e of the arches in
each arcade is considerably larger than the others, and forms a
door-way. Above the arch, on the east side of this gateway, is a window
which may strike the architect at first sight as being somewhat
peculiar. It is in reality a part of an ancient Perpendicular shrine,
which formerly existed in the cathedral, of which a portion is still
standing in the northern part of the new building; it was brought
there, and turned to its present use as a window, some time ago."

[Sidenote: Thomas a Becket's Chapel.]

On the left hand, as we pass through the gate, is the grammar
school-room, formerly the chapel of Thomas a Becket, who was
assassinated at Canterbury, and canonized by the catholics as a saint
and a martyr. "The chancel of this building is of a very Late Decorated
character, in fact so late as almost to come under the denomination of
Transition from that style to Perpendicular; it has, on the south side,
two windows, each of three lights, which appear, at first sight, to be
Decorated, but, upon further examination, the architectural student
will perceive, by a tendency to right lines in the tracery, that they
are of Transition character, of which they form good examples. The east
window of this chancel is a very good one, it is of five lights, and
the tracery is very beautiful, though of a description not at all
uncommon; in fact most of the Decorated windows in parish churches
throughout Northamptonshire, which have any pretensions to size or
beauty, have their tracery of this form, as, for instance, the east
window of Higham Ferrers church, and many others. Above this window is
an elegant pierced cross, probably of the same date as the window
itself. The parapet of this chancel has nothing worthy of notice about
it; it is like the rest of the building, of plain Late Decorated
character."

[Sidenote: Palace Gateway.]

On the right of us, is the magnificent gateway which leads to the
bishop's palace, over which is a chamber, called the knights' chamber.
"This gateway is of somewhat peculiar Early English character, having a
fine groined roof, springing from very beautiful clustered shafts. A
line of arches, each of which contain within them two smaller arches,
continues along either side of the interior; which is entered on the
north and south sides, through fine and lofty arches supported by
clustered columns. The bases of all these columns, like those of many
others about the remains of this a