt something of esteem, or respect for the 
 
ABBOT CHAMBERS—DISSOLUTION OP THE ABBEY. 
 
 27 
 
 noble minded lady Ci , whom he had treated with such heartless contumely C5 . 
 Some of the courtiers are said to have suggested to the king, “ how well it 
 would become his greatness to erect a fair monument for her; he answered. 
 Yes, he would leave her one of the goodliest in the kingdom,—meaning this 
 church 0G .” Soon afterwards this Abbey, with many others, was dissolved, 
 and the Abbey Church was converted into a Cathedral* 7 . As that event 
 constitutes a new and distinct feature in the history of the establishment, 
 it will be expedient to appropriate a separate chapter to this branch of the 
 subject. 
 
 64 In a letter addressed to her royal husband, when on her deathbed, she says, although “ you 
 have cast me into many calamities, and yourself into many troubles, I forgive you all, and pray 
 God to do so likewise.” She dictated another letter to Eustachius, urging him to request the 
 emperor to interfere with the king, in behalf of her dying requests, as “ otherwise he might forget 
 them.”—Lord Herbert’s Life, &c. of Henry VIII. 
 
 65 A very interesting volume has lately been published, relating to the life and times of this 
 monarch. It is entitled “ The Privy-purse Expences of King Henry the Eighth, from 1529 to 
 1532: with introductory Remarks and illustrative Notes, by N. H. Nicolas, Esq.” 8vo. 1827. 
 In this work there are entries of various sums of money, for clothes and treats to Anne Boleyn. 
 For clothes there were advanced, during three years, four hundred and sixty-eight pounds, six 
 shillings, and one penny; which, with other conduct towards her, induces the meritorious editor 
 to remark, “ It is impossible to avoid reflecting on the little regard that was then paid to the 
 virtuous Katharine. That her name should be but twice mentioned (in these long accounts), 
 speaks volumes on her secluded situation ; and whilst all that wealth and power could command 
 were lavished on the new favourite, the magnanimous wife was equally neglected by her hus¬ 
 band, his satellites, and the world.” A few years after her death the king ordered the sum of 
 sixty-six pounds, thirteen shillings, and fourpence to be given to Mrs. Blanch Twyford, “ for her 
 long and painful service done unto the princess dowager, by way of the king’s reward.” 
 
 66 Hist, of Peterb. p. 330. 
 
 67 Four other monastic churches were also made Cathedrals. These were Gloucester, Bristol, 
 Oxford, and Chester. 
 
28 
 
 mm< m. 
 
 HISTORICAL PARTICULARS OF THE DISSOLUTION OF THE MONASTERY, FOUNDATION 
 AND ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SEE, AND BIOGRAPHICAL ANECDOTES OF THE 
 BISHOPS. 
 
 The dissolution of the numerous monastic establishments of this island 
 by Henry the Eighth, constitutes one of the most important, momentous, 
 and remarkable events and revolutions of this country. It created an 
 entire change—a new aspect and condition in the state of society. It first 
 disorganised and then annihilated a power which had been for centuries 
 gradually acquiring dominion, and exercising tyranny over the whole com¬ 
 munity. Not merely the mass of the people, but the merchants, nobles, 
 and even the monarchs themselves were severally and collectively subser¬ 
 vient to its decrees. By playing with and working on the hopes and fears 
 —the weaknesses and infirmities of the human mind—by craft and subtle 
 policy, by ostentation and grand display, the various abbots, priors, and 
 monks seemed superior to all political and civil authority—and became indeed 
 at times paramount in the kingdom. Nothing therefore but a fearless, des¬ 
 potic, and determined monarch could cope with, and subdue such a system: 
 nor would even despotism itself have succeeded in the attempt, had not a 
 few intrepid and high minded persons exerted their influence and abilities 
 in opposing the monastic system. This, like nearly all other religious and 
 political institutions, had enervated itself by indulgence and self-confidence; 
 and had provoked popular opposition and hostility by repeated oppression 
 and intolerant bigotry. The monarch and his courtiers were both calcu¬ 
 lated and qualified to rescue the country from this power: but it must not 
 be inferred that either real virtue, or good principles, were the sole motives 
 to influence them The king had his private enmity to gratify against 
 the pope, and had also his love of power and wealth to indulge, whilst 
 
CHARACTER OP HENRY VIII. AND OF HIS AGE. 
 
 29 
 
 many of his nobles looked forward to a prosperous harvest in sharing the 
 property which was to be confiscated. Acts of parliament were passed to 
 preclude the pope from any authority in England : and the payment of Peter- 
 pence, all dispensations, procurations, provisions, bulls, delegacies, rescripts, 
 licences, faculties, grants, relaxations, rehabilitations, abolitions, &c. were 
 prohibited'. In the House of Commons, in 1534, the pope and his prede¬ 
 cessors were stigmatised as impostors ; and the same parliament granted 
 to the king, as supreme head of the church of England, all the powers, 
 prerogatives, and emoluments, which had been taken from his holiness. 
 The Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and the English bishops were 
 called on to subscribe to the king’s supremacy, and to justify his authority 
 and power against the pretensions of the Roman pontiff. Sheriffs and 
 schoolmasters were enjoined to promote the same measures, and to keep 
 strict watch on the monks and their followers. Such a state of things could 
 not be continued with tranquillity, or with tame submission: it was one 
 tyranny struggling with and endeavouring to crush another. Some of the 
 abbots and monks rebelled, but were soon subdued and punished ; whilst 
 those of more ductile dispositions and prudent policy were either provided 
 with pensions for life, or appointed to bishoprics. Such was the case with 
 John Chambers 1 2 * * * & , already named. Gunton says, “ I have not seen any 
 
 1 Statutes, 25 Henry VIII. cap. 21, &c. 
 
 2 Gunton’s reflection on Chambers’s subserviency to the monarch is pronounced by Bishop 
 
 Kennett to be “ungrateful and unjust;” for to that is to be ascribed the preservation of the 
 
 church, and establishment of a See, &c. A letter from William Parre, one of the visitors, or 
 
 commissioners who were sent to Peterborough, addressed to Lord Cromwell, sufficiently explains 
 the abbot’s conduct. It is preserved among the Cottonian MSS. in the British Museum, and 
 states, “ the abbot upon the rumor spred abrode of the comyng down of the visitors, & not 
 upon any occasion given or ministered to hym either in worde or dede by Doctor Layton, shewed 
 himself to be affrayed, insomuch as at my furst commyng thidder he required of me myne advice 
 
 & favor what was best for hym to do.” He is described as wishing to preserve his house, but 
 the visitor avoided giving him pledge or satisfaction. The Marshal of the abbot’s hall, Sir Thomas 
 Tresham, and John Layne were then employed to negotiate, and offer, through the said visitor to 
 “ the king’s highnes on hoole yeeres rent of all the lands appurteyneng to the Monastery, whiche 
 I thinke ammountethe nighe upon two thousande & five hundred marks;” and also a fee, or bribe, 
 of three hundred pounds to Lord Crouwell. These terms not succeeding, the abbot then said he 
 would be wholly governed by the direction of Lord Cromwell and the visitor. 
 
30 
 
 PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL. 
 
 record showing how J. Chambers demeaned himself towards King Henry, 
 or complied with him in that great dissolution of Abbeys, that the king 
 should continue him in his place, and not put him to death as he did some, 
 or depose him as he did others: but probable it is that the abbot loved to 
 sleep in a whole skin, and desired to die in his nest, wherein he had lived 
 so long, and perhaps might use such means as might preserve (if not his 
 means to the church, yet) his church to posterity 3 .” An inventory was 
 taken, in 1539, of all vestments, images, altars, and decorations belonging 
 to the Church,—also of the furniture, plate, provender, stock, manors, &c. 
 belonging to the Abbey, all of which were committed, by the king’s com¬ 
 missions to the custody of the abbot 4 . On the first of March, 1540, he 
 
 3 [list, of Peterb. p. 58. 
 
 4 The following inventory will be useful in shewing the quantity and quality of furniture, 
 appendages, and decorations belonging to the Church and to the Abbey. It also specifies the 
 names of several chapels, and of articles which were in use at the time of the dissolution. 
 
 Four Crosses: one set with crystal, silver and gilt; one silver gilt with staff of silver; one 
 of byrral with staff of silver; an old one plated upon v/ood. 
 
 Five staves of the rectore's chori with heads of silver. Candlesticks: two gilt, and two parcel 
 gilt. Three censors gilt and parcel gilt. One ship, gilt, with a foot. Ten chalices gilt, with 
 patens. A holy water stock, parcel gilt. A ghospeller and a super altare, garnished with silver, 
 and gilt. Two verge rods of silver. 
 
 Altar Cloths: one of two kings and bishops; two of purple velvet, embroidered with 
 eagles and flower de-Luces; two of bawdkyn; two of cloth of silver; two of bawdkyn with 
 lepers and stars ; two of white bawdkyn ; one of white diaper embroidered with bucks. 
 
 Albes: twenty-seven red, for passion week; eight with crowms and moons; fourteen red; 
 forty blue, of divers sorts; twenty-seven to be worn on single feasts: six with Peter-keys; six 
 called the Kydds; seven called Meltons; six called Doggs; eight with apples of cloth of gold; 
 eight with apples of blue tissue; five old with red tissue; eight embroidered with vines; four¬ 
 teen embroidered with divers sorts; thirty of old cloth of bawdkyn; nine embroidered with 
 green; thirteen of divers sorts; fourteen green with counterfeit cloth of gold; four called ferial 
 white; seven called ferial black. 
 
 Vestments: one suit of crimson velvet upon velvet, with a cope and albe suitable to the 
 same; one chesuble, with an albe called the llurgon; one suit of blue damask with a cope, and 
 thirteen albes to the same; one of purple velvet, embroidered with flowers and angels, with a 
 cope and five albes; one of black velvet, with a cope and four albes with flowers; one of rich 
 white cloth of bawdkyn with seven albes; one of blue velvet with five albes; one suit of red 
 velvet with ragged staves and three albes; one of crimson velvet with flowers, and one cope and 
 three albes; one of red satin with three albes; one of red tissew with three tunicles ; one suit of 
 
 
31 
 
 FURNITURE, ETC. OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 was required to resign the whole to the monarch, but was granted an annual 
 pension of two hundred and sixty pounds, thirteen shillings, and fourpence, 
 with one hundred loads of wood. In the following year Letters Patent were 
 passed to convert the Monastery and its church into an episcopal See and 
 
 blue tissew with two tunicles; one of cloth of gold with orphers of tissue; one suit called the 
 Crowns with two copes; one suit called the Londus with four copes; one of Peter-keys with 
 two copes; one of the Doggs with two copes ; one of the Melton’s, so called, with eight copes; 
 one called Overton’s with three copes ; one white suit called Godfrey’s; one of white silk, called 
 the Georges, with eight copes; one suit called the Kydds with four copes; one of red needle¬ 
 work with two copes; one of green silk, called the Martyr’s, with four copes; one called the 
 Squirel’s with two copes; one of green silk, called the Cocks, with one cope; one of green 
 velvet with one cope ; one of yellow silk with two copes; one of changeable silk with one cope ; 
 one called the Daysies with one cope ; one called the Popinjay’s; one of purple velvet; one of 
 black velvet with an albe; three tunicles of black woorsted; one of coarse red; three tunicles 
 with Peter-keys; one vestment called the Vines. 
 
 Copes : of these there were one hundred and fifteen of different sorts, and designated by 
 different names. 
 
 In the Quire, or Choir were—the high altar, plated with silver, well gilt with one image of 
 Christ’s passion, and a little shrine of copper enamelled, for the sacrament: two pair of organs 
 and two desks of latten ; seven basins hanging with four candlesticks, and banners of silk, joining 
 to the tomb where Queen Katharine lieth buried; in the enclosed place where the lady Katharine 
 lieth buried, one altar cloth of black cloth; one pall of black velvet, with white cloth of silver 
 crossed, and one white altar cloth; two candlesticks of silver, parcel gilt; one chalice and two 
 crewets, gilt; one pair of vestments of black velvet with albe; ten cloaths called pede-cloths, to 
 lye before the high altar; sixteen cloaths to hang in the quire; three altars at the upper end of 
 the church, upon every altar a table of the passion of Christ, gilt, with three stained fronts. 
 
 In the Lady’s Chapel : an image of our Lady with rcddis Rissey, set in a tabernacle, well 
 gilt on wood, with twelve great images and thirty-four small images: a pair of organs, one desk 
 and four seats; one tabernacle of the Trinity and one of our Lady, one desk, four pede-cloaths 
 called tapets:—two vestments of white damask, with flowers, one red vestment of satten with 
 flowers, and albes for the same: one suit of crimson velvet with orphers of imagery of gold, one 
 cope and four albes; three white altar cloaths, with three old painted fronts; two orfers, eight 
 surplisses. 
 
 There were Chapels, respectively dedicated to St. John, St. James, and the Trinity; also 
 others called the Ostrie, Low, the Abbot’s Gallerie, and one attached to the Infirmary, 
 all of which had their appropriate altars and cloaths, candlesticks, vestments, chests, almery, 
 bells, images, &c. 
 
 In the rood loft were a table upon the altar, eighteen images well gilt, a desk, orfers, &c. 
 
 In the body of the church was an altar with images, four lamps, &c. 
 
32 
 
 PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL. 
 
 Cathedral, and the town into a city. A bishop, a dean, and six preben¬ 
 daries were also appointed to govern the whole: the first to have epis¬ 
 copal jurisdiction over the city, and the counties of Northampton and 
 Rutland, excepting a few peculiars; whilst the archdeacon of Northampton, 
 who had previously been under the authority of the bishop of Lincoln, was 
 henceforward to be subject to the bishop of this See 5 . The property 
 belonging to the Monastery was now divided into three parts, one of which 
 the king held as his own share, one was appropriated to the bishop, and 
 the third to the dean and chapter. According to Bridges, the latter were 
 
 In the south aile was St. Oswald's Chapel, containing an altar, a table gilt of St. Oswald, Sec, 
 In St. Bennet’s Chapel was also an altar, a table, gilt, with the story of St. Bennet. 
 
 In St. Kyueburgh’s Chapel, an altar, with a table, gilt, &c. 
 
 In the cloyster, a conduit, or lavatory, of “ tynne,” with divers coffers and seats. 
 
 In the Abbot’s Hall: four fixed tables with forms, one table with two tressels at the high 
 bench, the hangings, old tapestery, one cupboard, one chair, one chaffer. The inventory also 
 specifies several different articles in the abbot’s kitchen, fish-house, brewhouse, garnet, barnes, 
 Eyebury farm, &c.; likewise the plate. 
 
 The dimensions and different parts of the Church, and the Abbey buildings, are specified 
 in the same inventory as follows :— 
 
 Church: length, “eight score yards,”—breadth, thirty-four yards. Lady Chapel: length, 
 forty-six yards, and breadth fourteen. Cross isle, on the north side, in length eighteen yards, and 
 breadth twelve. Three Chapels, with entry into the Ladys Chapel, fourteen by seven yards. Isle 
 on the south side with the chapels, twenty-one by twenty yards. Cloyster about four-square, 
 one hundred and sixty-eight yards in length by six yards. Chapter House, twenty-eight by eleven 
 yards. Great Dormitory, sixty-four by thirteen yards. Little Dortor, thirty-three by twelve 
 yards. Fratry, fifty-four by fourteen yards. Infirmary, sixty-five by ten yards. Chapel at the 
 gate of the Monastery, fourteen by eight yards. Vestry, eighteen by six yards. Abbot’s Hall, 
 thirty-two by twelve yards. Abbot’s Great Chamber, thirty-three by ten yards. The Convent’s 
 Kitchen, twenty-five yards long. In the two Steeples of the Monastery, at the west end of the 
 Church, are ten bells, and in other places four more bells. The lavers in the cloister weigh one 
 hundred pounds. 
 
 The preceding (Note 4) is copied from Gunton’s History, Ac., and the spelling is strictly 
 preserved. 
 
 5 There is neither mayor nor corporation at Peterborough; but the Dean and Chapter are 
 lords of the manor, and their bailiff is returning officer in the election of burgesses. They appoint 
 the coroner, and the steward of the court of common-pleas, and receive the tolls of fairs and 
 markets. In short, they possess the same civil authority as was formerly vested in the abbot. 
 
BISHOPS CHAMBERS AND POLE—A. D. 1541—1556. 
 
 33 
 
 to be exempt not only from the visitation of the bishop of Lincoln, but to 
 be an entire independent corporation of themselves. The whole site and 
 bounds of the Monastery,—excepting the abbot’s house and gardens, which 
 were assigned to the bishop,—were vested in them, together with certain 
 manors, lands, and tenements; and they were provided with dwelling houses 
 in the precincts e . 
 
 The prelacy of Chambers we may conclude to have been peaceable, for 
 during his term of fifteen years, from 1541, there are no memorable acts 
 recorded 6 7 . He is said to have raised a monument in the Abbey Church, 
 a. d. 1530, commemorative of himself, as abbot, and another of white 
 chalk stone, as bishop, on which, Gunton says, was his “ statue exquisitely 
 carved;” but both were demolished in 1643. Dying in 1556, he bequeathed 
 twenty pounds for the reparation of the bridge at Peterborough, and 
 another twenty pounds towards the repair of the Cathedral. 
 
 David Pole, or Poole, LL. D. his successor, was consecrated Bishop, 
 August 15, 1557; but two years afterwards was deprived for denying the 
 queen’s supremacy, “ being then esteemed a grave person and very quiet 
 subject 8 .” Though committed to custody, he was soon liberated; and, 
 according to Hevlin, was treated with clemency by the queen, and with 
 
 6 Some essential parts of these estates were afterwards granted away by succeeding officers 
 of the church. Dean Latymer and the Chapter first transferred the whole lordship and manor 
 of Stamford-Baron to Sir William Cecil, secretary to Queen Elizabeth, for the paltry consider¬ 
 ation of an annual payment of fifteen pounds, seventeen shillings, and threepence farthing to the 
 dean and chapter. Again, Bishop Scambler, in 1576, demised to Queen Elizabeth the whole 
 of the hundred of Nassaburgh, with all its rights, privileges, &c. with the manors of Thirlby, 
 Southorp, and Tanholt-herne. That monarch soon afterwards granted the same property to her 
 favourite treasurer, who was to pay annually to the said bishop three pounds, six shillings, and 
 eightpence for the hundred, and six pounds for the manor. Dean Kipling says that the manor 
 of Thirlby now pays thirty-eight pounds annually, and Tanholt-herne thirty-three pounds. 
 
 7 Godwin, in his Commentary “ De Przesulibus,” confounds him with John Chambers, who 
 was a doctor of medicine and dean of St. Stephen’s college, Westminster; and other writers 
 have repeated the same mistake. 
 
 8 Wood’s “ Athenae Qxoniensis,” vol. ii. col. 801, edit. 1815. 
 
 F 
 
34 
 
 PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL. 
 
 courtesy by all persons with whom he lived. He died at a good old age at 
 one of his farms, in May or June, 1568, and was buried in the Cathedral. 
 
 Edmund Scambler, chaplain to Archbishop Parker, was consecrated 
 Bishop of this See, February 16, 1560, and was permitted to hold it in coin- 
 mendam, with prebendal stalls at York and at Westminster. After ruling 
 here for twenty-four years, he was translated to Norwich, December 15, 
 1584°, where, as at Peterborough, he rendered his memory infamous by 
 injuring the revenues of his See 9 10 ; “as if,” says Gunton, “ King Henry had 
 not taken away enough, the bishop himself would take away more.” On his 
 first episcopal visitation, this prelate prescribed to the dean and chapter a 
 series of twenty-three rules, or doctrinal articles, by which it is evident he 
 was no friend to the Church of Rome; and for these, or for some other 
 part of his conduct, he is branded in the Roman Index books with the title 
 of Pseudo Episcopus. 
 
 Richard Howland, D. D. a fellow of Peter House, and afterwards master 
 of St. John’s College, Cambridge, was consecrated Bishop of this See at 
 Lambeth, February 8, 1584. This prelate’s government is remarkable on 
 account of the interment of Mary Queen of Scots, who dying at Fotheriugay 
 Castle, was brought to this Cathedral, August 1, 1587. The bishop of 
 Lincoln, and not Bishop Howland, preached the funeral sermon, which, 
 according to Dean Patrick, “made a great noise among factious people.” 
 In a subsequent page will be found some account of this funeral, &c. Bishop 
 Howland died at Castor, June 23, 1600, and was interred near the altar 
 steps of the choir in Lis own Cathedral. 
 
 Thomas Dove, who was chaplain to Queen Elizabeth and dean of Nor¬ 
 wich, was advanced to this See, and consecrated at Lambeth, April 26, 
 1601. Her majesty “was wont to call him the Dove with silver wings,” 
 from his excellency of preaching and reverend aspect and deportment. He 
 
 9 See History and Antiquities of Norwich Cathedral, by the author of this volume. 
 
 10 See Bridges’s History, &c. of Northamptonshire, ii. 488, in which are some particulars 
 respecting this hundred, and of its double transfer to the queen and to the Exeter family. 
 
BISHOPS DOVE; PEIRSE, DEE, AND TOWERS -A. D. 1601—1638. 
 
 35 
 
 held the vicarage of Saffron Walden, in commendam, where he sometimes 
 resided, and was also rector of Heydon, both in Essex. Continuing a 
 bishop for thirty years to “ his great honor,” he kept up a “ free house” with 
 much hospitality; yet, says Gunton, he was careful of posterity, and left a 
 fair estate to his heirs. Dying on the 30th of August, 1630, in the seventy- 
 fifth year of his age, he was buried in the north transept of his Cathedral, 
 where a “ comely monument of a quadrangular form,” with his effigy, was 
 erected to his memory, both of which were destroyed in 1643 ", but Gunton 
 has preserved a copy of the long epitaph. 
 
 Of William Peirse, or Piers, D.D. who was advanced to the 
 bishoprick, and installed November 14, 1630, I have given a memoir in 
 the History and Antiquities of Wells Cathedral, p. 75. After presiding 
 here two years he was promoted to the See of Bath and Wells, and 
 Augustine Lindsell, D. D. was appointed his successor. He was dean 
 of Lichfield at the time of his promotion, and only remained here two 
 years, when he was advanced to Hereford in 1633. In his time the rectory 
 of Castor was annexed to the bishoprick, to be held in commendam, through 
 the influence of Laud, archbishop of Canterbury. Lindsell is said to have 
 been a man of great learning, and produced an edition of Theophylact, on 
 St. Paul’s Epistles, in Greek and Latin, fob 1636. 
 
 Francis Dee, D. D., advanced from the deanery of Chichester, was 
 installed Bishop of this See, May 28, 1634. He presided here little more 
 than four years, dying in 1638, and was buried near the throne, in the 
 choir. By his will he bequeathed one hundred pounds towards the repair 
 of the Cathedral. 
 
 John Towers, D.D. who was dean of this Cathedral at the death of the 
 late bishop, was advanced to the See, and installed March 8, 1638-9. The 
 civil discords which soon afterwards ensued, not merely engrossed much of 
 the time and attention of this prelate, but involved him in great troubles. 
 
 11 In Bishop Dove’s time a new font was placed in the body of the church, where there had 
 not been any before. 
 
36 
 
 PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL. 
 
 and his Cathedral in havoc and desolation. Dean Patrick has preserved an 
 account of the ravages which were committed here, and which not only swept 
 away almost all the monuments, painted windows, and other interesting 
 features of the Cathedral, but greatly injured the building itself. He 
 says, that “ the Church of Peterborough was famous for three remarkable 
 things,—a stately front, a curious altar-piece, and a beautiful cloister,” the 
 two latter of which were entirely “ destroyed by sacrilegious hands.” He 
 appropriates eight pages to describe, “ from an eyewitness,” the operations 
 of the soldiers on the Cathedral, &c. About the middle of April, 1643, 
 several forces came to this city, in order to besiege Croyland, which was 
 held as a garrison for the king. First came a u foot regiment under Colonel 
 Hubbard, who were strictly commanded not to do injury to the Church, 
 which he ordered to be locked up. Next came a regiment of horse under 
 Colonel Cromwell, u a name as fatal to ministers, as it had been to Monas¬ 
 teries before.” Next day they broke open the Church doors, and proceeded 
 immediately to batter and destroy the monuments, &c. within 12 . 
 
 In “ the Mercurius JRusticus ” is a narrative of these occurrences, which 
 cannot be read without exciting the mingled emotions of contempt, indig¬ 
 nation, and disgust, at the fanaticism, sottish folly, and illiterate barbarity of 
 the people who could be guilty of so much senseless destruction. Part of 
 
 12 Patrick gives the following account of the preservation of the antient Register, called 
 “ Swap ham. One book indeed, and but one, still remains which was happily redeemed from the 
 tire by the then precentor of the church, Mr. Humfrey Austin, who knowing the great value of it, 
 first hid it, in February, 1G42, under a seat in the tjuire: and when it was found by a soldier on 
 the twenty-second of April, 1G43 (when all the seats were pulled down), rescued it again by the 
 offer of ten shillings, ‘ for that old Latin Bible,’ as he called it, and about which he pretended to 
 enquire. The name of the Bible by the help of the ten shillings preserved this precious treasure 
 from the flames, whither it was going: as Mr. Austin hath left a record in the beginning of the 
 book; with a copy of the soldier’s acknowledgment, that he had given him satisfaction for it, in 
 these words 
 
 < / pray let this Scripture Book alone, for he hath paid me for it, and therefore I would desire 
 yon to let it alone. By me Henry Topclyffe, souldyer under Captain Cromwell, Colonel 
 Cromwell's sonn; therefore I pray let it alone.' —By me Henry Topclyffe. 
 
DESTRUCTION BY CROBIWELL’S SOLDIERS. 
 
 37 
 
 this narrative is repeated in a note below, omitting the introductory part of 
 the comments as being puerile and canting, and manifesting nearly as intem¬ 
 perate and intolerant a spirit as was shewn by the Cromwellian soldiers 13 . 
 The Cathedral, being thus ruined and desolate, was afterwards used as a 
 Parish Church for presbyterian worship: after the Restoration the dilapi- 
 
 13 Extract from “the Mercurius Ilusticus; or, the Countries Complaint,” edit. 1G4G, p.245, 
 “ The Cathedral Church of Peterboro' robb'd, defac'd, Sf spoyl'd by Cromwell fy his schismatical 
 Adherents, fyc.” 
 
