THE CITY.

WINCHESTER appears to have been a City of conſiderable Note among the antient Britons, by whom it was called Caer Guen, or the White City, from its Situation upon a chalky Soil. Many reputable Hiſtorians report, that it was founded by Ludor Rous Hudibras, 892 Years before the Birth of Chriſt. It afterwards became a Roman Station, and probably one of their Cities, as appears from the Diſcovery of a Pavement of Brick, and Coins of Conſtantine the Great, found in digging the Foundat [...]on of the Royal Palace of Charles II. Camden ^* tells us, that during the [6] Saxon Heptarchy the Weſt Saxon Kings reſided in this City; who adorned it with magnificent Churches, and an Epiſcopal See. King Ethelſtan eſtabliſhed here ſix Mints for the Coinage of Money. The Dome-boc of Alfred was repoſited in the Cathedral of this City, thence called Codex Wintonienſis; as was afterwards the pre⯑ſent Domeſday book of the Conqueror ^‡. From its firſt Foundation to the laſt mentioned Period, it was three Times deſtroyed by Fire. In the Civil Wars between King Stephen and Maud the Empreſs, this Place was almoſt totally deſolated; but the Misfortune was amply repaired by Ed⯑ward III. who fixed here a Staple^† for Wool, and Woollen Manufactures^§.

It is ſaid to have been firſt fortified with Walls by Guidorius, Anno Dom. 179. The preſent Walls are reported to have been erected by Mo⯑leutius Dunwallo, Anno Dom. 341. On the South and Eaſt Sides, for ſome Diſtance, they remain entire, and many Fragments of them are continued to a conſiderable Extent on the North and Weſt, particularly to the Weſtward, on which is to be ſeen a Baſtion, called the Hermit's Tower. Their Circumference is one Mile and [7] an Half. There were formerly ſix City Gates, the four principal of which ſtill ſubſiſt, as does one of the Poſterns called the King's Gate ^*; the ſixth Gate^†, which ſtood between the North and Eaſt Gate, is utterly deſtroyed. On the Weſt, and on Part of the North and South Sides, is a Foſs of prodigious Breadth and Depth, but to the Meadows, which were eaſily floated by the Ri⯑ver, ſuch a Defence was thought unneceſſary. The vacant Spaces within the Walls, now formed into Gardens, demonſtrate that the Town has been greatly depopulated.

Near the Weſt Gate we ſurvey the Ruins of a ſtrong and ſtately Caſtle, which according to Tradition was built by King Arthur Anno Dom. 523; and was a Place of remarkable Defence in the Reign of King Stephen, againſt whoſe At⯑tacks it was bravely maintained by Maud the Empreſs for a conſiderable Time. By a Plan of it drawn Anno Dom. 1630, it appears to have been a quadrangular Structure, with a Tower at each Angle: And by a ſmall Sketch in Speed, Anno Dom. 1614, we diſcover, that the En⯑trance from the Weſt was over a Bridge thrown [8] acroſs the Weſtern Foſs, leading to a Gate-way contiguous to the South Weſt Angle of the Building. It appears by the ſame Sketch, to have had ſome Outworks, with Towers, to the South. Heylin inform us, that ‘"it was a gal⯑lant, but not great Caſtle, bravely mounted on a Hill, for Defence, and Proſpect^*."’ The Weſt Saxon Kings, and many of our Princes after the Conqueſt, reſided in this Caſtle, ſome of whom were born, and others crowned ^† here. In later ^§ Times, it was inhabited as a Dwelling Houſe by Sir William Waller and his Family near one hundred Years before the Grand Re⯑bellion, in which it was demoliſhed about Anno Dom. 1642. During the Troubles the King had ſeized and garriſoned this Fortreſs; from whoſe Forces it was afterwards taken by Sir William Waller its original Owner, who was one of Cromwell's Generals. The Chapel of the Caſtle, which was, as at preſent, originally a detached Building, is ſtill entire, and is a mag⯑nificent Edifice, conſiſting of three Iles, 110 Feet in Length and 55 in Breadth. In this Chapel a famous Cauſe concerning the Superiority of [9] the See of Canterbury over that of York was tried Anno Dom. 1072, before Hubert the Pope's Legate, King William, and all the Biſhops and Abbots in England ^†. A Chantry formerly belonged to this Chape, as appears by its Diſſolution at the Reformation^§.

The Aſſizes for the County of Hants were ori⯑ginally kept in this Caſtle; at leaſt as early as the Year 1272, as we learn from the Wincheſter An⯑naliſt, who frequently remarks that the Royal Fa⯑mily quitted their Reſidence at this Place to make Room for the Judges; but at preſent the Chapel, of which I have been juſt ſpeaking, is appropriated to this Purpoſe. At the End hangs what is com⯑monly called King Arthur's Round Table, which is 18 Feet in Diameter. It would be needleſs to multiply Authorities for a Proof that this Table is of modern Date. However it is of higher Antiquity than it is commonly ſuppoſed to be: For Paulus Jovius ^*, who wrote above two hundred Years ago, relates, that it was ſhewn to the Emperor Charles V. and that at that Time many Marks of its Antiquity had been deſtroyed, the Names of the Knights having been then juſt written afreſh, and the whole Table, with its Ornaments, newly repaired. Turnaments being [10] often held at Wincheſter before the Court and Parliament, this Table might probably have been uſed, on thoſe Occaſions, for entertaining the Combatants; which, on that Account, was pro⯑perly inſcribed with the Names of Arthur's twenty-four Knights; either in Commemora⯑tion of that Prince, who was the reputed Founder and Patron of Tilts and Turnaments; or be⯑cauſe he was ſuppoſed to have eſtabliſhed theſe martial Sports at Wincheſter. In later Times theſe Exerciſes were called Menſa Rotunda ^*. The Names of the Knights inſcribed on the Table are much the ſame as thoſe we find in an old Romance concerning King Arthur ^†, viz. Sir Lancelot du Lake, Sir Triſtram, Sir Pelleas, Sir Gawain, Sir Garethe, &c.

On or near the Site of this Caſtle Charles II. Anno Dom. 1683, laid the Foundation of a magnificent Royal Palace, only the Shell of which was finiſhed. A Cupola was deſigned 30 Feet higher than the Roof, which would have been ſeen at Sea; and a Street was intended leading from the Weſt End of the Cathedral to the Centre of the Front. The Length of the whole is 328 Feet. A Park was alſo projected ten Miles in Circumſerence: but the Death of the [11] King prevented the Progreſs and Execution of this noble Plan. The Palace is at preſent converted into a commodious Priſon for French Priſoners of War.

The City of Wincheſter contains eight Pariſh Churches. It had formerly 45, or more, many of which were ſuppreſſed by Biſhop Fox in the Reign of Henry VII. as inſufficient to maintain their reſpective Incumbents^§.

In a Meadow, called Denemrch [...]ead, be⯑tween Hyde Abbey and the City Wall, Guy Earl of Warwick is ſaid to have encountered and conquered Colbrand the Daniſh Giant. The Battle-Ax with which he atchieved this memor⯑able Exploit was kept in the Treaſury of St. Swythun's Cathedral till the Reformation, and was called Colbrandis Axe ^†. Eaſtward of the Town, on a Hill called St. Giles's Hill, where ſtood a Chapel dedicated to St. Giles, Waldawus a Saxon, Earl of Northumberland, was beheaded by Command of the Conqueror^‡.

On the oppoſite Hill, called Catharine Hill, Leland acquaints us, there was a fair Chapel de⯑dicated to that Saint. It was endowed with Lands, and ſuppreſſed by Cardinal Wolſey ^‖.

[12] The Proſpect from either of theſe Hills is very delightful. The City, interſperſed with Trees and Gardens, magnificent Structures and vene⯑rable Ruins, and the Country conſiſting of watered winding Vallies, bordered by Decli⯑vities of a prodigious Height, gradually riſing into extenſive Downs bounded by diſtant Woods, muſt charm every Lover of romantic or rural beauty.

St. John's Houſe is appointed for the public Meetings of the Mayor and Aldermen. It has an Hoſpital annexed, and is ſaid to have been founded by William Lamb, Eſq 1554. In Le⯑land's Time it was an Hoſpital for the Sick, and in the Chapel was a Statute of St. Briſtan Biſhop of Wincheſter, who probably was the Founder^§. He died A.D. 932. On the Weſt Side of the Cloſe-Wall is a commodious Hoſpital founded by William Symonds, Gent. A.D. 1607, for ſix old Men, one Woman, and four Boys. On the North Side of the Cathedral is a decent College founded by Biſhop Morley, A.D. 1672, for ten Widows of Clergymen.

The County Hoſpital in this City is a magnifi⯑cent Edifice, the Front of which is 224 Feet in Length. It was opened for Patients at Michael⯑mas, A.D. 1759. This Inſtitution was the firſt of the Kind in England, and was begun, but not in the preſent Building, A.D. 1736.

[13] The Market Croſs, about the Middle of the High-ſtreet, is an elegant Gothic Structure, 43 Feet high, and, as I conjecture, of the Age of Henry VI.

Beſides the College and Cathedral, which will be ſeparately deſcribed, there have been ſe⯑veral religious Foundations in this City. The moſt eminent was Hyde-Abby for Benedictines, which ſtood for 200 Years within the Precincts of St. Swythun's, and on a Quarrel between the two Societies was removed to a Suburb called Hyde. It was eſtabliſhed at Hyde by Henry I. and W. Giffard Biſhop of Wincheſter. A.D. 1121. and at the Diſſolution, A.D. 1538, was valued at 865l. 18s.^†. It's Abbots had a Seat in Parlia⯑ment. The Church almoſt fills a large Meadow with it's Ruins, and appears to have conſiſted of three Iles, and to have been at leaſt 240 Feet long. It was built with Flint caſed with Stone. Of the Monaſtery nothing remains except ſome Out-buildings toward the Street; and one Gate⯑way, the Mouldings of which exhibit, on each Side, the Head of a King. The ſame Head oc⯑curs on a Wall towards the South. Great Part of the Precinct-Wall is ſtill ſtanding. In this Abby many Saxon Kings and Princes were ſumptuouſly buried. The Church now called Hyde Church ^§, originally ſtood within the Pre⯑cincts, [14] as did many Pariſh Churches in other Places^†. The Tower of Hyde Church was probably built with the Stone collected from the Ruins of the Abby.

