How to Visit the English CathedralsSingleton, Esther
History
How to Visit the English Cathedrals
Singleton, Esther
Cathedrals -- England
“The first two stories of the south-west tower at the end of the
nave deserve examination. The rude, long capitals, and plain
circular arches, probably indicate that it formed a part of the
first church completed by Bishop Ralph in 1108. The nave itself, as
far as the top of the triforium, and the two aisles immediately
adjoining, are the work of the same Bishop (died 1123),--or should
perhaps be described as having formed part of the Norman cathedral
completed in 1148. The clerestory above, and the shafts of Purbeck
marble which lighten the piers, are Seffrid’s additions (died
1204). The vaulting is perhaps somewhat later; and it was because
it was determined, after the burning of 1187, to replace with a
stone vault the wooden roofs to which the frequent fires had been
owing that Seffrid carried up his vaulting-shafts along the face of
the Norman piers, some of which he re-cased. The two exterior
aisles, north and south, were probably added by Bishop Neville
(died 1244), when it became necessary to provide additional room
for chantries and relic shrines. The positions of the various
altars are marked by piscinas and aumbries in the walls. The two,
however, occur together in the south aisle alone; in the north are
aumbries only, an arrangement possibly resulting from the feeling
with which that quarter was always anciently regarded. A certainly
triplicity pervades all this part of the cathedral, which was
dedicated by Bishop Seffrid to the Holy Trinity. The side shafts
are triple throughout. The bearing-shafts of the vaulting are
clustered in threes, and branch out with three triple vaulting-ribs
above. The transitional character of Bishop Seffrid’s work is
especially marked in the clerestory, the inner arcade of which is
pointed, whilst the windows themselves are round-headed.”--(R. J.
K.)
The nave is full of monuments and tablets, some of which are by Flaxman.
The one in the =Chapel of the Four Virgins= (north side) is a memorial to
Collins the poet. Near it are the two figures of the =Earl of Arundel= and
=Maud=, his wife. Arundel was beheaded in 1297. He is represented in full
armour and at his feet is a lion.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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