Ancient_and_modern_York_a_guide

70 ANCIENT AND
few years ago, decorated with paintings of English kings.
It is now plastered and coloured in imitation of stone.
Formerly the chapter-house was splendidly decorated ; the
walls being painted, and the stalls richly gilt. Over the
door is a row of niches, formerly filled with thirteen statues,
supposed to be those of Christ and the twelve apostles.
The images are said to have been of silver, which
were melted by Henry VIII. On the windows, which,
are in a state of excellent preservation, are repre
sented the armorial bearings of founders and benefactors
of the church. The only furniture of the apartment,
is a long and narrow table, of great antiquity, covered
with a piece of old crimson tapestry, which was
formerly hung in the choir, and which is said to have been
presented for its use by Archbishop Kotherham. The
chapter-house, it is generally supposed, was erected by
Archbishop Grey, who built the south transept ; and was
used for meetings of the clergy, synods, convocations,
installations of prebends, &c. The coronation of Richard
III., is said to have taken place in it ; and from the
chapter-house are dated the letters patent by which that
king relieved the citizens of York from the annual rent,
payable before his time to the crown. Pope Pius II.
apostrophizes the "shining walls and thin-waisted pillars "
of the chapter-house ; and every tourist since his time who
has visited York Minster, agrees, with scarcely a reserva
tion, in the justness of the tribute of the learned traveller,
—inscribed in Saxon characters at the entrance of the
chapter-house :—
Kt Itea JTos JTorum,
SU at ©omus tssta ©omorum.