Next to this, in Point of Eminence, was a Benedictine Nunnery, called St. Mary's Abby, founded by Alſwithe the Wife of King Alfred, A.D. 900. It was ſituated near the Houſe of George Peſcod, Eſq and is now reduced to a ſmall Heap of Stones. It conſiſted of an Abbeſs and 21 Nuns, and was valued at the Diſſolution at 175l. 7s. 2d. ^‡

From this Nunnery Henry I. took his Wife Maud, Daughter of Malcolm King of Scots, by which Marriage the Royal Families of the Saxons and Normans were united. Camden ac⯑quaints us, that the Ruins of this Monaſtery ſhewed it to have been a ſtately Fabric^§. Beſides theſe there were the following Monaſteries^‖, or religious Foundations.

The Hoſpital of the Almonry of the Church of St. Swythun, commonly called the Suſtern Spytal, maintained by St. Swythun's Convent, adjoined to the preſent College on the Weſt.

[15] The College of St. Eliſabeth, founded by John de Pontiſora, Biſhop of Wincheſter, A.D. 1300, for one Provoſt, ſix Chaplain Prieſts, ſix Clerks, and ſix Choriſters, was valued at the Diſſolution at 112l. 17s. 4d. The Provoſt had ſix Marks, and the Chaplains 40s. per Annum, beſides Commons. It ſtood in a Meadow, called St. Stephen's, near the preſent College on the Eaſt. Leland thus deſcribes it's Site. ‘"The Col⯑lege of St. Eliſabeth of Hungorie lyith ſtraite Eſt upon the New-College [Wincheſter-College]: and there is but a litle narrow Cauſey betwixt them. The mayne Arme and ^† Stream of Alſ⯑ford-Water, devided a little above the College [Elizabeth College] into two Armes, runnith on each Side^§."’ Afterwards he adds, ‘"within theſe twoArms, not far from the College Church of St. Eliſabeth, is a Chapel of St. Stephen."’ The Biſhop in his Statutes ſets forth, that he founds this College before the Gates of Wolveſey Caſtle in a certain Meadow called St. Stephen's Mea⯑dow, containing ſix Acres, in which alſo ſtands an antient Chapel of St. Stephen ^‡.

[16] On the North Side of the Church-yard of St. Mary's Abby, deſcribed above, ſtood the Chapel of the Holy Trinity, conſiſting of a Warden and ſeveral Prieſts.

Here was a Convent of each of the four Or⯑ders of Mendicant Friers. The Auguſtine Friers were juſt without the South Gate on the left in the Road to Southampton. The Grey Friers, or Minors, on the right juſt with the Eaſt Gate. The Dominicans, on the North, within the City.

To theſe we may add the Prior and Brethren of St. Peter in the Church of St. Maurice, and the Church of St. Mary Kalender.

We ſhall cloſe our Account of the City with a Deſcription of the Hoſpital of St. Croſs, which ſtands about half a Mile Southward of the Town.

This ^† Hoſpital was founded by Henry de Blois, Biſhop of Wincheſter, and Brother of King Ste⯑phen, about the Year 1136, for the Maintenance of thirteen poor Men: who likewiſe ordained, that one hundred other poor Perſons ſhould be enter⯑tained here every Day at Dinner, in a Place ap⯑pointed for that Purpoſe, called Hundred-Mennes-Hall. Of theſe there were always thirteen of the poorer Scholars of the great Grammar School of Wincheſter. But this Inſtitution of daily feeding the one hundred Poor was not of [17] long Continuance; for it was abrogated before the Reign of Richard II. and inſtead of it, an Eſtabliſhment was ſubſtituted of four Prieſts, thirteen ſecular Clerks, and four Choriſters. In the Year 1444, Cardinal Beaufort, Biſhop of Wincheſter, made ample Additions to the Hoſpi⯑tal, for the Maintenance of two Prieſts, thirty⯑five Brethren, and three Siſters, beſides thoſe of the original Foundation. He gave his new Con⯑ſtitution the Name of The Alms Houſe of Noble Poverty; by which it appears, that he deſigned the Houſe for the Relief of decayed Gentlemen. This Hoſpital, though conſiderably diminiſhed in it's Revenues, ſtill ſubſiſts on the Remains of both Endowments.

The Building conſiſts of one extenſive, irre⯑gular Court. The Church, which was built in the Reign of King Stephen, by the firſt Founder, is a curious Remain of Saxon Architecture^†: It is in the Form of a Croſs, and the Body conſiſts of three Iles with a Tranſept. From the Altar [18] to the Weſt Door it is 150 Feet in Length; and the Tranſept 120. The Roof is remarkably lofty. On each Side of the Altar are handſome Screens of Spire Work in Stone. The Names of all the Officers belonging to the Hoſpital about A.D. 1575, are carved on a Deſk in the Chancel, among which we find thoſe of a Chanter, and ſinging Men; but at preſent there is no Pro⯑viſion for a Choir.

The great Weſt Window, the Conſtruction of which is in a more ornamental Style than any of the reſt, was probably altered to it's preſent Form, by the ſecond Founder, Cardinal Beaufort. It has ſome Remains of painted Glaſs, with an Inſcription, nothing of which is legible, or at leaſt intelligible, at preſent, except the Words Nicholas Bedford. In a South Window of the croſs Ile, are theſe Arms, viz. Gules three Lions Heads paſſant, Fl. de Lis reverſed, or three Eagles quartering Barry, and a Chief. In an Eaſt Window of the North Tranſept we find an Ave Maria, with ſome Fragments of painted Glaſs, under which is Orate pro anima Ricardi de Buteſhall; if I am right in the Name, which is the moſt imperfect Part. He was Maſter of the Hoſpital, A. D, 1346.

On the Roof of the Nave are two Cheverons, the Arms of Wykeham, between three Roſes; alſo the Arms of France and England quartered. The Coat between theſe two is defaced.

[19] In this Church are the following antient Epitaphs.

On a Stone of grey Marble, placed within an Arch in the North Ile, is this Inſcription in Saxon Characters. ‘"Hic jacet Magiſter Petrus ^† de Sanctâ Mariâ quondam Cuſtos hujus Domus."’

On a Braſs Plate on the Ground, ‘"Here lieth Elizabeth Wroughton, Gentlewoman, who departed the xxiii Day of May, in the Year of our Lord 1551. whoſe Sowle Jeſu pardon."’

On another ‘"Hic jacet Johes Knyght, qui quondam erat frater iſtius loci novae funda⯑tionis editae per Henricum epum Winton et Cardinalem Angliae. Cujus anime, &c."’

On another, ‘"—rward ^‡ decretorum Doctoris ac nuper hujus—die Aprilis Anno Domini Mcccc nonages. tertio."’

On another, ‘"Hic jacet Johes Turke, qui quondam erat frater’—as before in Knyght's Epitaph.

[20] On another. ‘"The Yere of our Lord Mccc [...] and two, upon the eleventh Day of the Month of Feberere the Soul of John Newles the Body paſſed from a Brother of this Place reſtyng under thys Stone here born in Be [...] Squyer and Servant more than xxx Yere unto Harry Beauford Biſhop and Cardinal whoſe Soulys God convey to his Mother dere unto the blys of Heaven that is eternal Amen."’

In the Middle of the Nave, on a large flat Stone is the Figure of a Man on a Braſs Plate with two Labels over his Head, ‘"Jeſu cum veneris juſtificare noli me condemnare—qui ſervaſti me miſerere mei."’ Under the the Figure is, ‘"Hic jacet Johes de Camden ^‡ quondam Cuſtos iſtius Hoſpitalis, cujus animae, &c."’ Round the Verge, ‘"Credo quod re⯑demptor meus, &c."’

On a Braſs Plate. ‘"Hic jacet donus Johes Berton quondam Vicarius ſci Johis in Soca Winton."’

In the Southern Tranſept, on the Ground ‘"Hic jacet Johes Prews quondam Rector ec⯑cleſiae [21] de Mechelmerſh qui obiit 13 Die Menſis Aprilis, A.D. 1418. Cujus Animae, &c."’

On another, ‘Orate pro anima dni Willi Saunders quondam Cappellani novae funda⯑tionis hujus Collegii qui obiit 29 Die Nov. Ann. Dom. 1464. Cujus Anime, &c."’

On another, ‘"Under this Stone reſteth Alexander Swart late Brother of this place who departed this tranſitory Life to Almighty God the xvii Day of July, 1569."’

In a Chapel on the South Side of the Choir, or Chancel, ‘"Hic jacet Johannes Wayte filius Johis Wayte Armigeri, et Agathae Uxoris ejus, qui quidem Johes Wayte filius obiit ult. Die Octob. An. Dom. 1502. Cujus Animae, &c."’