 After a preamble about the delay in publishing the narrative, a brief account of the foundation 
 of the Abbey, and its destruction by the Danes, and great change by Henry the Eighth, it pro¬ 
 ceeds to state, “ We know not where to enter upon a narration, except at the great west window 
 (where Cromwell’s souldiers made their first breach & entrance) which was adorned with such 
 variety of ecclesiasticall history, as will evidence them to be deformers of that thorough reforma¬ 
 tion in our blessed queene’s time of happy memory, whom, notwithstanding, they so highly cried 
 up. From hence they presently hurried up to the quire, where as soon as they had broke open 
 the doors they, according to their trade & custome in other places, fell on tearing in pieces the 
 books of divine service & sacred anthems, yea (which may seem more strange) they were so hot 
 against preaching or hearing sermons, that all the seats of the auditors were plucked up, and the 
 pulpit, the place of the divine oracle, & the book-seat pulled down, with that black-mouthed cry, 
 ‘ Downe with that throne of antichrist, down with it even to the ground.’ And when their zeale 
 had driven them to that height of impietie, that some standers-by could not behold it without some 
 reluctancy, which moved one of them to request Cromwell, that he would please to stay his 
 souldiers from further defacing & ruining that place; all the satisfaction he could get, was but a 
 provocation on to further mischief, replying, That his gods were a pulling down; & when the 
 other answered, That the God he served was beyond the reach of souldiers,‘ Cromwell told them, 
 That they did God good service in the action; as if even in these days were fulfilled that pro- 
 phesie of our Saviour, John xvi. 2, ‘ The time is coming, whosoever does the greatest mischiefe 
 will thinke he serveth God.’ But observe the wages that Divine Justice repaid one of them for 
 their worke, which may testify how he accepted of the same; when they had demolished the 
 quire, the east end was the next they aimed at, where one espying in the roof right over the 
 communion table, our Saviour pourtrayed, coming in glory with his holy angels, and at the foure 
 corners four Evangelists (none of which they will endure as knowing how opposite they are unto 
 them) he charged his musket to shatter them down, but by the rebound of his own shot was 
 struck blind. If he did his God good thereby he did himselfe an ill turne, his wickednesse falling 
 on his own pate; he lay a long while in a wofull condition, & never recovered his former sight. 
 His life by God’s mercy was reprieved that he might repent, but he was sorely scourged that 
 he might take notice there is punishment for sacrilege, and bare witnesse of that truth unto his 
 fellowes, although he found more favor than Calisthenes, who attempting to burn the temples, 
 by setting fire on the gates, was for that act himselfe burned : or Alcinus, who whilst he was 
 
38 
 
 PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL. 
 
 dated Lady Chapel was taken down, and the materials sol 1 , to provide 
 money for repairing the Cathedral. After Dr. Towers’s death the See 
 continued vacant twelve years, when 
 
 Benjamin Laney, D. D. was elected, and was consecrated December 2, 
 1660. He had been master of Pembroke Hall, Cambridge, and dean of 
 
 pulling the house of God downe, was struck with a palsie, and dyed in torment.” [In Dean 
 Patrick’s narrative this story is differently told, and the blindness is supposed to be only ‘ blind 
 zeal.’] “ Some would have thought that that remarkable judgement overtaking him so on the 
 sudden sufflaminated their running on, & that striking of him blind should have opened their 
 eyes. But let favour be shewed to the wicked, yet they will not learne righteousnesse in the 
 land of uprightnesse, they will deal unjustly, and will not behold the majestie of the Lord; but, 
 Lord, when thy hand is lifted up they will not see, as thou foretoldest by the Prophet, Essay. 
 xxvi. 10, 11, 13, it should come to passe, ‘ When other lords besides thee have dominion over 
 usthey were not at all deterred, neither left any wayes unattempted to get downe that roofe 
 which ladders failed, they cut the bell ropes (which if rightly applyed, might have cured their 
 itch) to eke out their tackling, till they reached it with their pole-axes, & brake downe the carved 
 workes, Psal. vii. 4. Afterwards, espying that rare structure of stone-workes over the altar, 
 admired by all travellers for the excellent artifices, which was no ways guilty of superstitious 
 workmanship, they made all of it rubbish, breaking up also the rayles of which they compiled 
 bone-fires, tumbling the communion-table over & over, they were also so offended with all 
 memorialls of the dead (knowing themselves in the number of those whose memories at the best 
 shall perish, as if they had never beene) that not one monument in the Church remained unde¬ 
 faced, no not of the pious Benefactors (whose accusation was sufficient, they had done good to 
 the Church) not those faire tombes of Katharine, Queen Dowager of Spaine, the repudiate of 
 King H. 8 & Mary, albeit Queen of Scots. It was great a crime to have beene queenes; the 
 marble walls, & guards of irons wherewith they were surrounded & incircled could not preserve 
 them in repose from all their miseries, but they would adde this one unto the rest, to lay the 
 emblemes of their honours in the dust, pulling away the hearse of black velvet, and carrying 
 away whatsoever was vendible. IV hen their unhallowed toylings had made them out of wind, 
 they took breath afresh on two pair of organs, piping with the very same about the market place 
 lascivious jigges, whilst their comrades daunced after them, some in the coapes, others with the 
 surplices; & downe they brake the bellowes to blow the coals of their further mischilfe, and lest 
 any should ring auke for the fire they had made, they left the bells speechlesse, taking out their 
 clappers, which they sold with the brasse they slaied from the graven stones, & the tin & 
 iron from other parts of the Church & Chappells belonging thereto, which were many, and 
 richly adorned, but the daughters fared no better than the mother, there was not suffered any 
 window to remain unshattered, or remarkable place in them unruined, their intent being to leave 
 those consecrated wals as a room fitted for vermine to nestle in, or which was worse for Cap. 
 Ashwell to exercise his souldiers in, where while he was in town he made his rendezvous, and 
 when they went away, set fire on some part of the wood w'ork, to have burnt the remainder, if it 
 
BISHOPS LANEY, HENS1IAW, AND LLOYD—A. D. 16G0—IG85. 
 
 39 
 
 Rochester : was employed in the service of King Charles the Second, at 
 Uxbridge; and also attended that monarch in his exile. His stay at 
 Peterborough was only two years, when he was advanced to the See 
 of Lincoln, and thence to Ely, where he died in 1674. Dean Patrick says 
 he gave “ one hundred pounds toward the repairing one of the great arches 
 of the church-porch, which was fallen down in the late times u . After his 
 death there was published a volume from his papers, entitled “ Observations 
 on a Letter about Liberty and Necessity,” in reply to Thomas Hobbes. 
 
 Joseph Henshaw, D. D. was advanced from the deanery of Chichester, 
 and installed Bishop May 28, 1663. He was author of “ Horen Succisivce ,” 
 8vo. 1653, which has attained seven editions ; the last was published in 12mo. 
 1661; also “Dayly Thoughts,” 8vo. third edition, 1651. Dying suddenly 
 in London, March 9, 1678, his body was conveyed to the church of East 
 Lavant, in Sussex, to be interred near the grave of his consort 15 . 
 
 William Lloyd, D. D. bishop of Landaff, was advanced to this See in 
 May, 1679, and promoted to that of Norwich in June, 1685. He was 
 deprived of the latter in 1690, for refusing to take the oath of allegiance 
 to William and Mary, and retired to Hammersmith, near London, where he 
 resided till the year 1710, when having outlived all his brother non-juring 
 bishops, he died, and was interred in the belfry of the chapel of that place. 
 
 had not been timely discovered, neither did the cloysters attending scape better than those they 
 were made to wait upon, though these, both in their roof and glazing, might be compared with 
 the chiefest Cathedrals, the first square being beautified with the history of the Old Testament, 
 the second of the New, the third shewed the whole relation of those by whom the Church was 
 budded, the fourth presented us with all the effigies of our kings since William the Conqueror. 
 But it seemes these unreasonable & wicked men care for scripture & princes, & pious monu¬ 
 ments all alike, their wide throats were as open sepulchers, their sacrilegious appetites (being 
 yet unsatisfied with devouring) must needs swallow up the lands appertaining to that Church; 
 to which, that they might pretend the juster title, they broke open the charter-houses, plundered 
 away the great charter, all the evidences, leases, and other writings belonging thereunto, mani¬ 
 festing their parties desires to have all estates of others to come & be at their arbitrary disposalls, 
 and they unto whom in right they are due, to lye as these places & persons at this day, mourning 
 in sackcloth & ashes.” 
 
 14 See Bridges’s History of Northamptonshire, vol. ii. p. 561. 
 
 13 Wood’s “ .Athenae Oxoniensis,” by Dr. Bliss, vol. iii. col. 1195. 
 
40 
 
 PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL. 
 
 Thomas White, D. U. was installed Bishop of this See, November 9, 
 1685, and, like his predecessor, was deprived in 1690 by the king, for the 
 same anti-royal offence. In 1688 he joined Archbishop Sancroft and five 
 other bishops in petitioning King James II. against the exercise of this 
 dispensing power, by which he attempted to introduce popery. He was 
 sent to the Tower, and prosecuted by that infatuated monarch, and partook 
 of the glorious acquittal, which an English jury, even in the worst of times, 
 afforded. After the Revolution, however, retaining the feelings of loyalty 
 to the exiled prince, by whom he had been prosecuted, he also refused to 
 take the oath of allegiance to the new government, and like his predecessor, 
 Bishop Lloyd, was deprived in 1690. He died May 9, 1698; and it is said 
 that his executors could not obtain the burial service to be read at his grave, 
 by Dr. Hickes, whom he appointed to inter him 16 . 
 
 Richard Cumberland, D. D. was consecrated Bishop of Peterborough in 
 1691. He was a native of London; and, having been brought up in 
 St. Paul’s School, was sent to Magdalen College, Cambridge. He first 
 studied physic for some years, but being induced to take orders, he was 
 progressively promoted, first, to the rectory of Bampton in Oxfordshire, 
 1658, and was appointed one of the University Preachers in the same 
 year ; secondly, chaplain to the Lord Keeper, Sir Orlando Bridgeman, 1668; 
 thirdly, rector of All Saints, Stamford, 1680; and lastly. Bishop of this 
 See 17 . His descendant, Richard Cumberland, the accomplished, but fretful 
 author of “ the Observer,” and of numerous other works, has given an ac¬ 
 count of his great grandfather, in the Memoirs of himself 18 ; and Archdeacon 
 Payne, who married one of the bishop’s daughters, has prefixed a short 
 sketch of his life to an edition of “ Sanchoniatlion’s History of the Phceni- 
 
 16 Monasticon Anglicanum, vol. i. p. 370. Bridges’s Hist, of Northamptonshire, vol. ii. p. 561. 
 
 17 Kennett’s “ Register and Chronicle,” p. 555. 
 
 18 An engraved portrait of the bishop belongs to this work, the painting of which was presented 
 by Mr. R. Cumberland to Magdalen College, Cambridge. To the library of Trinity College he 
 also gave a copy of the bishop’s work, De Legibus, interleaved with numerous notes of correction, 
 Arc. by his maternal grandfather. Dr. Bentley. The p-esent learned Dean of Peterborough has 
 prepared an ample account of the life and writings of the Doctor, which embraces much valuable 
 and interesting matter on the state of classical literature and learning of the age. 
 
BISHOP CUMBERLAND—A. D. 1691—1718. 
 
 41 
 
 dans .” This worthy and amiable prelate lived to the venerable age of 
 eighty-six, and, according to Mr. Cumberland, died easily and calmly in his 
 library chair, with a book in his hand, October 9, 1718, and was buried in 
 the new building east of the choir, where an inscription on a marble slab 
 records his name and death 10 . According to his own testimony, he was 
 gifted by nature with good wearing parts; and, according to the judgment 
 of his great grandson, “ he had no pretension to quick and brilliant talents. 
 His mind was fitted for elaborate and profound researches, as his works 
 more fully testify. In the oriental languages, in mathematics, and even in 
 anatomy, he was deeply learned.” The same voluminous author characterises 
 the bishop as a man of great humility, of disinterested sentiments, of truly 
 Christian temper, of benevolent feelings, but restrained in exercising the 
 latter by his limited income. Without a prospect, or even a wish, of pro¬ 
 motion, he was quietly settled at his living of All Saints, in Stamford, when 
 he read a paragraph in one of the public papers, announcing his promotion 
 to the See of Peterborough. With some persuasion and difficulty he was 
 persuaded to accept the appointment; but once seated, he diligently and 
 conscientiously devoted his best efforts to the duties of his station, and even 
 “ resisted every offer of translation.” He had a sweetness and placidity of 
 temper that nothing ever ruffled or disturbed. Besides the fragment already 
 noticed, written against papal idolatry, he was author of a volume entitled 
 “ l)( Legibus Natures Disquisitio Philosophical which was levelled against 
 the free principles of Hobbes 20 . “ An Essay towards the recovery of Jewish 
 Weights and Measures,” was written by him, and published in, octavo. 
 
 19 Bishop Kennett’s account is different. He states, that on October 6, 1718, the venerable 
 prelate “ was surprised in his palace with a heniiplcxiu, which atiected one side ot his face, one 
 arm, and one leg; on the following day he became delirious, and on the next expired. MS. 
 addition to Gunton’s History in the archives of the dean and chapter. 
 
 20 This work first appeared in London, folio, 167*2; again in 4to. branch 1683. It was 
 abridged in English by T. Tyrrell, 8vo. London, 1692; and was next printed in English, with 
 an introduction by J. Maxwell, London, 4to. 1727. The work was again translated and pub¬ 
 lished with copious explanatory notes, by the Rev. John Travers, 4to. Dublin, 1750. Barbeyrac 
 translated it into French, which was published at Amsterdam in 41o. 1744. 
 
 G 
 
42 
 
 PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL. 
 
 1685, in 1686, and again in 1699. He was also author of “ Origines 
 Gentium Antiquissimce or, “ Attempts for discovering the Times of the 
 first Planting of Nations,” London, 8vo. 1724. 
 
 White Kennett, D. D. after being Dean of the Cathedral eleven years, 
 was advanced to the bishop’s chair in November, 1718. Of this distin¬ 
 guished prelate, antiquary, and historian, I will venture to sketch a more 
 extended memoir than has been appropriated to any one of his prede¬ 
 cessors : for his life and writings have rendered his name and memory at 
 once popular and estimable. He was born at Dover, August 10, 1660, and 
 at an early age sent to Westminster School 21 . He was next entered of 
 Edmund Hall, Oxford, in 1684, as “ a battler or semi-commoner;” became 
 Vicar of Ambrosden, in Oxfordshire; was promoted to the Rectory of 
 Shottesbroolce, Berks, in 1693; and thence advanced to the Deanery of 
 Peterborough, and was installed there the 24th of February, 1707-8. His 
 literary productions are numerous, and of varied degrees of merit; but 
 all manifest zeal, assiduity, and integrity of principle. The manuscripts 
 which he left behind are even more extensive than his printed writings: 
 evincing unwearied industry, and a fondness for transcribing and com¬ 
 mitting to paper, which was at once a habit and a pleasure. His character 
 is thus portrayed by his biographer, Mr. Newton, “ He was a man of 
 incredible diligence and application, not only in his youth, but to the very 
 last. The whole disposal of himself was to perpetual industry and service. 
 There was not a minute of the day he left vacant. His disposition was easy 
 and gentle; his behaviour affable and courteous. He was accessible and 
 communicative; a true friend, as well as an admirable pattern to the 
 younger clergy,—always ready to direct them in their studies. The frowns 
 
 21 There are some strange discrepancies of statement by different biographers on this subject: 
 one says he “ was sent to Westminster School with a view of getting upon the foundation; but 
 being seized with the small-pox at the time of the election, it was thought advisable to take him 
 away.” (Chalmers.) Another account is, that he “ received the early part of his education in 
 the country, and made such progress in classical learning, that upon his being removed to West¬ 
 minster, he was admitted into the upper school.” (Rees’s Cyclopmdia.) The most probable 
 statement will be found in “ The Life of Dr. White Kennett,” 8vo. 1730. (By the Rev. W. 
 Newton.) 
 
BISHOP KENNETT’S WRITINGS. 
 
 43 
 
 of great men in power could no more awe him than popular clamour could 
 shake his stedfastness. He was too plain a man for the present mode, 
 which made him once say to a friend, that he should never make a good 
 court bishop. He was disposed rather to serve great men than to court 
 them.” At a very early period he commenced his literary career. Mr. Al- 
 lum, his tutor at college, “took a particular pleasure in imposing exercises 
 on him, which he would often read in the common room with great appro¬ 
 bation 22 .” The same preceptor also urged him to translate “ Mori re 
 Encomium,' 1 ' 1 which he did under the title of “ A Panegyric upon Folly;” 
 he next translated the Life of Chabrias , from Cornelius Nepos; afterwards 
 the Panegyric of Pliny upon Trajan, applied to King James. Associating 
 with Antony Wood, he was employed in collecting epitaphs and notices of 
 Oxford men for the “ Athence,” and this most likely was the origin and 
 inducement for prosecuting that line of research and of writing which 
 distinguished him through life. As early as 1680 he commenced a political 
 writer, which then, as now, was and is calculated to involve an author in 
 personal squabbles and animosity. Kennett, under the title of “ A Letter 
 from a Student at Oxford to a Friend in the Country, concerning the 
 approaching Parliament, in Vindication of his Majesty, the Church of 
 England, and the University,” octavo, provoked the enmity of the Whigs, 
 who threatened to impeach him in parliament. 
 
 It would be incompatible with the scope and object of this work to trace 
 the progress, and describe the characteristics of Bishop KennetCs numerous 
 published writings, and more particularly those of a political and contro¬ 
 versial nature. It may be noticed that he engaged zealously in opposing 
 the arguments, &c. of the high-church champion, Atterhury, respecting the 
 history and rights of the convocation. His works of an historical and 
 antiquarian class are different: these are not ephemeral, or even local, 
 but belong to all times and all generations. By the following list we 
 may at once pronounce on the industry and usefulness of their author. 
 
 22 Chalmers’s “ General Biographical Dictionary,” vol. xix. p. 305. 
 
44 
 
 PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL. 
 
 1. “ Life of Mr. William Somner,” the Kentish Antiquary, prefixed to 
 his “ Roman Ports and Forts,” 8vo. 1693. 2. “ Parochial Antiquities, 
 
 attempted in the History of Ambrosden, Burcester, and other adjacent 
 Parts in the Counties of Oxford and Bucks; with a Glossary, explaining 
 obsolete Words and Phrases,” 4to. 1695-6. This work was republished, 
 with large additions from the author’s MS. notes, under the editorship of the 
 Rev. B. Bandinel, of New College, Oxford, two vols. 4to. 1818, and may 
 be regarded as a topographical work of great value and interest. (I have a 
 copy of the first edition, with a mass of MS. additions and corrections by the 
 author.) 3. u Ecclesiastical Synods and Parliamentary Convocations of the 
 Church of England; historically and justly vindicated from the Misrepre¬ 
 sentations of Mr. Atterbury,” 8vo. 1701. 4. “ Occasional Letter on the 
 
 Subject of English Convocations,” 8vo. 1701. 5. “ The present State of 
 
 Convocation, in a Letter concerning the Proceedings of several late Ses¬ 
 sions,” 4to. 1702. 6. u The Case of Impropriations, and of the Augmentation 
 
 of Vicarages, and other insufficient Cures, stated by History and Law,” &c. 
 8vo. 1704. 7. “A complete History of England,” three vols. folio, 1706; 
 
 second edition corrected, with additions to the third volume, 1719. This latter 
 volume, only, is the work of Kennett, who, in “ an address to the reader,” 
 has the following honest remarks:—“The person who draws this new 
 prospect is not so delighted with it as to value the performance; he did it 
 for his own diversion, rather than for the satisfaction of the world. For he 
 knows that of all things History is least understood by the generality of 
 mankind; and, what is very strange, people are for the most part least able 
 to judge of the history of their own times:—they have imperfect remem¬ 
 brances,—they have confused notions,—they have a partiality to one side, 
 and a prejudice to another,—they have their presumptions and their con¬ 
 jectures, and, like some distempered heads, have a sight so uncertain, that 
 it deceives them more than blindness itself could do. For this reason no 
 prudent writer would set a name to the history of his own times; for it is 
 impossible to please, or to be thought impartial, till posterity find out his 
 plain and honest dealing. The writer’s intention is to hold an even balance, 
 
BISHOP KENNETT—A. D. 1718. 
 
 45 
 
 and let nothing turn it but truth and justice 23 .” This volume embraces 
 accounts of the lives and reigns of Charles I. Charles II. James II. King 
 William and Queen Mary, and King William III., all “ new writ by a 
 learned and impartial hand.” 8. “ A Register and Chronicle, ecclesiastical 
 and civil: containing Matters of Fact, delivered in the Words of the most 
 authentic Books, Papers, Records,” &c. two vols. folio, 1728. 
 
 Although this list is voluminous, and serves to mark the leading character 
 of the man, we must not omit to notice his liberality and true Christian 
 zeal, in presenting a large collection of books, pamphlets, and papers, to 
 “ the Society for Propagating the Gospel in the English Colonies;” and of 
 these he printed a catalogue in 4to. 1713, with “ an incomparable preface,— 
 a true copy of the writer’s great and generous mind 24 .” 
 
 The forming of this collection led him to make another, which was to be 
 regarded as “ An Antiquarian and Historical Library for a Cathedral 
 Churchy It appears that one was accordingly formed, and deposited in his 
 own Cathedral. According to the statement of his biographer, “ This 
 collection, amounting to about fifteen hundred volumes and small tracts, was 
 placed in a private room at Peterborough, in order to be duly supplied and 
 augmented, under the care of the Rev. Mr. Joseph Sparke, a member of that 
 Church, of very good literature, and very able to assist in that good design.” 
 It is now annexed to the library of the Dean and Chapter, and deposited 
 in the room over the west-porch of the Cathedral. “ There is a large 
 written catalogue thus inscribed :—‘ Index Librorum aliquot Vestustorum, 
 quos in commune bonum congessit W. A. Decan. Retriburg. 31 DCC XII.’ 
 In this collection there are most of the principal legends of saints; the oldest 
 rituals and liturgies; the first printed statutes and laws; the most ancient 
 homilies and sermons; the first edition of the English schoolmen, postillers, 
 expounders, &c.; with a great many fragments of our ancient language, 
 usage, customs, rights, tenures, and such other things as tend to illustrate 
 the antiquities and history of Great Britain and Ireland, and the successive 
 state of civil government, religion, and learning in them. Besides this, the 
 Dean enriched the common Library of the Church with some very useful 
 
 23 Preface to “The Complete History.” 24 Life of Dr. White Kennett, p. 148. 
 
46 
 
 PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL. 
 
 books; and added to their stock of muniments and records, an abstract of the 
 collections made by Dr. John Cosin, one of his worthy predecessors 25 .” 
 
 This respectable and highly meritorious Prelate, after a long and useful 
 life, died on the 19th of December, 1728, at his house in St. James’s Street, 
 Westminster; and his remains were conveyed to, and interred in the 
 Cathedral. 
 
 Robert Clavering, D. D. was translated from Landaff to Peterborough, 
 in January, 1728-9, and was allowed to hold the rectory of Mersh-Gibbon, 
 in Buckinghamshire, along with the canonry of Christ Church, in com- 
 mendarn. He presided here till July, 1747, when dying, he was buried 
 near the altar rails of his Cathedral, and was succeeded by 
 
 John Thomas, D. D. who was one of the canons residentiary of St. Paul’s, 
 London, and a fellow of All Souls College, Oxford. After governing this 
 See ten years, he was promoted to that of Sarum in 1757, and thence to 
 Winchester in 1761. He was preceptor to his late Majesty, and hence his 
 promotions in the church. During his stay at Peterborough, a literary and 
 antiquarian association, under the name of“ the Gentleman’s Society 26 ,” was 
 
 25 “ Life of Dr. Kennett,” p. 149. On a blue slab behind the altar is the following inscription : 
 
 Sacri 
 
 Sub Hoc Marraore 
 Conduntur Cineres 
 Reverendi in Christo Patris 
 White Kennett, S.T. P. 
 
 Ecclesiee Hujus Cathedralis 
 Sancti Petri de Burgo 
 Episcopi 
 
 a. d.—M DCC XXVIII. iEtatis LXVI 1 1. 
 
 Etiam deposits; sunt reliquiae filii et nepotis 
 White fil. hujus ecclesia; Praebend. 
 
 Obiit 6 Maii, 1740, White Nepos obiit infans. 
 
 20 The Rev. Joseph Sparke, registrar of this cathedral, was an active promoter and sup¬ 
 porter of this society. He prevailed on Bishop Clavering to lend the room over “ the Saxon 
 Gate-house,” as it was called, for the meetings, and to hold the books; but the prelate does not 
 appear to have patronised the society. Dean Thomas was however its president for some time. 
 The Rev. Dr. Neve, in a letter to the Rev. Littleton Brown, dated July, 1741, states that the 
 members met every Wednesday evening, and that the society consisted of twenty regular and 
 about one hundred honorary members. Each member, on admission, presented a book of about 
 one guinea value, and Earl Fitzwilliam gave Rymer’s Foedera, This society, like many others, 
 
BISHOP TERRICK—A. D. 1757. 
 
 47 
 
 formed there, chiefly by and under the secretaryship of the Rev. Timothy 
 Neve, who was a schoolmaster at Spalding, and also secretary to “the 
 Gentleman’s Society” in that town. A spirit of competition, or rivalry, 
 prevailed at that time, in the formation of such institutions: and we find 
 that, besides the chief, or head, at London, called (t The Society of Anti¬ 
 quaries,” there were others at Spalding, Stamford, Doncaster, Wisbeach, 
 Lincoln, Worcester, and Dublin. 
 
 Richard Terrick, D. D. was consecrated bishop of this See in July, 1757. 
 Early in life he was made fellow of Clare Hall, Cambridge, and progres- 
 
 appears to have gradually declined, and ultimately broke up soon after the decease of its active 
 and zealous founders; for although Neve, Sparke, Maurice Johnson, Dr. Stukeley, and a few 
 other persons of congenial dispositions felt a pleasure and deep interest in antiquarian studies, 
 and in the interchange of literary conversation, others preferred “ the pipe and pot,” and these 
 overpowered the former in number and influence. Among other communications to the society, 
 were accounts of a Roman Mint at Lincoln, by M. Johnson, jun.: an old grant of a right of 
 fishery in Whittlesea-mere, to the abbot of Peterborough, in the time of Henry the Sixth: a list 
 of members of parliament for Peterborough, from 1546 to the (then) present time. Mr. Neve 
 says “ we can now amuse ourselves with something better than merely to smoke a pipe and 
 drink a bottle.” See many particulars of these societies in “ Reliquiae Galeance,” forming part 
 of “ 'Bibliotheca Topographica Britannica,” No. II. 4to. 1781. Mr. Sparke was editor of 
 “ Histories Anglicance Scriptores varii e codicibus Manuscriptis, nunc primurn editi.” London, 
 folio, 1723. This volume, which is very scarce, contains the following articles, not given in any 
 other publication. “ Chronicon Anglire, per Johannem, Abbatem Burgi S. Petri. Isle liber 
 pertinet ad Monasterium de Burgo S. Petri, a. d. dcliv. : contino per Robertum de Boston,” 
 to mccclxxiii. “ Vita Saucti Tliomae Cantuariensis Archieopiscopi, a Willielrao, filio Ste- 
 phanide Johanne Sarisburiensi Episcopi canotensi et aliis auctoribus coetaneis conscripta.— 
 Roberti Swaphani, Historiae Ccenobii Burgensis.—Walteri de Whitlesey, Historia Ccenobia Bur- 
 gensis.—Continuatio per Anonymum.—Abbas Adam de Botheby.—Historian Vetus Ccenobii 
 Petriburgensis, Versibus Gallicanis.” This work is paged and divided into two thin volumes: 
 at page 94 is a print of the arms of seventeen abbots, and in another part is an engraved fac-simile 
 of an illuminated page of Walter de Whittlesey’s MSS. 
 
 Mr. Sparke had prepared a continuation of the above work, to contain Whittlesey’s Life of 
 Hereward; and had engraved the arms of the knights, whose fiefs were instituted by Abbot 
 Thorold: but died in 1748, and was buried at Peterborough, where the following epitaph was 
 inscribed on his tomb:— 
 
 “Josephus Sparke, M. A. 
 
 Ob. 20 Julii, 1748, aet. 57. 
 
 Rebecca, Josephi Sparke, M. A. 
 
 Uxor, ob. 27 Martii, 1747, aet. 56. 
 
48 
 
 PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL. 
 
 sively promoted to be canon of Windsor, vicar of Twickenham in Mid¬ 
 dlesex, and canon residentiary of St. Paul’s, London, to which See he was 
 ultimately promoted in 1764, on the death of Bishop Osbaldeston. He 
 died after presiding there three years. 
 
 Robert Lamb, D. D. who was dean of Peterborough, on Terrick’s promo¬ 
 tion to London, was preferred to the bishoprick in 1764, and dying in 1769, 
 was succeeded by 
 
 John Hinchcliffe, D. D. who exhibits, in his own life, one of those 
 examples of fortunate promotion from the lower ranks of society to the 
 higher, which at once distinguish this free country and dignify its annals. 
 The son of a stable-keeper in Swallow Street, London, he was early placed 
 at Westminster School, and thence elected to Trinity College, Cambridge, 
 in 1750, where he obtained a fellowship. After being employed as usher 
 in his old school, and morning preacher in South Audley Chapel, he 
 accompanied Mr. Crewe, of Cheshire, on a continental tour, and secured 
 the permanent friendship and patronage of that gentleman, who not only 
 settled on him three hundred pounds a year, but introduced him to the duke 
 of Grafton. To this nobleman, and to his first friend, he was indebted for 
 future advancement in life. Marrying a sister of Mr. Crewe, he obtained 
 with her a fortune of fifteen thousand pounds. He was chosen head master 
 of Westminster School in 1764, but retained that station less than a year. 
 In 1768 he was appointed by the King, master of Trinity College, Cam¬ 
 bridge, at the recommendation of the duke of Grafton ; and in the following 
 year he became bishop of Peterborough. These instances of successful 
 advancement seem to have been fully merited, for Dr. Hinchcliffe was 
 learned, assiduous in his duties, obliging in his manners, and honest and 
 sincere in his religious and political principles. The Bishop was appointed 
 in 1789 to the valuable deanery of Durham, at the same time resigning 
 the mastership of Trinity College. Having presided here nearly twenty-five 
 years, he died at his palace, January 11, 1794, aged sixty-two, and was 
 buried in the Cathedral 27 . Two years after his death a volume of his 
 
 37 See a memoir of this Prelate ia the Gentleman’s Magazine, vol. lxiv. 1794. 
 
BISHOPS MADAN AND PARSONS—A. D. 1794—1819. 
 
 49 
 
 Sermons was published, but failed to afford that satisfaction which they had 
 previously given when preached by himself. 
 
