also been employed as a muniment room, as a Chapter-house, and (as now)
as a practising room for the choir.

[Illustration: The Transepts, looking North.]

Near the south-western pier of the central tower access can be obtained
to what remains of the =Saxon Church=. It was when the foundations of
this pier were reached, in 1883, that the first indications of an
earlier building were brought to light. First a solid piece of wall was
discovered, and soon after a substantial piece of plaster attached to
the wall, running north and south, which has since proved to be the
eastern wall of the north transept of the Saxon Church. The workmen also
came upon a plaster floor, on which were remains of burnt wood, reddened
stone, and other evidences of a conflagration. As the work of excavation
proceeded at intervals, fresh discoveries were made. The walls of the
north transept, choir, and part of the south transept, can be traced.
Just outside the eastern wall can be seen portions of two Saxon tombs
which were originally in the grave-yard.

The width of both choir and transepts is about 23 feet. The choir was
not apsidal. The south wall of the south transept was just beyond the
wall of the existing building; the extreme east end was almost exactly
underneath the pillars in the present transept; the west wall of the
south transept of the Saxon church was under the practising room; the
nave extended into the cloister court. Near the south end of the
excavations was discovered a portion of a Saxon altar _in situ_. No
remains have been found of the nave (see plan, p. 9).

[Illustration: Evangelistic Symbols, from Lantern Tower Roof.]

The roofs of both transepts are flat, and, except where rotten boards
have been replaced, original. They are now uncoloured, but formerly were
painted in black and white diamond patterns. All the windows at the
north and south ends are Norman, with Perpendicular tracery.

[Illustration: Evangelistic Symbols, from Lantern Tower Roof.]

The lantern tower has a fine groined roof, carefully restored and well
painted. In the centre is a representation of the Saviour; eight
coloured shields have the emblems of the Passion; four have the
evangelistic symbols.

[Illustration: Boss from Lantern Tower Roof.]

=The Nave=, notwithstanding the years it took to build, the change of
architecture that was coming into use as it was being finished, and the
alteration in plan that was decided upon towards the end,