On the North Side of the Court is the Re⯑fectory, in the Windows of which we find theſe Arms, viz. Arg. A Croſs pat. S. Quart. Fr. and England. a bord. Gobon. The ſame are over the Gate. I ſuppoſe for Cardinal Beaufort. The Lodgings of the Maſter, contiguous to the Refectory, are ſpacious and decent. On the Eaſt Side of the Court is this Inſcription. ‘"Henricus Compton Epiſcopus."’ He was [22] Maſter here, and promoted A.D. 1674 to the See of Oxford, and afterwards to that of London. We likewiſe find his Initials on the Stables, H.C. with the Year 1675. In the Eaſtern Gallery, and in other Places, we frequently read ‘"Dilexi ſapientiam R.S. 1503."’ This is the Memo⯑rial of Roger, or Robert Sherborn, Maſter of the Hoſpital, and from hence preferred to the Bi⯑ſhoprick of St. David's. He was afterwards Biſhop of Chicheſter, and founded in that Cathe⯑dral Church four Prebends, for which thoſe alone are qualified who are, or have been, Fellows of New College in Oxford. The Gateway of the Hoſpital is formed in a ſquare ſtately Tower, on one Side of which is the Statue of the Cardinal praying to another Figure, now deſtroyed. This Tower was probably built by the Cardinal.

About the Year 1370 ^‡ the Revenues of this ample Foundation were valued at 400l. per Ann. at which Time the yearly Salary of the Maſter was eſtimated at 7l. 4s. 6d. Its ſecond Founder Cardinal Beaufort added to the former Endow⯑ment an annual Augmentation of 500l. beſides ſeveral Impropriations.

THE COLLEGE.

THE College of St. Mary of Wincheſter, commonly called Wincheſter College, is ſituated to the South Eaſt of the Cathedral, juſt without the City Wall. The Front is extended to the Length of 249 Feet, and conſiſts of Offices on the Weſt Side of the Gateway, and of a Part of the Warden's Lodgings on the Eaſt. Under the Gateway, the Tower of which is adorned with a Statue of the Virgin Mary, we enter the firſt Court. On the left are the War⯑den's Lodgings, which are commodious and am⯑ple. That Part of them which fronts the Garden was erected at the Expence of Warden Nicholas [...]. the Year 1692. That Part which faces the Street, was raiſed in the Wardenſhip of Dr. John Harmar, as appears by the Initials, J.H. and the Date 1597. The North Front of the ſecond Quadrangle loſes much of its intended Effect by Means of another Part of theſe Lodgings, built A.D. 1613. which runs at right Angles againſt it on the left.

[24] We enter the ſecond Quadrangle under a ſtately Tower, called the Middle Gate, adorned with the Statues of the Founder, the Virgin Mary, and an Angel. This Court is 96 Feet over. The lower Rooms, on either Side of the Gate⯑way, and of the whole Eaſtern Side of this Court, are the Lodging Rooms of the Scholars; over which are the Apartments of the Fellows. The Stair Caſe adjoining to the North Weſt Angle, leads to the Apartments of the School⯑maſter, which are ſpacious, and elegantly fur⯑niſhed. On the Weſt is the Kitchen, and a con⯑venient Conduit.

The whole South Side is magnificently formed by the Chapel and Hall. The latter is a noble Gothic Room 63 Feet in Length, and 33 in Breadth; in which the Scholars dine at Twelve, and ſup at Six. In the uppermoſt Window, on the North Side, are the Arms of England, and of the Marquis of Wincheſter.

The Chapel is equal to moſt, and ſuperior to many, in our Univerſities; whether we regard its Dimenſions, its Furniture, and the Solemnity which ſtrikes us at our Entrance. It is 102 Feet long, and 33 broad. The Screen, Stalls, and Altar-piece, which is of the Ionic Order, were executed in the Wardenſhip of Dr. Nicholas abovementioned. The Altar is adorned with a beautiful Salutation Piece, painted by Le Moine, [25] and given by the Reverend Dr. Burton, the pre⯑ſent public-ſpirited, and learned Head Maſter. The Branches are the Gift of the Reverend Mr. Chriſtopher Eyre, formerly Uſher. The Eaſt Window is painted with the Genealogy of Chriſt, and has been celebrated in an elegant Poem written by the Reverend Dr. Lowth, Prebendary of Durham, which is printed in an admired Collection of Engliſh Poems, entitled The UNION^§. The reſt of the Windows are decorated with the Pourtraits of Saints, with their Names underwritten: Together with the following Inſcription, which is in many Places at preſent deſtroyed. ‘"Orate pro anima Wil⯑helmi de Wykeham Fundatoris iſtius Collegii."’ On the North Side ſtands the Organ. The Roof is covered with a Cieling of Wood in Imitation of arched Stone Work, without which, the Height would be too great, as it is at New College Cha⯑pel in Oxford, where ſuch a Cieling was, pro⯑bably, originally intended. At leaſt, the preſent Rafter Work of that noble Chapel is by no Means equal to the Magnificence of the reſt. This Cieling ſeems to have been finiſhed about the Time of that which covers the Preſby⯑tery in the Cathedral, as it is exactly of the ſame Workmanſhip.

[26] In this Chapel, Choir Service is performed at Eight and Five, on Sundays and Holidays, and at Five on their preceding Eves. The Choir conſiſts of three Chaplains, three Clerks, one Organiſt, and ſixteen Choriſters.

In the Ante Chapel is a Receſs to the South, over Part of which ſtands the Tower, contain⯑ing five Bells. This Addition, which exhibits a more modern Style of Architecture, ſeems to have been erected in the Reign of Henry VI. together with the Tower, by William of Wainfleet, Bi⯑ſhop of Wincheſter, whoſe Arms are cut in the Roof, together with the following Arms and Rebuſes.

• Two Cheverons between three Roſes. WYKEHAM.
• Lions paſſant quartering a Fret.
• Giron. of 12, in Feſs, a Roſe.
• Three Sugar Loaves, over it a Doctor's Cap.
• Arms of the See of Winton.
• Lions Ramp. in chief four Keys; two and two endorſed.
• Three Pheons in Baſe, three Bucks Heads caboſſed in chief.
• Or Feſs, a Mitre in Feſs.
• Four Lozenges impaling a Feſs between two Cheverons.
• R.T. for Robert Thurborne, Warden, A.D. 1413. The Device a Roſe compoſed of Rays of the Sun.
• A large T. charged with Tapers in Saltire, for Thomas Chandler, Warden A.D. 1450.
• [27] A Beacon with Arrows, and a Tun, for Thomas Beckington, Biſhop of Bath and Wells, a liberal Benefactor to the College, about the Time of the laſt mentioned Warden.

Beſides theſe there are Letters interwoven for Cyphers, which by Length of Time are ren⯑dered unintelligible.

One of the Windows belonging to this Receſs has been lately cloſed up, and the other is greatly defaced; but the Paintings and Inſcriptions of both having been fortunately preſerved by An⯑thony Wood, the Oxford Antiquary, who viſited this College in February 1684, I ſhall inſert them from his original MSS. which has never yet been printed. The curious Obſerver will eaſily ſup⯑ply the Defects of the remaining Window, by the Aſſiſtance of the following Deſcription. Arms.

• Girony of 12, Or and Bl. a Roſe in Feſs, Point G.
• A Mitre in chief, between three Bucks Heads, ca⯑boſſed in chief, and three Pheons in Baſe.
• Arg. two Chev. S. between three Bucks Heads, ca⯑boſſed in chief, and Pheons in Baſe.
• Arg. two Chev. S. between three Roſes G.
• Two Chev. Or, between three Roſes Arg.

In one Compartment is the Pourtraiture of a Biſhop in his Habit, ſupported by another Biſhop, and an Archbiſhop, as appears by the Croſs, placing the Mitre on his Head. Under him are [28] two Chaplains praying: This was moſt probably to repreſent the Conſecration of William of Wyke⯑ham. Underneath the whole Length of the Window is this Inſcription.

In another Compartment is this Inſcription.

In another Compartment is the Figure of a Saint. Beneath it is a Man praying, with the following Scroll from his Mouth.

In another Compartment St. Anne is repre⯑ſented teaching her Daughter, the bleſſed Virgin. Under theſe is a Woman praying, with the fol⯑lowing Label.

In another Compartment is a Painting of God the Father, with our Saviour in his Arms. [29] Beneath are two Men praying at a Table; at their Mouths are two Scrolls; in the one,

In the other,

At the Bottom is the Name ‘"Agnetis Uxoris ejus,"’ probably for Agnes Champnewys, the Founder's Siſter, and Mother of Alicia Perrot ^§

Round the Ante Chapel are placed the Stalls originally belonging to the Choir, or Inner Cha⯑pel. The Braſs Plates on the Floor were re⯑moved hither from the Choir, when it was paved with black and white Marble in the memorable Wardenſhip of Dr. Nicholas, before mentioned.

Many of the Epitaphs on the Braſs Plates are obliterated, and many others have been de⯑ſtroyed, or removed. The following Account is taken from Wood's Manuſcript, which has been carefully compared with what now remains.

An Urn of white Marble, ſet upon an Altar Stone raiſed upon three Steps; on the three Sides of it are theſe Inſcriptions.

[30] On the Front.

On the other Side.

On the other Side.

On a Braſs.

On a Braſs on the Ground.

On a Braſs on the Ground.

[31] On another Braſs.

On another.

On another.

On a Scroll from his Mouth—‘per tua quin⯑que vulnera ſuccurre mihi omni hora.’

On another.

On another.

[32] On a Braſs in the Weſt Wall, near the S. Side.

On a Braſs on the Ground under the Arch.

On another Braſs on the Ground.

On a Braſs on the Ground.

On another Braſs.

On another Braſs on the Ground.

On another.

This round the Verge of a large Stone.

[35] Under the Figure this Inſcription.

On the North Side of the outer Chapel an Effigies engraven on Braſs, I ſuppoſe of a Warden, the Inſcription torn off, at his Mouth a Scroll. Thus.

[36] On another near the former under an Effigies.

On a Braſs on the Ground.

On another this.

Againſt the North Wall on a Table of black Marble.

On another Marble Table near it.