 Spencer Madan, D. D. was educated at Westminster School, and Trinity 
 College, Cambridge, and was elected fellow of that college in 1750. He 
 was made prebendary of this Cathedral in 1770; and in 1793 was enthroned 
 bishop of Bristol; from which See he was advanced to this of Peterborough, 
 on the death of Bishop Hinchcliffe, and presided here above nineteen years. 
 Dying, November 8, 1813, at the age of eighty-five, he was interred at the 
 east end of his Cathedral; and was succeeded by 
 
 John Parsons, D. D. He was a native of Oxford, where he was born 
 July 6, 1761; and after a scholastic education in the school belonging to the 
 Cathedral, was removed to Magdalen College, and thence to that of Wadham, 
 of which he became fellow in 1785. His first appointment in the church 
 was to the livings of All Saints and St. Leonards, Colchester. In 1798 he 
 returned to Oxford, on being chosen master of Baliol College, and was 
 soon afterwards made vice-chancellor. He next had the deanery of Bristol 
 conferred on him by the Crown; and on the 12th of December, 1813, was 
 consecrated bishop of this See. After presiding here till March 12, 1819, 
 he died at his lodgings in Baliol College, Oxford, where his remains were 
 interred 28 . The Rev. Edward Patterson, in a letter to the right honourable 
 Sir William Scott, has given an interesting, but brief sketch of the character 
 of his deceased friend, the bishop of Peterborough, from which the following- 
 sentence may appositely close this short notice: “In him his college has 
 lost a second founder; the university a reformer of its abuses, a strict 
 enforcer of its discipline, an able champion of its privileges, and a main 
 pillar of its reputation; the public charities a liberal contributor and a 
 powerful advocate; the church of England a conscientious professor of its 
 doctrines, and a temperate, but firm defender of its rights; the house of 
 peers a discerning, upright, and active senator; and the nation at large a 
 true, loyal, and sober patriot 29 .” 
 
 28 In the chapel of his college is a monument to his memory, and in the hall is a portrait of 
 him. 
 
 29 “ Annual Biography and Obituary,” 8vo. 1820. 
 
 H 
 
50 
 
 PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL. 
 
 Herbert Marsh, D. D. Margaret professor of divinity in the University 
 of Cambridge, was advanced to this See as a compliment and reward for his 
 zealous literary exertions in the cause of England against France, and of 
 Protestantism against Romanism. This learned professor and prelate is 
 author of several volumes on these subjects, and has consequently involved 
 himself in controversy 30 . As a proof of the Right Honourable William 
 Pitt’s approval of Mr. Marsh’s “ History of the Politics of Great Britain 
 and France 31 ,” he settled on the author five hundred pounds a year.— 
 Patronized by the Earl of Liverpool, he was first made bishop of Llandaff 
 in 1816, and thence advanced to Peterborough in 1819. On the last 
 appointment his pension ceased. 
 
 However gratifying it would be to my own feelings to give a brief memoir 
 of his lordship’s literary productions, I find it incompatible with the limits 
 and intentions of this brief History of Peterborough Cathedral; and they 
 are too numerous, too much involved in controversial points of theology and 
 politics, to allow the task to be accomplished in a small space, and without 
 a careful examination of all the opposed writings. 
 
 30 A list of his lordship’s works is given in Watt’s “ Bibliotheca Britannica,” vol. ii. 
 
 31 This work was first written in German, and translated by the author into English, two vols. 
 Bvo. 17!)9. William Belsham having written a reply, in the way of “ Remarks,” Mr. Marsh 
 was induced to take up his pen in a defence, which he published in 8vo. 1821. 
 
51 
 
 EM* 
 
 HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE ACCOUNTS OF THE BUILDING, AND ARCHITECTURAL 
 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ONCE MONASTIC AND NOW CATHEDRAL CHURCH, WITH 
 REFERENCES TO THE ACCOMPANYING ENGRAVINGS. 
 
 It is a carious, as well as singular fact, that although a folio volume has 
 been expressly devoted to “ the History of the Church of Peterhurgh ,” 
 the result of the studies and reflections of two clergymen attached to the 
 foundation, scarcely any thing is recorded of a descriptive nature, and 
 very little of the history of the edifice,—as if these subjects were unworthy 
 of notice, or comment. That a building of such a size and of such import¬ 
 ance demanded the especial attention of a local historian, will not be ques¬ 
 tioned in the present age; nor could it now be passed over with impunity; 
 for at this time the antiquary, the scholar, and the man of science would 
 join in requiring some information on the arts and sciences of our ancestors, 
 as well as respecting their political and ecclesiastical history. It is at least 
 as essential an object in the annals of mankind, as any of the petty wars 
 of petty kings, the jealousies and quarrels of the religious orders, or the 
 struggles between military barons and cloistered monks. These subjects, 
 however, seem to have engrossed the chief attention of the first chroni¬ 
 clers ; and these also occupy the pages, as they did the minds of the early 
 historians. Matthew Paris and William of Malmesbury have transmitted a 
 few facts respecting the great buildings which were erected by the monks; 
 and Gervase of Canterbury, who was a witness to the splendid works carry¬ 
 ing on in the Cathedral of that city, at the latter end of the twelfth century, 
 has furnished us with some very interesting architectural information. 
 
52 
 
 PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL. 
 
 Before BenthanCs time, who published his History of Ely in 1771, scarcely 
 any topographer or antiquary deemed it necessary to enter into the history 
 of an edifice, or to characterise its design and architectural features. That 
 respectable author, influenced probably by his associations with Gray, the poet, 
 (who was partial to the subject). Cole the antiquary, and Essex the architect, 
 commenced this task, and executed it with much judgment and discrimina¬ 
 tion '. Bentham pointed out a new source of rational inquiry and study, 
 which has been diligently and ably pursued by several other antiquaries, 
 aided by the illustrations of skilful artists; and their united productions have 
 invested the subject with interest and importance. Though much has been 
 done, and a great mass of scattered facts and varied information have been 
 given to the public, we are continually making new discoveries, and eliciting 
 new lights, which at once serve to stimulate and reward inquiry. Aided 
 by these, it will be a pleasing and useful task to extract from the whole 
 a luminous and philosophical history of the ecclesiastical architecture and 
 arts of the middle ages. In previous pages will be found some notices 
 respecting the times when different parts of the Church, &c. were erected; 
 but it will now be necessary to bring these together, and endeavour to show 
 the dates, and characteristic features of the whole edifice. If our evidence 
 be not so full and conclusive as could be wished, it must be remembered 
 that the archives of Peterborough Monastery were subject to the stupid 
 and wanton destruction of Danish plunderers, and again to the fanatic and 
 
 1 The following passage from Mr. Bentham’s preface, explains his reasons for introducing the 
 subject, and also shows that he was doubtful as to the propriety of introducing it.—“ As my 
 subject naturally led me to consider the particular modes of building used in this Church and 
 Monastery, I have ventured to enlarge my reflections on that head by some general observations 
 and inquiries into the state of Architecture at different periods. To some persons, perhaps, these 
 reflections may appear of no great importance, or rather foreign to the main purpose, whilst others 
 may view them in a very different light. I cannot help thinking that the history of what is 
 called Gothic Architecture in this kingdom; its origin, progress, and state in different periods 
 and ages, must afford an agreeable and useful entertainment to every curious and inquisitive 
 mind; and I am apt to flatter myself, that the notices I have given, and the quotations I have 
 made from our best and most antient historians, and other occasional writers relative to it, may 
 be of use to such as may hereafter have occasion to make further inquiries into a subject, that is 
 at present somewhat obscure, as having never yet been professedly treated of.” 
 
NORMAN ARCHITECTURE. 
 
 53 
 
 frantic enthusiasts of the Cromwellian forces. Each of these seemed to 
 take a pleasure in mutilating or destroying every thing which did not. 
 administer to their immediate prejudices or avarice. Knowledge was hateful 
 to them,—■“ ignorance was bliss.” 
 
 That Peterborough Cathedral is a truly Norman 2 specimen of architec¬ 
 ture few dispassionate and impartial persons will venture to deny, or even to 
 doubt. It is true that a Monastery was founded here in 655, by Peada, as 
 already shown; and that a Church was either built or commenced at that 
 time, we may be assured, from the marvellous relation of Hedda, in Swap- 
 ham’s MSS., and of Hugo Candidus 3 , the latter of whom says he saw the 
 large stones which had been laid in the foundations. According to the 
 latter writer these blocks were so large, “ that eight yoke of oxen could 
 scarce draw one of them 4 .” Whatever was the size or character of the 
 building then raised, it is recorded that the whole was reduced to ruin by 
 fire in 870; and that other fires occurred, and w anton ravages were com¬ 
 mitted, in 966, 1013, 1069, and in 1117. In the latter year it is related 
 that the conflagration continued for nine days, when “ a furious wind arising 
 blew the fire and live coals upon the abbot’s house A new Church w as 
 commenced on the eighth of the ides of March, 1117, by Abbot John de 
 
 2 I cannot consent to discontinue this phrase, although it offends certain critics, who manifest 
 more prejudice than discrimination in their reprobatory animadversions. That the Normans not 
 only employed a peculiar style and character in the buildings of their own province, and in 
 England, after they possessed this country, is sufficiently proved by history, by the older edifices 
 still remaining, and by the admission of the best informed antiquaries. Jt seems to me therefore 
 absurd, as well as false, to say there is no Norman architecture—that the term is misapplied,—that 
 the Normans were incompetent either to invent a novelty in art, or improve upon any thing of 
 their Saxon predecessors. The instance of the building before us, which is said by its monastic 
 historians to have been raised between the years 1117 and 1250, is sufficient evidence to confute 
 the reasoning, or rather dogmatic assertions, of those who wisli to exalt the Saxons by depreciating 
 the Normans : and we have still a stronger confutation of this theory in the style and general 
 character of the Trinity Chapel at Canterbury, the history of which is well authenticated and 
 generally credited. That it is a novelty and great beauty in architecture can only be disputed by 
 those who are blinded by prejudice, or influenced by obstinacy and bad taste. 
 
 3 Patrick, in Supplement to Gunton’s History, &c. p. 228 and 229. 
 
 4 Gunton’s History of Peterb. &c. p. 2. 5 Patrick’s Supplement, p. 273. 
 
54 
 
 PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL. 
 
 Sais, or Seez, a Norman 0 ; but it is not mentioned what part of the building 
 was raised during his abbacy. We must conclude, therefore, that agreeably 
 to the general, if not universal practice, the first part erected was the eastern, 
 or altar end of the choir; and we learn from the authority already quoted, 
 that the chancel was finished by Martin de Vecti, 114Q 6 7 . The transept, 
 three stories of the tower, and Thomas a Bechet’s Chapel, were built by 
 William de Waterville, after 1160, during his abbacy 8 . The same person 
 also founded the Chapel of St. Nicholas, at the western gate, and raised 
 the upper part of that Gate-house, as already noticed in page 20. We 
 have also seen, in the same page, that Abbot Benedict carried on the works 
 which were commenced by his predecessor, and that he likewise began 
 others. Gunton observes, that not pleased with the Nave of the church 9 , 
 “ lie built it after a better manner, from the lantern to the porch, as it now 
 is;” that he finished Becket’s Chapel ,— u built a large and goodly house of 
 stone, for several officers, which was standing in our age,—erected the 
 great gate leading to the Monastery, and over it the Chapel of St. Nicholas, 
 both which are yet standing 10 .” Dean Patrick corrects an error which 
 Gunton committed respecting Becket’s Chapel, by showing that it was at 
 the western gateway, and not between the arches of the west front of the 
 church. The MS. Chronicle of Abbot John explicitly states, “ Ad an. 
 mclxxv Solomon Prior Eliensis factus est Abbas Thorneyensis, et Bene- 
 dictus Prior Cantuariensis factus est Abbas Burgi. Qui fecit construere 
 
 6 Patrick’s Supplement, p. 272. 
 
 7 According to Dean Kipling the choir “was begun upon in the year 1117 and tinished in 
 1139.” Epitome, p. 32. 
 
 8 Dean Kipling says “ the cross ailes, or transepts, were built between the years 1155 and 
 1175.” Epitome, p. 32. 
 
 9 History ot Peterburgh, p. 26. The same author, and also Governor Pownall, Archaeologia, 
 voi ix. p. 146 and 150, ascribes the “painted ceilintj at the top,” as it now is, to Benedict; but 
 this is not likely. It was neither the fashion of the times, nor consonant to such a noble style of 
 building as the nave of this church, to be surmounted by a flat, boarded, painted ceiling. Ac¬ 
 cording to the late Dean the nave was built between the years 1177 and 1193. 
 
 10 The Chapel of St. Nicholas appears to be on the northern side of the gateway, not over it, as 
 stated by most writers, and as also inadvertently mentioned in a previous page, 29. 
 
BUILDING OF THE NAVE,, GLAZING OF WINDOWS, ETC. 
 
 55 
 
 totam navem Ecclesise Burgi ex lapide et ligno a turri usque ad frontem; et 
 ex capellam in honorem sancti Thomae Martyris ad Portam Monasterii.” 
 Patrick, from Swapham, also states that he began “ that wonderful work 
 juxta bracinum n ,” but did not live to finish it. 
 
 The buildings and architectural improvements which were added to the 
 Monastery and Church by Robert tie Lyndesey, when prior, entitle him to 
 particular notice and commendation. It seems that before his time (1214) 
 the windows of the Church “ were stuffed with reed and strawand that lie 
 filled thirty of them with glass 12 : he also made one window in the regulare 
 locutorium, another in the chapter-house, one in the dormitory, and three 
 in the Chapel of St. Nicholas. Besides this general glazing, he augmented 
 the dormitory, and built some private chambers and a larder. He made a 
 new “ inward gate,” and stables for the abbot’s horses, the vivarium near 
 the churchyard, and built halls at Collingham and Stowe, a chapel at 
 Kettering, and several other appendages to the abbot’s manors, and to 
 the churches attached to the Abbey. 
 
 Martin de Vecli built a gate-house to the Monastery after 1133, but 
 Gunton says he cannot tell which. The same author also asserts that De 
 Yecti was a “great builder, and was industriously occupied during his 
 twenty-two years’ abbacy in repairing and perfecting the buildings.” 
 
 Between 1233 and 1246 many architectural alterations were made in 
 the Monastery by Walter de St. Edmunds , who, Patrick asserts, “ applied 
 himself to enlarge both the buildings and revenues of the Church.” It is 
 not stated that he made any additions to the Church itself, although it was 
 newly dedicated in his time. The buildings raised by him were a new 
 
 11 This word occurs in the Will of Rotheram, archbishop of York, in 1498.—“Yolo quod 
 caro mea, corpus meum putridum sepeliatur in Brachio boriali capella S. Mariaj in ecclesire mea 
 Eboracensi, ubi feci tubulum marmoreum. See Ducange, “ Glossariuni ad Scriptores,” &c. 
 
 12 That the windows of such a building should have remained unglazed from the finishing ot 
 the choir to this time, nearly one hundred years, must excite surprise; tor we know that as early 
 as A. D. 075 Benedict Biscopius had introduced glass into England, which was previously un¬ 
 known here; and that Wilfrid, bishop of York, glazed the windows of the church of St. Andrew 
 at H exham, as well as of other churches. See Bentham’s History, &c. ot Ely Cathedral. 
 
56 
 
 PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL. 
 
 entrance to the refectory, and other appendages to his palace, as well as a 
 hovarimn at the Abbey, and another at Castor. 
 
 The building of that splendid and original design, the western front, with its 
 three lofty and elegant arches, its ornamented gables, numerous pinnacles and 
 spires, is not pointed out by the monkish chroniclers; nor does Mr. Gunton, 
 or Dean Patrick make any efforts to ascertain its origin and history. Dean 
 Kipling thinks that the “ transepts, at the west end of the nave, were raised 
 in Abbot Walter’s reign,” (i. e. between 1233 and 1246); and assigns as 
 a reason, that in 1237 a council was held in London, when it was ordered 
 that all English Churches, then completed, should be consecrated within two 
 years, and that this was newly consecrated “ by the bishop of Lincoln in 
 1238.” According to a notice in the MS. of Abbot John this ceremony 
 was performed by two bishops in 1237. “An. MCCXXXVII quarto 
 nonarum Octobris, dedicata est ecclesia de Bur go, a duobus episcopis, viz. a 
 Sancto Roberto Lincolniensi et Exoniensi episcopis In the absence of 
 all documentary evidence on this subject, I must venture to refer this in¬ 
 teresting feature of the Church to the times of Acharius and Robert de 
 Lindesey, whose united government extended from 1200 to 1222. It is 
 evident that the former abbot was devoted to the interests of his Monastery, 
 being eminent, according to Dean Patrick, for “ order, honesty, kindness, 
 and bounty.” The good deeds of Lyndesey are fully detailed by the Dean, 
 but the western front is not noticed as any part of his works; and it may 
 be safely inferred that the introduction of the new, or pointed style, and the 
 continuation of the building, from the western end of the nave to the finishing 
 of the whole front, occupied several years. 
 
 “ That goodly edifice called the Infirmary ,” and the chapel at the west 
 end, dedicated to St. Lawrence, were, according to Gunton, the works of 
 John de Caleto, or Calcato, who presided here from 1248 to 1261. 
 
 The Lady Chapel on the north side of the choir, with an entrance from 
 
 13 The bishop of Exeter at that time was William Brewer, and the prelate of Lincoln was 
 Robert Grosthead, or Grosseteste, highly celebrated for bis learning, and for his resistance to the 
 power ot Rome, of whom Pegge has published an interesting memoir, 4to. 1793. 
 
CATMEBBAL AKlTQttJITIES 
 

 
 

 
 
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CENTRAL PORCH—NEW BUILDING. 
 
 57 
 
 the aile, was wholly erected by William Paris, prior, during the abbacy of 
 Richard de London, who presided here from 1274 to 1296. This abbot is 
 said to have erected the “great steeple wherein the bells hung,” two of which 
 were called “ les Londres .” It is difficult to account for the discrepancies 
 we meet with in the statements of different writers: we find that John de 
 Caleto, the previous abbot to de London, gave “ a great bell to the Church,” 
 with his name inscribed on it; and this would not be likely to have been 
 done had there not been a tower to receive it 14 . 
 
 The central porch, or chapel, in the middle arch of the west front, is not 
 only an anomaly in the design, but its origin, purpose, and utility, have 
 occasioned much doubt as well as differences of opinion. Dean Kipling 
 admits that he “ can say nothing with certainty (on the subject), except that 
 Mr. Gunton’s account of it is throughout erroneous 15 .” From its style of 
 architecture, and its analogy to the filling in of the aile windows, and of 
 many other windows, we are justified in attributing the whole to the end of the 
 thirteenth, or beginning of the fourteenth century, when some considerable 
 alterations must have taken place in the Church. Godfrey de Croyland, 
 who presided here from 1299 to 1321, according to Gunton, “ was a great 
 builder, adding much to his Monastery, but we cannot say which, for they 
 are long since demolished, only the great gate-house, over which was the 
 chamber called the knight’s chamber, is yet standing ]6 .” 
 
 The next important feature in the buildings of the Church is the chapel, 
 or chapels at the east end, which we have already seen (page 26) was 
 commenced by Richard Ashton, about 1440, and finished by Abbot Kirton, 
 about 1500. The monograms and initials of both abbots appear in different 
 parts of the building. On the Gateway of entrance to the deanery is a 
 monogram of a kirk, or church and a tun, with initials and arms plainly 
 indicating that it was raised by Abbot Kirton, or Kirkton. 
 
 14 In the time of Henry VIII. his commissioners report that “ in the two steeples at the front, 
 bells, ten whence it is evident that both towers were then furnished with bells, although that on 
 the southern side is not only deprived of them, but is reduced in height. 
 
 15 Epitome, p. 33. 16 History, &c. of Peterburgh, p. 40. 
 
 I 
 
58 
 
 PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL. 
 
 Such are the historical dates recorded of the buildings, and these are 
 certainly important and interesting. Without such evidence few architec¬ 
 tural antiquaries would be inclined to consider the age of the nave so late 
 as 1180, as it is generally believed that the pointed style was commonly 
 adopted at that time. Beneath the great lantern-tower we find two pointed 
 arches employed ; and it appears that this part of the Church preceded the 
 nave in date. 
 
 It now remains to point out to the stranger and general reader the prin¬ 
 cipal features and architectural members of the building; and this will be 
 rendered easy to the writer, and familiar to the reader, by the aid of the 
 accompanying illustrations. The Cathedral of Peterborough, though seated 
 in a completely flat country, where scarcely an inequality of surface is 
 perceptible for some miles in extent, is a conspicuous object from every 
 road of approach to the city. The clustered spires and pinnacles at the 
 west end, and the lantern tower of the centre, are seen towering above, and 
 mixing with the houses and the umbrageous scenery of the place, and serve 
 to indicate the architectural magnitude and character of the edifice, as well 
 as the ecclesiastical establishment of a city. From different stations to the 
 west, the more elevated parts of the building may be said to form the most 
 pleasing and picturesque group; as the central tower seems to combine 
 with the various pediments and spire-pinnacles of the front. At other 
 points from the south-west and north-east, the artist will find some in¬ 
 teresting compositions, in which the whole building rises boldly and unites 
 pleasingly with the various forms of trees which abound in this prolific soil. 
 The prospect of the Cathedral and city from the meadows to the south¬ 
 west 17 is not regarded so picturesque as it appears more to the westward, 
 where the whole groups better, and where there are several trees to aid 
 and improve the composition. It must be admitted, however, that neither 
 the Cathedral, nor the city of Peterborough, can rank high in the scale of 
 picturesque beauty. Even on closer examinations, and after surveying 
 
 17 An engraving from this point has lately been published in Robson s “ Picturesque Views oj 
 
 the English Cities.’' 
 
P3L.TI. 
 

 
 ' 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ; 
 
 
 
 
 

 f 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
CATHEDRAL COURT-YARD. 
 
 59 
 
 the whole exterior of the Church, we find that plainness, simplicity, and 
 grandeur are its marked characteristics. Every part of the building may 
 be readily and easily viewed by the stranger; and in this respect its situa¬ 
 tion is unlike any other Cathedral in England, but that of Lichfield. The 
 whole edifice, excepting the end of the southern transept, is insulated, unob¬ 
 structed, and unincumbered by extraneous buildings. There the gardens 
 and walls of one of the prebendal houses abut on, and shut out the lower 
 part of this member of the Church; but it is likely that even this will 
 be removed in the course of the great improvements now in progress. To 
 the present Dean and Chapter the inhabitants of the city are certainly much 
 indebted: every approach to the Cathedral, as well as the cemetery and 
 courts around it, are laid out with the greatest attention to personal comforts, 
 and to pleasing effects. Before the western front is a large square court, 
 with grass plats and gravelled walks : there is a carriage drive in the centre, 
 and three sides are bounded by respectable houses and old trees. To the 
 south is a range of antient buildings, in the midst of which is a fine tower 
 gate-way of entrance to the bishop’s palace, whilst to the west is an old tower 
 gate-way, communicating to the city, but separating it from the Cathedral 
 precincts. Abutting on this gateway is the Chapel of St. Nicholas, already 
 referred to, and now used as a school-room. A row of private houses 
 extend from this chapel to the north, whilst an old wall, fronted by a line of 
 fine elm trees, bound that end of the area. At the eastern extremity of 
 this wall is the richly sculptured portal, or gateway of entrance to the 
 deanery, represented in the title-page of this volume. Between this building 
 and the north-west angle of the Cathedral there was formerly an embattled 
 wall, separating the court-yard, already described, from the cemetery, which 
 extends round the north, east, and part of the south sides of the Church. 
 This cemetery abounds with tomb-stones, it having been formerly the only 
 burial place of the citizens. Another piece of ground is now provided at 
 the western extremity of the city; and in this respect, as well as in the 
 manner of laying out and embellishing the old “church-yard,” the Dean and 
 Chapter have imitated one of the best practices of the Parisians. Here, as 
 in “ Pere la Chaise” at Paris, the graves are planted and embellished with 
 
60 
 
 PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL. 
 
 willows, laurels, pines, and various trees, shrubs, and flowers. Thus a 
 scene, which heretofore, like most of the burial grounds of England, was 
 filled with weeds, briars, and other offensive objects, is now pleasing to the 
 eye of the observing stranger, and soothingly delightful to those whose 
 affections and sorrows are associated with objects beneath its turf. 
 
 A small square court-yard, on the south side of the nave, extends from 
 the western side of the transept, and occupies the area of the old cloister: 
 (see the ground plan). A narrow paved passage continues from this to the 
 south-western angle of the front,—and thus conducts us round the whole 
 building. In attempting to point out to the reader the general architectural 
 features and characteristics of the exterior of the Church, it seems most 
 natural to begin with the chief entrance, or western front, and thence pro¬ 
 ceed to other parts of the edifice. 
 
 West Front. —The magnificent and original western front of this Church 
 is not only much admired by all classes of visiters, but is a general 
 theme of comment and praise with men of science and taste. As a com¬ 
 position it possesses both merits and defects; but the former greatly 
 preponderate over the latter. Its extreme outline forms a regular square, 
 and its outer perpendicular lines are nearly straight, without breaks and 
 without graduations. These are certainly not beauties; and in construction 
 also, though it has sustained the “ wear and tear” of at least six centuries, 
 and has been sadly neglected at some time, we detect errors which tend to 
 impeach the skill of the architect. The accompanying Engravings, Plates 
 ii. iii. iv. v. vi. vii. ix. xi. and xii. will amply and clearly illustrate the whole 
 design and forms of this facade; and the following description, within 
 quotation marks, by the llev. T. Garhett, a minor Canon of the Cathedral, 
 will define every part, and explain each peculiar feature 18 . 
 
 18 This gentleman having taken considerable pains to make an elaborate drawing of the front, 
 and having for that purpose examined and investigated its whole design and individual parts, is 
 peculiarly qualified for the task of describing it: and whilst I tender him thanks, I cannot with¬ 
 hold my approbation of the judicious and well intentioned Essay which he has published, entitled 
 “ A brief Inquiry into the antient and present State of Hereford Cathedral, with an attempt to 
 classify its Architecture, and Suggestions for its Renovation and Improvement,” 8vo. 1827. 
 
CATHEDRAL ANTIQUITIES 
 

 
 
 
 
 

 
-patron of embellished. literature &c. tins plate 
 
DESCRIPTION OF THE WEST FRONT. 
 
 61 
 
 K There was, perhaps, little or no interval between the completion of the 
 nave in the circular style of architecture, and the erection of the north-west 
 tower, in the lancet , or first style of the pointed. The original plan of the 
 front, like that of Lincoln, comprised, no doubt, two towers rising at the 
 western extremity of the side ailes of the nave, having a Norman base with 
 circular lights, and an additional transept, projecting north and south beyond 
 the line of the side ailes. But before this design could be carried into exe¬ 
 cution, architecture itself had undergone a change; pointed arches were 
 substituted for circular ones, and slender isolated columns for the clustered 
 shaft, or solid cylinder. Hence the difference in style of the tower just 
 referred to: the string-moulding at the base of it, together with the super¬ 
 structure, and the pinnacles and pediment, which surmount the adjacent 
 transept, being all of a later order than the work of the nave: and hence 
 also the union of both styles in the transept itself,—its lofty arches parallel 
 to the side walls, being highly pointed, but with the zigzag ornament, and 
 resting on Norman shafts ; and the door-ways of the front having circular 
 heads, in accommodation to the arches of the nave, but with pointed 
 mouldings and pillars.” (These characteristics will be clearly understood 
 by reference to Plates i. ii. v. and xi.) 
 
 “ The tower, towards the south, appears never to have been finished, 
 although unquestionably included in the architect’s design. The present 
 base, above the transept, is of a comparatively modern date, and altogether 
 inferior to the work of the north-west tower. In the progress of great 
 undertakings it not unfrequently happens that fresh objects present them¬ 
 selves to the mind, which at first w r ere not thought of. Such appears to 
 have been the case in respect of this Cathedral, the architect of which, while 
 completing the front, seems to have caught a new idea—that of erecting two 
 lofty turrets beyond the outer angles of the transept, towards the west, and 
 of converting the intermediate space into a sort of piazza, by arches con¬ 
 structed in front of the nave and closed in above by a vaulted roof. This 
 idea, so unique and at the same time so splendid, he was enabled to realise; 
 and posterity, at the distance of six centuries, beholds with ineffable delight 
 and admiration a composition, the outlines and details of which, for their 
 
62 
 
 PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL. 
 
 beauty and variety, render it one of the noblest facades in existence.— 
 Towards the north and south are two lofty turrets, flanked at the angles by 
 clustered shafts, rising from a projecting base and crowned with spires, the 
 height of which, from the ground, makes a square with the breadth of the 
 front. The space between these turrets is occupied by three pointed 
 arches, reaching the whole height of the upper walls of the nave and resting 
 on triangular piers, which are faced with clustered shafts like those of the 
 turrets, and terminate in octangular pinnacles, resting each upon a square 
 basement, and divided by a moulding into two stages, the upper one of 
 which is perforated with narrow lights, edged with the dog-toothed quatre- 
 foil. The sides of the piers are lined with isolated columns in channelled 
 recesses, each column sustaining a ribbed moulding of the arch above, and 
 the whole series being finished with interlaced and foliated capitals. 
 
