The
plan was similar to a large church with aisles. The nave was used as the
hall, the aisles were the quarters of the inmates, and the chancel was
the chapel of the institution. Many of the main arches remain, and the
details of the ornamentation and mouldings will repay careful study. At
the west end is a very perfect piece of arcading. The large arch, seen
above a low wall to the east, was the arch leading to the chapel; in
exactly the same position as the chancel arch in a church. At each side
of this arch is a lancet never pierced. The main arch is now blocked up,
forming a wall to one of the prebendal houses. The dining room of this
same house was the Infirmarer's house, and has much very interesting
Early English work. To the south of the Infirmary is another ancient
house, though much modernised.

Before entering the Cloister court we pass through the old slype, once a
simple vaulted passage, but now open to the sky. It was the means of
communication between the Refectory, which was situated to the west, and
the Chapter House, which was on the east side of the Cloister. Quite
recently some of the arches on the west side have been opened to view,
and interesting tracery brought to light.

The =Cloister Court= is always called the Laurel Court. The origin of
this name is not known. The northern part of the area covers the site of
the nave of the Saxon church; but though search was made, during the
recent works, for remains of the old foundations, nothing was
discovered. On the south and west sides are to be seen remains of the
arches and groining, but the appearance of the south wall of the
cathedral suggests that there could not have been any covered alley to
the north, so completely have all evidences of such an erection been
removed. But it is known that there did exist an alley there, when the
Cloisters were complete; for Gunton, describing it, says "The Cloyster
about four square, in length 168 yards, in breadth 6 yards." The
windows, contrary to the usual practice, were all glazed, and they
contained a very fine series of painted glass, all destroyed in 1643.
Gunton gives the subjects:--"The windows were all compleat and fair,
adorned with glass of excellent painting: In the South Cloyster was the
History of the Old Testament: In the East Cloyster of the New: In the
North Cloyster, the Figures of the successive Kings from King Peada: In
the West Cloyster, was the History from the foundation of the Monaster