Volume II 1603-1660 - The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple

INTRODUCTION. xcvii
door called Doggett's door, on the south side, leading into Parson's
Court, and a corresponding door on the north side. Below this
cross-aisle was the choir, with the benchers' pews on each side of the
centre aisle. Beyond these was a second cross-aisle, and between
that and the round walk were pews for the barristers and " outer "
seats for the general public. Behind the benchers' pews, and between
them and the walls was a walk paved with stones, where members of
the respective inns were frequently buried. The pulpit stood on the
north side of the choir, or central aisle, and a reading desk or pew for
the minister, or evening reader, was also on the same side, but
so placed as not to obstruct the view of the high altar, which was
thus clearly seen from the western door. The clerk's seat appears
to have been on the south, or I nner Temple side of the church.
In 1657 it was near the communion table as it then stood. p. 367
The high altar and the two smaller altars of S. John and S.
Nicholas formerly stood at the east end of the church. The former at
the end of the choir, or central aisle, and the others respectively at the
end of the northern and southern aisles. The high altar was on a
raised platform approached by steps and inclosed by rails, as it had
been before the reformation. The antient altar, originally of stone,
had been replaced by a wooden table during the reign of Edward VI.
when stone altars were discovered. This wooden altar, or communion
table had, according to the usage of the time, towards the end of the
reign of Elizabeth been removed into the choir, or centre aisle, and
had remained there for some years, until it was replaced on the
steps at the east end of the church by the orders of Laud and the
privy council. The high altar, or table, as it stood on this eminence,
was arrayed as in a chapel royal, and lighted candles in silver
candlesticks, with silver gilt basons and other ornaments, stood
upon it during the services. The side altars had probably been long
since removed and the chapels disused, but I judge from certain of
the entries of burials that the steps upon which these altars formerly
stood at the end of the north and south aisles respectively, still remained,
stretching nearly across the church, under the three eastern
windows. The varying position of the communion table during the
reign of Charles I. is, I think, satisfactorily shewn by the burial registers.
In 1629, there are entries of persons buried " near the communion P. 355
table," and " by the communion table on the Middle Temple side."
IL /2