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The prince's stall is on the left hand of the entrance, and is not distinguished from those of the other knights
companions; the whole society being, according to the statutes of institution, companions and colleagues of
equal honour and power.
The stalls of the knights companions of the most noble Order of the Garter, are on each side of the choir,
with the mantle, helmet, crest and sword of each knight set over the stall, on a canopy of ancient carving, curi-
ously wrought; and over the canopy is placed the banner or arms of each knight, properly blazoned on silk; and
on the back of the stalls, are the titles of the knights, with their arms, neatly engraved and blazoned on copper.
These ensigns of honour are removed according to the succession of the knight in the order; and after his de-
cease, and at the installation of his successor, (if not performed before by order of the Sovereign) the banner,
helmet, sword, etc., of the deceased knight are, with great solemnity, offered up at the altar; but the plate of his
titles remains in his stall, as a perpetual memorial to his honour.
Six new stalls have lately been added, and the whole of the canopies cleaned and thoroughly repaired.
The carved work of the choir is worthy of remark, particularly the canopies over the stalls of the knights.
On the pedestals of these stalls is carved the History of our Saviour's Life, from his nativity to his ascension; on
the front of the stalls, at the west end of the choir, is also carved the History of St George, and on a girth on the
outside of the upper seats, is cut, in old Saxon characters, the twentieth psalm, in Latin, supposed to be designed
as a prayer or petition for the royal founder, Edward III and the future Sovereigns of the Order of the Garter.
The carved work of this choir, as well as most parts of the ceiling, abound with a variety of imagery, and
several figures of patriarchs, Kings, etc. Some of these were greatly defaced, and others totally destroyed, but
the face of the whole is now nearly restored to its original state of neatness, and many parts added, depicting
some well-known occurrences in the present reign.
The altar was formerly adorned with costly hangings of crimson velvet and gold, which, together with
other furniture appropriated to the use of the altar, amounting to 3580 ounces of wrought plate, of the most cu-
rious workmanship, (were, in 1642, seized, under colour of parliamentary authority, by Captain Fogg) on a
general plunder of this royal foundation. This sacrilege was in a great measure compensated to the college, on
the Restoration of King Charles II who, with the knights’ companions, subscribed liberally to supply the altar
with all things necessary for its decent service and ornament. The royal example was also followed by many
well disposed persons; and the altar plate, which is curiously wrought and gilt, was dedicated to the honour of
God, and the service of the Sovereign, and knights companions of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.
King Charles II ornamented the altar with twenty-two panels of tissue and purple damask; it was likewise
further decorated with two pieces of arras, one representing Christ and his Disciples at supper, given by Dr.
Bryan, Bishop of Winchester, the other, Christ and his two disciples at Emmaus, from an original of Titian, and
presented to the College by Lady Mordaunt, both of which were appropriated to the use of the altar, till the year
1707, when, on moving the wainscot in Urswick Chapel, was found a painting of the Last Supper; this had for-
merly been secreted, in the time of plunder, and being highly approved of by Sir James Thornhill, Verrio, and
other eminent masters, it was repaired and affixed over the communion table, where it remained until the gen-
eral repair of the chapel in 1788, when it was removed to the Parish Church. The repairs and alterations of the
altar, made by His Present Majesty, will be lasting monuments of the flourishing state of the arts in these days.
The painting of the Last Supper, together with the curious carved wainscot that surrounds it, was by the gra-
cious desire, and at the sole expense of the King. The painting is by B. West, Esq., of which, those who only
affect to be critics, pretend that the figure of Judas is too predominant; though real judges esteem the whole a
masterly composition. The wainscot was designed by Mr. Thomas Sandby, and executed under the inspection
of Mr. Emlyn, The various representations consist of the arms of Edward III, Edward the Black Prince, and
those of the original Knights with the several ensigns of the Order of the Garter; also of pelicans, wheat, grapes,
sacramental vessels and symbols, neatly executed, and disposed with infinite taste; forming independent of the
exquisite workmanship, a most pleasing picture.
PAINTED WINDOWS
Words and Expressions
– exquisite – изысканный, изящный, тонкий
The objects that most generally attract the attention of strangers, on their first entrance into this Chapel,
next the gothic magnificence of its architecture, is the brilliancy, and exquisite skill displayed in some of the
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