On four round Pieces of Braſs at the Corners of ſome old Monuments.

On one, St. Michael.

Round another with the Picture of S^t. John,

[40] On a third, whereon are Arrows,

On the fourth, one praying to the V. Mary.

Againſt the Walls on elegant Marbles.

Before the Chapel Door is the following Inſcription.

From hence, turning on the Left, we paſs into the Cloiſters, near the Entrance of which we perceive, in the Eaſtern Wall, a Door Way, now cloſed up, by which the Society formerly paſſed from the Chapel, through a correſponding one in the oppoſite Wall, for celebrating the Proceſſion called the Circum, in which they every Morning circuited the College.

The Cloiſters conſtitute a Square of 132 Feet. In the Centre of the Area ſtands an ele⯑gant Gothic Edifice erected in the Reign of [44] Henry VI. by ^§ John Fromond, and intended by him for a Chapel: He likewiſe appointed a Chaplain^‡ to officiate in it; for whom he alſo added ſpacious Lodgings to the Weſt End of the North Side of the firſt Court. This Chaplain was removed at the Reformation. The ſame Benefactor alſo ordained Liveries or Gowns, annually, for the Choriſters; and his Wife Maud gave two Cups to the College, on one of which was the following Inſcription:

This Chapel was converted into a Library, Ann. Dom. 1629, by Robert Pink, Warden^†.

• Feſs fleury, between five Martlets.
• Saltier between three de lis.
• Quart. France & Eng. Label.
• Quart. fr. & Eng. a bordure.
• Quart. fr. & Eng.
• Quart. fra. & Eng. gobony; over it a Cardinal's Hat.
• Two Chev. between three Roſes. WYKEHAM.
• Croſs fleury.

The following Paintings in the Windows, de⯑ [...]ribed by Wood, in the MS. abovementioned, are now entirely deſtroyed.

In one Window the Picture of a Biſhop writ⯑ing in a Book; under him . . . . . . . S. Epus. . . . .

In another Window, a Biſhop writing as be⯑fore, ‘"with Robertus Lincolnienſis."’

In another Window two Doctors writing; under them . . . . . . . Doctor . . . . . . . Under the whole, Matilda quondam Uxor Johannis Fro⯑mond legavit Collegio Winton Cyphum ^* har⯑neſiatum cum argento deauratum vocatum. . . .

[46] In the Cloiſters, ſurrounding this Library, are the following Epitaphs.

In the Weſt Cloyſter.

On a Braſs on the Ground.

On a blue Stone engraven.

On a Braſs in the Wall.

On a Braſs in the Wall.

[47] On another Braſs in the Wall.

On a Braſs in the Ground.

On another.

On a blue Stone is engraven this.

On a Braſs in the Wall.

In the Wall.

On a Braſs on the Side.

On another Braſs.

Engraven on the Pavement.

[49] On a Braſs in the Wall.

On a Braſs on the Ground.

On a Braſs on the Wall.

On a Braſs on the Side.

"Iſtius Capellae" means the Chapel in the Mid⯑dle of the Cloyſters, now the Library.

[50] On a Stone on the Ground.

On a Braſs in the Wall.

On a Marble againſt the Wall.

Over all theſe Arms, viz. a Chev. betw. three Stags attired.

[51] On a Braſs on the Ground.

In the South Cloiſter.

Againſt the Wall is this on a black Marble in Golden Letters.

On a Stone on the Ground.

On a Braſs.

On another.

Engraven on a Stone on the Ground.

On a Braſs on the Ground.

On another.

On another.

Engraven on a Stone.

[He died 2 Jan. 11 Hen. 6.] MS. W. N.

[53] On a Stone on the Ground.

On a Stone engraven.

On a black oval Wall againſt the Wall.

On another like the former.

On a Stone on the Ground.

Over all his Arms in a Croſs ingr. betw. 4 de lis.

On a white Marble Mon. againſt the Wall.

Over all his Arms Arg. a Lion ramp. ſab. chained, Or.

In the Eaſt Cloiſter^*.

On a Braſs againſt the Wall.

On a Braſs on the Ground.

On three Braſſes on the Ground near and like one another.

On a Braſs on the Wall.

[56] On a Braſs on the Ground.

On a Braſs on the Wall.

In the North Cloiſters.

Againſt the Wall at the End, this on a Braſs Plate.

Engraven on a Stone on the Ground.

[57] On a Braſs on the Wall.

On another Braſs in the Wall.

On a Braſs on the Ground.

On another Stone engraven

[58] On a Braſs in the Wall,

On a little oval Marble againſt the Wall,

Arms are. — —

On a blue Stone on the Ground,

On another blue Stone on the Ground,

Over all, a Chev. betw. three Hedge-Hogs.

On another blue Stone on the Ground,

[59] Theſe Cloyſters appear not to have been com⯑prehended in the Founder's original Plan; as in the Commiſſion he gives for the Conſecration of his Chapel, he calls the Place where they now ſtand ‘"Locum in cimiterio in dicto Collegio ordinatum^*."’ This likewiſe appears from the outſide Buttreſſes which finiſh one Side of the Chapel; to which the Cloiſters are contiguous.

Weſtward of the Cloiſters, on one Side of a ſmall Area, ſtands the School. Over the Entrance is a Statue of the Founder, with the following Inſcription.

[60] This Room is finely proportioned, and ele⯑gantly finiſhed. The Roof is adorned with beau⯑tiful Stucco, of a bold Relief; in which are in⯑troduced the Arms of many of the Benefactors. It is ninety Feet long, and thirty-ſix broad. On the Weſt End are inſcribed the following Laws, to be obſerved by the Scholars, &c.

On the oppoſite End, with proper Decorations, is inſcribed

The Foundation of this ſuperb and elegant Edifice was laid in September, A.D. 1683, and it was finiſhed June 11, 1687. We have here annexed, from the College Regiſter, a Liſt of the Benefactors who contributed to raiſe this Structure.

[62]

Cui det Deus Aeternitatem. Amen.

The original School, ſpecified as ſuch by the Founder in his Statutes, was the Room which is now called the Seventh Chamber. He calls it magna illa Domus, ſituated under the Hall.

From the School Area we paſs into the Col⯑lege Meadow; in the Middle of which ſtands an Infirmary, built for the Uſe of the Scholars by Warden Harris in the Reign of Charles I. Part of this Meadow originally belonged to St. Eli⯑zabeth's College^*, which ſtood in an adjacent Meadow to the Eaſt; in Remembrance of which are the following Inſcriptions on the Eaſtern Wall.

On the Weſtern Wall are theſe Inſcriptions.

On the Right of theſe we find the Date 1554, being the Year in which that Part of the Wall was built which includes the Additions from the Meadow, in which ſtood the College of St. Elizabeth.

From this Meadow we have a Proſpect of Catharine Hill abovementioned, on the Top of which is a Daniſh Circumvallation. To this Hill the Scholars are permitted to make Ex⯑curſions on Holidays.

Contiguous to the College, on the Weſt, is a ſpacious quadrangular Building, in which the young Gentlemen not on the Foundation, who are called Commoners, live in a Collegiate Manner, under the Care of the ſecond Maſter or Uſher; a Situation which muſt be acknow⯑ledged to be far more convenient ſor the Purpoſes of Learning, and good Diſcipline, than the uſual Cuſtom of our great Schools, where the Youth are boarded in the Town, and are at a Diſtance from the conſtant and immediate In⯑ſpection of their proper Governors. On one Side of the Area of this Structure is a commodious Cloyſter. There is alſo a noble Hall, 50 Feet in Length, and 30 in Breadth, in which the Commoners dine, and, when abſent from the School, purſue their private Studies.

This College was founded by that magnificent Prelate William of Wykeham, Biſhop of Win⯑cheſter, for one Warden, ten Fellows, one School⯑maſter, one Uſher, three Chaplains, ſeventy Scholars, three Clerks, and ſixteen Choriſters.

[68] The firſt Stone was laid March the 26, 1387, at Nine o'Clock in the Morning, near a School in which Wykeham when a Boy was educated. The Building being compleated on the 28th of March, A.D. 1393, the Warden and Scholars made their ſolemn Entrance, at Nine in the Morning, chaunt⯑ing in Proceſſion. It ſhould be obſerved, that the Founder, by his firſt Charter, eſtabliſhed only a Warden and ſeventy Scholars, which was the whole Society who took formal Poſſeſſion of the College, as abovementioned; and who, be⯑fore the Building was finiſhed, were provided with Lodgings in the Pariſh of St. John upon the Hill. The Founder obtained a ſecond Charter for the Eſtabliſhment of the ten Fellows, and Officers of the Choir^§.

THE CATHEDRAL.

SOME Writers report, that a Monaſtery was founded in this City by King Lucius, A.D. 169, which was deſtroyed in the Perſecu⯑tion of Diocleſian, A.D. 266^*. This, it is ſaid, was afterwards reſtored, and underwent various Revolutions; till Kyngeliſe, the firſt Chriſtian King of the Weſt Saxons, began a Cathedral Church, A.D. 611. which was probably finiſhed by his Succeſſor Kenwalch, and repleniſhed with Religious by Birinus, the Biſhop and Apoſtle of the Weſt Saxons, A.D. 646. Soon afterwards, viz. A.D. 660, the See of Dorcheſter, now in Oxfordſhire, was removed hither, and Wina was appointed the firſt Biſhop. But before this new Conſtitution commenced, Birinus and Agilbertus were the two firſt Biſhops of Wincheſter.

[70] The Chapter of this Foundation, who were Seculars, continued about 300 Years, and were at length removed by the Perſuaſion of Biſhop Ethelwold ^*, in the Reign of King Edgar, about A.D. 963, who ſubſtituted a Convent of Bene⯑dictines, which remained till the Reformation.

