be
altogether of Early English date; but on the exterior it will be seen
that the Norman wall runs right up to the western wall of the eastern
transept. The interior of the bay, however, is enriched with a wall
arcade similar to that in the Nine Altars Chapel, and the arch and vault
are decorated with foliage and dog-tooth ornament.

Along the side wall of this aisle runs a stone bench bearing the arms of
Bishop Walter de Skirlaw (1388 to 1405), near which he was buried, but
his monument and brass, erected by himself, have disappeared.

Slightly westward of the bench is a doorway which at one time opened
into the Sacrist's Exchequer, erected by Prior Wessington, but it has
long ago been destroyed.

The piers of the west end of this aisle bear marks which were originally
holes cut in the stone. These served to support a porch, having a rood
and altar, which is thus described in the "Rites of Durham":

"Right over the Entrance of this North Alleye, going to the Songe
Scoole (the Exchequer mentioned above) there was a porch adjoyninge
to the quire on the South, and S. Benedick's altar on the North, the
porch having in it an altar, and the roode or picture of our
Saviour, which altar and roode was much frequented in devotion by
Docteur Swalwell, sometime monk of Durham, the said roode havinge
marveilous sumptuous furniture for festivall dayes belonginge to
it."

The #South Aisle Of the Choir# is similar architecturally to the
north aisle. Here may be seen a doorway, of late thirteenth-century
work, which originally led to the revestry, now destroyed.

Here again the eastern piers bear marks left by holes in the stonework,
which originally earned the supports of a screen, in front of which the
Black Rood of Scotland, which was taken from King David at the battle of
Neville's Cross (1346), was placed. The rood is described as having been
brought from Holyrood by David Bruce, and was made of silver, with
effigies of our Saviour, S. John, and Our Lady, having crowns of gold on
their heads. The Black Rood was restored to its original possessors at
the close of the war.

The windows of both the choir aisles originally contained very fine old
stained glass, representing various saints, and scenes in the life of S.
Cuthbert.

The #Transepts.#--Leaving the choir by its western end the visitor at
once enters the transepts. A large portion of these, including the great
piers and arches which