270 ARCHITECTURAL ESSAY ON THE CHURCH, &C. 



The most attractive and most interesting part of Stratford church 

 is that now called The Chancel, but designated by Dugdale the 

 Queere. This was erected by Thomas Balshall, D. D., who was 

 dean of the college from 1465 to 1491, and who is interred within 

 an altar tomb on the N. side of the high altar. Though not equal 

 in simple beauty and solidity to the architecture which prevailed 

 during the reign of Henry III. and Edward I., or to the more en- 

 riched and fanciful styles of Edwards II. and III. and Richard II., 

 it exhibits an unity, harmony, and symmetry, which cannot fail to 

 please the eye of the architect. It should be borne in mind that its 

 large and numerous windows were originally intended for richly- 

 stained glass ; thus throwing " a dim, religious light" into the sa- 

 cred apartment. Now, on the contrary, these have common, thin 

 glass, and the whole interior surface of the walls and ceiling are 

 covered with lime-wash — glaring to the eye, and offensive to true 

 taste. The ceiling is flat and badly plastered ; the side walls are 

 stained and disfigured ; the pavement is uneven and broken ; and 

 part of the area is occupied by pews. A common German stove, 

 with iron shaft, piercing one of the windows, and other similar 

 improprieties, are allowed to disfigure and disgrace this once beau- 

 tiful and always interesting apartment. Several flat grave stones 

 cover the remains of the Shakspeares, whilst an architectural mo- 

 nument, with a bust of the poet, is attached to the north wall, ad- 

 joining the spot where the immortal dramatist was interred. To 

 construct a new roof, in a style and character adapted to the gene- 

 ral design of the building, and to restore that building to its origi- 

 nal purity and beauty, are objects now contemplated by a committee 

 at Stratford, and another committee in London. Designs have 

 been made by Mr. Eginton, architect, of Worcester, and about 

 £800 have been subscribed, in one pounds, towards effecting this 

 object. The work will be commenced immediately ; and it is pro- 

 posed to adorn the roof with the armorial bearings of such noble- 

 men and gentlemen as may wish to have their family blazonings 

 thus recorded in connection with the place, and with the greatest 

 poet that ever lived to dignify and exalt the human race. 



