The edifice was extended, embellished, altered, and repaired by many
bishops and by wealthy families till it was completed about 1500.
Alternate dilapidations and restorations followed. The dilapidations
were sometimes sudden, sometimes gradual, and the restorations have
continued at frequent intervals almost to the present day. The entire
pile was repaired and beautified on an extensive scale in 1806–7. The
decayed ornaments of the west front were restored, and many improvements
in other parts were effected in 1818 and following years. The south
front was renovated, and several houses which had stood against the walls
were removed in 1831. The entire fabric was again restored, on the plan
of Edward Blore, about 1840–3; and some portions were repaired, some
embellishments were added, and some interesting ancient features were
brought into view between the years 1843 and 1868.
The pile as it now stands, comprises a nave of fourteen bays with aisles,
a transept of three bays in each wing, a central tower, a steeple, an
apsidal sacristy on the north-east side, a choir of four bays with
aisles, an apsidal end, and a procession path; also three chapels, in the
south side, the north-east side, and south-east side; and a cloister with
each alley of eleven panes to the south of the nave. The dimensions of
the Cathedral as taken from actual measurement are as follows:—
_Feet_. _Inches_.
Length of church 407 0
,, nave to choir screen 204 0
,, choir from screen 183 0
,, roof of nave 251 0
,, transept 178 0
Breadth of nave and aisles 72 0
,, choir from back of stalls 27 1
,, aisles of choir 15 0
Height of spire from ground 315 0
,, tower 140 5
,, spire from tower 174 7
,, roof of nave from pavement 69 6
,, roof of choir from pavement 83 6
_The Interior_.
We shall now proceed with our description of the interior, which contains
the finest specimens of Norman architecture in existence, and admired by
all men of taste. Nothing can exceed the grandeur of the lofty nave,
massive columns, and wide circular arches. The whole pile is chiefly of
the early Norman style, wherein the semi-circular arches and massive
short columns are the leading features. These are considerably varied in
size, moulding, and ornament, in different parts of the edifice.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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