How to Visit the English CathedralsSingleton, Esther
History
How to Visit the English Cathedrals
Singleton, Esther
Cathedrals -- England
“The architecture is somewhat later in style than that of the
cloisters, and if it be not, as its admirers claim, the most
beautiful in England, it has few rivals. Like Westminster, Wells
and other English examples, except York and Southwell, it has a
central pillar, from which the groining of the roof springs
gracefully in harmonious lines. A raised bench of stone runs round
the interior. At its back forty-nine niches of a canopied arcade
borne on slight Purbeck marble shafts marked out as many seats.
They are apportioned as follows: those at each side of the entrance
to the Chancellor and Treasurer respectively, the rest to the
Bishop, Dean, Archdeacons and other members of the chapter.
“The plan of the building is octagonal, about fifty-eight feet in
diameter and fifty-two feet in height. Each side has a large
fan-light window with traceried head. Below these windows and above
the canopies of the seats is a very remarkable series of
bas-reliefs. The bosses of the roof are somewhat elaborately
carved: one north of the west doorway has groups of figures on it,
apparently intended to represent armourers, musicians, and
apothecaries, possibly commemorating guilds who were benefactors to
the building; the others have foliage chiefly with grotesque
monsters. On the base of the central
[Illustration: SALISBURY: NAVE, EAST]
[Illustration: EXETER: SOUTH-WEST]
pillar is a series of carvings taken probably from one of the many
books of fables so popular in the Middle Ages. These were
reproduced from the originals, which are preserved in the
cloisters.”--(G. W.)
The vaulted roof is re-painted in accordance with the original.
The =Cloisters= are on the south-west side of the Cathedral, their western
wall being on a line with the west front. These fine covered walks, the
largest in England (181 feet long), surround a great sward (140 feet
square), where a group of dark cedars contrasts beautifully with the
grey walls. The style is late Thirteenth Century. The windows formed of
double arches with quatrefoils united at the main head with a large
six-foiled circle are much admired.
EXETER
DEDICATION: ST. PETER. A CHURCH SERVED BY SECULAR CANONS.
SPECIAL FEATURES: SCREEN ON WEST FRONT; MISERERES; BISHOP’S THRONE;
MINSTRELS’ GALLERY; LADY-CHAPEL; EAST WINDOW.
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