building a ‘Promptuarium,’ that is, a store-room or buttery. All
that Ormerod says of it is, that ‘it is a kind of crypt, consisting
of a double row of circular arches, springing, with one exception,
from short cylindrical columns. This building was probably used as a
depository for the imported stores of the abbey, of which we may form
no mean idea from a charter from the King of the Isles to the Abbot
of St. Werburgh, granting ingress and egress to the vessels of the
Monks of the Abbey of St. Werburgh, with sale and purchase of goods,
toll free, and right of fishing upon his coasts.’ (Vol. I. page
218.) But he gives us no authority for the use ascribed to it; only
his own unsupported supposition hazarded when the building was not so
far cleared or intelligible as at present. The name “Promptuarium”
was bestowed on it by Mr. Ashpitel when it was cleared out and
restored to its present condition at the expense of the British
Archæological Association, under the direction of the Local
Committee, preparatory to the Congress of 1849. He derives the name
from a sentence in Henry the VIII’s. charter (dividing the properties
between the Bishop and the Dean and Chapter,) and speaks of this
building in the _plural_, which agrees with his reading of the
charter, but does not agree with the fact. He says, in his lecture
on Chester Cathedral, ‘These are vaulted apartments of early Norman
work, and are described in the charter of Henry VIII., by which he
divides the properties between the Bishop and the Dean as
_Promptuaria et Pannaria_, the former derived from a word denoting a
butler or steward, probably a buttery, and the latter from _pannus_,
a cloth, probably the place for clothing.’ The sentence to which Mr.
Ashpitel alludes, and which he applies to this building, is the one
describing the chamber which was called the “_secunda aula_”—“_nec
non secundam aulam_, _seu interiorem cum suis pannariis_,
_promptuariis_, _et ceteris ejusdem membris_.”
“No doubt the hall, which was of great importance, had its
Promptuaria and pannaria, with its other appropriate offices; but I
see no ground for applying these plural designations to a single
chamber of such extent and character. We find the same terms used
elsewhere in the charter with reference to other parts of the
building, where there is no such chamber on which to bestow them. I
must also suggest that we do not elsewhere find in remains of this
date, buildings of such unbroken extent, magnitude, and continuous
design, for such a purpose. Store-houses and offices there were
attached to every conventual building of like importance, but we
shall find them, I apprehend, always more equally quadrangular, more
confined, and with a regard to convenience which predominates over
the attention paid to style and effect. Here we have a chamber of
vast extent (we have now ascertained its original length to have been
105 feet), in which the design has been kept carefully unbroken by
the details or partitions necessary to offices such as the word
‘Promptuarium’ describes. We see throughout the whole extent great
attention paid to the arrangements, the regularity, and the
ornamentation of the building; and we find the pillars, the capitals,
shafts, and bases, unbroken and uninjured save by the hand of time,
and, notwithstanding the friable nature of the stone, for the most
part as sharp and well defined as they were left by the chisel of the
mason. It appears to me impossible to reconcile all these
particulars with the purposes assigned to the building by Ormerod, or
by Mr. Ashpitel.
“I may now perhaps be asked, ‘If this chamber was neither a
store-room nor a Promptuarium, what was it?’ It is not without
hesitation that I attempt to answer that question. From its length,
its double bay of arches, and its situation between the church, the
refectory, and the Abbot’s apartments, I should have deemed it a
cloister; probably _the_ Norman cloister, when the ground occupied by
the present cloisters was differently appropriated; but, unlike a
cloister, it is closed on every side, and the existence of the
fire-place does not agree with that assumption; added to which the
original windows are all on the side belonging to the Abbot’s
apartments, the side to the church having been entirely closed with
the exception of the postern. My belief is, that it was no other
than the “Secunda Aula” itself, mentioned in Henry the Eighth’s
charter; a sort of spacious hall for the accommodation of the Abbot’s
friends and dependents, for the reception of strangers, and the
exercise of that large hospitality which was dealt out so freely and
bountifully in the eleventh and succeeding centuries in all important
monastic establishments. That its claim to the title of the “Secunda
Aula” has hitherto been overlooked, may arise from its having been
erroneously considered (as by Ormerod) a sort of crypt, or
subterranean building; whereas a little consideration of its level,
and the ground around it, will shew us that it has only assumed that
character since the sixteenth century.” {78}
There is a vaulted passage at the south end of the “_Promptuarium_,” or
“_Secunda Aula_,” leading from the Abbot’s apartments to the Cathedral.
