ution and spent 820 marks in the erection of a tomb of Purbeck
marble. Hugh de Eversden (1308-26) built the five moulded Dec. bays of
the S. aisle, replacing the Norman work, which had given way, and
completed the _Lady-chapel_ at the extreme E., thereby greatly
increasing the length of the entire building. There was subsequently,
however, for a long period, a passage between the _Retro-choir_ and the
_Lady-chapel_.

Abbot Michael de Mentmore (1335-49) completed the restoration of the S.
aisle and repaired the _Cloister_. His successor, Thomas de la Mere,
paved the W. floor, and no doubt minor restorations were almost
continually in progress during the latter half of the fourteenth
century; but a new chapter in the story of the Abbey commenced when John
de Wheathampsted became abbot (1420-40 and 1451-64). This celebrated
man, during the two periods of his abbacy, hardly rested in his efforts
to beautify the Abbey. It is stated in a Cottonian MS. that this abbot
constructed a little chapel near the shrine of St. Alban; this was
perhaps the _Watching Loft_ (N. of _Saint's Chapel_) in which the keeper
of the holy shrine and relics (Custos Feretri) spent much of his time.
John de Wheathampsted also built the tomb of Humphrey, Duke of
Gloucester (d. 1447), on the side of the chapel opposite the _Watching
Loft_ (a few steps lead down to the coffin); prepared his own tomb W.
from that of the duke; built the great Perp. window over the W. porches,
now replaced by one Dec. in design, and the nine N. windows of _Nave_
and _Ante-Choir_; and was probably responsible for the paintings
discovered on the choir ceiling, and for many of the embellishments of
the _Lady-chapel_. Perhaps, however, his fame chiefly rests on the _High
Altar Screen_, which he designed, but which was erected by the
thirty-sixth abbot, William Wallingford (1476-84).

There were apparently few important features added to the Abbey, and but
little restoration effected during the rule of the last four abbots
(1492-1539). A few brief paragraphs concerning its modern restorations
and present appearance must now be added.

Those modern restorations date largely from the middle of last century.
Its condition, internally and externally, was at that time certainly
discreditable to everybody concerned in its welfare. In 1856 a National
Committee placed the matter in the hands of Sir Gilbert Scott, under
whose direction the building was in part restored; but public fund