in the choir
at Gloucester, but are well carved, consisting for the most part of
vine-leaves delicately treated. All this roof was colour-washed in
1828, when so much restoration was done in the church.

The suns[21] in the centre are supposed to have been put up by command
of Edward IV. after the battle of Tewkesbury. The suns were a device
which was appropriated by the Yorkists after the downfall of the
Lancastrian party. Those in the tower vaulting are modern copies of
these original suns. The modern painting of the vaulting is subdued in
tone.

The vault of the tower is a lierne vault, and from the occurrence of
the arms of Sir Guy de Brien, once quartered with those of Montacute
(_i.e._, of his wife), the vaulting has been credited to his
exertions. The Despenser fret is to be found twice.

In front of the altar-rails is the large boss from which used to hang
the sanctuary lamp, the sacred flame of which was kept ever trimmed
and bright, as a sign that "the house was evermore watching to God."

=Altar.=--The Purbeck marble altar is supposed by some to have been
the altar mentioned in the Abbey Chronicles of 1239, but any Early
English features have been destroyed beyond recognition. It is reputed
to be the largest altar in England, but, at any rate, it may be said
to be the longest. Originally set up in its present situation, it
seems to have been buried in the choir by the monks, perhaps by some
who were not so mercenary as the rest. Sixty-eight years afterwards it
was found, and its purpose being recognised, it was set up in the
middle of the choir as a Communion table. In 1730 it was transferred
to the aisle, the churchwardens' accounts stating that 12_s._ was paid
for so doing, and that 2_s._ 6_d._ was given "to the men that did it
for working all night." The "large entire blue stone" was then cut
into two lengthwise, and was further desecrated by being converted
into seats for the north porch.[22] Earl Beauchamp, at his own
expense, had the two slabs restored to their original use. Considering
what the marble has gone through, its size has been well maintained.
In 1607 it was 13 feet 8 inches by 3 feet 6 inches by 7 inches; and
now it is 13 feet 6 inches by 3 feet 5 inches by 5 inches. It is
supported by a massive framing of oak.

[Illustration: _Photo D. Gwynne._
THE SEDILIA.]

=Sedilia.=--These are on the south side in the canted bay of the apse.
These sadly mutilated remains of a once gloriou