ST. GEORGE'S CHAPEL.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 10881, 4 February 1901, Page 9

ST. GEORGE'S CHAPEL.

St. George's Chapel, Windsor, in which the obsequies of her late Majesty the Quetn took place on Saturday, was erected by Edward IV., and is one of the finest ecclesiastical buildings of the Perpendicular period extant. Some details of an earlier chapsl at the east end excepted, the building is throughout of one date, and bears the imprest of on© mind. It was, however, at first covered with a wooden roof, but that was removed by Henry VII., and the present elaborate groin?d roof of stone substituted. Externally, from the fact of tbe chapel adjoining other buildings, only the south front is properly displayed, but that is impressive though simple in character. The plan of the chapel is notablt. It is cruciform, the short transept*, near tbe middle of the building, consisting of little more than octagonal bays or chantrys, with two storeys of xvindoxx's. Similar, but smaller, projections are at the angles of the building: all these are divided from tbe body of the church by screens, und serve o.s monumental chapels. Tho interior is very *;riking. The walls a.'a panelled throughout, the windows and door* forming parts of the design; the columns spread out into fan-like tracery and groining, of admirable proportions and studied riebne*?. Tha roof is decorated xvith Edward IV.'n cognisance, the rose en stdeil, and the arms of tho Knights of th? Garter fidly emblazoned. The choir, divided from tfaa* nave by a screen, is rich, xvith dark, earvtd oak "stalls of tha Knights, their helmets, banners, and mantles suspended overbaad, and all that could be devised to give dignity to the place where th* ceremonies of installation are performed of the noblest order of knighthood in Europe. Brass plates at the back of the stalls bear tbe names of the knights who formerly occupied them, and include a remarkable list of foreign princes and illustrious Englishmen. On a stone in tha centre ot the choir are inscribed the names of those interred in tbe Royal vault beneath: King Henry VIII., Queen Jane Seymour, Charles I. Nearer tbe altar is the entrance to th« vault, in which are buried George in.. George IV., William IV., Queens Charlotte and Adelaide, the Princess Charlotte, the Princess Amelia, the Duke of Kent, th* Duke of York, and the Princess Augusta. The great west window occupies th* entire

er.d of the n*ve above tbe door, is of sixt©?n lights"ro five stages, and presents a pa-i-cs-d pa.i/.'liir.g J corresponding in style to th*t of uy.- xvalis. It is filled xvith fine old painted /,.as«*. and produces a surpass.ngly lieh riiV.-t, when the western sun streams througi.. it. The great east window was of n, simF-ar character, but in 1787-SO the roulliocs. transoms, and tracery were partially rstcoved, to allow of the insertion of a transparent painting of the Resurrection, by Benjamin West. At tbe same time an oil paintrag by him of the Last Supper was placed over the altar. These, however, have been removed; a reredos, deigned by Sir Gilbert Scott, substituted for the oil painting; the window frame and tracery restored, and mediaeval glass, painted by Clayton and Bell, as a memorial of tbe Prince Consort, inserted. Ths new xrindow represents in the lowest tier subjects from the life of the Prince; in that above it the Adoration of the Kings as the central picture, with on one «id<J Old Testament kings and propluts. on the other saints from the New Testament. The third tier upwards has tbe Resurrection in the centre, on one sidt patriarchs and prophets, on the other apostles: while above is the Lord ir. Glory, with the heavenly hierarchy laying their crowns before the Throne.