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\viewkind4\uc1\pard\cf1\f0\fs20 The drawings in this group are studies for parts of the exterior and interior of the eastern arm and bastions, from the top of the basement to the top of the outer entablature and the attic above the inner entablature. They date from before the start of work until soon after contracts were agreed in September 1678 for continuing construction to a common level, inside and out, at the springing of the arches of the aisle windows (Wren Society 16, pp.15-16). These contracts included construction of the vaults of the vestries in the eastern and north-west bastions, and the walls of the transept ends; but they excluded the transept porticoes, steps and doorcases, the last being included in contracts of July 1679 (\i ibid\i0 ., pp.17-18; see WRE/2/4).\par
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WRE/2/3/1 is an early study, probably pre-construction, for the exterior of the east side of the south-east bastion and the adjoining half bay of the transept (or alternatively of the north side of the north-east bastion). It takes the design a stage beyond that illustrated in two sections through the south-east bastion by Wren and Woodroofe, WRE/2/2/3 and 4. However, the external elevation has only been designed in outline and stops at the Corinthian capitals. Three other drawings are at a similar stage: a study for an aisle window surround, with alternatives for the corbels beneath the sill, WRE/2/3/2, and two studies for the internal concave recesses of the aisle windows with their lozenge-shaped vaulting patterns, WRE/2/3/3 and 4. All four drawings were superseded by the design in Wren\rquote s section and elevation of the transept end, WRE/2/2/6 and 7, where the outer cornice is nearly as built and the aisles vaults have saucer domes. \par
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WRE/2/3/5 is a near-final design by Wren for the exterior the choir aisle up to the capitals of the main external order, east of the centre-line of the first full bay, the area for which Thomas Strong was responsible as master mason (Wren Society 16, p.8). It is nearly as executed up to the sills of the aisle windows, and was probably prepared shortly before contracts for masonry up to this level were signed on 11 January 1677 (\i ibid\i0 ., pp.14-15). WRE/2/3/6 presents a section through the same part of the eastern arm but including the apse, from the crypt to the top of the attic above the internal entablature. It is datable before work began on the vaults of the crypt in June 1676. A carefully finished large-scale design for the cornice and attic of the internal order, WRE/2/3/7, is datable soon after this drawing. Superseding both drawings is a cross-section through the apse, WRE/2/3/8, which takes the design to the top of the vault, although the attic was later revised. \par
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\b Studies for the vestries (WRE/2/3/9-13)\par
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The vestries are in the two eastern bastions and the north-west bastion. The vestries in the eastern bastions are for the Dean (south) and Minor Canons (north). They are circular in plan with stone-built domical vaults. Their floors are 5 ft above the church floor to clear the vaults of the stairways that rise from the crypt to the aisles in the transepts, and their upper chambers (\lquote upper vestries\rquote ) are octagonal with plainer walls. The Lord Mayor\rquote s Vestry in the north-west bastion is wider than the other two (19 ft 3 inches between the wall pilasters, compared with 17 ft). It is octagonal in plan and is only raised two steps above the church floor. Its upper vestry was used for archive storage from an early date. \cf0\b\f1\par
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WRE/2/3/9 is a tentative study by the unidentified draughtsman for the Lord Mayor\rquote s Vestry in half-plan and wall elevation. WRE/2/3/10, in the same hand, is a floor plan of the Dean\rquote s Vestry; the steps in the entrance vestibule are not as built from 1677. A more fluent drawing in the same hand, WRE/2/3/11, shows the vault of the Dean\rquote s Vestry and the floor of the upper chamber being raised about 2 ft 6 inches. It is contemporary with a study for the same vault by Edward Pearce, WRE/2/3/12, who took over this area of the cathedral in September 1678 (see WRE/2/4). The profile and relief decoration of the vault were further refined in execution. Contemporary with these two drawings is a study for the plan of the upper vestry above the Dean\rquote s Vestry, WRE/2/3/13.\par
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Conditions governing access
Access to the Wren office drawings held at London Metropolitan Archives is available only with advance notice and at the discretion of the Heritage Services Director, London Metropolitan Archives, 40 Northampton Road, London, EC1R 0HB.
