KE5IPLET CHUECH, GLOUCESTEESHIEE. 267 



seven candlesticks, four on the north and three on the south side ; they 

 are blue with white knops and have long tapering candles. Xext come 

 two more seraphs, holding books in one hand and small flags or lances 

 with pennons in the other. Beyond these, and close to the chancel arch, 

 we find, on the south side, St. Peter, nimbed, with a key in his right 

 hand and a book in his left. On the north side a figure of the Blessed 

 Virgin, carrying a book ; she seems to have no nimbus, but her head is 

 covered with a veil or hood, surmounted by a sort of mural crown. 



All these figures are painted on a red field covering the top of 

 the vault. This red field or broad band is bounded by a white stripe 

 on each side, and is stopped at the east and west ends by bands of an 

 interlaced pattern, which are carried all round the vault and walLs 

 against the end walls. The side walls of the chancel are each divided 

 into two unequal parts by windows near the east end. 



The northern window is very perfect. The inner and outer arches 

 have bands of colour, and the splay of the jambs and arch is covered 

 with a chess-board pattern in squares of red, blue, and white. 



The southern window is much injured, but there remains above it, 

 as above the other, a painted canopy of walls and towers. To the west 

 of the windows the wall space is covered on each side by six large arch- 

 headed niches, in which are seated figures of the twelve Apostles. They 

 are all nimbed, and hold books. St. Peter, who occupies the eastern- 

 most niche on the north side, is distinguished by a large key, which he 

 holds under his left arm. The others have no disiinguishing symbol. 

 They are not arranged in pairs, as is so often the case, but are all looking 

 up towards the central figure of Christ. Below the feet of the Apostles 

 there is an ornamental band or frieze, looking something like a rude 

 inscription, but all painting below it is lost, if it ever existed. 



Eastward of the two side windows are a pair of niches, rather wider 

 than those occupied by the Apostles. In each is a figure without nimbus, 

 and holding a staff in each hand, one resting on the shoulder and the 

 other used as a support, suggesting the idea that these figures represent 

 pilgrims. Both wear long tunics, with mantles fastened on the shoulder ; 

 and the southern one has a hat of the usual pUgrim form. 



The east end has one window with round arched head, concentric 

 with the vault. Below it is a band of interlaced pattern, like that at the 

 ends of the vault. Over this window are three roundels, each containing a 

 half-length figure of a nimbed angel with a scroll, and on each side there 

 has been a large arched niche. The northern one has been completely 

 destroyed by a mural monument which was fixed there, but in the other 

 niche is a very perfect figure of a bishop. He is habited in mass vest- 

 ments, the right hand is raised in benediction and the left holds 

 a pastoral staff. The chasuble is dark blue or purple, lined with 

 yellow ; it is short in front and long behind, as we find in other 

 examples of the same date. There is a broad white orphrey 

 down the front, with a diaper pattern embroidered on it. The 

 dalmatic is white, and reaches to the feet, so that the alb and stole 

 are not visible. The maniple is blue, and very narrow, with expanding 



