of the Pointed
architecture, and was founded by Edward the Third, in 1377, for the
honour of the Order of the Garter. But however noble the first design,
it was improved by Edward the Fourth and Henry the Seventh, in whose
reign the famous Sir Reg. Bray, K.G., assisted in ornamenting the chapel
and completing the roof. The architecture of the inside has ever been
esteemed for its great beauty; and, in particular, the stone vaulting is
reckoned an excellent piece of workmanship. It is an ellipsis, supported
by lofty pillars, whose ribs and groins sustain the whole roof, every
part of which has some different device well finished, as the arms of
several of our kings, great families, &c. On each side of the choir are
the stalls of the Sovereign and Knights of the Garter, with the helmet,
mantling, crest, and sword of each knight, set up over his stall, on a
canopy of ancient carving curiously wrought. Over the canopy is affixed
the banner of each knight blazoned on silk, and on the backs of the
stalls are the titles of the knights, with their arms neatly engraved
and emblazoned on copper.

There are several small chapels in this edifice, in which are the
monuments of many illustrious persons; particularly of Edward, Earl
of Lincoln, a renowned naval warrior; George Manners, Lord Roos, and
Anne, his consort, niece of Edward the Fourth; Anne, Duchess of Exeter,
mother of that lady, and sister to the king; Sir Reginald Bray, before
mentioned; and Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, who married the sister
of King Henry the Eighth.

At the east end of St. George's Chapel is a freestone edifice, built by
Henry the Seventh, as a burial-place for himself and his successors; but
afterwards altering his purpose, he began the more noble structure at
Westminster; and this remained neglected until Cardinal Wolsey obtained
a grant of it from Henry the Eighth, and, with a profusion of expense,
began here a sumptuous monument for himself, whence this building
obtained the name of Wolsey's _Tomb House_. This monument was so
magnificently built, that it exceeded that of Henry the Seventh, in
Westminster Abbey; and at the time of the cardinal's disgrace, the tomb
was so far executed, that Benedetto, a statuary of Florence, received
4,250 ducats for what he had already done; and 380l. 18s. had been paid
for gilding only half of this monument. The cardinal dying soon after
his disgrace, was buried in the cathedral at York, and the monument
rem