Audley, the Bishop of Rochester, was translated to
Hereford, and during his episcopate founded the two-storied chantry chapel
south of the Lady Chapel and near the shrine of St. Thomas of Cantilupe.
The upper story was probably intended as a private oratory for the Bishop
himself. Bishop Audley also presented to the cathedral a silver shrine.

[Illustration: THE AUDLEY CHAPEL.]

THE AUDLEY CHAPEL.

The next important alteration was the lengthening of the great north porch
which bears the date 1519 and the shields of Bishop Booth and his
predecessor, Bishop Mayo. It is a very fine piece of Perpendicular work,
somewhat similar in design to the porch in the middle of the west front of
Peterborough Cathedral. At his death Bishop Booth left various books to
the cathedral library and some tapestry for the high altar, together with
silver and gold ornaments for the Cantilupe Shrine. The tapestry displayed
the story of David and Nabal. He also bequeathed, amongst other things to
his successor, the gold ring with which he was consecrated, but
notwithstanding his forethought in specifying that these articles were not
to be taken away with such successor in case of his translation, they have
disappeared. Little could Bishop Booth have imagined, in the enthusiasm of
his building operations, the changes to follow so closely upon his death.
Yet the papal supremacy had been abolished in this country in 1534, and
though the church services remained unaltered, the amended Primer had been
published. On September 26th, 1535, was consecrated at Winchester, to the
See of Hereford, one of the most "excellent instruments" of the
Reformation, Edward Foxe, and in the following year the suppression of the
monasteries began in serious earnest. Still the chantry chapels were to be
spared for some time. Of these chantries and chapels there were then no
less than twenty-one in the cathedral.

In 1553, commissioners were appointed to visit the churches, chapels,
guilds, and fraternities all over the kingdom and take inventories of
their treasures, leaving to each parish church or chapel "one or two
chalices according to the multitude of people." In Hereford Cathedral,
amongst other valuable ornaments, was a chalice of gold weighing 22 lbs.
9-1/2 oz., two basins weighing 102 oz., and an enamelled pastoral staff in
five pieces of silver gilt weighing 11 lbs. 7 oz. 3 dwts. troy. It is not
possible to