 “ The centre arch is narrower than the outer ones, the reason of which 
 will appear when we look at the situation of the door-ways opening into the 
 side ailes of the nave. Had the architect designed the three arches of equal 
 breadth, the piers which sustain the centre arch must have stood immediately 
 in front of these door-ways, or the outer arches must have been so contracted 
 as to bring the turrets within the line of the transept, and thereby conceal, 
 in part at least, the towers behind. 
 
 This circumstance of itself shows that the turrets, piers, and arches, as 
 they now exist, formed no part of the original plan. The interstices between 
 the pillars which sustain the centre arch differ from those of the outer arches, 
 in that they are chequered at regular distances with clumps of foliage, as if 
 exuberance of ornament were designed to compensate for inequality in other 
 respects. This inequality has been since still further obviated by the erec¬ 
 tion of a porch, which, after a minute inspection, appears to have been 
 inserted by way of support to the central piers, both of which had previously 
 swerved from the perpendicular, as may still be seen. Over each arch rises 
 a lofty pediment, bounded by the wave and billet ornaments, and surmounted 
 by a perforated cross. The spandrils formed by the base of the pediments 
 and the arches beneath, severally contain, first, a deeply recessed quatrefoil, 
 above this two trefoil arches, and still higher two pointed arches, resting on 
 
DESCRIPTION OF THE WESTERN FRONT. 
 
 63 
 
 slender pillars and filled with statues,—and also a hexagon, the featherings 
 of which clasp a human head. 
 
 “The pediments contain, each a large circular light, with other apertures 
 and niches. The circle of the central pediment is divided by mullions into 
 eight lights, under trefoil arches radiating from an orb. Those on the sides 
 are divided into six lights, the featherings of which are very beautiful. The 
 mullions, or radii, are all faced with small pillars and capitals, and lined 
 with the dog-toothed quatrefoil. The outer moulding of the central circle 
 is composed of closely compacted trefoils, that of the others has the wave 
 ornament. At the base of each circle is a series of trefoil arches, resting 
 on isolated columns, four of which admit light into an apartment above the 
 vaulting, and three contain statues. The intermediate spaces, formed by the 
 circle and the pediment, contain two niches, one on each side, and another 
 above, all filled with statues. The niche in the apex of the central pediment 
 contains a statue, apparently of St. Peter, to whom the Church is dedicated, 
 representing the apostle with the mitre, pall, keys, and other insignia of the 
 bishop of Rome. (See Plate iii., erroneously figured v.) 
 
 “ The turrets, before mentioned, are divided by the round moulding and 
 string courses into six stages, which are empannelled in front with arches 
 of different forms and dimensions. In the first stage from the ground, and 
 rising from a channelled base, are two lofty pointed arches resting on 
 slender pillars. In the second stage are four trefoil arches similarly sup¬ 
 ported ; this range is continued round the facings of the inner wall imme¬ 
 diately over the doorways, and forms the base of the windows. The third 
 stage contains one pointed arch, intersected by a pillar in the centre, with 
 curved mouldings, forming two lesser arches; w hich last are again sub¬ 
 divided by pillars, sustaining one circular arch in the centre, and segments 
 of arches on the sides. 
 
 “ The interstices above contain two trefoil arches, with brackets at the 
 base for figures. The mouldings of the outer arch, with the sides of the 
 pillars and all the subdivisions, are studded with the dog-toothed quatrefoil. 
 In the fourth stage are two deeply recessed pointed arches, resting on 
 clustered pillars; immediately over these is a string course of stemmated 
 
64 
 
 PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL. 
 
 trefoils, which is continued round the front, the transepts, and the base of 
 the north-west tower, together with the more modern base towards the 
 south. In the fifth stage are four trefoil arches, like those of the second 
 stage: these lie parallel with those at the base of the pediments, already 
 described, and with those also of the side transepts. The sixth stage 
 contains four long and narrow pointed arches, having corbels in the space 
 above, and resting, like the whole series of arches below, on slender isolated 
 columns, with prominent foliated capitals: above these is a string course 
 of rosettes, forming the base of the parapet. Thus far the two turrets are 
 strictly uniform; but in the parapets, by which they are surmounted, and 
 in the pinnacles, which terminate the clustered shafts, there is a marked 
 difference. 
 
 “ The parapet of the north turret consists of the wave ornament, with 
 double featherings and intersections: the pinnacles at the angles are 
 hexagonal, corbelled at the base of the pyramid with human heads, and 
 finished above with crockets and finials. 
 
 “ The parapet of the south turret contains a series of quatrefoils, while 
 the pinnacles at the angles are beautifully blended with the clustered shafts, 
 so as to form a regular and continuous course and termination: the mould¬ 
 ings are carried up in high pointed pediments, and from these a cinquefoil 
 arch at each angle, surmounted also by a pediment with a quatrefoil in the 
 spandril, connects them with the spire in the centre, and sustains a lofty 
 triangular pinnacle, which, like the pediments below, is decorated with 
 crockets and a finial. In this respect the south spire differs from the other, 
 which has no connection with the side pinnacles. Both are pierced with 
 pointed windows in two ranges, four in each range, divided by mullions, 
 and crowned with crocketted pediments ; and the apex of each is terminated 
 by a finial and cross, included in the extensive repairs carried on by the 
 present Dean and Chapter. 
 
 “ The style of these spires, with the parapets and pinnacles, marks them 
 out as a later work than the turrets beneath; and we may infer from the 
 similarity of their details to those of the porch, that they formed a part 
 of the repairs and alterations, which the whole front appears to have under- 
 
PORCH OF WEST FRONT. 
 
 65 
 
 gone, when that appendage was inserted; and when the central window of 
 the nave was enlarged, and that, and the others which now enliven the inner 
 wall w'ere filled w r ith perpendicular tracery. The porch is vaulted with 
 stone, and is entered by an obtuse arch, over which is an elliptical window, 
 divided by mullions into six lights under cinquefoil arches, which are again 
 subdivided in the head into lesser arches. 
 
 “ The spandrils formed by the curve of the arch, and the base of the 
 window, are enriched with circles, clasping shields of arms, and rosettes 
 with other devices. The arch and window are bounded by buttresses, 
 which are broken by offsets and empannelled with niches. Beside these, 
 the porch is flanked with staircases, one on each side, forming three parts 
 of an octagon, and leading to an apartment now used as a library. The 
 summit is closed in with an embattled parapet, having a pediment at each 
 end, and one in the centre. The surface of the walls is enriched with 
 canopied niches, pilasters, brackets, panel work, and string courses in all 
 the wildness and profusion which distinguish the last stage of Gothic 
 architecture. 
 
 “ Besides the arch before mentioned, the porch has two smaller arches, 
 north and south, parallel with the piazza formed by the great arches and 
 piers of the front, and keeping up the communication with its opposite 
 extremities. Over these also are mullioned windows, with blank inter¬ 
 stices. 
 
 “ The great window of the nave, the outer arch of which is obviously an 
 alteration from the original design, is divided by mullions into five lights,— 
 those of the side ailes into three lights, both under cinquefoil arches,—and 
 the lancet window of the transept into two lights, under trefoil arches: 
 these windows are parted, each by an embattled transom into an upper and 
 lower range of lights, and the heads filled with subordinate tracery. 
 
 “ The door-ways beneath are exceedingly rich, and, in point of execution 
 and delicacy of detail, perhaps the finest portions of the front. The central 
 door-way is divided by a pillar, rising from a carved cylindrical base, into 
 two smaller arches; but the whole design and finish cannot be made out in 
 
 K 
 
66 
 
 PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL. 
 
 consequence of the introduction of the porch, the foundation and butments 
 of which are built against it. 
 
 “ The arches of the side door-ways are lined with isolated columns, 
 receding in the manner of perspective : the ribbed mouldings between 
 these columns, the interlaced and pendent foliage of the capitals, and the 
 multiplied mouldings of which the arches above are composed, cannot be 
 too closely examined, or too much admired. This is that peculiar style 
 of Gothic Architecture, in which the beauty of the pointed arch, with its 
 accompaniments, is best discerned; and therefore it is that judges are wont 
 to give it the preference over all subsequent alterations and refinements. 
 The spaces between these door-ways, like those of the windows over them, 
 are empannelled with pointed arches, subdivided by smaller arches, and 
 resting on slender pillars. 
 
 u From the brief description thus given of this stately front, the reader 
 will perceive that it was begun in one age, and finished, as we now behold 
 it, in another. Some discrepancies of style may therefore be expected to 
 present themselves, but these are so eclipsed by the grandeur of its leading 
 features, that the eye takes in the whole as a single conception, and over¬ 
 looks, in its contemplation of such a magnificent association of objects, 
 the marks of difference that exist between the efforts of earlier and later 
 genius.” 
 
 Passing from the west towards the east, by the northern side of the 
 Church, we view in succession the small transept at the north-west angle, 
 the whole northern side with its lofty transept, the aile of the choir, the new 
 work closing round the semicircular east end, with the upper part of that 
 end, also its two original, perforated, pinnacled turrets, the lantern tower, 
 and the entire extent of the clerestory. The whole of this range of building, 
 being divested of extraneous objects, may be examined in detail, and also 
 from a single point, as shown in the engraved view from the north-east, 
 which should be figured, vm. At the east end, the bold buttresses, large 
 windows, peculiar parapet and pinnacles (if seated statues may be so 
 named), are exhibited to view, as seen in Plate x, which also displays the 
 
SOUTH-TRANSEPT, SLYP, CLOISTERS. 
 
 67 
 
 style and decoration of the upper part of the apsis, and the eastern elevation 
 of the south transept. An antient Norman door-way is cut through the wall 
 of this transept, and formerly communicated with a slyp, or covered passage, 
 from the cloister to the infirmary, and to other conventual buildings 19 .— 
 There is a singular variety in the design and construction of this transept, 
 which is not easily accounted for. Against its western wall is a vaulted 
 room, or rooms, now used as a plumbery and a vestry. Modern door-ways 
 are cut through the walls from the church and from the cloister court to 
 these rooms, whilst the old entrance from the aile is closed up. The southern 
 and western walls of the Cloisters remain, and contain a singular variety of 
 tracery mouldings, columns, and door-ways. There are also two cloor-ways 
 to the southern aile of the nave, both having semicircular arches, with 
 slender shafts at the sides, and with archivolt mouldings, adorned with the 
 chevron and other Norman ornaments. Opposite to these door-ways, at 
 the south-east and south-western extremities of the cloister, are two other 
 door-ways having pointed arches, surmounting others of the circular form, 
 enriched with sculptured mouldings and figures 20 . The architectural style 
 of these openings are indicative of the middle of the twelfth century, whilst 
 the arcade mouldings, at the eastern end of the same wall, may be regarded 
 as having been the design of about 1180: the lavatories in the same wall, 
 as already stated, were made about 1220; and there is one door-way in the 
 western wall, now closed, which the learned Dr. Ingram of Oxford decidedly 
 ascribes to the Anglo-Saxon age, and to Anglo-Saxon workmen 21 . A 
 
 19 At the Cathedrals of Winchester, Canterbury, Gloucester, and Norwich, we find a similar 
 slyp, still remaining'. It separated the transept from the chapter-house, and was a passage ot 
 communication between the cloister and church, and to certain monastic offices. 
 
 20 One of these forms part of the title-page to the fifth volume of “ The Architectural Antiqui¬ 
 ties of Great Britain and the other is represented, but with the opening supposed to be walled 
 up, in the centre of the engraved title-page to this volume. This singular design shews a lofty 
 pointed arch, with numerous deep mouldings, springing from tall slender shafts, enclosing a lower 
 semicircular arched door-way, above which is a quatrefoil aperture, or window. 
 
 21 This arch-way is represented, and also described at page 208, in the volume referred to in 
 the former note. 
 
68 
 
 PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL. 
 
 narrow passage conducts the visiter by the south-western tower again to the 
 western front. 
 
 A more minute description of the varied exterior features and peculiari¬ 
 ties of this building might be easily given; but fearing it would be deemed 
 uninteresting to the general reader, I am induced to forbear,—and refer to 
 the pictorial language of the annexed Engravings, which the artists and 
 connoisseurs of all nations can read. By examining the ground plan, with 
 the Plates, numbered n. in. iv. v. vi. vii. vm. ix. x. and xn. a stranger may 
 obtain clear information of general form, exterior features, arrangement of 
 parts, styles and peculiarities of the windows, buttresses, parapets, pinnacles, 
 towers, and spires, which enter into, and constitute the composition of this 
 edifice. A few remarks on those parts of the building delineated in the 
 prints, may be deemed useful by some readers. The western front has been 
 already fully described by my learned friend, Mr. Garbett; and the illustra¬ 
 tions of this part of the Church are so ample and so explicit, that its whole 
 design, as well as its construction and embellished details, must be readily 
 understood and appreciated. The design of the northern and southern 
 transept of this front, with the elevations of the western, or small tran¬ 
 sept, may be seen delineated in Plate vii., which is a representation of the 
 northern end of that transept, with which the opposite wing corresponds, 
 as shewn by the print referred to: the northern transept is surmounted by 
 its gabled end and pinnacles, backed by the bell tower, which is also 
 crowned with pinnacles and flanked by a staircase tower, terminated at 
 the apex, with four angular pinnacles and a central spire. This engraving 
 also represents the character of the buttresses, the lower tier of windows to 
 the aile, a series of semicircular arcades extending the whole length of the 
 building, and which originally terminated the height of the outer walls of 
 the triforium. These walls have been raised, and a series of pointed arched 
 windows inserted at a time much later than the original work. Ten com¬ 
 partments of windows, between flat buttresses, make up the external eleva¬ 
 tion of the aile of the nave. The elevation of the western face of the 
 north transept is clearly defined in Plate xiv., whilst the end of the same 
 
CHARACTER OF THE INTERIOR. 
 
 69 
 
 transept, and its eastern side, are shewn in Plate viii. This print, and 
 that figured x., will illustrate the whole exterior of the eastern end of the 
 Church. Within small circular niches, round the upper part of the choir, 
 are seven busts; and on the string' course, or cornice, of the new building, 
 among various ornaments, are the names and monogramic signs of abbots 
 Kirton and Ashton , the architects or builders of this incongruous, but 
 splendid appendage to the Church. 
 
 Interior. —Solidity and massiveness of construction characterise the in¬ 
 terior of this Church. It seems to have been designed for eternity. Not 
 only the main walls and columnar piers are strong, and arranged with a view 
 to secure permanency; but the arches and every ornamental member par¬ 
 take of the same character. Like the Egyptian, and the Grecian Doric 
 temples, of remote ages and of distant nations, this edifice—in its nave, 
 transept, and choir, impresses the mind with sentiments of awful veneration. 
 Grandeur and sublimity are the concomitant elements of its effect; and whilst 
 the scientific visiter is engaged in analysing these characteristics, he neces¬ 
 sarily reverts to the persons—to the times—and to the religion which jointly 
 combined to produce such a noble edifice. The pagan temples of refined 
 Greece, and of pompous Rome, have obtained almost boundless praise 22 . 
 All artists and antiquaries, who have published their opinions on those 
 venerable remains of former times, have lauded their merits—have pane¬ 
 gyrised their every feature, whilst the same writers have either entirely 
 passed over, or but slightly adverted to, the complicated and truly interest¬ 
 ing edifices designed and raised by the Christian architects of the middle 
 ages 23 . These buildings have at length obtained their due and proper 
 
 22 It would occupy much space to notice the numerous volumes and opinions that have been 
 published by different travellers on the Architectural Antiquities of Greece and Italy. Those 
 by Eustace and Forsyth are certainly the most popular, and must be familiar to almost all readers 
 that take an interest in those subjects. A very valuable work has been published by the 
 Rev. Thomas S. Hughes, one of the Prebendaries of this Cathedral, on “ Sicily, Greece, and 
 Albania,” in two volumes, 4to. 1820. 
 
 23 As contradistinguished from the Pagan architecture of former ages, I venture to designate 
 buildings raised for Christian rites, by the term Christian architecture; and though innovations 
 in language may be reproved, and are repugnant to the feelings of many persons, yet all are 
 
70 
 
 PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL. 
 
 share of attention; and it will be found that a careful study of them will 
 amply reward the professional architect as well as the antiquary. Replete 
 with science in their various parts of construction,—offering to the artist 
 fine examples of form, outline, and picturesque arrangement, they also 
 exhibit to the historian and archgeologist fertile themes for study, and for 
 critical investigation : it may indeed be safely affirmed, that there is not 
 any one class of subjects more important, and more deeply interesting than 
 the Cathedrals of this country. 
 
 The ground plan and Plates v. xi. xiii. xiv. xv. and xvi. will serve to 
 illustrate the general design, arrangement, and varied styles of architecture, 
 which characterise the interior of the building. By Plate i. it is seen that 
 the enclosed area consists of a sort of vestibule, at the west end, a nave 
 and two ailes, a transept with an eastern aile, a choir with two ailes, and 
 bounded at the east end by a large decorated apartment called the new 
 building. The vestibule forms a continuation of the nave and the ailes on 
 the floor, but exhibits a different style of architecture in its columns, win¬ 
 dows, arched roof, and details, and extends laterally, beyond the ailes on both 
 sides. These peculiarities are defined in Plates i. v. and xi. The nave 
 and its ailes display a uniform style of architecture in their arches, piers, 
 triforia, and walls; but the windows of the clerestory, triforia, and ailes are 
 all of a later date, and are evident insertions in the original walls,—excepting 
 indeed the exterior walls of the triforium, which appear to have been raised, 
 and a new roof formed when some great alterations were made to the 
 Church. As already noticed, the ceiling, or inner roof of the nave, consists 
 of painted boards, and that of the transept is of the same material: thus 
 not only the architectural character of those lofty parts are deteriorated, but 
 the obtrusive and spotty style in which they are painted offend the eye and 
 injure the apparent magnitude and effect of the building. The ailes are 
 
 agreed that the word Gothic is not only incorrect but is absurd, and ought to be exploded.— 
 In my estimation the term Christian is at once strictly applicable, correct, and descriptive of that 
 original class of buildings invented for, and applied to ecclesiastical purposes. By Christian 
 architecture I embrace in the whole genus, and particularize the species by adjunctive names. 
 See “ Architectural Antiquities of Great Britain vol. v. page 31. 
 
CAOTEBRA3L AFTI^UiriES. 
 
 ML. I. 
 
 Xondon.TuhlishrA JuJi*/lJ££7i7ry Lon/jmaji ,£• Cf J'atertutsterHow. 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LANTERN TOWER, CHOIR. 
 
 71 
 
 properly and appropriately vaulted, as shewn in Plate xiii., which view also 
 delineates the forms and styles of the capitals, bases, and demi-coluinns, 
 surrounding the great shafts; the form and dressing of the aile windows, 
 the form of the groin-ribs, and the manner in which the walls, beneath the 
 windows, are adorned with interlaced semicircular arch-mouldings. Some 
 of the capitals of these small columns consist of snakes, or monsters’ heads, 
 with the shaft issuing from the mouth. On the eastern side of the transept 
 is an aile, as defined in the plan, and in Plate xiv., the southern division of 
 which is separated into three chapels, or oratories, as they were originally 
 appropriated, but now used as appendages to the choir. Over this aile 
 is a triforium, behind an arched screen, which extends along the ailes of 
 the choir to their junction with the new work. 
 
 The lantern , at the intersection of the nave and choir, with the transept, 
 is open to the vaulted roof, as shewn in the sectional part of Plate xiv. 
 In the same print is displayed the section of one of its lofty arches, and an 
 elevation of that between the tower and the choir, which assumes the pointed 
 form, although undoubtedly built with the circular work of the choir and 
 nave. This contemporaneous use of the semi-circular and pointed arches 
 prove that the latter form was known to, and practised by the Christian 
 architects about the middle of the twelfth century, although the former 
 constituted the prevalent style. Large circular, octangular, and polygonal 
 columns, with arches of the horse-shoe shape, were in use at the same time; 
 whilst the chevron, billet, nebule, and trowel ornaments were employed in 
 the mouldings, string courses, filling in of the arches, and in the blocking- 
 courses. Of the choir we have no representation, which I much regret; for 
 the semi-circular form of the altar end, and its general design and details, 
 would have formed an interesting view. The columns, arches, triforium, 
 and clerestory nearly resemble the same features in the transept; but the 
 effect, and particularly the eastern termination, are different, and of peculiar 
 character. Its vaulted roof is boarded, but assumes an imitation of the 
 florid pointed style,—being disposed in several compartments by thin ribs. 
 Over the altar end it is painted in patterns resembling floor-cloth. The 
 
72 
 
 PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL. 
 
 two eastern windows are filled with a collection of painted glass, of varied 
 patterns and colours; whilst the central window of the building, behind the 
 altar, is filled with vivid modern stained glass. The fitting up of the choir, 
 in its throne, stalls, pulpit, and seats, is very poor and mean; and the small 
 screen behind the altar is equally petty. These defects are soon to be 
 remedied, and it is presumed that the choir ot Peterborough Cathedral, 
 at no distant period, will vie with some of the more sumptuous churches 
 of the country. The ailes of the choir correspond very nearly in their 
 general forms of vaulting, arcades, and other features with those of the 
 nave and transept, as indicated in Plate xv. The view represented in 
 this print is taken from the new building at the east end, and displays 
 the lofty narrow-pointed arch, which separates the Norman work of the 
 aile from the new building of the Tudor species. Whilst this print exhibits 
 the junction of these two dissimilar and discordant parts of the buildings, 
 the Plate figured xvi. defines the whole design, and elaborately ornamental 
 character of the new building. The analogy between this and the magnificent 
 Chapel of King’s College, Cambridge, will be immediately recognised by 
 the architectural antiquary,—as in the elaborate fan-tracery and bold bosses 
 of the roof there is great similitude. 
 
 The foregoing descriptive remarks, aided by the sixteen prints which 
 embellish this volume, will furnish the reader, it is hoped, with full and 
 satisfactory information respecting the whole, and the subordinate parts of 
 Peterborough Cathedral Church. It cannot be deemed irrelevant to notice, 
 in the next place, the various reparations and embellishments which have 
 been made here since the fabric has been placed under the government of a 
 Dean and Chapter. 
 
 Repairs, &c. To Humphrey Austen, by whose care the Swapham MS. 
 was preserved, and who was precentor at the time Cromwell’s soldiers com¬ 
 mitted havock already described, much credit is due, not only for this act, 
 but for procuring a subscription to preserve and repair the fabric. 
 
 In the year 1662, many repairs were made to the church during the time of 
 Dean Rainbow; when the seventh part of the fines of the Dean and Chapter 
 
REPAIRS AND IMPROVEMENTS. 
 
 73 
 
 was appropriated to that purpose. It was also ordered, in the chapter- 
 minutes, that the “ dotation of a hundred pounds be yearly appropriated 
 towards repairs 24 .” Dean Cosin, who had been exiled in France for about 
 eighteen years, was reinstated here in 1660, and exerted himself in the re¬ 
 establishment of the church duties. He gave three hundred pounds for 
 church repairs, and at another time expended forty pounds on a tomb to 
 the memory of his wife. Bishop Laney gave a hundred pounds towards 
 repairing one of the “ great arches of the church porch, which was fallen down 
 in the late times 25 . In 1681, above fifteen hundred pounds were required 
 “ to repair and amend several breaks and defects in the church and most 
 of the prebendaries then subscribed ten pounds per annum each. 
 
 Considerable repairs and alterations were again required about 1780, at 
 which time the mean gothic screen behind the altar, and the equally mean 
 organ screen, were erected. It is not generally known, and it will be 
 scarcely believed, that the late Mr. Carter was consulted, and gave designs 
 for these subjects; for the style and ornaments are rather of the Batty 
 Langley, than of the Carter school; and it cannot but excite astonishment 
 that an artist, who knew so much, and was so severely censorious of others, 
 could have given such designs. There seems no other way of accounting 
 for it, but by supposing that he made very slight drawings, and sent them 
 to Peterborough, where they were put into the hands of an ignorant and 
 clumsy carpenter. Again in 1791, the same gentleman was consulted by 
 Dean Sutton, the present archbishop of Canterbury, respecting some pro¬ 
 posed alterations in the choir, and furnished drawings for that purpose. 
 [All Mr. Carter’s sketches are in my possession 20 .] 
 
 24 Previously only fifty-four pounds per year were applied to this purpose; and at the present 
 time there is no other fund provided for keeping in repair, or for the improvements of this large 
 building. All the rest of the large sums yearly devoted to this purpose are voluntarily given by 
 the Dean and Chapter. 
 
 23 Patrick, History of Peterb. p. 332. 
 
 26 Th ese sketches are arranged in thirty-seven folio volumes, and seem to comprise a series 
 of all which he ever made during his extensive tours over England. The volumes also contain 
 numerous letters from Mr. Gough, Sir Richard Hoare, Mr. Ives, and other persons, containing 
 commissions and directions. In a letter addressed to the chapter clerk at Peterborough, 
 
 L 
 
74 
 
 PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL. 
 
 The turrets at the angles of the centre tower, which appear to have been 
 raised under the direction of the late Dean Kipling, neither accord with the 
 style of that tower, nor with other turrets of the Church. 
 
 A new era and better taste have at length arrived:—the clergy are generally 
 qualified to appreciate the genuine styles of Christian architecture, and are 
 aware that their judgment would be impeached were they to direct or 
 sanction incongruous or capricious innovations. It is now the fashion to 
 assimilate all new works to the older parts to which they are attached. 
 
 Architects have qualified themselves to do this, and know that, by doing 
 so, they secure more credit to themselves than by exercising the most 
 fertile fancy in invention. Recently much has been done in the Cathedral 
 of Peterborough, and much more is projected and in the progress of being 
 carried into execution. 
 
 Extremely limited in fabric funds, this noble church must have fallen to 
 ruins, but for the personal exertions and sacrifices of its members. On the 
 present occasion we find more than common zeal and liberality manifested. 
 By the appeal, which will be recorded in a note, and the names of certain 
 noblemen and gentlemen who have promptly come forward with subscriptions 
 to ornament the church, and adorn its interior, we see that Englishmen are 
 willing to assist in such laudable objects when the clergy themselves are 
 liberal and sincere 27 . 
 
 Mr. C. begs him to direct “ the minster carpenter” to fill up the tracery, &c. of the windows 
 to the ailes of the choir, in order that he might finish his drawing “ of the design of the new 
 choir.” The carpenter’s explanations are rather curious specimens of orthography and syntax. 
 He writes: “I an a Nother person has Taken all the pains we coud to inform you of the 
 windows I think you will understand the drawings—these windows is of the same design and of 
 one same bignesse by,” &c. At this time Mr. Carter gave designs for some alterations to the 
 mansion at Elton in Northamptonshire, the seat of the Earl of Carysford. 
 
 27 Nearly all the English Cathedrals are distinguished by the sumptuous decorations of their 
 choirs. The stalls, screens, thrones, &c. are replete with sculptural and carved embellishments; 
 not so that of Peterborough: there the reverse is notorious, the whole of the original choir 
 having been destroyed in the civil war, and some mean pews of deal wood having been substituted 
 about ninety years ago. To remedy this defect, and make this part worthy the magnitude and 
 noble character of the church, the present dean and chapter have volunteered a liberal subscrip¬ 
 tion, and exerted themselves to obtain donations from other persons. By an order of the dean 
 
AN ADDRESS FOR SUBSCRIPTIONS. 
 
 75 
 
 The plan now commenced comprehends a new organ screen of stone, and 
 the entire new fitting up of the choir with stalls, throne, pulpit, and altar screen. 
 The organ screen is designed in the style of the age of Edward the First, and 
 consists of an entrance into the choir, under a richly moulded pointed arch, 
 surmounted by a crocketed canopy. On each side of this entrance are four 
 deeply recessed niches, with projecting canopy heads, surmounted by acute 
 pointed pediments, both of which are enriched with crockets and terminated 
 
 and chapter, the following Address has been extensively circulated, and its effects have been 
 very successful:— 
 
 The altar screen, and the screen which separates the choir from the nave of this church, 
 together with the organ gallery, the stalls, and all the woodwork of the choir, although in good 
 repair, are well known to be unworthy of the magnificent structure to which they belong. 
 
