In the fifth bay, eastward from the south-west tower, is the #South Porch#, which opens directly into the west walk of the cloister.  Early in the nineteenth century it was in a ruinous condition; but restoration has again given it stability, if not all its old beauty.  The idea of the design, as it is seen from the cloister, is identical with that of the exterior of the west porch.  But in the detail of its mouldings and other features it is different entirely.  The restored abaci of the capitals, like the originals, are some of them square, others irregular octagons.  The interior is vaulted, and has diagonal and wall ribs.  On the west and east sides are stone benches.  But the west side has in addition a small arcade of four arches forming recessed sedilia.  The mouldings to the arches of this small arcade are of about the same date as those in the two outer orders of the enclosing arch on the south front of this porch.  The two smaller arches under it appear to be later work, if we judge from their present character.  But the arch-mould of the #Doorway# within the porch is work of approximately the same date as the outer moulded member of the enclosing arch on the west front of the west porch.  The enclosing arch of the south porch is later work than these.  But the two inner moulded orders of the enclosing arch of the west porch are even later still in character.

[Illustration:  THE SOUTH DOORWAY IN THE WEST WALK OF THE CLOISTER. S.B.  Bolas & Co., photo.]

The east side of this south porch forms the west wall of the present choir singing school—­the old sacristy.  But this room projects farther southward than the porch.  The limit of its projection is indicated by a portion of a buttress in the cloister.  Between this buttress and the porch are two small windows—­one of them is now blocked up.  The upper one is the same in design as those others on the south side of the same apartment.  These we shall consider presently.  Above the central pier at the entrance to this porch is a miserable figure in stone, intended to represent a saint.

[Illustration:  THE WEST WALK OF THE CLOISTER FROM THE SOUTH-EAST. S.B.  Bolas & Co., photo.]

The #Cloister#, which was added in the fifteenth century, is of a peculiarly irregular shape, and encloses the south transept within the paradise.  It has been much restored at different times.  The present roof is of tiles, and is carried on common rafters.  Each has a cross-tie, and the struts are shaped so as to give a pointed, arched form to each one.  The old fifteenth-century wooden cornice still remains in some sections.  The walling was once all plastered.  The tracery is divided into four compartments by mullions, and each head is filled with cusped work.

Round the cloister are placed the old houses of the Treasurer, the Royal Chaplains, and Wiccamical Prebendaries.  Above the door leading to the house of the Royal Chaplains is an interesting monument of the Tudor period.  It is a panel divided into two compartments by a moulded stone framework.