But the same causes which operated to prevent very much being done for years after the dissolution of monasteries, the absence of any special fabric fund, and the inadequacy of the revenues, again produced the same results.  Browne Willis published his survey of this cathedral in 1742.  He says that considering the pillaging of the church by King Henry VIII., and the subsequent despoiling by King Edward VI., and Queen Elizabeth, “we may less wonder that so large a fabrick has not had more care taken of it as it ought; for I cannot but say, that it is ill kept in repair, and lies very slovenly in the inside, and several of the windows are stopped up with bricks, and the glazing in others sadly broken; and the boards in the roof of the middle Isle or Nave, which with the Cross Isle is not archt with stone (but wainscotted with painted boards, as at S. Albans) are several of them damaged and broken, as is also the pavement; insomuch that scarce any cathedral in England is more neglected.”  He proceeds to say that the Dean and Chapter had recently set apart L700 for repairs, and intended to apply more money to the same purpose when certain leases were expired.

While Willis was collecting information for his book, Francis Lockier was Dean.  In his time new seats were erected in the choir which were “very plain and tasteless.”  They remained until 1827.  A new organ was also obtained.  L1500 was spent on these alterations.

The record of other changes, until the time of Dean Monk, is meagre.  Dean Tarrant (1764-1791) collected the fragments of stained glass and had them all inserted in the windows of the apse.  He also repaved the church, but most unfortunately without carefully preserving the ancient inscribed monumental stones.  An altar screen and organ screen, from designs by Carter, were erected; but neither seems to have possessed much merit.

Dean Kipling (1798-1822) is chiefly remembered from his alterations to the lantern tower.  He erected unsightly turrets at the four corners and removed the octagon.  These turrets, commonly spoken of with derision as “Dean Kipling’s chimneys” were of unsuitable height, and poor detail; they were terminated with battlements.  They were happily removed when the tower was rebuilt.

Dean Monk (1822-1830) inaugurated and carried out an extensive scheme of reparation.  The appeal to the public for subscriptions is dated 31st July 1827.  It states that the altar screen, choir screen, and all the woodwork in the choir are unworthy of the structure to which they belong:  that the Dean and Chapter had substantially repaired the exterior of the church at their own expense; that they had procured plans from Mr Blore, and an estimate of upwards of L5000 for the projected work.  The members of the chapter in their corporate capacity had given L1000, and had further individually subscribed L1050.  The result of this appeal was that by June 1828 a sum of L5021 11s. had been collected.