 “ The Dean and Chapter, having lately made their utmost exertions in substantially repairing 
 the Cathedral, and in restoring the architectural ornaments of the exterior, are anxious to complete 
 their work, by remedying these deplorable defects of the interior. With this view they have 
 procured plans and drawings, of an appropriate character, from Mr. Edward Blore, an eminent 
 architect in London. But the funds of the church are, and ever must be, inadecpiate to so great 
 an undertaking. They, therefore, think it their duty to adopt an expedient, which has been 
 successful in some other cathedrals on similar occasions, by respectfully announcing their design 
 to the nobility, gentry, clergy, and other inhabitants of the diocese of Peterborough, and of its 
 neighbourhood, with a hope of obtaining the favour of their assistance. 
 
 “ The whole expense of the projected work will exceed five thousand pounds. The Dean and 
 Chapter have themselves voted a thousand pounds towards it, being the largest sum which their 
 means will allow : and they have individually added their personal subscriptions, in aid of this 
 object, to the amount of a thousand and fifty pounds. 
 
 “ If the subscription be not sufficient, the contributions will be returned to the respective 
 subscribers. 
 
 Peterborough, “ By order of the Dean and Chapter, 
 
 July 31, 1827. “ JOHN GATES, Chapter Clerk.” 
 
 In pursuance of this address, a sum amounting to above five thousand pounds has been 
 subscribed, and consequently the works are commenced. A new organ screen, with stalls, 
 throne, seats, and fitting up of the choir; also an altar screen, &c. are therefore to be executed 
 forthwith in a substantial manner, and in a good style. The designs, as stated above, are by 
 Mr. Blore, whose extensive knowledge of Christian architecture, and industrious habits, 
 eminently qualify him for the task: and I cannot doubt but the whole, when finished, will 
 redound to his own credit, and to that of the clergy of the cathedral. As a memorable event 
 in the history of the fabric, I subjoin a list of the contributors, and amounts of their respective 
 subscriptions; and thus place them on a more permanent record than any painted or engraven 
 
76 
 
 PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL. 
 
 by finials. The angles of the screen are finished, and the sides of the 
 entrance flanked with octagonal spiral turrets, the various stages whereof 
 are enriched by crocketed canopies. The side canopies are separated by 
 projecting buttresses, finished with canopied tops : all the spandrels are filled 
 with shields; those of the entrance to the choir are further enriched with 
 diaper-work. The whole of the screen is surmounted by a parapet of open 
 trefoils. The passage into the choir is arched over with moulded ribs, 
 
 inscription in the church could effect. My own aid in such a cause must be taken in good wishes, 
 and in personal advocacy; for it is painful to assert that after fifteen years’ zealous exertions, and 
 great pecuniary advances in illustrating the history and architecture of the English Cathedrals, 
 the balance of accounts is against the author. 
 
 In the ensuing list, I have classed the names according to the amounts, from £1000 to £5. 
 
 Dean and Chapter of Peterborough, £1000. 
 
 The Right Honourable Earl Fitzwilliam, £500. 
 
 Rev. Spencer Madan, D. D. £400. 
 
 At £.200 each.—The Archbishop of Canterbury, The Bishop of Peterborough, The Dean of 
 Peterborough. 
 
 At £100 each. —Rev. Jos. Stephen Pratt, Rev. Jos. Parsons, Rev. William Tournay, 
 Rev. Richard Lockwood, Lord Viscount Milton, and Mrs. Barnard. 
 
 At £.50 each.—Venerable Archdeacon Strong, Rev. Thomas S. Hughes. William Walcot 
 Squire, Esq., Mr. Justice Bayley, Lord Sondes, Earl Spencer, Jesse Watts Russell, Esq., 
 Edward Brown, Esq., Colonel Madan. 
 
 At £.25 each.—John Gates, Esq., Venerable Archdeacon Bonney, Venerable Archdeacon 
 Bayley, William Bate, Esq. Earl Brownlow. 
 
 At £.21 each.—Mrs. Parsons, John Baron Ilowes, Esq., Sir J. Scarlett, M. P., John 
 Forster, Esq. 
 
 At £.20 each.—Rev. William Mansfield, Christopher Jeffery, Esq., James Yorke, Esq., 
 W. R. Cartwright, Esq., M. P. R ev. Philip Fisher, D. D. Lord Viscount Althorpe, Sir 
 James Langham, Bart. Hon. and Rev. Llenry C. Cust, Sir Robert Heron, Bart., Messrs. 
 Simpson, Mewburn, and Miller, Rev. Samuel E. Hopkinson, Lord Strathavon, Rev. LI ugh 
 Hughes, Allen Edward Young, Esq., Rev. William Forster, J. Madan Maitland, Esq., 
 William Alexander Morland, Esq. 
 
 At £.15.—Rev. Septimus Hodgson. 
 
 At 12 Guineas.—William James Smith, Esq. 
 
 At 10 Guineas each.—Thomas Atkinson, Esq., Thomas White, Esq., Rev. William Strong, 
 Rev. Christopher Wordsworth, D. D., Sir Rd. Brooke de Capel Brooke, Bart., Edward 
 Gibbons, Esq., William L. Hopkinson, Esq. M.D., William Custance, Esq., John Whitsed, 
 Esq. M. D., Rev. John Hopkinson, Mrs. King, Colonel Vaughan, Dr. Harrison, Mr. Wil¬ 
 liam Buckle. 
 
FITTING UP OF THE CHOIR. 
 
 77 
 
 resting on columns. The sides are pannelled to correspond with the style 
 of the screen. The whole of the fitting up of the choir is in the style of 
 Edward the Third, more particularly in imitation of the Lady Chapel of 
 Ely Cathedral. On each side of the entrance are four stalls, over which 
 is an assemblage of rich tabernacle work enclosing the choir organ. On 
 the south side, the space between the piers is appropriated to seats, or 
 closets, for the families of the dignitaries of the church, surmounted by 
 
 At £.10 each.—Rev. John Hopkinson, Precentor, Rev. William Head, Rev. Thomas Mills, 
 Rev. Thomas Garbett, Rev. John Boak, Benjamin Ball, Esq., Rev, John Bringhurst, 
 William Lawrance, Esq., Fenwick Skrimshire, Esq. M. D., Thomas Bowis, Esq., Mrs. Ste¬ 
 vens, Mrs. Ibbetson, William George Porter, Esq. Mr. Morris Tonge, Mr. Thomas Cheshire, 
 Rev. Henry Freeman, Mr. James Floyes, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Cox, Miss Cox, Rev. Jos. 
 Pratt, Messrs. Crisp and Ball, Rev. Thomas K. Bonney, R. F. and W. Pate, Rev. Josiah 
 R. Buckland, D. D. Charles M. Clarke, Esq., William Watson, Esq. Hon. and Rev. George 
 Spencer, Hon. and Rev. Richard Cust, Rev. Thomas Sikes, Rev. Robert Roberts, D. D. 
 Hon. and Rev. George Gordon, Rev. Charles Child, Mr. Flead, Daniel Yorke, Esq., 
 William Hopkinson, Esq. Hon. and Rev. Henry Watson, Rev. Richard Buck, The 
 Mrs. Beharrels, Rev. H. Y. Smythies, Edward Jenkins, Esq., Rev. Henry Portington, 
 Rev. Robert Boon, Lady Frances Fitzwilliam, Admiral Stopford, Miss Penelope Frances 
 Madan, Mrs. Hopkinson. 
 
 At 6 Guineas each.—Mrs. Mirehouse, Mr. Charles Jacob, Mr. Charles Dowse. 
 
 At 5 Guineas each.—Mr. Francis Buckle, Mrs. Walton, Earl of Euston, Rev. H. J. Wollaston, 
 Thomas Walker, Esq. Thomas Goodman, Esq. Thomas Goodman, Jun. Mr. Samuel Buckle, 
 Mr. John Bains, Miss White, William Bowker, Esq. William Gates, Esq. Rev. Heneage 
 Finch, Mrs. William Hopkinson, Rev. William Whewell, Mrs. Tournay. 
 
 At £.5 each.—Mr. John Wilson, Mr. John Speechly, Mr. John Salman, Mr. Edward Larking, 
 Mr. Thomas White, Jun. Mr. William Edwards, Rev. Christopher Hodgson, Mr. Daniel 
 Ruddle, Mr. William Southam, Mr. John Thompson, J. G. Arnold, Esq. M. D. Captain 
 Underwood, Mr. Benjamin Bull Goodman, Mr. John Molecey, Henry S. Thornton, Esq. 
 Rev. William Roberts, Rev. John James, Charles Fred. Yorke, Esq. Mr. William Core, 
 Mr. William Daniells, John Broughton, Esq. Rev. Daniel Twining, Rev. Francis Tenant, 
 Rev. John Miller, Mrs. Hopkinson, Mrs. Bousquet, Dr. Wright, William Tyler Smith, Esq. 
 A summary of which is—One at £.1000—One at £.500—One at £.400—Three at £ 200— 
 Six at £. 100—Nine at £. 50—Five at £. 25—Four at £. 21—Seventeen at £. 20—One at £. 15— 
 One at 12 Guineas—Fourteen at 10 Guineas—Forty-seven at £.10—Three at 6 Guineas— 
 Sixteen at Five Guineas—Twenty-eight at £.5—One at 3 Guineas—One at £.3—Two at 
 2 Guineas—Fourteen at 1 G uinea—amounting in the whole to £.5021. 11s.— June, 1828. 
 
78 
 
 PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL. 
 
 galleries, the fronts of which are finished with rich canopy work. Before 
 the two westernmost piers are seats for the minor canons, surmounted by 
 rich canopies; and fronting the next pier, eastward, is the bishop’s throne, 
 consisting of a rich canopy, terminated by a lofty spire of open tracery. 
 The arrangement of the north side corresponds w ith the south, excepting the 
 pulpit, which is placed against the second pier from the west, and is formed 
 of an assemblage of rich canopy work, with a base of quatrefoils and other 
 details. In front and advancing into the choir near the centre are seats for 
 choristers, lay clerks, and the king’s scholars; and on the sides are three 
 tiers of seats for the accommodation of a congregation. The fronts of all 
 these, towards the choir, are finished with canopy work, and the sides with 
 tracery. The whole of the work above described is to be executed in oak. 
 The arches, adjoining the altar steps to the north and south, are to be occu¬ 
 pied by entrances to the choir from the side ailes, consisting each of a centre 
 and two side canopies, in stone. The altar screen, also of stone, will con¬ 
 sist of a centre and two side canopies between the two easternmost piers, 
 and of a series of canopies, running between the intermediate piers north 
 and south, until they meet the entrances into the choir from the side ailes. 
 The whole of the canopies described in the choir consist of ogee projecting 
 arches, surmounted by straight pediments, finished with crockets and finials, 
 and also with foliated spandrels. The entrance to the galleries, between the 
 piers, is from the side ailes, and is formed, as well as the front of the 
 gallery itself, of trefoil headed arches, of the time of Edward the First, and 
 is to be executed in oak. 
 
 Monuments, and Interments of distinguished Persons .—If the Monastic 
 Church of Peterborough was ever adorned with monumental sculpture and 
 brases, nearly the whole have been taken away and destroyed. The narrative 
 already given, page 37, shews the wanton and reckless havock committed 
 here by an army of frantic soldiers: and we cannot therefore be surprised 
 at the poverty this church exhibits in monuments, shrines, chantry chapels, 
 &c. Five effigies or relievos of old abbots, a few slabs, also a small number 
 of mural marble tablets, and one large marble monument, with a recumbent 
 
MONUMENTS. 
 
 73 
 
 effigy, are all that remain to commemorate the eminent, or the less dis¬ 
 tinguished dead. Yet beneath the floor of this church have been interred 
 two queens, two archbishops, several abbots and priors, with many of the 
 bishops, deans, and other distinguished members of the establishment. 
 
 The most antient monumental trophy which is preserved in the church is 
 a block of stone, called the shrine of the monks, who were murdered by the 
 Danes in 870. It is placed beneath one of the arches behind the altar, and 
 is ornamented at the sides and top with rude sculpture, representing twelve 
 figures of saints or apostles, in low relief, with foliage, &c. In the south 
 aile of the choir are four antient monumental effigies, or rather figures in 
 bold relief, on slabs, which formerly covered so many stone coffins. Two 
 of these are delineated in the engraved title, Plate xii. Three of them are 
 ascribed to Abbots Sais, Andreas, and De Vecti. On the floor, in the aile 
 of the south transept, is an old figure in low relief, said to represent Abbot 
 Hotot. These are the only antient memorials; but modern inscriptions on 
 the north side of the high altar point out the names and places of sepulture 
 of two archbishops of York, Elfric and Kinsius. Near the altar steps were 
 interred Abbots Croyland, Deeping, Genge, Murcot, and Boothby, whilst 
 the graves of abbots De Caleto and Woodford are pointed out in the 
 south aile of the choir. Priors Paris, Cliff, and Pighteste were interred in 
 the north transept, and Prior William Exton in the south transept. John 
 Chambers, the last abbot and first bishop, was interred in the south aile of 
 the choir. 
 
 The burial place of Queen Katharine, already noticed, page 26, was in the 
 north aile of the choir; and that of Queen Mary of Scotland was in the 
 south aile, nearly opposite the former; but there is nothing of a monu¬ 
 mental kind to commemorate the places of sepulture of these two ill treated 
 queens 2 *. Fortunately for the inquiring world—for the cause of virtue 
 and truth, their names, merits and demerits—their frailties and their good 
 
 28 Attached to the north wall of the altar, in the aile, is a shrine or monument, which has been 
 erroneously ascribed to Queen Mary. It is however a melange of fragments, part of which was 
 a shrine of St. Tibba. 
 
80 
 
 PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL. 
 
 qualities, with the same characteristics of their respective persecutors, are 
 permanently recorded in the page of public history. To this every indivi¬ 
 dual can refer, and this is too extensively disseminated ever to be forgotten, 
 or obliterated. The first queen of Henry the Eighth was interred here in 
 January, 1535-6, with some degree of regal pomp: and the almost broken 
 hearted Mary, Queen of Scots, after being beheaded at Fotheringay Castle, 
 was buried in the south aile of the choir, August 1, 1587. Many interest¬ 
 ing, but distressing particulars respecting the persecution, long imprison¬ 
 ment, trial, and execution of this Queen are recorded in Hunter’s valuable 
 " History of Hallamshirein Archdeacon Bonney’s useful u Historic 
 Notices, in reference to Fotheringay,” as well as in Chalmers’s “ Life, &c. 
 of Mary Queen of Scots,” three vols. 8vo.; Miss Benger’s “ Memoirs of 
 Mary Queen of Scots,” two vols. 8vo.; also in the Rev. John Whitaker’s 
 “ Vindication,” three vols. 8vo. The story of a beautiful and persecuted 
 queen, who sutfered many years’ rigorous confinement in various castles, 
 and who lived at a time when poetry and romance were the prevalent litera¬ 
 ture of the age, could not fail of occupying much popular attention, and 
 exciting much controversy. We consequently find that, from 1569 up to 
 the present time, many writers have employed their pens in vindicating her 
 character and memory; whilst others have endeavoured to impeach both, and 
 justify her merciless persecutor. If it be stated that, at least, one hundred 
 volumes, tracts, plays, &c. have been produced on the subject, I shall speak 
 within bounds. See Watts’s “ Bibliotheca Brilannica ,” vol. iii. 
 
 Were I to close the account of monuments and of distinguished persons, 
 without noticing that very popular personage—“ old Scarlett ,” I should 
 scarcely be pardoned by some of the curious strangers who visit the Cathe¬ 
 dral, and who think more highly of the exalted picture of the famous Verger 
 than of any other object in the church. A full length portrait of him is 
 fixed against the western wall, representing the venerable verger with his 
 shovel, keys, whip, jacket, belt, black cap, &c. the costume of the times 
 and insignia of his office. He had the honour, or misfortune, of interring 
 two injured queens in the Cathedral, and died in July, 1594, aged ninety- 
 eight. 
 
BISHOP’S PALACE-DEANERY. 
 
 81 
 
 There are some antiquarian appendages to this Cathedral deserving notice, 
 but I can only appropriate a small space to them. First in rank and in¬ 
 terest is the Bishop's Palace, which, as already remarked, occupies the 
 site, and consists partly of remains, of the abbots’ house. Although these 
 venerable fragments of monastic architecture are mixed up with, and almost 
 destroyed by the progressive alterations and additions made by different 
 occupants, the following parts are left to gratify the antiquary, and to exercise 
 his speculations. The present entrance hall is a curious vaulted apartment, 
 with a single row of columns, extending north and south through the middle. 
 Some of the cellars and other offices are also arched over, and supported on 
 piers or columns. Two oriel, or bay windows, with the monogram of Kirton, 
 project from the walls of “ Heaven Chamber.” The garden walls exhibit 
 remains of the refectory and of other apartments, and also some beautiful 
 columns, arches, sculptured bosses, &c. To the east of these are several 
 lofty arches, clustered columns and arcades, belonging to a building called 
 the Infirmary. North of the Cathedral is the Deanery-house and gardens, 
 both of which have been greatly improved by the present worthy and learned 
 occupant:—but excepting the entrance gateway, already noticed, there is 
 little to detain and interest the architectural antiqury. 
 
 The following lines were formerly intended to characterise the Monasteries 
 of Peterborough, and others in the neighbourhood :— 
 
 “ Ramsey the rich of gold and of fee, 
 
 Thorney the dower of many fair tree; 
 
 Crowland the courteous of their meat and their drink, 
 
 Spalding the gluttons, as all men do think : 
 
 Peterborough the proud, 
 
 Sautrey by the way—that old Abbay 
 
 Gave more alms in one day—than all they.” 
 
 M 
 
82 
 
 PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL 
 
 A CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF THE 
 
 astsfjops: of Peterfeoroitsfj, 
 
 WITH THE CONTEMPORARY KINGS OF ENGLAND. 
 
 No. 
 
 BISHOPS. 
 
 Translated or Consecrated. 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 John Chambers. 
 
 .Oct. 23, 1541 
 
 D. Pole, or Poole, LL. D. 
 
 Inst. . . Aug. 15,1557 
 
 3 
 
 Edmund Scambler,D.D. 
 
 .Feb. 16,1560-1 
 
 4 
 
 Richard Howland, D.D. 
 
 .Feb. 8, 1584-5 
 
 5 
 
 Thomas Dove, D.D. .. 
 
 
 6 
 
 Wiliam Piers, D.D. 
 
 Inst. . .Nov. 14, 1630 
 
 7 
 
 AugustineLindsell,D.D. 
 
 Inst. Feb. 25, 1632-3 
 
 8 
 
 Francis Dee, D.D. 
 
 Inst. . .May 28, 1634 
 
 9 
 
 John Towers, D.D. 
 
 [See vacant 12 years.] 
 
 Inst. March 8, 1638-9 
 
 10 
 
 Benjamin Laney, D.D. 
 
 Inst. .. Dec. 2, 1660 
 
 11 
 
 Joseph Henshaw, D.D. 
 
 Inst. . .May 28, 1663 
 
 12 
 
 William Lloyd, D. D.., 
 
 
 13 
 
 Thomas White, D.D... 
 
 Inst.. . .Nov. 9, 1685 
 
 14 
 
 Rich.Cumberland, D.D. 
 
 Inst. ...July 5,1691 
 
 15 
 
 White Kennett, D.D.. . 
 
 Inst.. ..Nov. 9, 1718 
 
 16 
 
 Robert Clavering, D.D. 
 
 Trans. Mar. 10,1728-9 
 
 17 
 
 John Thomas, D.D.... 
 
 Inst...October 4, 1747 
 
 18 
 
 Richard Terrick, D.D. . 
 
 Inst. ...July 3,1757 
 
 19 
 
 Robert Lamb, D. D.... 
 
 Inst.1764 
 
 20 
 
 John Hinchcliffe, D.D.. 
 
 Inst_Dec. 17,1769 
 
 21 
 
 Spencer Madan, D.D... 
 
 Trans. Mar. 21, 1794 
 
 22 
 
 John Parsons, D.D. ... 
 
 Inst_Dec.12, 1813 
 
 23 
 
 Herbert Marsh, D.D... 
 
 Trans. April 8, 1819 
 
 Died or Translated. 
 
 Buried at 
 
 Kings. 
 
 Died.1557 
 
 Depriv. 1559, D.1568 
 
 Norwich.1584 
 
 Died.June, 1600 
 
 Died August 30, 1630 
 
 Peterborough 
 
 Peterborough 
 
 Norwich. 
 
 Peterborough 
 
 Peterborough 
 
 5 Ilenry VIII. 
 
 ( Edw. VI. Mary 
 Mary. 
 
 Elizabeth. 
 
 Elizabeth. 
 
 ( Elizabeth, Jas. I. 
 ( Charles I. 
 
 S Bath and Wells, 1 
 X Dec. 13, 1632 ) 
 Hereford, March, 1634 
 Died October 8, 1638 
 Died. ..Jan. 10, 1648 
 
 Walthamstow 
 
 Charles I. 
 
 Hereford.... 
 Peterborough 
 Peterborough 
 
 Charles I. 
 Charles I. 
 Charles I. 
 
 Lincoln.1662 
 
 Died March 9, 1678 
 N orwich, Junel 1,1685 
 I Depr.Feb.1,1690 ) 
 
 X Died.1698 \ 
 
 Died October 9, 1718 
 Died . .Dec. 19, 1728 
 
 Died.July, 1747 
 
 $ Salisbury . .1757 1 
 X Died May 1,1781 ] 
 
 ( London . . ..1764 ^ 
 
 X D. Mar. 31,1777 S 
 
 Died.1769 
 
 Died.. .Jan. 11, 1794 
 Died.. ..Nov. 8, 1813 
 Died March 12, 1819 
 
 Ely, 1676. 
 
 East Lavant. 
 Hammersmith 
 
 Peterborough 
 
 Peterborough 
 
 Peterborough 
 
 Winchester .. 
 
 London 
 
 Peterborough 
 Peterborough 
 Oxford. 
 
 Charles II. 
 Charles II. 
 Charles II. 
 
 James II. 
 
 Wm. and Mary 
 George I. 
 George II. 
 
 George II. 
 
 George II. 
 
 George III. 
 George III. 
 George III. 
 George III. 
 George III. 
 
 Brief Biographical Notices of most of these Prelates will be found in the preceding pages. 
 
A CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF THE 
 
 of liFtcrlJormig!), 
 
 WITH BIOGRAPHICAL MEMORANDA. 
 
 83 
 
 No. 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 
 6 
 
 7 
 
 8 
 9 
 
 10 
 
 11 
 
 12 
 
 13 
 
 14 
 
 15 
 
 16 
 
 DEANS. 
 
 Fran. Abree 1 , or Alree, B.D. 
 
 Gerard Carleton, B. D. 
 
 James Curthop 2 , A. M. 
 
 John Boxhall 3 , LL. D. 
 
 William Latymer 4 , D. D. ... 
 Richard Fletcher 5 , D. D. ... 
 
 Thomas Nevile 6 , D.D. 
 
 John Palmer 7 , D. D. 
 
 Richard Clayton 8 , D. D. 
 
 George Meriton 9 , D. D....... 
 
 Henry Beaumont, D.D. 
 
 William Piers 10 , D.D. 
 
 John Towers 11 , D. D. 
 
 Thomas Jackson 12 , D. D. ... 
 
 John Cosin 13 , D. D. 
 
 Edward Rainbow 14 , D.D... 
 
 Elected. 
 
 .Sept. 4, 1541 
 
 .November 6, 1543 
 
 .October 24, 1549 
 
 .July, 1557 
 
 . 1560 
 
 .. 1585 
 
 .March 2, 1590 
 
 Presented Dec. 3. 1597 
 Installed..July 28,1608 
 Installed June 12, 1612 
 Installed Mar. 20, 1616 
 Installed...June 9,1622 
 Installed Nov. 14,1630 
 Admitted Jan. 17, 1638 
 Installed...Nov. 7,1640 
 Installed Jan. 5, 1660-1 
 
 Died or removed. 
 
 Died.1549 
 
 Died.July 19, 1557 
 
 Deprived.1559 
 
 Buried...August 28, 1583 
 
 To See of Bristol.Nov. 13,1589 
 
 Dean of Canterbury.1597 
 
 Died.1607 
 
 Died..June 5, 1612 
 
 Dean of York.1616 
 
 Instal. Dean of Windsor May 18,1622 
 
 Made Bishop.1630 
 
 Made Bishop.1638 
 
 Died.September 21, 1640 
 
 Consec. Bishop of Durham.1660 
 
 Consec. Bp. of Carlisle, July 10,1664 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMORANDA RESPECTING THE DEANS. 
 
 1 Alias Leicester, Prior of St. Andrew’s, Northampton, and the first Dean of Peterborough. 
 
 2 Buried at Christ Church, Oxford, of which he was a prebendary. 
 
 3 Made Dean of Norwich at the same time, but deprived of his preferments by Queen Mary. 
 
 4 By an order from Archbishop Laud the executors of Latymer were sued for the value of a great bell belonging to 
 this church. Buried here. 
 
 5 According to Sir John Harrington, Fletcher accepted the See of Bristol for the purpose of leasing out its revenues 
 to courtiers, and which he did so freely and extravagantly that he left little for his successors. We are further told 
 that he was promoted to the See of Worcester, thence to London; that he attended Mary Queen of Scots at Fotheringay 
 to pray with her, and advised her to change her religion when on the scaffold; that “ he died suddenly of discontent, 
 through the queen’s displeasure at him for his second marriage,”—and was buried in St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, 
 without any memorial. Willis’s “ Survey of Cathedrals,” &c. vol. i. p. 779. 
 
 6 Nevile was Rector of Barnack, and Master of Magdalen College, Cambridge. See Todd’s Account of the Deans 
 of Canterbury, 8vo. 
 
 7 He was one of the Prebendaries of Lichfield in 1605. According to Brown Willis’s statement, Dean Palmer 
 “ left behind him but an indifferent character here, for embezzling the lead and running much in debt.”-—“ Survey of 
 Cathedrals,” vol. ii. p. 511. In his time Sir John Stanhope, Knight, was made “ High Steward” of this Cathedral. 
 
 8 Dean Clayton was Archdeacon of Lincoln, and Master of St. John’s College, Cambridge, in the chapel of which 
 college he was buried without any memorial. 
 
 9 He was Rector of Hadley in Suffolk, and Dean of Bocking in Essex, and advanced to the Deanery of York, where 
 he died December 23, 1624, and was buried in that Metropolitan Cathedral. 
 
 10 Vide ante, p. 35. 11 Vide ante, p. 35. 
 
 12 President of Corpus Christi College, Oxford, and author of many controversial Essays, which were collected and 
 published in three volumes, folio, by the Rev. B. Oley. Buried in the chapel of Corpus Christi College. 
 
 13 For an account of this Dean, afterwards Bishop of Durham, and a man of great note, see Surtees’s valuable 
 History of the County Palatine, vol. i. fob cvi. in which is a good portrait of the venerable prelate. 
 
 14 Edward Rainbow, a native of Bliton near Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, after receiving his early education at 
 Gainsborough, Peterborough, and Westminster Schools, was entered of Corpus Christi College, Oxford, and thence 
 removed to Magdalen College, Cambridge; and by the influence of the Earl of Suffolk was made master of the latter 
 college in 1642, but was dispossessed of it for refusing to sign a protestation against the king, called the Oath of 
 
PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL. 
 
 84 
 
 No. 
 
 DEANS. 
 
 Elected. 
 
 Died or removed. 
 
 17 
 
 18 
 
 19 
 
 20 
 21 
 22 
 
 23 
 
 24 
 
 25 
 
 26 
 
 27 
 
 28 
 
 Janies Duport 15 , D.D. 
 
 Simon Patrick 16 , D.D. 
 
 Richard Kidder 17 , D. D. 
 
 Samuel Freeman 18 , D. D.... 
 
 White Kennett 19 , D. D. 
 
 Richard Reynolds 20 , LL. D.. 
 
 William Gee, D.D. 
 
 John Mandeville 21 , D. D. ... 
 
 Francis Lockier 22 , D. D. 
 
 John Thomas 23 , D. D. 
 
 Robert Lamb 24 , LL. D.... 
 
 Charles Tarrant 25 , D. D. 
 