It is groined in exactly the same proportions as the bays of the Norman
chamber, and the arches are circular, springing from pillars precisely
similar, but the groining is ribbed, and not with cylindrical, but
eliptical mouldings. These mouldings stamp a semi-Norman character on
the work, being almost a transition to the early English style.
[Picture: Norman doorway]
Two beautiful Norman doorways gave ingress and egress from this passage,
and still remain, though the one which opened to the present west
cloister is closed, and sadly disfigured by the alterations of the
sixteenth century. The other doorway to the west, is perfect, excepting
the shafts of the pillars, which are gone. The capitals supporting one
side of the architrave are foliated and of late character for Norman
work.
At the south end of the east cloister, and forming the present entrance
from that cloister to the cathedral, is a Norman doorway, of about the
same date as the arcade adjoining it. The architrave is very ornate,
bearing the billet ornament, accompanied by a bead which runs between the
mouldings. Unfortunately the stone has perished more in this doorway
from exposure than in those of the vaulted passage; but still more has
been lost from the unmerciful treatment it has received at the hands of
the plasterer. It is quite choked up with plaster and colouring, which
might, with a little care and trouble, be all removed, and the door
restored to something more like its original effect. The capitals of the
pilasters are foliated, and identical with those already noticed in the
Norman doorway of the vaulted passage.
In 1843, a liberal subscription for the purchase of two painted windows
having been made, the Dean and Chapter made an appeal for an additional
fund, for the praiseworthy purpose of restoring some portion of the
ancient beauties of the cathedral. The appeal was most liberally
responded to by the subscription of the munificent sum of £4000. A new
organ has been erected at a cost of £1000., built by Messrs. Gray and
Davidson, of London; it is a large and splendid instrument, of great
power and richness of tone; the top of which is carved with tabernacle
work, in unison with that of the choir. The instrument contains the
following stops:—
_The Great Organ_, extending from CC to F, contains Double Diapason,
sixteen feet—Open Diapason, eight feet—Open Diapason, eight feet—Stopped
Diapason and Clarabella, eight feet—Fifth, six feet—Principal, four
feet—Flute, four feet—Twelfth, three feet—Fifteenth, two
feet—Sesquialtra, three ranks—Furniture, two ranks—Mixture, two
ranks—Trumpet, eight feet—Clarion, four feet.
_Swell Organ_, from FF to F, contains:—Double Diapason, sixteen feet—Open
Diapason, eight feet—Stopped Diapason, eight feet—Principal, four
feet—Fifteenth, two feet—Sesquialtra, three ranks—Hautboy, eight
feet—Cornopean, eight feet—Clarion, four feet.
_Choir Organ_ from GG to F, contains:—Open Diapason, eight feet—Dulciana,
eight feet—Stopped Diapason, eight feet—Principal, four feet—Flute, four
feet—Fifteenth, two feet—Clarionet, eight feet.
_Pedal Organ_, from CCC to D, two octaves and two notes, contains:—Open
Diapason (wood), sixteen feet—Stopped Diapason, sixteen feet—Principal,
eight feet—Fifteenth, four feet—Tierce, three and a quarter
feet—Sesquialtra, two ranks.
_Couplæ_:—Swell to Great Manual—Swell to Choir Manual—Choir to Great
Manual—Great Manual to Pedals—Choir Manual to Pedals.
There are four Composition Pedalsr for changing the Stops in the Great
Organ.
The old pews, which were sadly out of keeping with the rich Gothic
woodwork of the stalls, have been removed, and the choir has been new
seated in the Gothic style.
The whole of the choir has been vaulted, which has greatly contributed to
its improved appearance. The walls of the choir, aisles, and Lady
Chapel, have been repaired, cleaned, and coloured. Three beautiful
stained glass windows have been placed at the east end of the choir and
in the Lady Chapel, which have given a much more solemn and impressive
aspect to the interior. The clerestory window of the choir has five
figures, representing our Saviour and the four Evangelists, surrounded
with their various emblems; over which are five scenes from the life of
Christ, viz., the Agony in the Garden; Bearing the Cross; the
Crucifixion; the Resurrection; and the Ascension. This window was
executed by Mr. Wailes, of Newcastle-on-Tyne, at the cost of £200. The
window of the Lady Chapel represents, in its lower divisions, the
following important transactions in the history of the Redeemer’s sojourn
upon earth:—The Annunciation to the Shepherds—the Nativity—the Offerings
of the Wise Men of the East—the Presentation in the Temple—Christ
Disputing with the Doctors—the Baptism—the Miracle of turning the Water
into Wine—Healing the Lame—Walking on the Sea—Feeding the Multitude—the
Transfiguration—the Raising of Lazarus—the Entry into Jerusalem—Washing
the Disciples’ Feet—and the Last Supper. The upper division of the
window contains figures of the twelve Apostles; ranged in the order in
which their names are given in Sacred Writ. This window was also
executed by Mr. Wailes, at the cost of £360, and of the outer guards £60.
