one of them being beneath the Norman sepulchral arch raised to commemorate three abbots, John de Sais, who died in 1125, Martin of Bee, in 1155, and Andrew, in 1199.  It seems unlikely that the one placed beneath the arch should represent one of those three, although usually assigned to the latest, Andrew.  The next two in the aisle were found in the ruins of the old chapter-house, and brought into the church.[28] The date of the easternmost is known.  It is more richly ornamented than the rest, and the entire coffin is above ground, with handsome quatrefoils and other carving.  This commemorates Alexander of Holderness, 1226.  It was found under the woodwork of the old choir which was removed in 1830, beneath the second arch, on the north of the choir.  The coffin contained the body, in a large coarse garment, with boots on, and a crosier in the left hand.  The boots were what are called “rights and lefts,” and in fair preservation.  The head was gone.  A piece of lead was found inscribed “Abbas:  Alexandr:”  The remains were gathered together and re-interred beneath the present position of the coffin.  At the same time in all likelihood the effigy that was already on the spot (one of those that had been found in the ruins of the chapter-house) was removed to one of the chapels in the south transept; from which place it was afterwards moved to the New Building immediately behind the apse, where now is the monument to Bishop Chambers; and now it has been put on a stone plinth on the spot where the coffin of Abbot Alexander was found, under the mistaken impression that it was the figure found there in 1830.

[Illustration:  Portion of Abbot’s Tomb.]

The other prae-Reformation memorials are very few.  Two have lately been found concealed by the paving, Abbot Godfrey, 1321, moved from the choir to the north aisle, and sub-prior Fraunceys, at the east end of the south nave aisle.  In the morning chapel is an early stone with inscription in capitals, and three stone coffin lids; other fragmentary inscriptions remain in S. Oswald’s chapel, in the north choir aisle, and under the bell-tower.

In the floor on the north side of the choir, near the altar rails, is a stone with modern inscription recording the burial places of Elfrieus and Kinsius, both Archbishops of York:  the former died in 1051, the latter in 1060.  An old guide-book says that “on the north side, in two hollow places of wall, were found two chests about three feet long, in each of which were the bones of a man:  and of whom appeared by a plate of lead in each chest, whereon the name of the person was engraved,” these names being those given above.  The chronicle expressly records of Kinsius, “jacet tumulatus in scrinio juxta magnum altare in parte boreali.”

[Illustration:  Portion of Abbot’s Tomb.]