The picture to the left is a little unusual because of the angle at which it is taken. Most of the time there are rows of chairs in front of this tomb which would normally obscure part of this view. It perhaps looks a little confused because of the amount of colour, both in the foreground and the background. In the background, on the wall of the North Aisle of the Choir, is a mural depicting a scene in the life of St. Eustace. At one time, this use of rich colours and pictures was typical of this and many other cathedrals and this is one of the few views that can suggest the way things used to be in the medieval church. The pictures below emphasise the richness and strength of the colours that were a normal feature of many of theses tombs.

Of course, at the time of Archbishop Chichele the Church in England was still ultimately ruled from Rome and Catholic Churches tend to be highly decorated compared to Churches which subsequent to the reign of Henry VIII became the Church of England. Add to this the Puritan upsurge during the Commonwealth period and much of this elaborate decoration was swept out of the English Church. Even in Victorian times in Canterbury, wall painting were still being destroyed and disposed of because it was felt that such decoration did not match the way that the Church should be seen. It was much too frivolous for this austere building.

Archbishop Chichele was known to have been a close friend and supporter of Henry V, who was very much a warrior King. In fact, there are likeness' in the construction of their tombs [the tomb of Henry V being in Westminster Abbey] that it is probable that they were designed by the same individual. Certainly this elaborate Chichele tomb was completed during his lifetime which would seem a little bizarre to us today, especially given the fact that a cadaver likeness is included underneath the effigy [see below] of the Archbishop in full pontificals [as above]. At least the potential occupant could ensure what he was getting and that his image after his death would be seen by others in a manner in which he would prefer his likeness to be portrayed. The main reason for the superior condition of this tomb is the fact that Archbishop Chichele was the founder of All Soul's at Oxford and the Warden and Fellows of that College have always seen to its repair and maintenance.