Stage 2: addition of the Bishop’s Throne and revision of the fittings, c.1693–97

WRE/4/2

9 drawings

{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang2057{\fonttbl{\f0\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Microsoft Sans Serif;}{\f1\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 System;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue128;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\cf1\f0\fs20 The second of the two main stages in the design of the choir was probably complete by 1 May 1694. A Bishop\rquote s Throne was introduced at the east end of the south range of stalls to provide the Bishop with a separate stall on grand state occasions. To accommodate the throne in this position, Wren raised the narrow bay by an extra step above the floor of the choir and aisles (three steps instead of two). Initially, he retained the apse platform with its three-step rise, making six steps in all from the cathedral floor; see WRE/4/1/5.\par \par Probably before he submitted his scheme in May 1694, Wren had simplified the apse enclosure to the near-final layout in a pencilled paving plan at All Souls (Geraghty 2007, no.103). This paving plan is close to the executed scheme for the whole choir shown in Trevitt\rquote s view of the service of thanksgiving on 31 December 1706 (Wren Society 14, pl.18). In this view, the Bishop\rquote s Throne stands on a four-step podium and the apse platform is only one step higher than the narrow bay. The front of the platform is now further back than in stage 1. It aligns with the plinths of the half-pilasters of the apse, west of the full pilasters that mark the chord of the apse. The large reredos has gone, and a simple table is set against the east wall of the apse.\par \par When he introduced the Bishop\rquote s Throne, Wren increased the height and projection of the gallery front all round the inside of the enclosure; see WRE/4/2/1-4. WRE/4/2/6 shows the gallery front at its built height of 2 ft 9 inches and the organ and choir screen close to their executed dimensions; it corresponds to the plan WRE/4/2/5, and was probably amongst the drawings Wren presented on 1 May 1694. \par \par The design of the organ underwent further revision after May 1694 and WRE/4/2/7 is an initial scheme for a larger organ \lquote chair\rquote which anticipates the completed feature. WRE/4/2/8 is a unique, full-sized working drawing for a choir stall pier, dating probably near beginning of carpentry and joinery work in late 1694 and early 1695. A study in Hawksmoor\rquote s hand for the arm of a metal chandelier WRE/4/2/9, dated 21 October 1697, precedes the opening of the choir by just six weeks.\cf0\b\f1\par }

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