 Installed July 27, 1664 
 Installed...Aug. 1, 1679 
 Installed Oct. 30, 1689 
 Installed Sept. 21,1691 
 
 .Feb.21,1707 
 
 .November 20, 1718 
 
 .December 9, 1721 
 
 .May 26, 1722 
 
 Installed March25,1724 
 Installed.. Nov.l, 1740 
 
 .1744 
 
 From Carlisle.1764 
 
 Died.1679 
 
 Cons. Bp. of Chichester, Oct. 13, 1689 
 Con. Bp. of Bath & Wells, Aug. 30,1691 
 
 Died...October 14, 1707 
 
 Made Bishop.Nov. 9, 1718 
 
 Translated to Bangor.....1721 
 
 Dean of Lincoln.1722 
 
 Died at Lincoln .January, 1724-5 
 
 Died at Peterborough .1740 
 
 Made Bishop of St. Asaph.1743 
 
 Made Bishop.1764 
 
 Died in London . Feb. 22, 1791 
 
 Engagement. In 1660 lie was restored to his mastership, made chaplain to the king, and advanced to this deanery. 
 He experienced much difficulty to obtain possession of the deanery-house, which was occupied by a mason named Blake, 
 a violent Independent, who bought it of the sequestrators. In Bishop Kennett’s “ Register” are some curious parti¬ 
 culars on this subject. Upon the translation of Dr. Sterne to York, Dean Rainbow was appointed to the See of 
 Carlisle. He died March 26, 1681, aged seventy-six, and was buried at Dalston in Cumberland. A life of this 
 amiable and estimable prelate, made up chiefly from his diary, was published by Jonathan Banks, a schoolmaster of 
 Appleby, 8vo. 1688. See Wood’s “ Athenre Oxoniensis,” by Dr. Bliss, vol. iv. col. 866. 
 
 15 A brief but interesting Memoir of Dean Duport has been written by the present Dean, and published in the 
 “ Museum Criticum,” vol. ii. He died July 17, 1679, aged seventy-three, and was buried in this Cathedral, where a 
 long epitaph points out his progressive promotions and talents. 
 
 16 Dean Patrick had been Vicar of Battersea, Surrey, Prebendary of Westminster, and Rector of St. Paul’s, Covent 
 Garden, Westminster. During his stay at Peterborough of ten years, he wrote his additions, &c. to Gunton’s History 
 of this Church; and was advanced to the See of Chichester, 1689, whence he was translated to Ely in 1691. Dying 
 in May, 1707, aged eighty-one, he was interred in the Cathedral of that city, where a monument is raised to his 
 memory, with a long Latin inscription. See Bentham’s History, &c. of Ely Cathedral ; and also Chalmers’s 
 Biographical Dictionary. 
 
 17 See History, &c. of Wells Cathedral. His “ Demonstration of the Messia” is considered a valuable book. 
 
 18 The name and memory of Dean Freeman are perpetuated in the writings of Dryden and Pope. There is a good 
 portrait of him, by Sir Godfrey Kneller, at the deanery. He was buried at Ecton, in the county of Northampton. 
 
 19 See ante, p. 42. The exertions and merits of Kennett were not confined to literature and the duties of the church ; 
 for we find that he prosecuted a law-suit against the Earl of Exeter, respecting the rights of the dean and chapter as 
 returning officers of the members of parliament for the city ; and after a long struggle established his case. Among his 
 MSS. are many documents on this subject. 
 
 20 Dean Reynolds had been Rector of St. Peter’s, Northampton, Prebendary and Chancellor of this Diocess, and 
 also Rector of Connington in Cambridgeshire, and Denton, in the county of Huntingdon. After remaining dean of this 
 church only three years he was promoted to the See of Bangor, and in 1723 further advanced to the episcopal chair 
 of Lincoln; where he died, in 17 43. 
 
 21 Dean Mandeville, who was Archdeacon and Chancellor of Lincoln, and a Canon of Windsor, was buried in the 
 Church of St. Mary Magdalen, Old Fish Street, London. 
 
 22 Dean Lockier was a man of some note in his time, being on terms of familiarity with George the First before he 
 came to the throne. In his early days he was also intimate with Pope and Dryden, and comes in for a share of comment 
 and praise in Malone’s life of the latter eminent poet.. Enjoying the friendship of Bishop Piers whilst living, he was 
 honoured with a bequest of that prelate’s library at his death. Whilst Dean Lockier presided here, the dean and 
 chapter determined to erect new pews in the choir, which had continued ever since the Restoration to be wainscoted 
 with the wood taken from the ceiling of the lady chapel. The present seats and stalls were then made, and though 
 very plain and very tasteless, involved the dean and chapter in considerable debt. A new organ was also erected. 
 
 23 Vide ante, p. 46. Before Dean Thomas was consecrated Bishop of St. Asaph, he was promoted to Lincoln, and 
 thence to Salisbury ; where he died in 1766. 
 
 24 Vide ante, p. 48. 
 
 25 On Dean Lamb’s promotion to the bishoprick, Dr. Tarrant of Bab'ol College, Oxford, and Dean of Carlisle, was 
 made Dean of Peterborough. He collected various fragments of stained glass from different windows, and placed them 
 in the two windows immediately over the altar. In 1777 he joined with the chapter in advancing a hundred pounds 
 towards new paving the church ; on which occasion the noblemen and gentlemen of the county subscribed the remainder 
 
DEANS OP PETERBOROUGH. 
 
 85 
 
 No. 
 
 DEANS. 
 
 Elected. 
 
 Died or removed. 
 
 •29 
 
 Ch. Manners Sutton 26 , D. D. 
 
 .AdhI 1791 
 
 J Translated to Norwich, thence to the 
 
 30 
 
 Peter Peckard 27 , D. D. 
 
 
 \ Archiepiscopal See of Canterbury. 
 
 31 
 
 T. Kipling 28 , D. D. 
 
 
 
 32 
 
 James Henry Monk 29 , D. D. 
 
 Installed March 7,1822 
 
 
 to pay the expense. Most of the old monumental inscriptions were then unfortunately destroyed. Dean Tarrant 
 had been progressively appointed a Prebendary of Bristol; Sub-dean, Sub-chanter, and Prebendary of Salisbury ; 
 Rector of North Tidworth; Rector of St. Mary-le-Strand; Vicar of Staines; Rector of St. Georges, Bloomsbury; 
 Vicar of Lamberhurst; Rector of Wrotham; Dean of Carlisle; and Dean Peterborough: and held several other 
 valuable preferments at the time of his decease,—Gentleman’s Magazine, 1791. 
 
 26 Though Dean Sutton remained here only one year he was active in promoting improvements in his church, and 
 has lately come forward with a liberal subscription to effect the embellishments now making. 
 
 27 Dean Peckard was Master of Magdalen College, Cambridge, and author of a sermon preached at Huntingdon 
 in 1753, in favour of a bill for naturalizing the Jews, and another sermon on civil and religious liberty, both of which 
 excited much attention. He also engaged in a controversy with Mr. C. Fleming on the “ Materiality of the Soul 
 and was a zealous advocate for the abolition,of the slave trade, which in his time engrossed popular sympathy. In 
 1790 he published a Memoir of his relation, Mr. Nicholas Farrar, and at different times produced several sermons, a 
 list of which is printed in the Gentleman’s Magazine for 1797, p. 1126. According to a statement in that useful 
 miscellany, he died, Dec. 8, 1797, after a long and painful illness, in the eiglity-tliird year of his age, in consequence of 
 having cut off a small wen from his neck in the act of shaving. Whilst chaplain in the army he entered into the convi¬ 
 vialities and follies too common with military officers; but after being seated at his rectory of Flitton, he adopted the 
 strictest economy and moderation. Fie even carried this system to an extreme, and only gave his chapter one annual 
 dinner. Hence he amassed considerable property, which was vested in his widow for life, and given afterwards to 
 augment the incomes of the master and warden of Magdalen College.—Gentleman's Magazine, vol. lxviii. p.440. 
 
 28 Dr. Kipling, the last Dean of this Cathedral, presided here from 1797 to 1822. He was a native of Yorkshire, 
 and entered of St. John’s College, Cambridge, in 1764; where he was progressively a bachelor, a fellow, and a tutor. 
 In this capacity he read Lectures on Optics, which he was afterwards induced to publish. The preface contained the 
 following extraordinary passage, which subjected its author to the sarcasm and censures of his contemporary critics. 
 After mentioning the works of Emerson, Harris, &c. he says, “ It is not intended in this character of the writings of 
 others to intimate, in the slightest degree, that the following treatise is faultless; it contains many inaccuracies, and even 
 some errors, of which the editor was fully sensible before he sent the work to the press, but was restrained from correcting 
 them by the dread of reprehension ,”—Seldom has an author made such an admission, and as rarely pleaded such a silly 
 excuse: but we must, in charity, suppose that he alludes to the errors and inaccuracies of other writers, whose calcula¬ 
 tions and conclusions he printed, but neglected to correct or point them out. Surely this is not consistent with the 
 character of a sound and learned tutor.—Although this injudicious preface excited the laugh and sneer of many, there 
 were others who knew and appreciated the learning of the tutor; and the Bishop of Llandaff, on retiring froth the 
 University, fixed on Dr. Kipling as his deputy professor of divinity. Here again the worthy tutor was doomed to 
 follow two men of splendid talents, by the contrast with whom he sunk in public estimation. The eloquent Dr. Watson 
 and the erudite Dr. Rutherford had invested this professorship with dignity, learning, and importance, which the new 
 deputy professor was incompetent to continue. In 1793 Dr. Kipling edited and published the celebrated Manuscript 
 of Beza*, which was deposited in the University. In 1808, after resigning his chair, he published an Essay to prove 
 that the Articles of the Church of England are not Calvinistical; which involved the dean and his friends in a splenetic 
 controversy. 
 
 29 Since the advancement of Professor Monk to this Deanery many useful and substantial repairs and restorations 
 have been made to the Cathedral. The principal of these are, new roofs over the transept, also over the western tower, 
 restorations of columns, mouldings and ornaments in various external parts of the Cathedral; new glazing, and repairing 
 the stone work, in several windows, which had been blocked up with rubble, and had long remained sad disfigurements 
 to the church. Two Norman doorways, of beautiful execution, which had been obscured for ages, have been opened 
 and restored. All the pinnacles, spires, and lofty shafts of the west end have been carefully and appropriately renewed. 
 Perceiving the utilities and beauties of these improvements the dean next directed his attention to the choir, which has 
 long disgraced the Cathedral, and found not only that much required to be done, but that the funds of the foundation 
 were very trifling, and that the general inclinations of the other members were at first averse to embark iu an expensive 
 undertaking. Zealous and active, he persevered in urging the measure, and ultimately prevailed on his colleagues to 
 cooperate warmly, and even subscribe liberally. The effects have been already stated, and the result will soon be 
 manifested to the world. Thus whilst these important improvements will reflect honour on the parties who projected 
 them, they will also be highly creditable to the inhabitants of this city, who have liberally subscribed by various dona¬ 
 tions, as well as to those who have advanced larger sums. 
 
 * This MS. is supposed to have been written in Egypt in the eighth century. 
 
86 
 
 PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL. 
 
 ¥Li$t of Prints 
 
 ILLUSTRATIVE OF PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL. 
 
 i. 
 
 n. 
 
 y hi. 
 
 IV. 
 
 V. 
 
 VI. 
 
 v VII. 
 t"" VIII. 
 IX. 
 
 X. 
 
 XI. 
 
 XII. 
 
 XIII. 
 
 XIV. 
 
 XV. 
 
 XVI. 
 
 Subjects. 
 
 Ground Plan, and Plans of Parts. 
 
 West Front, View. 
 
 Central Pediment of the West Front,) 
 
 figured V. by mistake on the Plate.£ 
 
 View of the Library, or Porch, West? 
 
 Front...-..$ 
 
 West Front, Plan and Section. 
 
 South Western Tower, Steeple, Pinnacles, ? 
 
 Turret, &c. ) 
 
 North Western Tower and Transept, View.. 
 
 View of the Cathedral, from N. E. 
 
 Two Circular Windows and Details in the? 
 
 West Front.) 
 
 East End, Exterior View . 
 
 Elevation of two Compartments of West? 
 
 End of Nave...$ 
 
 Niches, Effigies, &c. in the WestFrout,title 
 
 View across S. Transept, looking S. E. 
 
 Transept, N. to S. looking East, half Sec- j 
 
 tion and half Elevation.J 
 
 South Aile of the Choir . 
 
 East End, interior View, looking South.... 
 Gateway to the Deanery. 
 
 Drawn by 
 
 Engraved by 
 
 Inscribed to 
 
 Described. 
 
 H. Ansted. 
 
 J. Le Keux... 
 
 
 70 
 
 56. 60 
 
 59. 63 
 
 W. Bartlett... 
 
 J. Le Keux... 
 
 Venerable Dr. Strong.. 
 
 G. Cattermole 
 
 J. Le Keux... 
 
 Spencer Madan, D. D.. 
 
 59. 65 
 
 H. Ansted. 
 
 W. H. Bartlett 
 
 J. Le Keux... 
 
 J. Le Keux... 
 
 Ed. Blore, Esq. Arch... 
 
 24.56.60.70 
 
 58. 60 
 
 W. H. Bartlett 
 
 J. Le Keux... 
 
 R. Sparling Berry, Esq. 
 
 60. 68. 70 
 
 J. Le Keux... 
 
 Hen. Ellison, Esq. 
 
 61 
 
 E. Blore . 
 
 W. Bartlett... 
 
 J. Le Keux... 
 
 J. Le Keux... 
 
 The Bishop. 
 
 57. 63 
 
 57. 69 
 
 H. Ansted..... 
 
 J. Le Keux... 
 
 J. Le Keux... 
 J. Le Keux... 
 
 
 20.54.60 
 
 57. 79 
 
 20. 66 
 
 W.H. Bartlett 
 
 Ven. Archd.Bonney.... 
 
 H. Ansted. 
 
 J. Le Keux... 
 
 A. Salvin, Esq. Arch... 
 
 20. 68. 71 
 
 W. H. Bartlett 
 
 W.Wallis.... 
 
 Rev. John Parsons. 
 
 20. 57. 72 
 
 R. Cattermole. 
 
 W.Woolnoth 
 
 Rev. Thos. S. Hughes.. 
 
 20. 67 
 
 Bartlett. 
 
 Branston. 
 
 Title-page. 
 
 ® Chronological 
 
 OF THE 
 
 NAMES AND DATES OF DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE ABBEY CHURCH OF MEDEHAMSTED, 
 NOW CATHEDRAL OF PETERBOROUGH. 
 
 Kings. 
 
 Peada. 
 
 Edgar. 
 
 Henry I.... 
 
 Stephen.... 
 Henry II... 
 
 John. 
 
 Henry III. 
 
 Edward II. 
 
 Henry VI.. 
 Henry VII. 
 
 Abbots. 
 
 Saxulpbus. 
 
 Adulphus... 
 
 Ernulphus. 
 
 John de Sais. 
 
 Martin de Vecti . 
 
 William de Waterville. 
 
 Benedict. 
 
 Robert de Lyndeseye .. 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 Waller de St. Edmunds. 
 
 John de Caleto. 
 
 Richard de London. 
 
 Godfrey de Croyland..., 
 Richard Aston. 
 
 Thos Kirton. 
 
 Date. 
 
 655 
 
 966 
 
 1107 
 
 1117 
 
 1140 
 
 1160 
 
 1180 
 
 1214 
 
 About 
 
 1220 
 
 1233 
 
 1248 
 
 1272 
 
 1299 
 
 1438 
 
 1496 
 
 Parts of the Building. 
 
 Founded. 
 
 New Church . 
 
 Dormitory, Refectory, and Chapter-house 
 
 Foundation of the new Church. 
 
 Gate to the Monstery, Chancel,Choir, &c. 
 (Transept, founded Becket’s Chapel, part\ 
 ) of the great Tower, Cloister covered ( 
 ) with Lead, ordered and disposed thef 
 V Choir, and built the Donuts Injirmorum ' 
 
 Nave ... 
 
 5 Glazing of thirty-nine Windows, La- 
 ( vatory in the Cloisters . 
 
 Western Front. 
 
 West Transept .. 
 
 infirmary... 
 
 Lady Chapel on the North side of Choir... 
 
 Gatehouse to the Abbey. 
 
 New Building at East End of Church .... 
 
 S Entrance Gateway to Deanery, Hea 
 ven’s Gate in the Palace . 
 
 Described. 
 
 2.5 
 
 9 
 
 15 
 
 16 
 17 
 
 20 
 
 20 
 
 22 
 
 56 
 
 23 
 
 24 
 24 
 
 25, 57 
 
 26. 59. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Abbots of Medehamsted, &c. Saxulph, 4, 
 5; Adulph, 10; Kenulph, 11; Arwinus,12; 
 Leofric, 12; Brando, 13; Thorold, 13; God- 
 ric, Matthias, and Ernulphus, 15; John de 
 Sais, 16; Angeli de Vecti, 17; de Water- 
 ville, 19; Benedict, 20; Andreas, 21; Acha- 
 rius, 21; de Lyndesey, de Holderness, de 
 Ramsey, and de St. Edmund, 22; de Caleto 
 and de Sutton, 23; de London and de Wood¬ 
 ford, 24; Botheby, Mercot, Genge, and 
 Aston, 25; Kirton, Ramsey, and Cham¬ 
 bers, 26. 
 
 Adulph, first abbot of this monastery, 10. 
 
 Altars and chapels, at the dissolution, 30—32. 
 
 Architecture, Egyptian, Grecian, Roman, and 
 Christian, remarks on, 69. 
 
 -, Christian, remarks on the term, 
 
 69. 
 
 Athelwold, a constructor or builder, 9. 
 
 Bentham, his Llistory of Ely noticed, and its 
 embellishments, preface, vii. 32. 
 
 Benedict, Abbot, his buildings, &c., 20. 54. 
 
 Bishops of Peterborough. Chambers, 
 26; Pole, 33; Scambler, 33, 34; Howland 
 and Dove, 34; Pierce, Lindsell, Dee, and 
 Towers, 35; Laney, 38; Henshaw and 
 Lloyd, 39; White and Cumberland, 40; 
 Kennett, 42; Clavering and Thomas, 46; 
 Terrick, 47; Lamb and HinchlifFe, 48; Ma- 
 dan and Parsons, 49; Marsh, 50. 
 
 Bishops, list of, 82. 
 
 Brachiam, remarks on, 55. 
 
 Bridge across the Nen, 24. 
 
 Burgh, etymology of, old name of Peterborough, 
 famous in the time of William I. 11. 
 
 Cathedral, foundation and establishment of, 
 27- 32; defaced and injured by Cromwell’s 
 soldiers, 36—38; Lady Chapel destroyed, 
 38. 
 
 -, historical and descriptive ac¬ 
 
 count of the building, and architectural cha¬ 
 racter of the church, chap, iii., 51 ; neglect 
 of writers respecting buildings, 51; a truly 
 Norman specimen of architecture, 53; new 
 church built, 53 ; altar end and chancel built, 
 54; nave, 54; painted ceiling, 54; windows 
 glazed, 55; gate, 55; west front, remarks on, 
 56; great steeple, 57; central porch, 57; 
 new buildings at east end, 57; environs of 
 the cathedral, cemetery, Ac. and distant 
 views of, 58; (see Minster.) 
 
 Cathedrals, remarks on the historians of, and 
 of their patrons, vii. 
 
 Carter, John, gave designs for organ screen, 
 choir, &c., 73; his sketches in possession of 
 the author, 73. 
 
 Chapels at the time of dissolution, 31, 32. 
 
 Chambers, Bp. remarks on, and on the dissolu¬ 
 tion of the abbey, 27—29. 
 
 Choir, new fittings up, now in progress,—from 
 designs by E. Blore, 75. 
 
 -, subscribers to, 76. 
 
 Cloister covered with lead, 20; described, 67. 
 
 Cumberland, Bp. memoir of, 40. 
 
 Danes invade and plunder the monastery, 7; 
 curbed by Alfred, 9. 
 
 Deans, anecdotes of Fletcher, Nevile, Pal¬ 
 mer, Clayton, Rainbow, Duport, Patrick, 
 Freeman, Reynolds, Mandeville, Peckard, 
 Kipling, Monk, 84. 
 
 Deans of Peterborough, list of, and accounts 
 of, 83. 
 
 Dean Monk, dedication to, iii.; account of his 
 reparations and improvements to the cathe¬ 
 dral, 74. 85. 
 
 Elsinus, Abbot, collector of relics, 12. 
 
 Font first placed in the cathedral, 35. 
 
 Furniture and fittings up of the church at the 
 dissolution, 30. 
 
88 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Gate-house to the abbey, 24; to the close, 20. 
 
 Infirmary built, 23. 58. 
 
 Katherine of Arragon buried in the cathedral, 
 26; remarks on, 79. 
 
 Kennett, White, Bp. memoir of, 42. 
 
 Lady Chapel, 56. 
 
 Lavatories, 22. 67. 
 
 Legatine constitutions of Otto, 22. 
 
 Mary Queen of Scots, 34; remarks on her cha¬ 
 racter and interment, 79. 
 
 Medehamsted, antient name of Peterborough, 
 etymology, 1 ; first monastery, or minster, 
 founded here, 2, 3. 
 
 --, very rich in Wulfere’s time, 4. 
 
 Mercia, extent of, 2. 
 
 Minster, or Church, founded here, 3—5; 
 destroyed in 870, rebuilt 966, 9; enclosed 
 with a wall, 11; church plundered, 15; dormi¬ 
 tory, refectory, and chapter-house, built 1107, 
 15; new church founded 1117, 16; parts of 
 choir and monastery burnt, 16; increased 
 by de Yecti and gateway built, 17; founda¬ 
 tion of Becket’s chapel, covering of cloister, 
 transept by Waterville, 20; Becket’s chapel 
 finished, great gateway, St. Nicholas chapel, 
 and nave of church, 20; lavatory made, thirty- 
 nine windows glazed, 22; church dedicated 
 in 1238, 23; great steeple, lady chapel by 
 Prior Paris, 24; great gate-house, 24; new 
 building at east end of church, 26; gateway 
 to deanery, 26; measurements of the church, 
 32; (see Cathedral.) 
 
 Monasteries, their influence and suppression, 
 remarks on, 38. 
 
 Monument, antient, to the murdered monks, 8. 
 
 Monuments in the church, remarks on, 78. 
 
 Mount Thorold raised, 14; pulled down, 17. 
 
 Norman architecture and Normans, remarks on, 
 53. 
 
 Oswald, sanctity of, his miraculous arm, 12. 
 
 Patrick, Dean, remarks on, 84. 
 
 Peada, king of Mercia, founder of the monas¬ 
 tery, 2—4. 
 
 Peterborough a vice-papal see, 7—10; called 
 Gildenburgh, 10; situation and features of 
 the city, 58. 
 
 Repairs and embellishments of the cathedral, 
 72. 85. 
 
 Relics, number and character of, at Medeham¬ 
 sted, 11, 12. 
 
 Sais, John de, abbot, founder of a new church, 
 16. 
 
 Saxon Heptarchy, or kingdoms, 2. 
 
 Scarlett, the sexton, portrait of, 80. 
 
 See of Peterborough, 32. 
 
 Slyp, remarks on, 67. 
 
 Sparke, Rev. Joseph, account of, and his 
 “ Historic^ Anglice,” 46. 
 
 Swapham, his MS. history, 2; saved from 
 Cromwell’s soldiers, 36. 
 
 Waterville, William de, abbot, his buildings, 
 19. 54. 
 
 West front, remarks on its date, 56; descrip¬ 
 tion of, 60—65. 
 
 Wulfere, Mercian king, his works at Peter- 
 burg, 4, 5. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 C. and C. V/hittinghain, Chiswick. 
 
THE 
 
 HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES 
 
 OF 
 
 THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH 
 
 OF 
 
 JHHorcESter: 
 
 ILLUSTRATED BY 
 
 A SERIES OF ENGRAVINGS 
 
 OF 
 
 VIEWS, ELEVATIONS, PLANS, AND DETAILS OF THAT EDIFICE: 
 
 INCLUDING 
 
 AN ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION OF THE CHURCH, 
 
 AND 
 
 ISioerapfncal ancctiotcs of tfje ant) of otljcr ©mtrtcnt IPcrsono connccttu toitf) ti?e «2FatfjcTiraG 
 
 BY JOHN BRITTON, F.S.A. M.R.S.L. 
 
 AND MEMBER OF SEVERAL OTHER FOREIGN AND ENGLISH SOCIETIES. 
 
 Edition: 
 
 PUBLISHED BY LONGMAN, REES, ORME, BROWN, GREEN, AND T. LONGMAN, PATERNOSTER ROW. 
 
 1835. 
 
c. WHITTING HAM, CHISWICK. 
 
TO 
 
 HENRY THOMAS HOPE, Esq. M. P. 
 
 <$c- «S r - c S’ c - 
 
 DEAR SIR, 
 
 Having been honoured with the patronage and friendly notice of 
 your late estimable and highly-talented father ; having watched your 
 own progress from infancy to manhood, and observed with great 
 satisfaction, that you are following his laudable example in a 
 zealous devotion to Literature and the Fine Arts, I beg to inscribe 
 this Volume to you. 
 
 Although nurtured in the midst of, and surrounded by galleries 
 of the choicest classical works of ancient and modern Art, you are 
 not insensible to the fine and interesting Architecture of the Middle 
 Ages. On taking possession of your splendid treasures, you found 
 many manuscripts and numerous sketches by your good parent, the 
 late Mr. Thomas Hope, and have very laudably superintended and 
 directed some of them for publication. 
 
 The Christian Architecture of the south of France, of Germany, 
 and of the north of Italy, which will be illustrated by the posthumous 
 
IV 
 
 DEDICATION. 
 
 work alluded to, has never been properly and judiciously represented 
 and described. You will, therefore, be the means of bringing before 
 the public a series of engravings and essays on the subject, which 
 will at once be new and interesting, calculated to benefit both art 
 and archaeology, and reflect additional honour on the name of 
 Hope. 
 
 I am, Sir, 
 
 Your obliged and obedient servant, 
 
 J. BRITTON. 
 
 Burton Street, London, 
 
 March, 1835. 
 
PREFATORY ESSAY 
 
 EXPLANATORY OF CAUSES OF DELAY :—ORIGIN, PROGRESS, AND TERMINATION 
 
 OF THE CATHEDRAL ANTIQUITIES :-PARALYZING EFFECT OF THE COPYRIGHT 
 
 ACT: — CHARACTER OF THE ENGLISH CATHEDRAL CHURCHES:-FORMER PUB¬ 
 
 LICATIONS ON THEM: PRICE, BENTHAM, WARTON, GRAY, HORACE WALPOLE, 
 MILNER:—RIVALRY AT SALISBURY, AND TREATMENT AT WELLS, EXETER, 
 AND HEREFORD:—HISTORY OF THAT OF LINCOLN, AND REFERENCES TO SIX 
 
 OTHER CATHEDRALS :-CHURCH REFORM :—APPEAL TO BISHOPS, DEANS, AND 
 
 CHAPTERS:—THE LAST TEN YEARS OF THE AUTHORS LITERARY LIFE, WITH 
 NOTICES OF HIS WORKS, SALES OF BOOKS, ETC. 
 
 On completing the History of Worcester Cathedral, the author has 
 to entreat the pardon of his patrons and friends for the unusual 
 length of time which has been devoted to its execution.—At the 
 announcement of 64 The Cathedral Antiquities,” in May, 1814 , it 
 was promised that four Numbers should appear yearly, at quarterly 
 intervals; twenty years have since elapsed, and only fifty-three 
 Numbers have been published ; but the chief delay has been within 
 the last three years. Had generous patronage and kind attentions 
 been manifested towards the author in the early progress of his work, 
 he would most certainly have been animated to greater exertions;— 
 to more ardent zeal; but the coldness, and even contumely of the 
 dignitaries of some Cathedrals—the ingratitude and even impositions 
 of certain parties who were early engaged in the work—and without 
 a prospect of a fair remuneration for bodily and mental labour, it is 
 not surprising, nor very reprehensible, that he became sometimes 
 languid—sometimes indifferent. But for the cordial and friendly 
 assistance of the respectable publishers who first embarked in the 
 work, it would certainly never have reached its present size and 
 quality. During its progress, more than twenty thousand pounds have 
 been expended upon its execution, and thus English art, literature, 
 
VI 
 
 PREFATORY ESSAY. 
 
 and trade have been all promoted; although a large portion of that 
 sum has necessarily reverted to the state, in taxation. Three hundred 
 and ten drawings and engravings have been executed for its embel- 
 lishment, whereby some of the most eminent artists of the country 
 have acquired fame and liberal remuneration. Paper-makers, 
 stationers, printers, binders, book-sellers, and others, have derived 
 profits ; whilst eleven public and private libraries of the kingdom 
 have had their literary stores increased, by exacting from the author 
 so many copies of this expensive publication 1 . 
 
 The first portion of the present Volume was issued in January, 
 1832 ; and the last ought to have been finished by the end of that 
 year, and which the author fully anticipated at the time he began. 
 A succession of unexpected and uncontrollable events, however, 
 have occurred to thwart his intentions. 
 