About the Year 1079 Biſhop Walkelyne ^† be⯑gan the preſent Edifice, and finiſhed the Tower, the Choir, the Tranſept, and probably the Weſt End^§. Accordingly the Monks, in the Pre⯑ſence of almoſt all the Biſhops and Abbots of England, paſſed with much State and Triumph from the old Monaſtery to the new one, A.D. 1093, on the Feaſt of their Patron St. Swythin; and in a moſt ſolemn Proceſſion tranſlated the Shrine of that Saint to the new Church. The next Day Walkelyne commanded the old Monaſ⯑tery to be demoliſhed; which was effected the ſame Year, one Porch and the high Altar ex⯑cepted^‡. The whole being nobly improved by William of Wykeham, was at lenth finiſhed, as it now appears, by Fox; of whoſe reſpective Bene⯑factions and Alterations I ſhall find a proper Occaſion hereafter to ſpeak more particularly.

[71] Notwithſtanding the poſitive Aſſertions above, concerning Walkelyne's entire Demolition of the old Church, I am perſuaded that the low-built Iles at the Eaſt End of the Choir, exiſted before the Time of Walkelyne, and are a Part of the old Church erected by the Saxon Kings. This ap⯑pears from ſeveral demonſtrative Proofs: For, they are in a more ſimple and confined Style of Architecture, than any Part of Walkelyne's new Work; and, admitting that Walkelyne demoliſhed great Part of the old Church, it ſeems probable that he ſhould leave that Part of it ſtanding in which many of the Saxon Kings, and Biſhops his Predeceſſors, are confeſſedly buried. Another Evidence of this Hypotheſis are the Crypts on which theſe low Iles ſtand to this day; and which, as appears from a Latin Epiſtle in Verſe of Wolſtan ^*, Precentor of the Church, to Aelphege, Biſhop of Wincheſter, A.D. 946, were con⯑ſtructed by Ethelwold in the Reign of King Ed⯑gar. He is ſpeaking of Ethelwold's rebuilding the Church.

Theſe Crypts, now remaining, if they do not prove the Antiquity of the Building they ſup⯑port, [72] yet at leaſt they point out the original Situation of the Church; and invalidate thoſe Teſtimonies which aſſert that Walkelyne entirely demoliſhed the old Church, and choſe a new Ground-plot for his new Structure.

There is another Circumſtance mentioned by Rudbourne ^*, which ſtill further corroborates my Suppoſition. He obſerves that William Rufus was buried in the Choir under a Tower, which fell down a few Years afterwards, and that in the Place of it Walkelyn erected the preſent Tower. He adds, that Walkelyn did not build this Tower in his Life-time, but committed the Care of it to his Executors, who finiſhed it after his Death.

The Writer of the Epiſtle abovementioned, who lived A.D. 946, tells us that Ethelwold in⯑troduced a Water-Courſe into the Priory, now corruptly called the Log-Pond.

This Water-Courſe is formed in a large Piece of ſubterraneous arched Stone-work. The antient [73] Courſe of it is thus deſcribed in a Paſſage faith⯑fully tranſlated from Wykeham's Regiſter^*, ‘"And becauſe there is a certain Water-courſe, running from within the City of Winton into the aforeſaid Priory of St. Swythun, through the Middle of the Dormitory, Cloiſters, Buttery^†, Malt-houſe, Kitchen, and the Mid⯑dle of the Court, or Quadrangle, of the ſaid Priory; which Courſe of Water is called Lourte-borne, in which, and by which, Rub⯑biſh, Offalls, &c. [are carried through the Priory to Wolveſy Houſe.] It is agreed that the Prior and Convent ſhall place a ſtrong and ſufficient Grate of Iron, in the outward Southern Wall^§ of the ſaid Priory, to pre⯑vent, &c."’ ^‡—‘"From the Chapter-Houſe within the Priory of the Church of Winton, A.D. 1398."’

[74] After this eminent Convent, which conſiſted of a Prior and ^§ forty-two Monks, had flou⯑riſhed in the Splendor of its ^† Ornaments, the Magnificence of its Buildings, and the Extent of its Poſſeſſions, for near 900 Years, it was diſ⯑ſolved by Henry VIII. Nov. 15, A.D. 1539; who within leſs than five Months afterwards, viz. on March 28, A.D. 1540, inſtituted a new Foundation, conſiſting of one Dean, twelve Pre⯑bendaries, ſix Minor Canons, ten Lay Clerks, or Singing Men, eight Choriſters, and other Members, which he dedicated to the holy and undivided Trinity. The Revenues at the Diſſo⯑lution were valued at 1507l. 17s. 2d. the great⯑eſt [75] Part, if not all, of which, was ^* appropriated, by the King, to the new Dean and Chapter^‡. The laſt Prior was William Baſyng, alias Kyngeſ⯑mell, who was made the firſt Dean, and died A.D. 1548.

Of the Conventual Buildings, which were transferred with the Revenues, nothing conſider⯑able at preſent remains. Some, we may reaſon⯑ably ſuppoſe, were demoliſhed in the Reign of Henry VIII. or ſoon afterwards, as uſeleſs to the new Foundation; and others have given Way to modern Improvements. The principal Part, now ſtanding, is the Dean's, formerly the Pri⯑or's, Hall. It was very loſty with a Roof of Rafter-Work ſtill to be traced, and was 65 Feet long, and 22 broad. But as the whole is ſub⯑divided into ſeveral Apartments, its Height, Length, and Breadth, are at preſent loſt to the Eye. Five Windows on the Weſt Side of it re⯑main, with its End-Window on the South. The Traces of two Windows, remarkably long and narrow, diſcernible in the Eaſt End of the Pre⯑bendal Houſe, now belonging to the Reverend Mr. Letchmere, and of three Arches on the North [76] Side of the ſame, indicate one End of the Reſectory: And the Houſe itſelf, which has ſeveral Apartments with arched Stone-Roofs, ſeems to be made up of the Kitchen, Buttery, Cellars, and other Offices. The Cloiſters formed an Area on the Southern Church-yard, and were built ^§ againſt the South Side of the Church, which on that Account is not furniſhed with Buttreſſes and Pinnacles as is the North Side. The oppoſite Wall retains the Veſtiges of Arches, and of a large Gateway, which proba⯑bly led from the Cloiſters to the Refectory before mentioned; or perhaps was the public Entrance from the Monaſtery into the Cloiſters, and from thence to the Church. Through an antient Portico on the Eaſtern Square of theſe Cloiſters, near the Deanery, they paſſed into the Chapter-Houſe, which is deſtroyed, and makes a Part of the Dean's Garden. It was extended under the End of the Southern Tranſept to the Length of ninety Feet, againſt which the Heads of Arches, with ſome of their Pillars ſtill appear; and prove from their Style, that it was built with the Tranſept by Walkelyne. Some of the Priors were interred [77] in it; particularly Godfrey, a famous Scholar in his Time, A.D. 1107, towards the Eaſt End^†. That Side of the Cloiſters which was contiguous to the Church appears to have been terminated, on the Weſt, where the rough End of a Wall forming the Outſide of the Weſtern Square, ap⯑pears againſt the Church; beyond which, the Cloiſter cea [...]ing, the Remainder of this Side of the Church is finiſhed with a Window lower than the reſt, and of enlarged Dimenſions: Un⯑der it is a lofty Gateway, which was an En⯑trance into the Church on the Outſide of the Cloiſters.

It is conjectured by Camden ^‡, that the ruinous Walls of Flint, near the Weſt End of the Church, are Part of a College, the Foundation and Diſſolu⯑tion of which are equally obſcure, where Conſtans the Monk, Son of Conſtantine, who uſurped the Empire againſt Honorius, A.D. 408, was edu⯑cated. But it ſeems more probable that theſe are the Remains of the moſt antient Part of the Convent in Queſtion, erected by ſome of the Saxon Kings; that Part, perhaps, which, as Rudborne already quoted, relates, was demo⯑liſhed by Walkelyne. The Height of the Ground hereabouts demonſtrates the Demolition of ſome [78] conſiderable Pile. It appears alſo, that there was a Garden with ſeveral Houſes within the Ceme⯑tery, under the Weſt End of the Church, an En⯑croachment which aroſe after the Reformation, and which by Archbiſhop Laud's Injunctions was ordered to be removed, A.D. 1635^†. Leland obſerves that there was a Chapel with a Carnary, at the Weſt End of the Cathedral^§.

But the conventual Buildings ſeem to have been for the moſt Part ^‖ deſtroyed by the Preſbyteri⯑ans in the Civil Wars; who A.D. 1646, de⯑moliſhed more than Half of the Deanery and eight Prebendal Houſes, together with the mag⯑nificent Epiſcopal Palace of Wolveſey, and after⯑wards ſold the Materials. Moſt of the preſent Prebendal Houſes, and Part of the Deanery, were rebuilt after the Reſtoration. The Library, at the South End of the Southern Tranſept, was re⯑duced to it's preſent Form, and repleniſhed with a valuable Collection of Books, A.D. 1686, by Biſhop Morley. But it was evi⯑dently a Room belonging to the Convent, as ap⯑pears by the initial Letters of Prior Silkeſtede's, Name cut in a Moulding of the Eaſt Window, anſwering to the Arms of the See in the oppoſite Moulding. The preſent Chapter-Houſe, being the [79] Weſtern Ile of the South Tranſept, was appro⯑priated to that Purpoſe, A.D. 1621^‡. The an⯑tient one abovementioned was totally demoliſhed, as I conjecture, with the adjacent Deanery, though long before decayed and diſuſed.

The principal Repairs of the Devaſtations committed by fanatic Enthuſiaſm and Ignorance, were made about A.D. 1663, ſoon after the Re⯑turn of the Dean and Chapter; who having been ſuppreſſed and expelled, during Cromwell's Uſurpation, retook Poſſeſſion of the Cathedral, Aug. 19, 1660^§.

