| Description | Representing Elymas, the sorcerer, struck blind before St Paul. This fine piece of tapestry was worked at the Royal Establishment founded by James I at Mortlake in Surrey. It was worked from Raphael's cartoon itself, and corresponds with the same subject in the Vatican. The tapestry now measurers 16 ft by 11 ft but it had originally a border of fruit and flowers, this was removed some time prior to 1818. In the Bishop's Registry, among the 'terriers' is an item dated 1664 paid for carrying the new hanging to the Cathedral 4s6d and in 1684, Tapestry hanging at the Altar. In the Treasurers Books of the Dean and Chapter under the date of 28th April 1694 is: ' paid for cleaning the Tapestry at the Altar £1-10-0' and in 1699 6s10d was paid for mending it. At one time it acted as a Reredos covering a brick wall which divided the Choir from the Lady Chapel. Later it was exhibited on a screen which divided St Oswald's, or the South Transept from the Nave, and was afterwards hung near the West Door. It is now (1908) in the Chapter House. |