when Salvin re-modelled
the choir, these were removed, and on the south side replaced by a stone
gallery, and this again has been taken down.

In Dean Goulburn's time the floor of the presbytery was raised by two
steps, which occurred one bay past the tower arch eastward.

[Illustration: The Choir and Presbytery.]

Quite recently, there have been further alterations carried out by
Dean Lefroy. The eastern arm of the building was closed for two and a
half years, and during this time the whole of the whitewash, etc.,
covering the stonework was flaked off, with much benefit to the
appearance of this part of the interior. The level of the presbytery
floor has been brought forward to the tower arch, and at the same time
the floors of both transepts and choir were brought to one level, and
various obstructions in the way of pews and raised floors removed.

The choir was opened after this work by Archbishop Benson, 2nd May 1894.

[Illustration: A Stall in the Choir.]

#The Choir# extends one bay, or the space of two compartments, into the
nave, as was usual in cathedral priories, and was originally occupied
during the offices of the Benedictines by the prior, sub-prior, and the
sixty monks. The bishop--who was the nominal abbot--with his presbyters,
occupied the presbytery.

The stalls, sixty in number, with an additional two for the prior and
sub-prior, facing east, are fine specimens of fifteenth-century work,
the detail varying though the main lines are preserved in each.

Each of these stalls retains the _subsellium_ or _miserere_, which,
hinged at the back, turns up and discloses a small ledge beneath
supported by carving, which ledge is supposed to have been used by the
aged monks to rest on during the first long office of the Benedictines,
which lasted four hours. Did they, however, by any chance allow the
seat to fall, they are said to have had to go through the whole of their
prayers again as a penance. All these _misereres_ are worth studying,
especially as the white and grey paint which had disfigured them has
been cleaned off since 1806.

The choir was re-arranged by Salvin in 1833, and the chancellor's stall,
shown in early prints, against the north-east tower pier, was removed at
this time. The presbytery was filled with stalls, which have been lately
removed, and in part refixed in the nave. During the recent alterations
the row of fifteenth-century stalls, each with its _miserere_, has been
removed f