[80] The Arms of England, painted on the Win⯑dows of the Dean's Hall, were put up in Honour of James I. A.D. 1621, who was entertained at the Deanery; during which Time he planted a Fig-Tree in the Dean's Garden, which ſtill re⯑mains, with an Inſcription on the Wall behind it. In the ſame Window is another Coat for King Charles I. and his Queen Mary; with the Inſcription C. M. viz. Carolus, Maria, as in the Roof of the Choir of the Church.

In the Windows of the Dean's Library, which is 28 Yards long, built ſoon after the Reſtora⯑tion, are ſome ancient Pieces of ſtained Glaſs, which originally belonged to the Prior's, now the Dean's Houſe; viz. three Saints, the Arms of King ^* Edgar or of Edward the Elder, of the See, and of William Kyngeſmil, the firſt Dean. Among the Fragments is the Name of Thomas Silkeſtede, who was a Prior of the [81] Church, and probably was a Benefactor to the Buildings of the Deanery. At leaſt it appears that he added the Stone-building with round-headed Windows, at the South Entrance of the Deanery, as his Initials T.S. connected with his uſual Device of a Skain of Silk, ſtill remain in the uppermoſt Windows. He died A.D. 1524. The Entrance, or arched Gateway, under this Building, is however evidently much older than the Superſtructure.

The Precincts of the Church, called the Cloſe, are ſurrounded, on the South and Weſt Sides, by a loſty Wall of Flint, originally belonging to the Convent, Part of which alſo remains on the North Eaſt. The Communication between the Epiſcopal Palace, called Wolveſey-Houſe, and the Church^*, was through a Gate ſtill remaining, Eaſtward of the Church, on which the Arms and Name of Biſhop Fox appear. On the Gate beyond is inſcribed ‘"Georgius Morley Epus, 1670."’ The Dean's Garden, and thoſe of the Prebendaries, on the South Eaſt Side of the Cloſe, are extremely delightful; being watered by a Branch of the River Itchin, remarkably clear and rapid, diſpoſed in an elegant Taſte, and opened on the Eaſt to a Proſpect of the magnificent and extenſive Ruins of Wolveſey-Houſe, and other ſtriking Objects.

[82] The Ruins juſt mentioned, are the Remains of a noble Palace belonging to the Biſhops of Wincheſter, built A.D. 1138, by Henry De Bloys, Biſhop of Wincheſter, Nephew to Henry I. and Brother to King Stephen ^†. This Palace being demoliſhed by the Preſbyterians, Biſhop Morley erected near it a convenient Houſe for his Suc⯑ceſſors, over the Gate of which appears his Name, with the Date 1684. But it afterwards received conſiderable Improvements from Biſhop Trelawney. The Chapel ſtill remaining is un⯑doubtedly ancient, and belonged to the old Pa⯑lace; but is much more modern than De Bloys's Building. The Reſidence of the Saxon Kings is by ſome conjectured to have been on this Spot; and the Name Wolveſey is ſuppoſed to be formed from the Wulphian Kings, and Eye, which ſignifies a Nook of a Meadow^‡. Leland ſays of this Palace, that the Caſtle or Palace of Wolveſey is ‘"well touirrid, and for the moſt Part waterid about^§."’ And Camden obſerves, that, in his Time, it was very ſpacious, and ſurrounded with ſeveral Towers^*.

After this introductory Detail, I proceed to a diſtinct Deſcription of the Church itſelf.

[83] The Length of this magnificent Fabric, from Eaſt to Weſt, is 545 Feet: Of, theſe, our La⯑dy's Chapel includes 54 Feet, and the Choir 136. The Length from the Iron Door, near the Entrance of the Choir, to the Porch at the Weſt End, is 351 Feet. The Length of the Tranſepts is 186 Feet. The Breadth of the Body, below the Tranſepts, is 87 Feet; and of the Choir 40. The Vaulting in the Inſide is 76 Feet high^†. The exact Height of the Tower, which is an oblong Square, and contains ten Bells, is 138 Feet and an Half, and its Breadth 50 Feet by 48^‡.

The Proſpect from the Weſt End of the mid⯑dle Ile, to the Eaſt Window beyond the Choir, muſt ſtrike every Mind which is ſuſceptible of thoſe aweful Feelings that ariſe from the Contem⯑plation of that Greatneſs and Extent which are peculiar to the Proportions of Gothic Architecture. A judicious and entertaining Paſſage from Lowth's Life of Wykeham will here be properly introduced.

‘"This Ile was originally of the Saxon Architec⯑ture not greatly differing from the Roman; with round Pillars much ſtronger than Doric or Tuſ⯑can, or ſquare Piers, adorned with ſmall Pillars; round-headed Arches and Windows; and plain [84] Walls on the Outſide without Buttreſſes; as ap⯑pears by the Croſs-ile and Tower which remain of it to this Day. The Nave of the Church had been for ſome Time in a bad Condition: Biſhop Edyngdon undertook to repair it in the latter Part of his Time, and by his Will ordered his Executors to finiſh what he had begun. And whether in Purſuance of his Deſign and by his Benefaction, or otherwiſe, it appears, that in the Year 1371, ſome Work of this Kind was carrying on at a great Expence. However, Wykeham, upon due Conſideration and Survey, found it either ſo decayed and infirm, or elſe ſo mean in its Appearance, and ſo much below the Dignity of one of the firſt Epiſcopal Sees in the Kingdom, that he determined to take down the whole from the Tower weſtward, and to rebuild it both in a ſtronger and more magnificent Man⯑ner. This great Work he undertook in the Year 1394, and entered upon it the Beginning of the next Year, upon the following Conditions ſtipulated between him and the Prior and Con⯑vent, who acquit the Biſhop of all Obligation to it, and acknowledge it as proceeding from his mere Liberality, and Zeal for the Honour of God: They agree to find the whole Scaffolding neceſſary for the Work; they give the Biſhop free Leave to dig and to carry away Chalk and Sand from any of their Lands, as he ſhall think [85] moſt convenient and uſeful for the ſame Purpoſe; and they allow the whole Materials of the old Building to be applied to the Uſe of the new. He employed William Winford as Architect: Simon Membury was appointed Surveyor of the Work on the Biſhop's Part, and John Wayte, one of the Monks, Controller on the Part of the Convent. As the Church of Wincheſter is ſituated in low Ground, which, without great Precaution and Expence, affords no very ſure Foundation for ſo weighty a Structure, Wykeham thought it ſafeſt to confine himſelf to the Plan of the for⯑mer Building, and to make Uſe of a Founda⯑tion already tried, and ſubject to no Hazard. He even choſe to apply to his Purpoſe ſome Part of the lower Order of Pillars of the old Church, though his Deſign was in a different Style of Ar⯑chitecture; that which we commonly call Gothic, with pointed Arches and Windows, without Key⯑ſtones, and Pillars conſiſting of an Aſſemblage of many ſmall ones cloſely connected together; but which is more properly Saracen, for ſuch was its Origin: The Cruſades gave us an Idea of this Form of Architecture, which afterwards prevailed throughout Europe. The Pillars or Piers of the old Building, which he made Uſe of, were about ſixteen Feet in Height; of the ſame Form with thoſe in the Eaſt Side of the Northern Croſs-ile: Theſe he carried up higher, [86] according to the new Deſign, altering their Form, but retaining their Strength, and adopt⯑ing them as a firm Baſis for his own Work. The new Pillars are nearly equal in Bulk to the old ones; and the Intercolumniation remains much the ſame. Theſe Circumſtances, in which Stability and Security were very wiſely in the firſt Place conſulted, have been attended however with ſome Inconvenience, as it ſeems owing to them, that this Building has not that Lightneſs and Freedom, and that Elegance of Proportion, which might have been expected from Wykeham's known Taſte in Architecture, and from the Style and Manner of his other Works in this Kind; of which we have evident Examples in the Chapels of both his Colleges, eſpecially in the Weſtern Part of that of New College in Ox⯑ford, which is remarkably beautiful. To the further Diſadvantage of its preſent Appearance, an Alteration which could not then be foreſeen has ſince happened. At that Time the Buildings of the Monaſtery covered the whole South Side of the Church, ſo that it ſeemed needleſs to be at a great Expence upon Ornaments in that Part which was like to be for ever concealed. By the Demolition of the Monaſtery this Side is now laid open, and diſcovers a Defect of Buttreſſes and Pinnacles, with which the North Side, which was then the only one in View, is properly [...]urniſhed. Another [87] Alteration of the ſame Kind has been made in Inſide, and with the like Effect: Immediately before the Entrance of the Choir ſtood the Veſtry, which extending from Side to Side of the Nave, prevented the intire Conformation of thoſe Pillars againſt which it reſted to the new Deſign, but at the ſame Time concealed the Irregularity: In the Time of Charles the Firſt this was pulled down, and the preſent beautiful Skreen, the Work of Inigo Jones, was erected; but no Care was taken, by an eaſy and obvious Alteration, to correct a Deformity, which was then uncovered, and ſtill continues to diſgrace the Building, in a Part which, of all others, is the moſt frequently expoſed to Obſervation. However, with its Defects, which appear thus to be owing partly to an accidental and unfore⯑ſeen Change of Circumſtances, partly to the Care of avoiding greater Inconveniencies, there is no Fabric of its Kind in England, after thoſe of York and Lincoln, which excells this Part of the Cathedral Church of Wincheſter, in Great⯑neſs, Statelineſs, and Majeſty. This great Pile took up about ten Years in erecting, and was but juſt finiſhed when the Biſhop died. He had provided in his Will for the intire Completion of his Deſign by his Executors, in Caſe of his Death; and allotted 2500 Marks for what then remained to be done, beſides 500 Marks for the [88] Glaſs Windows: This was about a Year and Half before it was finiſhed; by which ſome Sort of Eſtimate may be made of the whole Expence^‡."’

