wer arches is the way
that the two Norman columns are run into one capital at about the level
of the arch.

[Illustration: Sketch of old Norman Choir showing how it was cased by
Abbot Staunton 1337-1351.

From a Drawing by F. S. Waller, F.R.I.B.A.]

Turning eastwards we next are struck by the loveliness of the #East
Window# of the choir. It has a curious architectural effect, for it is
actually 5 feet wider than the walls which seem to be its two
boundaries. The architect took down the Norman east end, raised the
roof, and has given us a window with lace-like tracery. Though it has
suffered much mutilation, it has suffered but little from eager
restorers, and it is possible to get some idea of its original
splendour. It is larger than the East Window at York Minster, being 72
by 38 feet; York being but 78 by 33. Both are beautiful, and one wishes
that windows of such beauty could be got now at the original price
paid--L138--a large sum for those days, but a sum which; making
allowance for the changed value of money, would represent about L2000 of
our money.

[Illustration: THE CHOIR. LOOKING WEST.]

In 1862 the stonework of the window was in a very unsafe condition, and
about L1400 was spent on restoring it. At the same time, acting on Mr
Winston's advice, the Dean and Chapter had the glass thoroughly cleaned
and releaded.

Owing to Mr Winston's supervision the glass was not restored.

The window, which corresponds admirably with the casing of the choir and
the clerestory windows, consists of fourteen lights altogether, six
forming the centre, with four on either side. "It is worthy of remark
that the tracery, heads, and cusps, as seen from the inside of this
window, are not repeated on the outside, a plain transom only crossing
the lights. This peculiarity is repeated also in the great west window,
and in many other windows in the cathedral." (F. S. W.)

The window represents the coronation of the Virgin Mary, together with
Christ, the Apostles, and various saints and kings. All the canopies,
and nearly all the figures are composed of white glass enriched with
yellow.

Mr Winston's description of the window will be found in the
_Archaeological Journal_, vol. xx.

The heraldic shields give a clue to the date of the window, and Mr
Winston thinks that it may have been erected by Thomas, Lord Bradeston,
to the memory of Sir Maurice Berkeley, who was killed at the siege of
Calais,