The service of the altar was replaced by
Charles the Second.
The sovereign's stall is immediately on the right on the entrance to the
choir, and the prince's on the left. The queen's closet is on the north
side above the altar. Beneath it is the beautiful and elaborately-
wrought framework of iron, representing a pair of gates between two
Gothic towers, designed as a screen to the tomb of Edward the Fourth,
and which, though popularly attributed to Quentin Matsys, has with
more justice been assigned to Master John Tressilian.
One great blemish to the chapel exists in the window over the altar, the
mullions and tracery of which have been removed to make way for dull
colourless copies in painted glass of West's designs. Instead of
-" blushing with the blood of kings, And twilight saints, and dim
emblazonings"
steeping the altar in rich suffusion, chequering the walls and pavement
with variegated hues, and filling the whole sacred spot with a warm and
congenial glow, these panes produce a cold, cheerless, and most
disagreeable effect.
The removal of this objectionable feature, and the restoration of
framework and compartments in the style of the original, and enriched
with ancient mellow-toned and many-hued glass in keeping with the
place, are absolutely indispensable to the completeness and unity of
character of the chapel.
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