The medieval monuments of Rochester Cathedral

Despite heavy losses, the series of medieval monuments at Rochester is one of the most interesting in any English cathedral. It is possible to detect influences from a number of sources. Bishop Glanville's monument, a hipped chest, was clearly inspired by Archbishop Walter's at Canterbury, while the marble effigy of Bishop de St Martin in the presbytery and the lost effigy of Bishop Merton, in their different ways, drew on metropolitan influence. In addition to the relief effigies, the cathedral once had a fine collection of brasses. All of these are now lost, but in many cases their despoiled slabs survive. It is sometimes maintained that no brasses were laid in the cathedral before the Black Death. The suggestion is made here, however, that a fine slab at the entrance to the north choir aisle is in fact of pre-Black Death date.