(4) High Altar Screen, or screen of Abbot Wallingford (restored at the expense of Lord Aldenham); is in point of size, as in beauty, perhaps unique in England.  Note its resemblance to that at Winchester.  It was much dilapidated, its many statues having been entirely destroyed at the time of the Reformation; but its restoration has been admirably executed, the figures of SS.  Alban and Amphibalus being especially noticeable:  the latter wears a Celtic, not a Roman tonsure.  Note also the figures of our Lord and His apostles in alabaster, and those of Adrian IV., Bede, Hugh of Lincoln, St. Edmund and many others.

(5) Chantry Tombs of Abbot Ramryge and Abbot John Wheathampsted, occupying respectively the last arches of N. and S. side of the Sanctuary.  Note the fine late Perp. work of the former, and the Wheathampsted arms, three wheat-ears, on the latter.

(6) The Lady-chapel (enter through Retro-choir).  This formerly contained much of the finest work in the Abbey and traces of it are still retained, despite its repeated and entire restoration.  The present vaulted roof of real stone replaces that of imitation stone built by Abbot Hugh de Eversden.  In post-Reformation days it was long used as the Grammar School; but since the removal of the school to the Old Gate House (1869) the chapel has gradually been brought into its present state.  Many of its most beautiful features—­tracery, mouldings, statuettes, carvings, etc.—­had, however, been completely destroyed by the boys.  The marble pavement is new; the stained glass in the E. window was presented by the Corporation of London.  Note the wonderful variety of carved flowers and fruits with which this chapel is embellished.

From Grose’s Antiquities (vol. viii.) I quote the following:—­

“Mr. Robert Shrimpton, grandfather, by the mother’s side, to Mrs. Shrimpton of St. Albans, was four times mayor of that town; he died about sixty years since, being then about 103 years of age.  He lived when the Abbey of St. Alban flourished before the Dissolution and remembered most things relating to the buildings of the Abbey, the regimen of the house, the ceremonies of the church ... all of which he would often discourse in his life-time.  Among other things, that in the Great Hall there was an ascent of fifteen steps to the abbot’s table, to which the monks brought up the service in plate, and staying at every fifth step, which was a resting-place, at every of which they sung a short hymn.  The abbot usually sat alone in the middle of the table; and when any nobleman or ambassador or stranger of eminent quality came thither they sat at his table towards the end thereof.  When the monks had waited a while on the abbot, they sat down at two other tables, placed on the sides of the hall and had their service brought in by novices, who, when the monks had dined, sat down to their own dinner.”