On a bracket against the wall adjoining the shrine is a bust of Bishop FIELD, (died 1636). On the floor is a slab with effigy of JOHN D’ACQUABLANCA, Dean of Hereford, (died 1320). He was the nephew of Bishop d’Acquablanca, whose monument (see _post_) is close by. Under the north window of the aisle is a stone coffin, found under the centre of the north arch of the tower, during the restoration of the piers. It may be the coffin of Bishop JOHN DE BRETON, (died 1275).
Under the great north window of the transept is a richly canopied tomb with effigy of Bishop THOMAS CHARLTON, (died 1369). This effigy was not disturbed by Wyatt, and remains in its original position. West of this monument is the effigy of Bishop WESTFALING, (died 1602). The canopy was destroyed by Wyatt. This is the bishop who is said so rarely to have smiled after his consecration to the episcopate; (see Pt. II.)
In the pavement adjoining the choir-aisle, a very good small brass has been inserted for JOHN PHILIPS, (died 1708, aged 32,) whose family were natives of Herefordshire, although the poet himself was born at Bampton in Oxfordshire, of which place his father was rector. His principal work, however, “Cider,” belongs essentially to Herefordshire. A monument to Philips was placed in Westminster Abbey by Lord Chancellor Harcourt, and bears an inscription written by Bishop Atterbury.
[Illustration: MONUMENT OF BISHOP D’AQUABLANCA.
XIII. The _north choir-aisle_ is entered through the original Norman arch; which (together with that opening from the nave-aisle) was cleared by Mr. Cottingham from the masonry with which it had been nearly closed, in order to strengthen the tower piers. Between this aisle and the eastern aisle of the transept is the very beautiful monument of Bishop D’ACQUABLANCA, (1240-1268). [Plate V.] The effigy lies under a canopy supported by light shafts of Purbeck marble. The gables of the canopy are crowned with floriated crosses, the central cross bearing a figure of the crucified Saviour. The monument may be compared with that of Bishop Bridport at Salisbury, (died 1262,) which is, however, far richer and more elaborate. The tomb of Bishop d’Acquablanca was originally richly coloured; and an attempt at restoration was made by an amateur in 1861. It was soon, however, discontinued,--not unwisely, as the commencement remains to prove.