Salisbury Cathedral
 Cathedrals |
Built between 1220 and 1258, with few later additions, this cathedral remains a pure example of one architectural style - Early English Gothic. Bishop Herbert Poore planned the cathedral in the early 13 th century, but died before seeing his plans realised; his brother Richard, who succeeded him as bishop founded the new cathedral in 1220. The fact that its construction only took 38 years is why one architectural style predominates, unlike many other medieval English cathedrals. The tower and spire at a combined height of 404ft is the tallest in Britain; not a part of the original plan it was added in 1334.
The cathedral's splendidly ornate exterior, incorporating stone from Old Sarum, has been the inspiration of many artistes throughout the centuries including John Constable and J M W Turner. The glorious west front, the last portion of the structure to be completed, is the most lavishly decorated; it incorporates row upon row of statues set within niches, although many of these are now Victorian replacements of the originals.
Inside, graceful columns of Purbeck stone line the high-vaulted naïve, while the many large windows light up the spacious interior giving it an airy feel of dignified elegance. The enormous weight of tower and spire has produced a considerable downward thrust sufficient to cause the slender columns beneath to twist under the strain, despite strengthening devices.
The church is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and religious services have been held here daily since 1225. Some of its contents are even older, such as the remains of Bishop Osmund, nephew of William the Conqueror and builder of the first Norman cathedral at nearby Old Sarum. Osmund died in 1099, and his simple undecorated tomb has holes each side to enable pilgrims to touch the top of his grave. The cathedral is rich in monuments, tombs and effigies. One of the oldest is that of William Longspee, Earl of Salisbury and half-brother to King John. Longspee, a military and naval commander was a witness at the sealing of the Magna Carta in 1215. He died in 1226 and was the first person to be buried in the church in Trinity Chapel. Another tomb, in the north aisle, is that of Sir John Cheney, a survivor of the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485 that ended the Wars of the Roses and brought to the throne of England Henry Tudor (VII), initiating the Tudor period. Other warriors buried here fought in the Crusades and at Agincourt and Crecy.
The morning chapel contains part of the original 13 th century stone screen that used to separate choir and naïve; in a niche is a 20 th century revolving engraved glass prism depicting the cathedral. Other contemporary art includes the prisoners of conscience window in the Trinity Chapel. In the north aisle of the naïve is a bulky medieval clock dating from about 1386, and claimed to be the oldest working clock in the world; it has no dial and chimes the hours.
Just off the adjoining cloisters is the late 13 th century chapter house, a fine octagonal building supported by a central column that rises to meet the exquisite fan vaulting above. The chapter house is decorated around its walls with 60 scenes from the Old Testament involving about 200 carved figures - splendid examples of the medieval stonecutter's craft. This building also houses a copy of the Magna Carta, one of only four surviving from 42 originally made; this copy was made on calfskin.
Beneath the spire is a bronze plate set into the floor and engraved "AD 1737 the centre of the tower". It marks the result of a check made 50 years after Sir Christopher Wren had discovered that the spire was leaning 29.5 inches off centre. His solution was to strengthen it with iron tie-rods. When these were replaced in 1951 it was discovered that the spire had moved no further.