A magnificent window by the same artist, has also been placed in the
south aisle of the choir, by the Very Rev. the Dean, in memory of three
deceased members of his family. The inscription is as follows:—
“Sancta Catherina—‘The souls of the righteous are in the hand of
God.’—Catherine Louisa Anson, died and buried at Southwell, March 28,
1832, aged 18, third daughter.”
“Sanctus Thomas—‘Thy brother shall rise again’—Thomas Anson, Lieut.
R.N., died and buried at Sudbury, March 17, 1845, aged 24, fourth
son.”
“Sancta Maria—‘The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away.’—Mary
Blomfield, wife of the Rev. G. B. Blomfield, Canon of Chester, died
and buried at Stevenage, August 6, 1848, aged 38, 2nd daughter of the
Rev. Frederick Anson, D.D. Dean of Chester, by whom this memorial is
placed.”
Another obituary window has more recently been erected; placed next to
the latter. It is in memory of George Edward Anson, Esq., son of the
Dean of Chester. The inscription is as follows:—In memory of George
Edwd. Anson, Esq. C.B., Keeper of H.M. Privy Purse; Treasurer of H.R.H.
Prince Albert, and to the Prince of Wales. Suddenly called away from the
faithful but unostentatious discharge of high official duties to his rest
in Christ, on the 9th day of October, 1849, aged 37. He was the 2nd son
of the Rev. Frederick Anson, D.D., Dean of this Cathedral, with whose
bereavement the inhabitants of this city and neighbourhood record their
sympathy, and commemorate his zeal in the restoration of the Cathedral
Church, by erecting this memorial window. Mr. Hardman of Birmingham was
the artist; and the cost of the window £180. The events represented are
the Raising of Jairus’ Daughter—Raising of Lazarus—Raising the Widow’s
Son—Entombment and Resurrection of our Lord—and, Our Lord appearing to
Mary.
The service of the cathedral is performed with great solemnity and fine
taste; and the talented organist, Mr. Gunton, merits great praise for the
admirable manner in which he fulfils his important duties.
The hours of Service are:—Week-day: morning, 7 10; afternoon, 3.
Sunday:—morning, 11; afternoon, 4 o’clock. During the winter months the
service begins at 4 in the afternoon. There is an anthem every day in
the afternoon service.
The following is a list of the dignitaries of the cathedral:—
DEAN.
F. Anson, D.D.
CANONS.
Rev. J. Slade, M.A. Rev. T. Eaton, M.A.
Rev. G. B. Blomfield, M.A. Rev. T. Hillyard, M.A.
HONORARY CANONS.
Rev. Henry Raikes, M.A. Rev. H. McNeile, D.D.
Rev. C. A. Thurlow, M.A. Rev. H. Stowell, M.A.
MINOR CANONS.
R. W. Gleadowe, M.A. W. H. Massie, M.A.
W. Harrison, M.A. E. E. Thurland, B.A., Precentor, &c.
In concluding this record of the venerable Cathedral of Chester, we think
it will have appeared, that while it has a _history_ of deep interest and
significance, it has also many architectural beauties, well deserving of
a minute and careful study.
“Amid the imposing growth of material wealth and pride, it is not
unseasonable to remember that _temple architecture_ is the oldest in
the world; and to ask, after so impressive a vindication of its
longevity, whether having been the earliest, it may not prove the
latest term of human civilization. I am persuaded that so it will
be; for there is in the soul of man ‘a temple not made with hands,’
which demands and shapes forth the visible structure as its shell of
life; which is ever fresh amid the change and wreck of ages, and can
build again the ruins of the past; indeed, the hidden cloister of
whose worship will remain still open, and thrill with higher strains,
when time and its structures shall be no more.”
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FOOTNOTES.
{21} The Lysons give the income at £1003 5s. 11d.
{49} The book is badly faded and “inscription” and “birth” are both
guesses.—DP.
{50a} The is badly faded and “London in 1828” is a guess.—DP.
{74} Mr. W. Ayrton on the Norman remains of the Cathedral.
{78} Since the above remarks were delivered, a chamber has been
discovered at Furness Abbey of almost identical character, and with a
similar row of columns running down the centre, by Mr. Sharpe, who gives
it the title of the Hospitium, and assigns to it purposes almost the same
as I assume for the Secunda Aula.