From this Ile, by a ſtately Flight of eight Steps, we approach the Choir. The Screen abovementioned is of the Compoſite Order, and adorned on the Right Hand with a Statue of James I. and on the Left of Charles I. They are both of Braſs, and were given, together with the Screen itſelf, by the latter of theſe Monarchs. During the Civil Wars, the Preſ⯑ſbyterians, among other Outrages, barbarouſly defaced and abuſed both theſe Statues, but particularly that of Charles; at tempting to break off the Crown, and declaring with much malicious Triumph, that they would bring him back to the Parliament ^§.

The Stalls are of Norway Oak, and are a maſterly Piece of Gothic Spire Work, being at once elegant and majeſtic. They were erected by Prior Silkeſtede, as appears by his Name out on the Pulpit^*, with which they are terminated on the North Side. He died A.D. 1524. On [89] the ſame Side ſtands the Organ, which was re⯑moved thither by the Command of Charles I. from the old Screen, where it was juſtly ſuppoſed to intercept the View from the Weſt to the Eaſt End. The Stalls on the South Side are bounded by the Biſhop's Throne, erected by Biſhop Tre⯑lawney, tranſlated from Exeter, A.D. 1706. The Pediment, which is embelliſhed with a Mitre and the Arms of the See impaling thoſe of his Family, is ſupported by fluted Columns of the Corinthian Order. The Vaulting of the Roof of the Choir was executed in the Reign of Charles I. there being, before this, an Opening from the Choir into the firſt Story or Room of the Tower; on which Account the Side Arches of this firſt Story, being intended to be ſeen from below, are wrought and ornamented. We find the ſame Opening in the Tower of St. Croſs, built about the ſame Time. It was undoubtedly looked upon as a Beauty in the Architecture; and had, in ſome Meaſure, the ſame Effect, as the Louvre, or open Lantern formerly uſed in great Halls. Height of Roof in the Inſide was alſo a favourite Circumſtance in Structure of this Sort, which was produced from this Expedient in a very ſtriking Degree. The Arms and Initials of the King, with thoſe of his Queen Mary, and of John Young, Dean at that Time, are intro⯑duced among the Ornaments of the Vaulting, which is of Wood. The two Branches are the [90] Gift of the late Dean, Dr. Cheney; who has left, by Will, 220l. for paving the Choir with Marble.

In the Pannels below the Stalls, under the Organ, and on the oppoſite Side are ſome Me⯑morials of the new Foundation of Henry VIII. viz. the Date 1540, in which the new Eſtabliſh⯑ment commenced: The King's Arms with H.R. Henricus Rex: The Arms of the Church, given by the ſaid King^§: The Portcullis, and the Arms of William Kyngeſmill, the firſt Dean, with W.K. The Arms of a Biſhop of Wincheſter ^‡. Theſe, I ſuppoſe, were put up at the Alteration of the Houſe.

In the Area leading to the high Altar, is a plain raiſed Monument, of a greyiſh Stone, without any Inſcription, under which, William Rufus, who was killed in the neighbouring new Foreſt, A.D. 1000, is buried. This Tomb was opened by the Rebels in the Civil Wars, who ſtole from thence the Remains of a Cloth of Gold, a Ring ſet with Rubies, ſaid to be worth 500l. and a ſmall Silver Chalice.

With this Area the Preſbytery begins, which is ornamented with a Roof highly finiſhed in a different Taſte from that of the Tower, and is [91] ſeparated, on each Side, from the North and South Iles, by a well-executed Partition Wall of open Work. On the Top of either Wall are placed three Shrines, or Cheſts, beautifully carved, painted, and gilded, with a Crown on each, in which are encloſed the Bones of ſeveral of the Weſt Saxon Kings, Biſhops, and ſome later Princes, who had been originally buried behind the Altar or in different Parts of the Church. Theſe Remains were thus no leſs pi⯑ouſly than carefully collected and depoſited, by Biſhop Fox, A.D. 1525. Their Names, &c. are inſcribed on every Cheſt, which the Reader will find among the Tombs and Monumental Inſcriptions.

The Aſcent to, and Area of, the high Altar, is paved with Marble, by the Benefaction of Dr. William Harris, Prebendary, and School-maſter of Wincheſter College, who dying, A.D. 1700, bequeathed 800 l. for ornamenting the Altar. The Wood Work about the Altar was erected by Biſhop Fox: But the Canopy, with its Feſ⯑toons, and other Ornaments, were added, about the Time when the new Screen of Inigo Jones, at the Choir-Entrance, was built, as I conjecture from C R in the Cornice.

The two Doors or Entrances on each Side ſtill remain, through which the Prieſt approached the Altar from the Sanctum Sanctorum. The [92] Tops of three Niches are likewiſe remaining over the Altar, which probably contained three Images repreſenting the Trinity. A good Piece of Painting would be a noble and proper Im⯑provement of this ſuperb Altarpiece. Behind is a a very lofty Screen, or Partition of Stone, charged with moſt exquiſite Embelliſhments of Gothic Workmanſhip, and infinitely ſuperior, in Point of finiſhing, to another of the ſame Sort in St. Al⯑ban's Abbey Church. The Niches, before the Reformation, were filled with Statues; but are at preſent ſupplied with Urns, which by ſome are thought inconſiſtent Decorations. Theſe were the Gift of Dr. William Harris abovementioned^†.

The Screen, Side Partition-Walls, Roof of the Preſbytery, and of the adjoining Side Iles, with their Walls and Windows, were finiſhed at the Expence, or by the Intereſt, of Biſhop Fox, A.D. 1525, as appears by his Name and Arms carved in many Places. The ſame liberal Bene⯑factor new glazed, with painted Glaſs, as he had new made, the Windows of this Part of the Church; that is, the Choir Windows, and thoſe of the parallel Iles. He likewiſe fronted the Boundary of the Choir, on the Outſide, with two beautiful Pinnacles, and other ornamental Architecture, among which his Statue is placed, cloathed in the Epiſcopal Habit. He probably [93] intended to complete the Remainder of the Eaſt End in the ſame Style^†.

It is ſaid, and from good Authority, that the Biſhop was aſſiſted in this Work by Prior Sil⯑keſtede ^§. This Prior, at leaſt, co-operated with Fox in improving the Church by building the Stalls, and a Chapel, about the Time when Fox began theſe Alterations^‖. His Initials T.S. are in the Roof of Fox's Preſbytery. It ſhould ſeem that Cardinal Henry Beaufort left ſome Money for this Purpoſe, as H.B. appears on the Outſide of the South Partition Wall, and over its En⯑trance. He died not many Years before Fox was advanced to the Biſhoprick.

In the Grand Rebellion, the Altar-Screen, juſt mentioned, was artfully protected from the Vio⯑lence of the Preſbyterians, by Means of an ex⯑temporaneous Wall, or Partition, erected in a parallel Line juſt before it, ſo as entirely to con⯑ceal its Beauties from the Obſervation of the ſa⯑crilegious Intruders. Other Parts of the Church did not however eſcape the miſtaken Zeal of theſe Enemies to all that was graceful or ma⯑jeſtic. On the 16th of December, 1642, the Soldiers of Sir William Waller entered the Church, [94] where they broke in Pieces the carved Work of the Choir, containing the Story of the Old and New Teſtament in admirable Imagery, deſtroyed the Organ^†, ſeized the rich Tapeſtry, Cuſhions, and Veſtments of the Choir, with the Veſſels of the Altar, threw down the Communion Table, and carrying off the Rails, which encloſed it, burnt them in their Quarters. After this, they defaced many of the Monuments; and pulling down ſome of the Cheſts which contained the Remains of the Saxon Kings, they threw their Bones againſt the painted Glaſs, which they thus deſtroyed throughout the Church^‡. But the beautiful Window over the Altar, exhibiting the Pourtraits of ſeveral Saints and Biſhops of this Church, being more out of their Reach, and leſs expoſed than the reſt, is ſtill preſerved entire, together with a few Figures on the Windows contiguous. The grand Weſt Window ſeems to be made up of the diſperſed Fragments, which, imperfect as it is, has a fine Effect, and leaves the penſive Imagination to ſupply that religious [95] Light which was diffuſed over all the Church, when every Window retained its original Splendor.

The Eaſt End of the Church is terminated by three Chapels. That on the South is adorned with a Monument of Thomas Langton, Biſhop of Wincheſter, who died A.D. 1500. The Rood-Loft conſiſts of elegant Gothic Carving in Wood; and both the Sides are finiſhed in the ſame Taſte. But the Work has been much damaged. Under the Window are ſeveral Niches for Statues. The Biſhop is ſaid to have built this Chapel^†. The Roof is painted with a Hen on a Tun, being a Rebus on Henton, the Place of his Nativity, and partly on his Name. The Inſcription ‘"Laus tibi Chriſte."’

