How to Visit the English CathedralsSingleton, Esther
History
How to Visit the English Cathedrals
Singleton, Esther
Cathedrals -- England
“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
hands 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.
“The main arches of the nave are ornamented with the billet and
other beautiful mouldings and the capitals of both piers and shafts
are also elaborately decorated. The double half shafts set against
the north and south fronts of the huge circular piers are in the
greater part restorations.
“Over each pier-arch there are two triforium arches imitated from
the Early English of Salisbury. They are divided by slender
pillars, but there is no triforium passage. During the Late
Decorated period the nave-aisles were practically rebuilt, the
existing walls and windows being erected upon the bases of the
Norman walls, which were retained for a few feet above the
foundations. The vaulting of the roofs of the nave-aisles and the
roof of the nave itself were coloured under the direction of Mr.
Cottingham.”--(A. H. F.)
In the second bay of the south aisle stands an ancient =Font= of late
Norman design, decorated with figures of the Apostles, on a base with
four demi-griffins or lions. Among the monuments in the nave is an
alabaster =Effigy of Sir Richard Pembridge=, in plate and mail armour with
his greyhound. He died in 1375. Here are also the =effigy= and =tomb= of
=Bishop Booth= (died 1535), who built
[Illustration: HEREFORD: NAVE, EAST]
[Illustration: HEREFORD: NORTH-EAST]
the north porch. The handsome iron grille in front of the tomb is of the
same date.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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