Ancient_and_modern_York_a_guide

C2
ANCIENT AND
Christians had a strong antipathy to enter places which
they considered polluted by idolatrous rites :—a circum
stance which "might have convinced the authors of the
absurd fiction we have noticed, that no altar saturated with
the gore of victims offered up to Demons would have been
allowed to remain in a church dedicated to the worship of
Him that abhorreth idols. It may be suggested that this
pseudo altar lay concealed from observation. It stands,
however, above the level of the Norman crypt ; and must
have been therein a conspicuous object.
Emerging from the crypt, the monuments next claim
our attention : those most worthy of observation being in
the north and south aisles of the choir, and the Ladye
Chapel, which lies between the stone altar screen and
the great east window.
Archbishop Henry Bowett, A. D. 1423.
This monument, situated beneath an arch at the east
end, is a remarkably fine specimen of the architecture
which prevailed in the early part of the reign of Henry VI.
The canopy is an elliptical arch ; each front of which is
splayed outwards in radiated tracery, to suit the forms of
three divisions of tabernacle work, with most delicate pen
dents between. The inside of the arch is adorned with
fine tracery. Upon the arch, and within the double front
of pinnacles, rise three lofty tabernacles ; each containing
a statue, standing upon a column or pedestal. The
modern tomb, which forms a base to this superb
canopy, is so broad as to produce the appearance of an
inclosed chapel. It suffered severely in 1 829.
Archbishop Rotherham, A. D. 1500.
The tomb of this prelate lies in the Ladye Chapel, near
the altar which once stood beneath the east window. It