Bell's Cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of Hereford: A Description of Its Fabric and a Brief History of the Episcopal SeeFisher, A. Hugh (Alfred Hugh)
History
Bell's Cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of Hereford: A Description of Its Fabric and a Brief History of the Episcopal See
Fisher, A. Hugh (Alfred Hugh)
Hereford Cathedral
In the area of the Bishop’s Cloister was formerly a preaching cross, which
fell into a decayed state during the latter part of the last century.
Beneath it was a dome of masonry which closed the aperture to a well of
considerable depth, which had been formed with great exactness. This well
still exists beneath a plain square stone. Another well was (according to
Stukeley) situated between the College and the Castle Green, with a
handsome stone arch over it.
[Illustration: THE CLOISTERS, WITH THE LADIES’ ARBOUR.]
THE CLOISTERS, WITH THE LADIES’ ARBOUR.
_Photochrom Co., Ld., Photo._
Building operations are still in progress at Hereford, and it was proposed
to mark the year of Her Majesty’s Jubilee by a special restoration,
dealing principally with the west end and central tower.
CHAPTER III. - THE INTERIOR OF THE CATHEDRAL.
The Cathedral is usually entered from the north-west through the beautiful
parvise porch of Bishop Booth. The lower stage of this porch is formed by
three arches with octagonal turrets at their outer angles. These turrets
are each capped by a lantern. The second stage has three fine
Perpendicular windows. The doorway, which actually opens into the church,
belongs to a smaller porch within this outer one. The inner porch is of
the Decorated period. There is some particularly good iron-work on the
doors, made by Messrs Potter from designs by Mr. Cottingham, junior.
Hereford has a smaller area than either of the other two sister
cathedrals, being only 26,850 feet in extent.
[Illustration: THE NORTH PORCH.]
THE NORTH PORCH.
The *Nave*, which is separated from the aisles by eight massive Norman
piers (part of the original church), of which the capitals are worthy of
notice, has somewhat suffered by restorations at the hand of Wyatt. The
triforium, the clerestory, the vaulting of the roof and the western wall
and doorway are all his work; and it must not be forgotten that he
shortened the original nave by one entire bay. Walking to the west end,
from which the best general view is to be obtained, one is impressed by
the striking effect of the great Norman piers and arches and the gloom of
the choir beyond. Through the noble circular arches, which support the
central tower and the modern screen on the eastern side of it, we see the
eastern wall of the choir, pierced above by three lancet windows and below
by a wide circular arch receding in many orders. A central pillar divides
this lower arch, two pointed arches springing from its capital and leaving
a spandrel between them, which is covered with modern sculpture. In the
far distance may be distinguished the east wall of the Lady Chapel and its
brilliant lancet lights.
Throughout the Cathedral the Norman work is remarkable for the richness of
its ornament as compared with other buildings of the same date, such as
Peterborough or Ely.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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