 For more than thirty successive years he has laboured to produce 
 the Architectural and Cathedral Antiquities, and may 
 venture to state, that he has honestly fulfilled every pledge to the 
 public in the quantity and quality of embellishments, of literary 
 matter, and in other executive parts of those works. On the present 
 
 1 There may be readers, even in the present age, who are not aware that every author of a 
 literary work, however small and cheap, or however large and expensive, is compelled by statute 
 to present eleven copies of such work to as many public and private libraries named in the said 
 statute. Suffering a severe taxation by this law, feeling that the cause of literature and of its 
 professors was unjustly and harshly treated by it, and that most of the libraries named ought 
 rather to patronize and encourage authors than to extort their best, and perhaps only inheritance 
 from them, the writer of this volume petitioned the legislature, wrote a pamphlet, entitled 
 “ The Rights of Literature," and in many other ways and on various occasions appealed to 
 the government and to the country against this very oppressive and partial enactment. The law 
 still continues in force ; writers and publishers complain—some of the said libraries are surcharged 
 with the quantity of new books and pamphlets that have been lately published, and yet there is 
 no mitigation of this penalty on authorship. If the profession was more lucrative than any other 
 —if it secured higher honours, distinctions, immunities, than those of law, medicine, architecture, 
 or any other art or science, such a tax might be tolerated and forgiven. But the reverse is too 
 notorious to require comment. The annals of “ the Literary Fund," and Disraeli’s eloquent 
 “ Calamities of Authors,” furnish too many woeful pictures of worldly and mental distress to make 
 the profession enviable, or advisable to be pursued as a source of continuous livelihood. 
 
PREFATORY ESSAY. 
 
 Vll 
 
 occasion he has, however, grievously erred against time, and taxed 
 the patience of friends. Still he cannot help indulging a hope that 
 every friend—every impartial stranger—will pardon him, when he 
 assures both, that repeated attacks of illness have reduced his energies, 
 and sometimes even his capabilities of composition; that the eyes 
 and memory often give notice they have been overworked, and 
 claim a little respite; that many public demands are made on his 
 time, beside those of a domestic and friendly nature; and that 
 these have conspired, for the last three or four years, to detach him 
 often from the Cathedral Antiquities. Hence the present Volume, 
 and the “ Architectural Dictionary/’ have been suspended ; but the 
 first is at length closed, and the second is advancing, and will be 
 finished, it is believed and hoped, before the end of the following 
 winter. 
 
 It is universally admitted that the Cathedral Churches of England 
 are its proudest and most interesting monuments. Whilst they serve 
 to display the science, the taste, and the customs of our ancestors, 
 from the eleventh to the end of the fifteenth century, they are objects 
 to attract the attention, and to gratify the finer feelings of every class 
 of persons. No human being, however illiterate, or however refined, 
 can pass by the Minsters of York, Canterbury, Lincoln, and Salis¬ 
 bury, without having his wonder excited or his thinking faculties 
 stimulated. Replete with all the subtleties, the beauties, the attributes 
 of art, they are calculated to fascinate the fancy of the poet, the 
 reminiscences of the antiquary, the science of the architect, and 
 the erudition of the historian; yet with all these attractions, it is a 
 singular and rather surprising fact, that until Browne Willis published 
 his “ Survey of the Cathedrals,” in 1742, there was not a literary and 
 embellished work devoted to the subject. That publication, indeed 
 is, as may be reasonably inferred, very defective, not only as regards 
 a critical investigation into their architectural characteristics, but 
 in many other particulars, as well as in the engraved ground plans 
 
Vlll 
 
 PREFATORY ESSAY. 
 
 and views, which accompany the letter-press. Somner and Battely 
 produced a very valuable and curious folio volume on Canterbury 
 Cathedral , in 1703. Price, who was a carpenter, or a builder at Salis¬ 
 bury, published a quarto volume, in 1753, on Salisbury Cathedral, 
 with a singularly prolix and involved title, and with literary matter 
 not much better 2 . Bentham made great improvements on all his 
 predecessors in his 44 History of Ely Cathedral,” published in quarto, 
 1771 ; he fortunately had associated himself, and profited by the 
 conversation and opinions of such men as Gray, Mason, Essex, 
 and Baker, of Cambridge, whilst T. Warton was engaged in similar 
 studies and publications at Oxford. A new light seems to have 
 dawned on the antiquaries and literati of England, who found 
 rational amusement, and deep interest, in traversing their own 
 island, and in exploring the beauties, varieties, and peculiarities 
 of its architectural antiquities. Gray’s Letters, Warton’s Notes to 
 Spenser’s Fairy Queen, Essex’s communications to the “ Archse- 
 ologia,” with other writings of the same class and tendency excited 
 inquiries into the subject, and gave an impulse to students. Horace 
 Walpole, by his fluent and witty writings, further fanned the flame; 
 and by erecting a sort of pseudo-Gothic villa, at Strawberry Hill, 
 attracted the eye and the tongue of the fashionable world. The 
 finishing and details of that capricious and peurile house impeached 
 both the taste and knowledge of its master; for it contained 
 scarcely one good form, and every principle of the genuine 
 
 2 This title is worth reprinting, as shewing something of the “ taste of the times,” or at least 
 the literary taste of the author and his publisher:—“ A Series of particular and useful Observa¬ 
 tions, made with great Diligence and Care, upon that admirable Structure the Cathedral Church 
 of Salisbury ; calculated for the Use and Amusement of Gentlemen, and other curious Persons, 
 as well as for the Assistance of such Artists as may be employed on Buildings of the like kind. 
 By all which they will be enabled to form a right Judgment upon this or any ancient Structure, 
 either in the Gothic or other Stiles of Building. By Francis Price, Author of the British 
 Carpenter.” The volume had fifteen engravings of plans, sections, views, Ac., and in that respect 
 was superior to any preceding work. 
 
PREFATORY ESSAY. 
 
 IX 
 
 Christian Architecture of the middle ages, which it professed to 
 imitate, was violated. Still it exhibited some picturesque features 
 and many pretty parts , which were calculated to please the amateurs 
 of the time. In the year 1798, the eloquent and learned Dr. Milner 
 wrote and published 44 The History, Civil and Ecclesiastical, and Survey 
 of the Antiquities of Winchester ,” (two vols. quarto) in which the 
 Cathedral, and its splendid monuments, were generally described, 
 critically investigated, and pleasingly illustrated. The author was a 
 Catholic priest, residing in that city, and he not only attracted much 
 notoriety by this history, but also by his sturdy controversy with 
 some of the established clergy of the Cathedral. The learned 
 doctor likewise wrote an Essay on 44 Gothic Architecture” for 
 Dr. Rees’s 44 Cyclopaedia,” (vol. xvi.) which, with additions and 
 improvements, was separately published under the title of “A 
 Treatise on the Ecclesiastical Architecture of England during the Middle 
 Ages.” 8vo. 1811. This was the most discriminating and judicious 
 essay on the subject up to the period when it was written. 
 
 On visiting many English cities between the years 1799 and 1814, 
 for 44 The Beauties of England and Wales,” the Author of the present 
 work had occasion to examine all the local guides, and the historical 
 works relating to such cities and their cathedrals. Price’s volume on 
 Salisbury Cathedral, was the first of the kind he had seen, and on 
 examining its contents, and engravings, in connexion with the 
 church, he found them insufficient and unsatisfactory. Having free 
 ingress to the church, and having artists with him to make a series 
 of drawings of that edifice for publication, after some of the plates 
 were engraved, and the work was in advance, one of those artists was 
 seduced by the Verger to make other drawings for a similar publication 
 which he had undertaken. Thus at the very commencement of the 
 44 Cathedral Antiquities,” was he opposed by persons who affected 
 friendship : by those he had endeavoured to serve. Against that 
 active and powerful rival, the Author was impelled to exert every 
 
 b 
 
X 
 
 PREFATORY ESSAY. 
 
 faculty and every means in his power. Fortunately these became 
 successful by securing him a series of engravings superior to those 
 in his opponent’s work; though he is ready to allow that the 
 literary part, by Mr. Hatcher, surpasses that of 44 The Cathedral 
 Antiquities.” That gentleman—the valuable and learned amanu¬ 
 ensis to the Rev. Mr. Coxe—had access to the cathedral archives, 
 and thence obtained some original materials. It is a curious and 
 singular fact, that this first volume of 44 The Cathedral Antiquities,” 
 has been the most popular of any one in the series, and has 
 produced a fair interest on the money expended. It cost above two 
 thousand two hundred pounds. In adverting to the Cathedral of 
 Salisbury, the author cannot help feeling a deep and grateful remem¬ 
 brance for the memory of Bishop Fisher. Attached to art, and capa¬ 
 ble of appreciating its better productions, his lordship promptly and 
 cordially encouraged the Author, and extended his patronage to him 
 for the remainder of his life. He also recommended his work to the 
 Princess Charlotte of Wales , who took much interest in 44 The Cathedral 
 Antiquities.” See the Dedication of the 44 History of Winchester 
 Cathedral,” to that popular and esteemed Princess, wherein Win¬ 
 chester is noticed as 44 an historical and royal city.” 
 
 An intimacy with Mr. J. Adey Repton, and offers of some valua¬ 
 ble architectural drawings by him, of Norwich Cathedral , induced the 
 Author to visit that city with two artists, in the year 1814. The 
 affable and courteous conduct of the venerable and amiable Bishop 
 —Bathurst—the kind manners of the worthy Dean—Turner—and 
 the personal civilities of several of the clergy and gentlemen of 
 Norwich, rendered the execution of the volume devoted to that 
 Cathedral, cheering and gratifying. 
 
 W iNCHESTER was next visited, where the learned and worthy 
 Dean, Dr. Kennel , made every thing easy and pleasant. The late 
 Mr. Garhett , then employed as architect to the Cathedral, and who 
 was a devoted lover, as well as a good judge, of cathedral antiquities, 
 
PREFATORY ESSAY. 
 
 XI 
 
 furnished the Author with an interesting Essay on the Anglo-Saxon 
 architecture of the Church ; whilst from the indefatigable industry, 
 and skill of Mr. Blore , the present distinguished architect to the royal 
 palace in St. James’s Park, the Author obtained some very elaborate 
 architectural sections, details, and views of that Church and of its 
 spendid monuments. Mr. James Thompson, the talented chronicler 
 of London Bridge, and of other able antiquarian volumes, was also 
 engaged by the Author to explore the registers, and other archives 
 of the Cathedral. 
 
 The commanding and justly celebrated metropolitan Cathedral 
 of York next engaged the attention and inquiries of the Author, 
 who, with Mr. Blore and Mr. Mackenzie, resided some weeks in 
 that city in the year 1817- On issuing the first number, those artists 
 were publicly thanked “ for the care and zeal they evinced in exe¬ 
 cuting their drawings,’’ when the Author was impelled further to 
 remark, “ that there is a feeling of sympathy and friendship arising 
 out of such acts more gratifying to the heart than any pecuniary 
 consideration.” The elaborate interior view of the Choir of that 
 Cathedra] is rendered more peculiarly interesting, now, from the 
 lamentable destruction of that part of the edifice by a fire, which was 
 of unprecedented and deplorable origin. Of its restoration, the 
 Author is not enabled to express an opinion. 
 
 The Cathedrals of Lichfield, Oxford, Canterbury, Wells, 
 Exeter, Peterborough, Gloucester, Bristol, and Here¬ 
 ford were successively and continuously published ; and the Author 
 has little further to remark, at present, on these, and their concomi¬ 
 tant, events, but to lament that some of the governing members of 
 Exeter, Hereford, and Y ells Cathedrals, should have given him just 
 cause to regret ever having visited their cities for the purpose of 
 writing histories of their respective churches. Peeling that he was 
 engaged in a public cause, and that many persons of influence and 
 taste were desirous of possessing a continued series of “ The Cathe- 
 
Xll 
 
 PREFATORY ESSAY. 
 
 dral Antiquities of England,” he fully expected that the temporary 
 guardians and trustees of those national edifices would give him every 
 facility, and indeed every encouragement to prosecute the work :— 
 that they would feel a pride and pleasure in seeing the noble fabrics, 
 which had been incidentally vested in their guardianship, for a short 
 period of time, faithfully and skilfully illustrated, and their beauties 
 and historical annals fully developed. Such however was not the 
 feelings or conduct of the dignitary and residentiaries of Exeter 
 Cathedral, when he visited that cit}^ with artists in the year 1824; 
 nor could he find any thing of the kind in the Dean and some of his 
 brethren, of Hereford, when there with artists in 1829- With appa¬ 
 rently tardy reluctance leave was granted at both of those places, for 
 the Author and his draftsmen to have ingress to the Cathedrals, to 
 make notes, sketches, &c.: but they were otherwise treated as 
 impertinent intruders and suspicious personages. Among other 
 consequences arising from such treatment, the Author was obliged to 
 commission a friend to visit Exeter, with two other artists, in 1825, 
 and thus incur additional and indeed heavy expense. The outlay on 
 those two Cathedrals have exceeded the receipts by at least five 
 hundred pounds!! This is one of the items, and certainly not a 
 pleasing one in the annals of “ The Cathedral Antiquities,” which 
 Mr. D’Israeli may, without much impropriety, introduce into a new 
 edition of his “ Calamities of Authors.” 
 
 That these statements may seem rather harsh and unpleasant to 
 the parties alluded to, as well as to some of their friends, and even 
 to persons of the same class and disposition, is more than probable; 
 but the facts belong to, and are intimately associated with “ The 
 Cathedral Antiquities.” They tended to repress the zeal of the 
 Author at the time, and have left strong impressions on his mind. 
 Had he experienced a cordial and kindly reception from those in 
 authority—and also that sort of patronage from them, which the 
 style and character of the work seemed entitled to, he has every 
 
PREFATORY ESSAY. 
 
 Xlll 
 
 reason to believe that he would have completed by this time the 
 history and illustrations of the twenty-one English Cathedrals, 
 originally intended to be comprised in this series. 
 
 The old English Cathedrals not illustrated in the present work 
 are those of Carlisle, Chester, Chichester, Durham, Ely, 
 Lincoln, and Rochester, for some of which the author has made 
 large collections, and would gladly transfer them to any literary 
 antiquary who may be disposed to publish their histories in a style 
 and manner to class with the preceding series. 
 
 The Author has much pleasure in stating that the most interesting 
 of these Churches, the finest and most diversified in its architec¬ 
 ture, that of Lincoln, is undertaken by an antiquary, not only 
 well qualified to do full justice to the subject, but who is disposed 
 to publish his proposed work in a size and manner to class with 
 the Cathedral Antiquities. The following extract from a letter by 
 Mr. E.J. Willson , architect, of Lincoln (15th March, 1835), explains 
 his opinions and plans : 
 
 “ My collections for Lincoln Cathedral have been made with an intention to give a full 
 view of the ancient establishment of its clergy; shewing it as a specimen ol the economy of a first 
 rate Cathedral, in the days of clerical magnificence. I have many grants and charters; the 
 statutes for the government and ceremonials, as well as accounts of the revenues and estates. I 
 have worked upon Willis’s catalogues of the dignitaries and prebendaries (which are extremely 
 incorrect, and every way imperfect), filling them up, and extending the succession to the present 
 time. The lives of the Bishops fill a large mass of papers, besides shorter memoirs of Deans and 
 Prebendaries. Out of these collections I mean to fill a volume in quarto, to match in size with 
 your works. Of the architecture of the Church I have sketches and drawings of many parts. 
 The ground plan I have drawn on a scale equal to Carter’s plans of Durham and Exeter, 
 published by the Society of Antiquaries. This plan is very full and accurate, displaying all 
 irregularity of dimensions, which occur in this as well as most other antient fabrics. I should 
 have a reduced copy made for engraving, but wish to have it as large as can conveniently fold in 
 the volume. You know I always advocate large plans, and wished those in your Cathedrals 
 had each filled two pages. Having carried my collections so far, it would quite supersede them 
 were I to publish an account similar to those of the Cathedrals you have gone through ; not that 
 I blame your plan, which appears very judicious, and probably as extensive as was practicable. 
 Indeed I have just made a synopsis of your arrangement to compare it with my own. Your 
 illustration is most full upon the architecture; mine would be as full on the ecclesiastical history, 
 for which I have enjoyed peculiar advantages, but the same could not be done for every Cathe- 
 
XIV 
 
 PREFATORY ESSAY. 
 
 dial. 1 am sorry to find you proceeding so slowly with your Cathedral Antiquities, and to read 
 what you say of discontinuing the series. The new system of cheap publication is undoubtedly 
 adverse to really valuable literature; but it must have its course as well as other systems. The 
 value of good books and good engravings may be depreciated for a time, but that value will be 
 again revived after the public has been gorged with offal, and thoroughly nauseated. If you 
 undertake any other Cathedrals, such as Ely, Durham, or Carlisle, I will take a hand in the 
 literary part. The two first are fine churches, and the latter has a noble choir. If the plates in 
 the published churches are too numerous, would it not be practicable to complete the series by a 
 less extensive illustration of the architecture? A plan and three or four general views, with some 
 plates of details of the architecture and sculpture might be sufficient. I shall be very sorry to see 
 your series broken off. We live in critical times: the youth of this generation may see the Cathe¬ 
 drals reduced to preaching houses, or left in naked ruins like the abbeys. All this is in the natural 
 course of Protestant reformation ; for the church establishment by law is founded not on Protes¬ 
 tant principles of free interpretation of scripture, but upon legislative authority ; and that authority 
 is now shaking to its lowest basement. Let you and I do what we can in following the 
 Bugdales, &c. of the age Charles the First. You have done much. I wish I could have done 
 more. 1 hope to do something for this church.” 
 
 Such is the prospect which the lover of Cathedral Antiquities has 
 to look forward to respecting Lincoln Cathedral: and as it can 
 scarcely be expected that the other six Churches will meet with 
 historians and antiquaries of equal qualifications, and possessing 
 equal local advantages, it may be proper to point out to the general 
 reader the best sources for information concerning those edifices. 
 
 Carlisle Cathedral. The Histories of Westmoreland and 
 Cumberland, by Nicholson and Burn, 2 vols. 4to. 1777, and of 
 Cumberland, by Hutchinson, 2 vols. 4to. 1794, contain brief, but 
 not very architectural, accounts of Carlisle Cathedral. It is only a 
 fragment of a church, but the choir and east end present very fine 
 specimens of the first pointed style. An exterior view, from the 
 south-east, and a short description, are given in Mr. J. C. Buckler’s 
 44 Views of the Cathedral Churches.” See also Lysons’s 44 Magna 
 Britannia,” for a ground plan, and for compartments of the nave, 
 and choir, &c. 
 
 Chester Cathedral has been briefly described and illustrated 
 by George Ormerod, Esq. in his valuable 44 History of Cheshire:” 
 and more particularly by Mr. C. Wild, in 44 An Illustration of the 
 
PREFATORY ESSAY. 
 
 XV 
 
 Architecture of the Cathedral Church of Chester,” folio, 1813. 
 Mr. Buckler, in the volume above alluded to, has an exterior view 
 from the south-west, and a short essay. 
 
 Chichester Cathedral. In I) alia way’s “ History of the 
 Western Division of the County of Sussex,” 4to. are engravings, and 
 some account of the Church : and in Buckler’s “ Views,” is a view 
 from the south-west, with a very brief essay. 
 
 Du rham Cathedral has had its architecture well defined in a 
 series of eleven engravings from drawings by the late J. Carter, and 
 published by the Society of Antiquaries of London, with descriptive 
 particulars by the same zealous architectural artist, and an histo¬ 
 rical essay by the learned antiquary Sir Henry Englefield, Bart, 
 fob 1801. “The Ancient Rites and Monuments of the Monastical 
 and Cathedral Church of Durham,” by J. D. (John Davies) 12mo. 
 16'72, is a curious and interesting volume. In Mr. Surtees’s 44 History 
 and Antiquities of the County Palatine of Durham,” fob 1816, &c. 
 is much valuable information respecting the Cathedral, and its 
 Bishops, also some beautiful engravings of views, portraits, and 
 seals, from drawings by E. Blore. See also Buckler’s volume 
 already referred to. 
 
 Ely Cathedral may be said to have engrossed more than its 
 fair portion of literary and graphic publicity in Bentham’s History, 
 already referred to ; a second edition of which appeared in 4to. 1812, 
 with additional matter, by the Rev. James Bentham, son of the 
 author. A supplement, by William Stevenson, E. S. A. in one 
 volume 4to. appeared in 1817- The Rev. George Millers, a minor 
 canon of the Cathedral, published a small volume on the same Church 
 in 1807, which has again appeared in 1834 in a third edition, at 
 once a compliment to the book, and a proof of a growing partiality 
 for the subject. This volume is illustrated by a series of engravings, 
 some of which are skilfully executed, and the whole volume may be 
 referred to as one of the best written essays on the historical epochs, 
 
XVI 
 
 PREFATORY ESSAY. 
 
 and architectural characteristics of a Cathedral, in the English, or in 
 any other language. In Lysons’s 44 Magna Britannia,” are some 
 valuable architectural engravings, and a short account of the same 
 Church: in Buckler’s 44 Views,” are two prints, and four pages of 
 letter-press. 
 
 Lincoln Cathedral has a very handsome volume in folio, 
 with sixteen engravings, devoted to its architecture and sculpture, by 
 Mr. C. Wild, 1819; but for which the author of this work would 
 have brought it into the present series about ten years ago, when he 
 had some careful drawings made. Buckler has a south-west viewg 
 and eight pages of letter-press. 
 
 Rochester Cathedral. Thorpe’s 44 Custumale Roffense,” 
 contains some plates, and an account of that Church: as does also 
 Hasted’s 44 History, &c. of Kent.” There is an octavo volume 
 expressly entitled 44 The History and Antiquities of the Cathedral 
 Church of Rochester,” 1717, and again printed in 1723, which is 
 attributed to Dr. R. Rawlinson. Buckler has a north-west view of 
 the Church, and three pages of letter-press. 
 
 The above mentioned Cathedrals are illustrated by small pic¬ 
 turesque views, with plans, and descriptive accounts, in 44 A Graphic 
 and Historical Description of the Cathedrals of Great Britain,” 
 commonly called 44 Storer’s Cathedrals,” from the name of the 
 engraver and projector of the work. Browne Willis’s 44 Cathedrals ” 
 contain plans and views of these Churches, with such historical and 
 biographical letter-press, as Mr. Willson has already described. 
 
 These references will direct the inquiring reader to the chief 
 published information respecting the Cathedrals which are not 
 embraced in the present series : and the Author indulges a hope that 
 he may live to see them all correctly and tastefully illustrated, and their 
 respective histories well developed. Since the commencement of this 
 work there have been so many artists, both draftsmen and engravers, 
 initiated in this branch of art, that there is little difficulty to be 
 
PREFATORY ESSAY. 
 
 XVII 
 
 apprehended on that score, and it is not improbable but that the 
 present spirit of Reform, which has penetrated into the recesses of 
 the royal and ecclesiastical palaces of the land, and obtained 
 partial converts there, and which even the stanch conservative admits 
 to be essential for the preservation of “church and state”—will induce 
 some of the spiritual and lay lords to encourage and support such 
 publications as may tend to illustrate the history and architecture of 
 the magnificent Cathedrals of the country, and of all other archseo- 
 logical subjects which essentially contribute to improve the public 
 taste, the public honour, and the general welfare of society. 
 
 The Author of the Cathedral Antiquities, before he came to the 
 determination of closing his work with the present volume, thought 
 it right to address letters to each of the prelates, and to all the deans 
 and chapters of England, explaining the state and nature of the 
 publication, and the necessity of relinquishing it unless he felt 
 secured against pecuniary loss. 
 
 J 11 the month of March 1833, the following printed address, and 
 a respectful letter, was sent to forty-four prelates, and deans and 
 chapters; to which the Author received only six replies. Two 
 Bishops offered to take in the work, two others were willing to 
 subscribe for the Cathedrals over which they presided; only one 
 chapter, (Norwich) requested to possess the whole series ; and another 
 offered every assistance to the Author, towards promoting a complete 
 history and illustration of its own Church. Such a chilling, dreary 
 prospect was not calculated to tempt the Author further in his 
 Cathedral expedition. His address follows :— 
 
 “ The architectural antiquary, and the lover of embellished works of this class, must be aware 
 that extraordinary and eventful changes have recently taken place, and are in preparation, as 
 respects the various stages of polished society—the patronage of embellished literature, and 
 particularly the ecclesiastical establishments of the country. These circumstances and consider¬ 
 ations have induced the Author to pause,—and to look out anxiously for such a change as may 
 be calculated to impel him onward to the completion of his proposed task, or require him to 
 relinquish the Cathedral Antiquities. 
 
XVU1 
 
 PREFATORY ESSAY. 
 
 “ That it would afford him gratification to finish the work,—embracing histories and illustra¬ 
 tions of the whole of the English Cathedrals, it is hardly necessary to assert: for the love of the 
 subject has grown, and even strengthened with his declining years. He would gladly devote 
 the remainder of life, with all his experience and zeal, to accomplish a copious, elegant, elaborate, 
 and impartial review of the histories, with accurate and tasteful illustrations of the architectural 
 merits and beauties, of all these important national edifices. —In the historical, professional, and 
 comprehensive Library, such a publication would not merely be a distinguished ornament, but be 
 eminently useful and interesting in its varied and extensive relations. And when the edifices them¬ 
 selves shall become ruins—or, like some of the famed temples of Greece and Italy, be blended 
 with the earth whence they arose—the then antiquary and historian would be highly delighted, and 
 deeply interested to ascertain their peculiarities in design, construction, appropriation, and 
 manifold characteristics. Had printing and engraving been known three thousand years ago, the 
 vast temples and palaces of India, Egypt, and Greece would have been familiar to us of the present 
 age, as would also the origin and application of the Celtic temples at Avebury and Stonehenge, in 
 Wiltshire; and also the Roman villas, stations, and fortresses—the domestic and religious 
 edifices of the Anglo-Saxons, and Anglo-Normans, of our country.— But all these, and many 
 other subjects of more recent date, are involved in mystery and darkness, and the antiquary vainly 
 explores archives and imperfect inscriptions, to ascertain some solitary guiding facts. 
 
 “ With Worcester, the Author will have completed his historical and architectural elucida¬ 
 tions of fourteen Cathedrals: and the following seven, tor some of which he has collected drawings 
 and materials, remain to make up the series,—viz. Carlisle, Chester, Chichester, Durham, Ely, 
 Lincoln, and Rochester. He appeals to his friends—to the patrons of such works—to the public 
 —and more particularly to the dignitaries and other officers of the Cathedrals, to come forward 
 with a moderate subscription, to enable him to accomplish a complete and ample Historical 
 Review of the English Cathedrals. He cannot ask for any thing like pledges, or promises, on 
 the part of the public, without a guarantee on his own: and therefore engages that the illustra¬ 
 tion of the seven Cathedrals, above named, shall be completed in three years, from Midsummer 
 1833—be included in Twelve Numbers, at Twelve Shillings each—and embrace at least Eighty 
 Engravings, with about Thirty Sheets of Letter-press.—On these terms, and with these views, the 
 Author solicits the names of Ladies and Gentlemen disposed to patronize the Work ; and if there 
 be enough to secure him against loss, he will prosecute it with renewed zeal, and with every 
 exertion to render it satisfactory to his best friends, and creditable to himself.” 
 
 Considering tlie education, associations, and number of wealthy 
 clergymen in the kingdom, and particularly of those connected with, 
 and deriving handsome incomes from the Cathedrals, it might be 
 presumed that from three hundred to five hundred of them would 
 be desirous to possess a literary and graphic work expressly devoted 
 to elucidate the histories, and illustrate the architecture of those 
 edifices. It is however believed that not more than one hundred 
 of the clergy are purchasers of this publication: and that its real 
 
PREFATORY ESSAY. 
 
 XIX 
 
 friends and admirers are persons of moderate incomes, who are 
 mostly professional gentlemen and amateurs. The Author readily 
 acknowledges his obligations to them, and also to some ladies who 
 have continued to patronize the publication from its commencement, 
 and who have often expressed a deep interest about its success and 
 completion. lie wishes he could say as much for the managers of 
 the great public libraries of the kingdom, but he has reason to fear 
 that scarcely any of these are purchasers; although nine of them 
 have extorted from him as many copies by legal authority ’. 
 