The Chapel in the Centre, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, was erected by Prior Silkeſtede before mentioned, and is uſed at preſent for early Prayers. His Name is on the Roof; and on the Sides, which are adorned with ancient Painting, are emboſſed the Arms of England, of Silkeſtede, of the See, a Rebus on T. Langton, viz. T.L. with a Tun, as in his Chapel juſt deſcribed, and who was Biſhop in the former Part of Silkeſtede's Priorate, for whom alſo a Tun is introduced on the Cieling. The Inſcriptions, ‘"ad gloriam dei."’ The ſame Emboſſments appear on the Outſide [96] of the Building in the Church-yard. In this Chapel Queen Mary was married to King Philip, and the Chair in which ſhe was ſeated, during the Ceremony, ſtill remains near the Altar. It is a Miſtake ^† that this Prior built the Chapel in the South Ile, called Silkeſtede's Chapel. Pro⯑bably he might uſe it as a private Oratory, or perhaps might be interred in it. He ſeems to have born ſome Relation to it, for oppoſite to it are the Remains of a Canopy, under which the Preſſes for the Ch [...] Veſtments are placed, which formerly ſeems to have been the Covering of Stalls, and ſtill preſerves in the Cornice the initial Letters of Silkeſtede's Name often repeated. Theſe I ſuppoſe belonged originally to the oppo⯑ſite Chapel. It is not unlikely that Silkeſtede altered the Windows on this Side of the Tran⯑ſept; for on the Library Window, contiguous to them on the Outſide, is carved T.S. for Thomas Silkeſtede, as I have before obſerved. The elegant Screen of this little Chapel was at leaſt erected by this Prior; for on it is carved in large ornamented Gothic Capitals,

On the North Side of the Virgin Mary's Chapel, is a ſmall Chapel perhaps dedicated to [97] S. Michael, as the Pourtraiture of that Angel ap⯑pears in many Parts of the Roof.

About the Middle of the great Weſtern Ile ſtands an ancient Font. It is a ſquare maſſy Block of jet-coloured Marble, in which a cir⯑cular Baſon is formed for the Water. It is three Feet three Inches over, and ſupported by a plain Pedeſtal of Stone. The Sides of the Square are embelliſhed with rude Baſs Relievos, which ſeem to repreſent the Miracles of ſome Saint belonging to this Church. If we may judge from the Stile of the Architecture introduced in the Carving on the South Side, this ſingular Monument of Antiquity was the Workmanſhip of the Saxon Times.

In the Northern Tranſept are ſome imperfect Traces of antient Painting, ſuppoſed to repre⯑ſent the Combat of Guy Earl of Warwick, with the Daniſh Champion before mentioned^§.

By Way of recapitulating what has been ſaid concerning the building this Church, I ſhall obſerve, that it contains three Stiles of Archi⯑tecture, [98] agreeable to the Taſte of the three different Ages, in the Progreſs of which it grew to the preſent Perfection. The firſt is the Saxon, of which is the Tower, the Tranſept, and the Eaſtern Iles, for the moſt Part built, or be⯑gun, by Walkelyne. The ſecond is the Gothic, ſimply ſo called, of which are the Weſtern Iles and Weſt Front, erected by Wykeham. The third is the ornamental or improved Gothic, which began about the Reign of Henry VI. and of which the Preſbytery, Side Iles, and outward Eaſt End of the Choir, by Fox, as well as our Lady's Chapel, by Silkeſtede, are elegant Specimens.

TOMBS AND MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS.

On the South Partition Wall of the Preſbytery, the firſt Cheſt from the Altar has this Inſcription.

On the ſecond is inſcribed:

[99] The third Cheſt formerly contained the Bones of Canutus, and of William Rufus, who was interred below. This Cheſt had once this Inſcription.

The preſent Inſcription is this.

On the firſt Cheſt on the Outſide of the North Partition Wall.

On the Choir Side of the Cheſt.

On the Outſide.

On the ſecond Cheſt.

[100] On the Outſide of the ſame.

The third Cheſt formerly contained the Bones of Biſhop Wina.

With Biſhop Wina's were encloſed the Bones of Stigand, at firſt Biſhop of Wincheſter; after⯑wards tranſlated to the See of Canterbury, A.D. 1052: and on the North Side of the Coffin was this Inſcription.

But at preſent this Inſcription is placed thereon.

Under the ſecond Cheſt, on the South Wall, we read the following Inſcription.

[101] Under the ſame Wall, under the ſecond Cheſt, is entombed the Heart of Ethelmarus, Biſhop of Wincheſter, with this Inſcription.

Near the Choir Entrance in the ſame Wall is this Inſcription.

On the North Side of the Wall formerly ſtood a fourth Cheſt, containing the Bones of the Biſhops Elmſtan and Kynulphus, with this In⯑ſcription.

The Monument of Biſhop Alfimus was on the ſame Wall, Eaſtward from Biſhop Elmſton's, with this Inſcription.

Under Kingulſtus's Cheſt, in the ſame Wall, is this Inſcription.

In the ſame Wall.

In the ſame Wall, within the Choir, is this Inſcription for Queen Emma.

Under the Monument of Biſhop Alfimus, we read this Inſcription.

In the Wall on the ſame Side, under the Cheſt of Wina, is the Monument of Biſhop Toclive, with this Inſcription.

[103] At the Eaſt End of the Southern Partition lies the Body of Richard Fox, Biſhop of Win⯑cheſter, the pious Founder of Corpus Chriſti College in Oxford, under a Shrine, which is a moſt finiſhed Specimen of the improved orna⯑mental Gothic. Adjoining to the Shrine is a ſmall private Oratory, built with the reſt, which he uſually frequented for his Devotion, and which is ſtill called Biſhop Fox's Study. He died A.D. 1528.

At the Eaſt End of the Northern Partition Wall is interred Stephen Gardiner, Biſhop of this See, under a Shrine of plain Architecture. He died A.D. 1555. The recumbent Figure of the Biſhop was much injured in the Civil Wars.

Behind the Sanctum Sanctorum is a traverſe Wall, at the Bottom of which we diſcern the Entrance into the Vault, where the Saxon Kings already mentioned were firſt buried. Over it is this Inſcription.

Over the Entrance from End to End are theſe Names.

Over each Name is a well ornamented Niche and Pedeſtal. Under the whole is this Inſcription.

The Niches abovementioned ſeem to have made, or ornamented, by Fox. The Arms above are of Charles I.

In the Area, on the Eaſt Side of this Wall, is a ſumptuous and ſtately Monument, to the Memory of Henry Beaufort, Cardinal of St. Eu⯑ſebius, and Biſhop of Wincheſter. His Effigies is repreſented in the Cardinal's Habit. The In⯑ſcription is now totally loſt, this being all, according to Godwyn, that remained legible near two hundred Years ago.

He was a liberal Benefactor to the Hoſpital of St. Croſs, near this City, as I have before ob⯑ſerved, and died A.D. 1447.

Oppoſite to it, and deſigned in evident Imita⯑tion of it, is the magnificent Shrine and Monu⯑ment of William Wainfleet, Biſhop of Wincheſter, [105] the munificent Founder of Magdalen College in Oxford. He is repreſented on the Tomb in his Epiſcopal Habit, graſping his Heart between his Hands. The Roof and Spire Work of the Shrine is perhaps ſuperior, in Exuberance of Orna⯑ment, and Height of finiſhing, to any Structure of the ſame Kind. It was gratefully repaired by Magdalen College A.D. 1741. Hedied A.D. 1486.

Weſtward of this are the Traces of the Effigies of a Biſhop, ſaid to be St. Swythun.

Near theſe is a Monument, raiſed ſomewhat higher than the Pavement, ſaid to be that of Lucius the firſt Chriſtian King. It has no In⯑ſcription to illuſtrate this improbable Conjecture.

At the Bottom of the Steps, on the South Side of the Choir, are two very ancient Monuments; one of which has no Inſcription, the other be⯑longs to a Prior of the Convent, who died A.D. 1295, and is thus inſcribed.

His Predeceſſor may with equal Probability be the Prior here interred, whoſe Name was likewiſe William de Baſynge, and who died A.D. 1284.

Near the Stone Pulpit in the Body of the Church, we read the following Epitaph to the firſt Dean of this Cathedral.

Almoſt contiguous is the following Inſcription.

Oppoſite to the former, upon another Marble, this Inſcription appears.

Nearer the Choir is the Tomb of William of Edingdon, Biſhop of Wincheſter, with this Epitaph.

Not far from the little South Door is the ſu⯑perb Tomb and Shrine of WILLIAM of WYKE⯑HAM, Biſhop of Wincheſter, the munificent [107] Founder of Wincheſter College, and of New College in Oxford, who died A.D. 1404. His nobler Shrine is the magnificent Ile, under which he lies entombed, and which was erected at his Expence. The Figure of the Biſhop is remarkably freſh, and well preſerved: But the Shrine was much injured by the Preſbyterians. This grand Mauſoleum is placed on the very Spot on which an Altar ſtood, where Wykeham, when a Boy, conſtantly fre⯑quented a Maſs called Pekiſmaſs ^§. At the Feet of the Biſhop are three ſmall Figures of Benedictine Monks; and at his Head two Angels. This Epitaph encompaſſes the Tomb.

Near the Choir is the Figure of a martial Per⯑ſonage, which is much defaced. We learn his Name from the following Inſcription.

Beſides the Saxon Kings already recited, Ethel⯑wulf, Edſed and Edwin were interred in this [108] Church; together with ſome of its more ancient Biſhops not yet mentioned, viz. Denewulf, E [...] ⯑wold, Brithwald, Walkelyne, ^‡ Henry de Bloys, &c.

The more modern Monuments and Inſcrip⯑ſcriptions of this Church, which are very nume⯑rous, are here purpoſely omitted, [...] a formal and entire Recital of them would have exceeded the Limits of our Plan, and extended our Work to a tedious, and perhaps unneceſſary, Prolixity. Thoſe I have deſcribed are moſt likely to engage the Attention of curious Obſervers, and their Inſcrip⯑tions are ſuch as are not immediately obvious to every Spectator.

From this Survey of the Inſide of the Church we would conduct the Spectator to the Weſt End, which is a ſtriking Specimen of the maſſy Gothic Manner. It is finiſhed with two ſmall Side Spires and a central Pinnacle, with a Niche containing an Epiſcopal Statue of WILLIAM of WYKEHAM, from whoſe ample Beneficence this venerable Pile derives its principal Mag⯑nificence and Beauty.