THE CHAPEL OF THE PYX

Evening Star, Issue 14225, 26 November 1909, Page 8

THE CHAPEL OF THE PYX

Westminster Abbey has just yielded up one ot the last of its secrets—secrets, that is, to the general public—and; the famous Chapel of the Pyx no longer “ sports its oak ” | against the ordinary sightseer. ! Entrance to the chapel is obtained through j an ancient, and massive barred door in the ' east cloister. It is a small chamber so solidly built that at first sight it appears to have been hewn out of solid rock. In the 1 centre is a huge squat pillar 4ft in diameter, Jroin which spring the arches supporting the vaulted roof. The chapel is a part of the original building of Edward the Confessor, and -was at first evidently designed and used for , I religious services, for it contains an altar of |stone raised on two steps. From the days ' , ;of Edward 1., however, the chapel was used ! (for centuries as a Royal Treasury. Here were stored, till after the Restoration, the regalia, Royal plate, and jewels, and the old 1 chest, or pyx, containing the standard coins ] of the realm. Each year, as now, was held ‘ the Trial of the Pyx, a comparison of these standards with the moulds and stamps actually in use. During its services as a treasure , house the chapel was burgled on several occasions. It was first rifled by Richard de I Podelicote in 1303. By his own confession it took him eight days to effect an entrance through the solid masonry of the chapel. The robber did not live to enjoy the pro- ■ ceeds of his crime, for he was caught and (beheaded, as were,some of the Westminster (monks who were beyond doubt privy to his nefarious venture. During the Long Par- • liament another daring robbery took place. The doors of the chapel were broken down, ■ and the regalia, crowns, sceptres, and other articles of great intrinsic and historic value disappeared. That burglary put an end to , the career of the chapel as a treasure house, for after the Restoration the Crown jewels were deposited at the Tower, while a little j later the pyx was removed to the Mint. But ' t ill October 12 tradition kept the chapel door j bolted and barred against the public. Tie i , chapel, which was built before William the ■ : Conqueror landed in England, had originally i two small barred windows. One of these has j been closed for centuries, the other, over the i j altar, allows only a mere glimmer of daylight to enter, so the chapel has been fited tip ( with electric light.—London correspondent.