 The Author was strongly urged at one time to petition the houses 
 of parliament to appropriate a small annual sum to further a work, 
 which, in many critiques, has been called 44 National.” Though 
 he declined to do this, he ventured to appeal to an influential noble¬ 
 man of the Whig government to institute 44 a Commission of inquiry into, 
 and report on the architectural stability and actual condition of the Cathedral 
 Churches of Great Britain .” The subject was listened to, but deferred 
 in consequence of the then all-engrossing topic of Reform. It is 
 one that, in the natural course of events, must come under the 
 cognizance and scrutiny of government; for those edifices are as truly 
 national monuments, as they are national property. Transitory and 
 fluctuating as have been the tenure of many deans and chapters, 
 their legal guardians, and temporary proprietors, it is a lamentable 
 fact that some of them have manifested both indifference about, as 
 well as ignorance of, the noble architectural treasures consigned to 
 their charge. Others, however, we may state with feelings of plea- 
 
 3 Among dishonourable, if not dishonest acts, is that of a certain Scotch University, which 
 is reported to have bartered away all the books thus obtained, for five hundred pounds a year. 
 Surely such a transaction is a disgrace to the public body that sought a legislative act to authorize, 
 and to the parliament that sanctioned it!! As late as March ‘25, 1835, Sir Robert Peel, in the 
 House of Commons, said it would be better that France and England should each expend five 
 hundred pounds a year in purchasing the best literary works from the other country, than obtain 
 all books on exchange upon such a basis. This would certainly tend to encourage authors, rather 
 than oppress their energies. 
 
XX 
 
 PREFATORY ESSAY. 
 
 sure and praise, have devoted much time and solicitude, and even 
 considerable sums of money, to repair, improve, and adorn their 
 respective churches. The following edifices have experienced 
 varied degrees of improvement since the commencement of “ The 
 Cathedral Antiquities.” 
 
 Those of Winchester, Norwich, York, Peterborough, 
 Lichfield, Bristol, and Canterbury, have all been materially 
 repaired, and some of them essentially improved. In the times 
 of Charles II., George I. and II., and even during the greater part 
 of the reion of George III., all the alterations made to our inesti- 
 mable Cathedral Churches, as well as to most of those of a parochial 
 class, were calculated rather to deface and disfigure, than to improve 
 and adorn such buildings. Fortunately, many of these wretched 
 patchings have been removed, and corrected in our times, and it 
 is quite evident that a better taste, and an improving principle 
 pervades society. The Abbey Church of Bath has recently under¬ 
 gone great restoration and embellishment, under the direction of 
 Mr. Manners, architect; and the Cathedral of Rochester , which was 
 in a deplorable state about ten years back, has lately received 
 various and important improvements, under the superintendence of 
 Mr. Cottingham, architect. The Cathedrals of Hereford, Exeter, 
 Wells, Worcester, and even Gloucester, demand the careful and skilful 
 operations of their respective architects; for none but professional 
 men, who have studied Christian architecture, should be allowed to 
 add, or make alterations to these sacred fabrics. 
 
 Respecting the improvements recently made in the Cathedrals, 
 which are illustrated in this series, and of their respective defects, 
 the reader is referred to the Prefaces in the different volumes, 
 wherein the Author has endeavoured to point out what has been 
 done well, or ill, or neglected, in each church. Since Norwich was 
 visited in 1814, much has been done to its fine Norman Cathedral: 
 and that of Canterbury has also been greatly improved. The 
 
PREFATORY ESSAY. 
 
 XXI 
 
 Cathedral of Peterborough has had its choir, organ-screen, altar- 
 screen, and other parts newly formed and furnished from the 
 designs of Mr. Blore. The western front of Lichfield Cathedral, 
 and some other parts of that Church have also been repaired, newly- 
 cased, and decorated, under the direction of Mr. Johnson. The 
 unique chapter-house, at Bristol, has been repaired, cleansed, and 
 restored to what was probably its original design: it is now an 
 exquisite morceaux. Other parts of that Cathedral may be easily 
 improved, and at a moderate expense. 
 
 The Cathedral illustrated in this volume has suffered as much by 
 injudicious restorations and repairs, as by the injuries resulting from 
 time and warfare. Many parts of its walls, being constructed with 
 a bad material,—a loose red sand-stone—have crumbled and become 
 ruinous; the central tower has been chipped, and in part newly 
 faced, whilst its once fine parapet and open pinnacles have been 
 reconstructed, without much regard to the original workmanship. 
 The interior is woefully disfigured by white and yellow washing. 
 
 Having made these remarks on some of the Cathedrals, and 
 commented on the conduct of certain persons, the Author will not 
 discharge his duty to himself, to his real friends, and to the patrons 
 of this work, if he neglects to explain his own pursuits, and the 
 manner in which he has occasionally occupied his time for the last 
 ten years. He is well aware, and ready to acknowledge, that had he 
 confined his attention and researches to “ The Cathedral Antiquities,” 
 alone, he might easily have completed the whole series before this 
 time: but as the clergy, who all look up to the mitre for patronage 
 and promotion, neither bestowed the one or the other on the 
 Author:—as most of the prelates wholly slighted him and his work, 
 and some of them even treated him with repulsive incivility, he was 
 impelled to resort to other literary speculations, and to connexions 
 of more congenial disposition, for occupation, and for remunerating 
 results. 
 
 In the year 1825, the Author published the third and concluding 
 
XXJ1 
 
 PREFATORY ESSAY. 
 
 volume of his “ Beauties of Wiltshire,” after an interval of twenty-four 
 years from the production of the two preceding volumes. As an 
 explanation for such delay, he thought it advisable to give a short 
 account of his literary labours during that period, and was uninten¬ 
 tionally led to write a brief Auto-biographic Essay. Commencing 
 his professional life with the two slight and superficial volumes, 
 on Wiltshire, his native county, he explained the origin of that 
 work, and also that of “ The Beauties of England:” —pointed out 
 the characters of “ The Architectural Antiquities :”—the “ Essay on 
 Bedcliffe Church ”—“ The History of Corsham House :”—“ The Bights 
 of Literature:” — “ An Account of Fonthill Abbey” — “A Catalogue 
 Baisonne of the Cleveland Gallery :”—“ The Fine Arts of the English 
 School” —and “ The Cathedral Antiquities,” up to Exeter and Peter¬ 
 borough, which were then in progress. He has subsequently 
 finished the two latter, and has written and directed the publication 
 of the following works:—The Histories and Illustrations of the 
 Cathedrals of Gloucester, 1829,— Bristol, 1830,— Hereford, 1831,— 
 and Worcester, 1835 :—“ The Union of Architecture, Sculpture, and 
 Painting,” being an Account of the Museum, Galleries, &c. of 
 Sir John Soane, one volume, 4to. 182? :—“ Picturesque Antiquities 
 of the English Cities,” a handsome quarto volume, containing 
 historical and descriptive accounts of the cities, with engraved 
 views of the gates, castles, bridges, streets, &c. Though the best 
 written, and illustrated, of all his works, and altogether an interesting 
 volume, it has proved the most losing speculation he ever embarked 
 in. Had it been published in 1810 instead of 1830, it would have 
 been eminently popular and profitable but, amongst the changes 
 of times, that of cheap, and even beautifully-embellished publica¬ 
 tions, is not the least remarkable, nor the least popular. In conse¬ 
 quence of the number and rivalry of artists and publishers, and the 
 skill of the former, with the substitution of steel for copper, and the 
 activity and business-knowledge of the latter, such publications are 
 now rendered to the public so exceedingly cheap, and really good, 
 
PREFATORY ESSAY. 
 
 XX111 
 
 that those of the old school, and even of the first reformers in the 
 walk, are superseded and neglected. 
 
 In the year 1830, the Author produced two small octavo volumes 
 —viz. an edition of Anstey’s 44 New Bath Guide,’' with biographical, 
 topographical, and descriptive preface, and notes; also, in union 
 with Mr. Brayley, 44 Memoirs of the Tower of London.” The 44 wear 
 and tear” of mind from these exertions occasioned bodily infirmities, 
 and the Author sought to restore his health by a sojourn at Tunbridge 
 Hells. Unqualified, however, for idleness, he could not resist the 
 temptation of writing another small volume, descriptive of that once 
 fashionable, and still rural and romantic village. During his short 
 residence there he also commenced the writing of “A Course of 
 Lectures, on the Architectural Antiquities of all Nations, and all Countries, 
 but more particularly explanatory of those of the Middle Ages.” Having 
 pupils in his office at that time, he furnished them with useful 
 employment and instruction in making numerous drawings to illus¬ 
 trate those Lectures. He has since delivered them at the London, the 
 Boyal, and other Institutions in the metropolis, also in Birmingham, 
 Bath, Bristol, and other places. 
 
 In the years 1833 and 1834 he wrote seven Essays for the British 
 Magazine, on the Christian Architecture of England; and also an 
 Essay on the wonderful Temple of Avebury, for the Benny Cyclopedia. 
 In the latter year he also penned Biographical Memoirs of Sir John 
 Soane, and Sir Jeffry JVyatville, two old and esteemed friends, for 
 Fisher’s very beautiful and interesting publication, 44 The National 
 Portrait Gallery.” Twenty-five copies of each of these Memoirs were 
 printed, with title pages and portraits, for presentations. In 1832, he 
 wrote descriptive accounts of several places in Cornwall, for the 
 same respectable publisher, to accompany a series of highly-finished 
 engravings from drawings by T. Allom, representing some of the 
 romantic scenic features, towns, and antiquities of that picturesque 
 and singular county. Emanating from and partly connected with the 
 
XXIV 
 
 PREFATORY ESSAY. 
 
 Cathedral Antiquities, was a series of thirty-one 44 Picturesque Views of 
 the English Cities,” from drawings by G. F. Robson, a draftsman in 
 water-colours, of deserved celebrity. He died in the prime of life, 
 and in the maturity of fame. That work was undertaken by the 
 writer of this narrative at a time (1826) when some of the landscape 
 engravers were without employ, from a sort of stagnation or panic 
 in the book-trade, and from the reluctance of publishers to speculate 
 on new works. An extraordinary change soon occurred, and 
 engravers and publishers became rapidly engaged in numerous 
 successive publications. 
 
 In association with Mr. A. Pugin, the Author undertook, wrote 
 portions of, and directed the publication of two quarto volumes 
 during the years 1821, 1822, and 1823, intituled, 44 Specimens of Gothic 
 Architecture.” Soon afterwards he wrote the historical and descrip¬ 
 tive part of another quarto volume, on 44 The Architectural Antiquities 
 of Normandy.” With the same artist, he commenced, in 1825, a 
 work intituled, 44 Illustrations of the Public Buildings of London,” which 
 extended to two large volumes 8vo., the management and chief writing 
 of which devolved on the Author of this Preface. Some of the Essays 
 were the productions of literary and professional friends. In the 
 course of these numerous labours, the Author was often retarded, 
 and embarrassed for the want of correct definitions, and precise 
 explanations of the many technical terms employed by different 
 writers on the architecture and archaeology of the middle ages. 
 He endeavoured to supply such a want to a limited extent for the 
 benefit of younger students, in his volume of Chronological Architec¬ 
 ture ; and is now engaged in improving, and materially augmenting 
 that work, in 44 A Dictionary of the Architecture and Archaeology of the 
 Middle Ages.” This is proposed to make a large octavo volume, 
 and will be embellished by at least forty engravings, by J. Le Keux, 
 with whom the Author has been in friendly association for more 
 than thirty-five years. 
 
PREFATORY ESSAY. 
 
 XXV 
 
 The destruction of the Houses of Parliament in October, 1834, 
 induced the Author, in conjunction with his old friend and literary 
 associate, Mr. Brayley, to undertake “ An Historical and Descriptive 
 Account ,” with numerous illustrations of those buildings, and of the 
 ancient Palace, which formerly occupied the spot. This work is to 
 form a large octavo volume, and to include at least forty engravings. 
 
 Earnestly and zealously occupied in these publications, and 
 also in many domestic, parochial, and public duties, it must be clear 
 that he has neither been an idle man, nor an useless member of 
 society. In literature he must avow that he has found more 
 rational and intellectual pleasure, than profit—but the former is so 
 far above the latter—and is so lasting and perennial, that it may be 
 regarded and cherished as the better order of riches. As long as 
 the mental powers continue it affords a never-ceasing source of 
 occupation and pleasure. “ To literature,” as his friend, Dr. Southey, 
 truly remarks, “ i am beholden, not only for the means of subsist¬ 
 ence, but for every blessing which 1 enjoy ;—health of mind, and 
 activity of mind, contentment, cheerfulness, continual employments, 
 and therefore continual pleasure. To the studies which 1 have faith¬ 
 fully pursued, 1 am indebted for friends with whom, hereafter, it 
 will be deemed an honour to have lived in friendship ; and as for the 
 enemies which they have procured to me in sufficient numbers— 
 happily I am not of the thin-skinned race—they might as well fire 
 small shot at a rhinoceros, as direct their attacks upon me.”—[“ Sir 
 Thomas More ; or Colloquies,” &c. ii. 254.] 
 
 The writer of these remarks fully coincides with the learned 
 author of Keswick, in his praises of literature, and from nearly the 
 same length of services in the profession. He cannot boast, however, 
 of having been so fortunate. Prom the year 1800 to the present time, 
 he has continued to watch the progress, and render his best services 
 towards promoting the advancement of several of the literary and 
 scientific Institutions of the metropolis. Acquainted with Mr., after¬ 
 wards Sir Thomas, Barnard, with Count Rumford, and Dr. Garnett, 
 
 d 
 
XXVI 
 
 PREFATORY ESSAY. 
 
 he lent his humble aid in the formation of the 46 Royal Institution” in 
 1799, and afterwards joined in that of the 44 London 4 The “Russell 
 Institution” was next projected in 1808, by Mr. James Burton, and 
 that being in the immediate vicinity of his home, the Author engaged 
 warmly in its establishment, and was soon elected on the committee, 
 in which, as a manager, he has been continued by the kind and com¬ 
 plimentary suffrages of the proprietors, up to this time 5 . For more 
 than twenty years he has also been a member of the committee of the 
 44 Literary Fund Society;’ in the duties of which he entered with 
 more than common zeal and sympathy, from having experienced 
 much of the labours, mortifications, pleasures, losses, and profits of 
 authorship. For the 44 Wiltshire Society ” he acted as honorary 
 secretary more than seven years. If the foundation of the 44 Royal 
 Geographical Society ” was not laid by himself he may claim no small 
 share in hastening it 6 . For many years he has been a fellow of the 
 44 Society of Antiquaries” and has also been a member of the 44 Zoolo¬ 
 gical” and 44 Astronomical Societies and of the 44 Royal Society of 
 Literature and at the time of writing this passage, he is co-ope¬ 
 rating in the formation of the 44 Archeological and Topographical 
 Institution,” which he earnestly hopes may speedily grow up to 
 strength , usefulness , and influence. 
 
 These are not the only pursuits and labours in which the Author 
 has been engaged ; for he has acted as clerk, surveyor, and collector 
 to a board of commissioners for more than twenty-five years, and has 
 
 4 It is .a curious fact in connection with the Institutions of the metropolis, and not very encou¬ 
 raging to prudent men, that the value of Proprietors’ Shares has in almost every instance been 
 depreciated. Those of the Royal declined from £.100 to £.30, and those of the London nearly 
 in the same ratio; but such was the then speculating competition for the latter, that the shares 
 rose in a short time from £.75 to £.100; these have also been much reduced. 
 
 3 Though the affairs of this Institution have been conducted with more prudence and economy 
 than any other in London, its original twenty-five guinea shares have declined to less than half 
 that sum. Mr. Brayley has been Us faithful and zealous librarian and secretary for many years. 
 
 6 The first printed prospectus for the formation of the society was written by the Author of 
 this Preface, and after being revised and improved by three gentlemen, distinguished members of 
 the present society, was circulated amongst a few friends. 
 
PREFATORY ESSAY. 
 
 XXV11 
 
 also taken charge of nine pupils, and initiated them in the elements 
 and practice of architectural drawing. Having now arrived at 
 nearly his sixty-fourth year, he feels warnings to convince him that 
 he is approaching the last chapter—the 44 finis,”—and that it is his 
 duty to review, revise, and correct those passages of his life, which, 
 he is willing to admit and lament, contain too many errors; and 
 endeavour to make the remainder as free from faults as can be 
 effected by a determination to profit by experience—to bear and 
 forbear—to be charitable and lenient to others,—and to live in 
 peace and good will with all mankind. 
 
 To the public, periodical Critic—(to whose conflicting and often 
 severe animadversions every author is subjected) he tenders thanks 
 for many kind and even generous notices of his numerous publica¬ 
 tions : he also forgives those (only two) who have endeavoured to 
 injure his literary reputation, and wound his feelings. One of them, 
 a powerful and caustic drawcanser, assailed him with severity at the 
 commencement of his 44 Architectural Antiquities,” and the other 
 employed an artful and insidious pen to degrade him, and traduce 
 his works in two or three periodicals. Although the former inflicted 
 some deep and painful wounds at the time, they have long been 
 healed : the writings of the latter only excited pity and sorrow. 
 
 Contrasted with those, and as an antidote to the stings of such 
 literary wasps, the Author has had some lasting and substantial 
 compliments paid him by several of the most distinguished literati 
 and critics, both of England and other countries. He has also been 
 kindly noticed by certain public societies, whose approval and praise 
 are among the highest prizes in the lottery of authorship. To record 
 some of their testimonials in this place, is due to the respective 
 parties, and may be reasonably allowed to the Author, without an 
 impeachment of his judgment, or a reproach to his ambition. 
 
 Besides approving comments and criticisms on his Architectural 
 and Cathedral Antiquities, and other works in the Edinburgh, the 
 Quarterly , the Monthly, the Anti-Jacobin, the British Critic, the Eclectic, 
 
XXV111 
 
 PREFATORY ESSAY. 
 
 and other reviews ; the Gentlemans, the New Monthly , the Monthly, 
 and other magazines; the Literary Gazette, the Athenceum, and several 
 weekly and diurnal periodicals, he has been favoured and honoured 
 with diplomas from the following societies :—the 44 Artists of Norwich,” 
 the 44 Antiquarian Society of Newcastle,” 1821 ; 44 SocietS des Antiquaires 
 de la Normandie,” (1825); 44 Chevalier Honoraire da dit ordre et de 
 I’ordre da Merite da Lion d’Holstein,” (1826) ; corresponding member 
 of the 44 Society of Antiquaries in Scotland,” (1828); honorary member 
 of the 44 Bristol Philosophical and Literary Society,” (1829); and last, 
 but not least in estimation, he was elected an honorary member of 
 the 44 Institute of British Architects,” in 1835. This last distinction is 
 more gratifying to his feelings than any public compliment he has ever 
 received ; because it proceeds from professional gentlemen, of high 
 attainments in science and art; it was awarded after the most scrupu¬ 
 lous inquiries, and it has placed him in association with Dr. Faraday, 
 one of the most scientific chemists of the present age. 
 
 Were he insensible of these complimentary distinctions, he would 
 be ungrateful and unworthy of them—were he to obtrude them on 
 every trifling occasion, he might be accused of petty vanity; but in 
 such a place as the present, he may be allowed to put them on 
 record, in association with, and on taking leave of, his most impor¬ 
 tant literary work. Whilst the 44 love of fame” impels man to the 
 most arduous enterprises, and to undertake and prosecute the most 
 useful works, it must at once gratify and reward him for every 
 effort, and every privation, to attain it during life. Posthumous 
 honours may please relations and friends, but can do nothing for the 
 individual, whereas every fair tribute of respect, and every compli¬ 
 ment conferred on living merit, even in the later stages of existence, 
 tend to make those stages consolatory and pleasant. They become 
 a sort of substitute for departed friends ; they sweeten the daily 
 draught of life, and tend to counteract or neutralize the poison of 
 envy, which is thrown into the cup of every person of eminence in 
 art, science, or literature. 
 
PREFATORY ESSAY. 
 
 XXIX 
 
 One of the most popular authors of this age, who unites in 
 himself the historian, the biographer, the poet, and the critic,—who 
 has been complimented with a title and a pension,—who commenced 
 his literary career in the ranks of democracy,—who, with the writer of 
 this Preface, has since that time studied man, as well as books, and 
 descried many errors and blemishes in both, and who has zealously 
 endeavoured, by his eloquent writings, to correct some of them, 
 lately said, in expressing his opinions of authorship, that whilst the 
 clerical advocates of episcopacy were often rewarded with “ stalls,” 
 and their consequent revenues ; such authors as those of “ The Book 
 of the Church,” and “The Cathedral Antiquities,” were well entitled 
 to “ lay stalls,” were there any, and led to something like public dis¬ 
 tinctions. Patronage of this kind, however, does not belong to Eng¬ 
 land, and it is not likely to spring up in the present age, when the 
 lynx-eye of Radicalism is penetrating every ofHce ; when church, cor¬ 
 poration, and other Reforms are urgently demanded by the country; 
 and when the old advocates for place, pension, and borough-mongery 
 are compelled to pay some deference to the public voice. 
 
 All the officers of state, and most public servants, after a certain 
 length of service, retire upon pensions, either proportionate to the 
 extent of time, or to the particular rank and station of the party. 
 Not so the author —not so the man, Avhose whole life may have been 
 devoted to literature. However eminent his talents—whatever may 
 have been the amount and utilities of his writings—unless adulatory 
 and sycophantic, in the cause of a political or religious party, he 
 rarely meets with either honours or fortune. At die bar—in the 
 church—in the army, the navy, and government offices, reasonable 
 industry, with moderate mental powers, are frequently advanced to 
 high titles—to great wealth. Such has been, and such is the state of 
 society in England : and if the author, the professional and long- 
 tried author, should shew that he is not justly treated, and has not a 
 fair chance to partake of the honours and rewards, which are sup- 
 
XXX 
 
 PREFATORY ESSAY. 
 
 posed to be national, it is not likely that authorship will be cultivated 
 by the prudent, or be ardently pursued by those who can in any 
 other way employ their talents. At the present moment, the number 
 of authors in England is immense, and the extent and variety of 
 their abilities exceed that of any other age or country: yet their 
 pecuniary remuneration is comparatively small. There is perhaps 
 no class of writers better paid than those engaged in the popular 
 periodicals ; and it may be safely said that there is no one profession, 
 in which more mental talent is required, and exerted, and where the 
 labour is more incessant and harassing. To furnish savoury food and 
 poignant sauce for the ever-craving appetite of the daily political 
 reader—the quidnunc of the present age—is the imperious duty of 
 the leading journalists of our times ; and when we read some of the 
 rapid essays, the midnight out-pourings of these writers, we are 
 delighted and astonished at the knowledge and eloquence displayed. 
 Yet we never hear of such men being advanced to titles, rewarded 
 by fortunes, or complimented by public monuments. 44 They 
 manage these matters better in France/’ There, Barons Cuvier, 
 Thenard, Lussac, and Poissou, have enjoyed annual grants from the 
 government to the amount of A/5420. 
 
 Hear what the elegant and eloquent E. L. Bulwer, in his 
 interesting work, 44 England and the English,” says on this subject: 
 44 Literary men have not with us any fixed and settled position as 
 men of letters. In the great game of honours, none fall to their 
 share. We may say truly with a certain political economist, 4 W e 
 pay best, 1st, those who destroy us, generals ; 2d, those who cheat us, 
 politicians and quacks; 3d, those who amuse us, singers and musi¬ 
 cians ; and last of all, those who instruct us/ ” 
 
 Very recently there has been something done by the government, 
 or by its high officers, to confer substantial compliments on literature 
 and science. Southey, Airy, Sharon Turner, and others, have had 
 pensions granted them at the instance of Sir Robert Peel; and the 
 
PREFATORY ESSAY. 
 
 XXXI 
 
 following have been honoured with titles—Sir John Herschel, Sir 
 David Brewster, Sir Henry Ellis, Sir Harris Nicolas, Sir Frederic 
 Madden, and Sir Francis Palgrave. 
 
 Having thus related a few anecdotes of his literary pursuits for 
 the last ten years, it is proper also to explain the reasons why some 
 of the publications herein enumerated, have been transferred from 
 the Author, and his partners, to new proprietors, and retailed to the 
 public at reduced prices. Some of the copper-plates of “ Hobsons 
 Cities ,” the whole of those belonging to the “ Public Buildings of 
 London ” also “ The Specimens of Gothic Architecturef and “ The 
 Architectural Antiquities of Normandy,” have thus come into the 
 market. At the time of writing this Preface (April, 1835), the 
 copies and copy-rights of the five volumes of “ The Architectural 
 Antiquities” —with those on Bath Abbey, and on Bedcliffe Churches, 
 have also been sold by auction : and the purchasers will be acting 
 but prudently and fairly, in reselling copies of those works at 
 reduced prices, in order to obtain a speedy return of the money 
 expended. On the occasion of this sale, the Author wrote and 
 printed the following Address, which he reprints here, as it constitutes 
 a material feature in his literary biography. 
 
 “ Authors, as a body, are not rich. If they publish their own works, they rarely increase 
 their riches: on the contrary, it often leads to ruin. The annals of the “ Literary Fund Society ” 
 furnish many lamentable examples of distress, arising partly from that cause. It is also known, 
 at the present time, that the respectable publishers of London are the best, if not the only patrons, 
 on whom authors can rely for pecuniary remuneration. These publishers are men of business,— 
 are merchants of adventure, who occasionally advance capital on unproductive articles. Like all 
 other tradesmen they seek to obtain profit on their wares; and one of the modes of doing this, 
 which has prevailed for some years past, is the disposal of the stock, coppers, and copy-right of 
 a book, after the market has been fairly supplied through the regular systematic channels. 
 
 “ In the event of the death of an author, or a partner in a publication, it often becomes 
 necessary to sell the same by auction, for the purpose of closing accounts. The immediate 
 cause of the sale of the works here referred to is the death of the Author’s once estimable friend, 
 the late Mr. Taylor. All his property was directed to be sold, and the proceeds divided amongst 
 relations and friends.—Desirous of retiring from the cares and pleasures of literature, and the 
 many labours of business which the Author of these publications has engaged in, and having 
 passed his sixty-third year, he wishes to abridge those labours, to relinquish writing for the press, 
 and seek a little relaxation, if not idleness. 
 
XXX11 
 
 PREFATORY ESSAY. 
 
 “ The purchasers of such copy-rights and property, for the purpose of obtaining a quick 
 return of the money they expend, offer the books at reduced prices, whereby they create a new 
 market and call in a class of purchasers which had been prevented, either from pecuniary consi¬ 
 derations, from age, or from accidental circumstances, taking in a new work at the time of its 
 original publication. In books of high price and intrinsic merit, this system must conduce to 
 the promotion of literature and art; must enable the student, whose income is limited, to increase 
 at once his stores, and his sources of gratification. It also extends the sphere of original and 
 genuine works, whilst it beneficially employs a numerous class of manufacturers, tradesmen, 
 and artificers. It likewise serves to disseminate such literature on terms to compete with the 
 compilations and dishonourable piracies of certain cheap publications, which are daily courting 
 popularity. The purchaser of a book, at its first price, complains that he is deceived, and has 
 been injured by the depreciation of his property, and therefore says he will not again subscribe 
 for, or purchase, new publications, lie should bear in mind, that if the book be embellished, 
 and if it be original, he has had all the advantages of novelty; he has received amusement and 
 information; he possesses the first, the best impressions of plates; and hence his copy will 
 always retain a higher value than any other edition which may be subsequently printed for the 
 new proprietor of the stock. The Author of “ The Architectural Antiquities” has thus reasoned 
 with himself, and is in a great measure reconciled to the event of seeing his Work, on which he 
 has devoted more than twenty years of labour and solicitude, reduced in price. lie is, however, 
 consoled with the conviction that all its essential information—all the facts and opinions it 
 contains, will be extended and diffused; and that these may create a love for, as w 7 ell as a due 
 and proper appreciation of, the Architectural Antiquities of the country. Before this Work 
 appeared there was scarcely any publication on the subject; and the Author experienced great 
 difficulty in obtaining drawings and engravings which should combine the scientific and technical 
 methods of the architect, with the picturesque touches and effects of the landscape-draftsman. 
 It was also as difficult to induce the general class of antiquaries and topographers to understand 
 the meaning and advantages of plans, sections, elevations, and details. Without these the 
 history and real character of the Architecture of the Middle Ages,—indeed of all ages, and of 
 all styles and countries,—could never be made out, nor be critically illustrated.” 
 
 If this Preface be thought unreasonably long by some Headers, 
 those of indulgent natures will make allowances for the feelings 
 of an Author, who entered warmly and anxiously into a subject 
 which has engrossed his best wishes, and indeed all his mental 
 powers, for more than twenty years, tie cannot therefore take 
 his final leave—pronounce the word farewell, return thanks for 
 courtesies and favours, and request forgiveness for offences, without 
 casting a retrospective glance over scenes and associations that have 
 afforded him varied and numerous sources of pleasure and mortifi¬ 
 cation—of hope and disappointment—of extensive intercourse with 
 the living, and manifold inquiries respecting the dead.