In the north wall of some chancels is found an arched recess, which sometimes contained a stone tomb, occasionally that of the founder; this was the holy sepulchre on which the ceremonies commemorative of our Lord's binial and resurrection were celebrated at the season of Easter. Where there is no sepulchre, a movable wooden structure was employed rur the purpose.
The principal feature of the chancel is the altar. This is an elevated table of an oblong shape, constructed of either wood or stone ; in the first ages of the church. up to the fifth century, they were generally made of the former mate rial, though stone was recommended by Pope Sylvester, early in the fourth century. The council of I lippo forbade the use of Mood, as did also that of Epone, in France, at the mencement of the sixth century, which period they have been made of stone. Stone altars were disused in England at the Iteformat ion, and so few survived the turmoils of this period, and of the suceeeding rebellion, that we have scarcely an entire example left ; those in the chantries and side-chapels are almost the only ones that escaped (lest ruction. The high altar of Arundel church, Sussex, which was pre served by being enclosed in wood, will give us a fair idea of their Elwin and construction. It emnisists of a slab 1:2 feet six inches long, by 4 feet wide, and :2)- inches in thickness, sup ported on a solid stone 3 feet 6 inches in height, and quite plain : in sonic cases, however, the front and sides were carved in panels and various devices, and richly coloured. Sometimes the slab is supported on stone legs, and sometimes on brackets, as at Broughton Castle, Oxford ; it was gene rally marked on its upper surface with five crosses in sion, one in the centre, and OHO in Cacti el (rimer, representing the live wounds ()four Lord. In the church of Porlock, Sumer setshire, the crosses do nut appear on the slab, but arc found in the centre panel in the thee of the supporting masonry.
That part of the east wall immediately above the altar is frequently ornamented with a reredos of tabernacle work, or a series of enriched arches ; sometimes this space is occupied by a triptych, or painting of three compartments, often repre senting the crucifixion.
" Pertaining to the high altar," says Mr. Bloxham, in his valuable little manual, which was covered with a frontal and cloths, and anciently enclosed at the sides, with curtains suspended en of iron projecting from the wall, was a crucifix. which succeeded to the simple cross placed on the altars of the Anglo-Saxon churches; a pair of candlesticks, generally with spikes instead of sockets, on which lights or tapers were fixed ; a pix, in which the host was kept reserved for the sick ; a pair of cruets, of metal, in which were con tained the wine and water to their admixture in the eucharistic cup ; a saering bell ; a lax table, of silver or other metal, for the kiss of peace, which took place shortly betbre the hest was received in communion ; a stoup, or stole, of metal, with a sprinkle for holy water; a censer, or thurible ; and a ship—at vessel so called—to hold frankincense, ; a ehris matory, an offering basin, a basin which was used when the priest washed his hands ; and a chalice and paten."
Another part of the furniture of the chancel is the credence table, or table of prothesis, on which the elements were placed previous to consecration, usually situate on the north side of the altar. This is of much smaller dimensions than the altar, sometimes of stone richly panelled, as at the church of Holy Cross, near Winchester, and Fyfield, Berks, where it is in shape semi-octagonal ; they were sometimes also of wood, a specimen of which is pointed out at Chipping Warden, Northamptonshire, the date of which is A. D. 16'27. The credence is very frequently found in the form of a shelf above the piseina, and under the same niche and canopy.
We must not forget to mention the letter!), or desk, from whence the lessons were read, which was placed at the western end of the chancel ; it was generally of brass, some times in the shape of an eagle with expanded wings, and sometimes feinting a sloping desk, with the slope on one or two sides, in all cases supported on an ornamental stem. Eastward of this, immediately in front of the v. as the titld-stool, a low, sloping desk, at which the priest knelt at the Litany.
The chancels of our old churches vary so much in size and that it 1A impossible to lay down any rule by which their dimensions may be determined ; we always find them, however. of sufficient space to form a prominent feature in the building ; sometimes they are as long, or longer than the nave, but this practice we w mild not recommend fie. adoption. It may he laid down as a general rule, that the chancel be well defined and fully developed, yet not of so great length as to prevent the voice of the celebrant being heard throughout the nave ; on an average, we may give the length of 30 feet as it standard for most modern churches, but of course this dimension w vary with the size and width of the Church. The materials and workmanship in this part of the edifice should always be of the very best description, and the »lore rich and frequent ; care must be taken to avoid the use of any decoration except such as is of a strictly religious character, and adapted to its particular situation : all meretricious ornament should be at once dis carded ; severity is wanted, not display.