successors meant to reduce
the width of the Norman transepts, so as to bring them into better
proportion with the eastern arm of the church.

[Illustration: DOOR OF FOX'S CHANTRY.]

Between the presbytery and the side aisles, extending from pier to pier,
are screens of pierced stonework, erected by Bishop Fox, whose motto
frequently occurs on them, together with his initials and Cardinal
Beaufort's. On the top of the screens are six painted chests (see p.
95), in which are collected the bones of saints and kings of the Saxon
period; the original collection being made by Henry of Blois. These
#Mortuary Chests# were desecrated by the Cromwellian ruffians when they
broke into the cathedral, and the bones were hurled through the stained
glass of the west and other windows. Afterwards they were collected once
more and replaced in the chests where they now lie. Among the relics are
the bones of Edred, Edmund, Canute, William Rufus, Emma, Bishops Wina,
Alwyn, Egbert, Cenwulf or Kenulf, Cynegils, and Ethelwulf, and there are
the old inscriptions to indicate whose remains were originally enclosed
within the boxes, though there is now no warrant that the bones within
correspond at all to the names without.

[Illustration: DETAIL OF PULPIT.]

Among those who have been buried in the presbytery aisles is Bishop de
Pontissara, of whom Rudborne says that he was buried _ex aquilonari
plaga majoris altaris_. Accordingly we find his monument on the north
side. Close by him, and still nearer the altar, was laid Hardicanute,
the last Danish king, who was brought hither from Lambeth for interment.
His death was attributed to "excessive drinking." In the southern aisle
are Richard, the Conqueror's younger son; Edward, eldest born of Alfred
the Great; and Bishop Nicholas de Ely's heart.

[Illustration: SOUTH AISLE OF RETRO-CHOIR, WITH BEAUFORT'S AND FOX'S
CHANTRIES. _S.B. Bolas & Co., Photo._]

Eastward of the feretory the building is known by the name of the
#Retro-choir#, and presents a very old and pure example of Early English
work from the hands of Bishop de Lucy. The aisles are said to have been
used as a model in the building of Salisbury Cathedral. Similar
processional aisles may be seen also at Hereford on a minor scale. This
part of the cathedral is lower and consequently appears broader than the
more westerly portion. There is a considerable amount of wall-space,
only interrupted by the numerous imposing chantries erected on