, which are stated in the "Rites of Durham" to have been used as
a prison for the monks. The chapter-house was used in early times as a
burial-place for the bishops, and many of their graves with inscriptions
were in existence previous to the demolition of 1796. During excavations
in 1874, the graves of Bishops Flambard, Galfrid Rufus, S. Barbara, de
Insula, and Kellaw were opened, when various rings and the head of a
crozier were discovered and removed to the dean and chapter library.

The chapter-house has now been entirely restored as a memorial to the
late Bishop Lightfoot.

The #Northern Alley# of the Cloister, running along the south wall of
the church, contains little of interest, except the two doorways
previously described.

The effect of the cloister as a whole, in its original condition, with
the windows glazed, many containing fine stained glass, the oak roof
with its heraldry and colour, and the lavatory in the centre of the
garth, must have been exceptionally fine.

[Illustration: The Exterior, from the South-east.]

A sculptured panel on the north-west turret of the Nine Altar Chapel is
now known as the #Dun Cow#. The original sculpture was replaced in
the last century by the existing panel, but the legend connected with it
is interesting. After their flight from Chester-le-Street, the monks,
bearing the body of S. Cuthbert, remained some time at Ripon. While
trying to return to Chester-le-Street, at a place called Wardlaw, the
coffin stuck fast, and remained absolutely fixed. A fast of three days
was proclaimed and kept, when it was revealed to them that they were to
carry their saint to Dunholme. Still they were in difficulties, not
knowing where Dunholme was, but fortune, or Providence, again favoured
them. A woman, who had lost a cow, passed, calling to a companion to
inquire if she had seen the animal. The reply was that her cow was in
Dunholme; and, to the relief of the monks, they and their precious
charge soon safely arrived there. In grateful commemoration of the
incident Flambard erected this monument of a milkmaid and her cow. (See
p. 9.)

The exterior of Durham Cathedral as a whole may at first sight be
disappointing to the visitor. Seen from a near view there is a certain
flatness of effect and want of light and shade which is, perhaps,
slightly unpleasant. This is, however, largely attributable to the
scaling and scraping process to which the building was subjected during
the last cen