Queen Katherine of Arragon was buried in the north choir aisle, just outside the most eastern arch, in 1535.  A hearse was placed near, probably between the two piers.  Four years later this is described as “the inclosed place where the Lady Katherine lieth,” and there seems to have been a small altar within it.  Some banners that adorned it remained in the cathedral till 1586.  About the same time some persons were imprisoned for defacing the “monument,” and required to “reform the same.”  The only monument, strictly so called, of which there is any record, was a low table monument, raised on two shallow steps, with simple quatrefoils, carved in squares set diamond-wise.  Engravings of this shew it to have been an insignificant and mean erection.  A few slabs of it were lately found buried beneath the floor, and they are now placed against the wall of the aisle.  One of the prebendaries repaired this monument at his own cost, about 1725, and supplied a tiny brass plate with name and date, part of which remains in the floor.  This monument was removed in 1792.  A handsome marble stone has quite recently been laid down to the Queen’s memory above her grave, with incised inscription and coats of arms.

A tablet has been erected in the south choir aisle to record the fact that Mary Queen of Scots had been buried near the spot.  Recent explorations have proved that the exact spot was just within the choir.  The funeral took place on the first of August, 1587.  Remains of the hearse between the pillars were to be seen so lately as 1800.  On Oct. 11, 1612, the body was removed to Westminster Abbey, by order of King James I., the Queen’s son.  A photograph of the letter ordering the removal, the original of which is still in possession of the Dean and Chapter, is framed and hung on an adjacent pillar.

[Illustration:  Portion of Abbot’s Tomb.]

In the south choir aisle is a fine monument with a life-size effigy of Archbishop Magee in his robes.  It is carved in pure white marble.  On the side are impaled coats of arms and an inscription.  The likeness is excellent.

[Illustration:  Portion of Abbot’s Tomb.]

The other tablets and inscriptions hardly require detailed descriptions.  In the New Building is the mutilated monument to Sir Humfrey Orme:  no names or dates remain; at the top are the words Sanguis Iesu Christi purgat nos ab omnibus Peccatis nostris.  Near this is an elaborate erection to Thomas Deacon, 1721, a great benefactor to the town.  On a stone to John Brimble, organist of S. John’s College, Cambridge, 1670, we read that he was Musis et musicae devotissimus, ad coelestem evectus Academiam.  Among many inscriptions some interesting items will be found.  John Benson, 1827, was the “oldest Committee Clerk at the House of Commons.”  Humfrey Orme, 1670, was A supremo Ang’iae senatu ad superiorem sanctorum conventum evocatus. On the memorial to Bishop Madan, 1813, are the lines:—­