The designer of the restoration of the chapter house has apparently thought that the original floor space might thus be retained without diminishing the stability of the structure, which is well buttressed on the exterior, and he has ingeniously calculated that the additional weight thrown by the corbelled out thickness on the interior of the walls would serve as a counterpoise to the outward thrust of the vaulting. The latter springs from a single vaulting shaft in each angle of the building, resting
[Illustration: FIG. 552.--Elgin Cathedral. Chapter House from South-West and South Aisle of Choir.]
[Illustration: FIG. 553.--Elgin Cathedral. Chapter House: Interior.]
on a carved head, and having a foliaged cap. The vaulting has ridge ribs and liernes, and is evidently founded on English examples. The intersections of the ribs are provided with ornamental bosses. The windows are large, and were divided with mullions and tracery of the middle pointed style, most of which is now demolished.
The central pillar is octagonal, and consists of alternate rounds and hollows, the former having distinct bases and foliaged caps, and each of the hollows having a shield with armorial bearings inserted in the cavetto between the caps of the shafts.
The shields on the capital of the central pillar of the chapter house are as follow:--
1. On the south side facing the entrance doorway, a shield with the royal arms.
2. On the north side, immediately opposite the 1st, a sculptured figure of St. Andrew (see Fig. 553).
3 and 4. On each of the east and west sides, a shield having arms quartered thereon, viz.:--1st and 4th, a lymphad; and 2nd and 3rd, a fesse chequé, being the arms of Stewart of Lorn or Innermeth[52] reversed--_i.e._, the 1st and 4th quarters should occupy the position of the 2nd and 3rd, and _vice versa_ (a mistake not unusual in Scottish heraldry).
5, 6, 7, and 8 occupy the diagonal faces of the octagon, and have shields bearing the cross, crown of thorns, hands and feet, spear, and other emblems of the Passion.
The above heraldic blazons are of some importance, as they enable us to fix approximately the name and date of the bishop under whom the restoration of the chapter house was carried out. The royal arms occupy, as is natural, the most prominent position. The east and west sides both bear the same arms, and are, doubtless, those of the bishop who presided at the time of the restoration.