Exeter Cathedral
 Cathedrals |
Exeter's original Saxon cathedral, built in 1050, was replaced by a Norman one constructed between the years 1133 to 1160. Itself eventually replaced, now all that remains of this first Norman cathedral are the famously massive twin towers, appearing like two enormous castle keeps they flank the naïve - a unique arrangement in England. In 1270, Bishop Bronescombe became dissatisfied with the original Norman cathedral and undertook a major rebuilding programme that was not completed until long after his death, in 1369. The architectural style employed was aptly known as Decorated, because of the swirling geometric patterns of the window tracery. The west front is glorious to behold, displaying the largest surviving array of 14 th century sculpture anywhere in Britain. This fabulous façade, with its hundreds of carved stone statues, gives the impression of being a medieval parliament comprising knights and nobles, including Richard II, all seated in their stalls and leaning forward in anticipation of a rousing debate.
Inside, the splendid Gothic vaulting sweeps unbroken from the west door to the east window, at 100 metres in length it is the longest span of its kind in the world. This uniform vaulting, weighing about 5000 tons, is an impressive sight and stands upon ribbed pillars of Purbeck marble, punctuated by gaily painted ceiling bosses now restored to their original medieval colours - churches in the Middle Ages were dazzlingly colourful. The most unusual of the cathedral's bosses, dating from 1350, depicts the murder of Archbishop Thomas a Becket at Canterbury Cathedral in 1170 - a mirror on wheels enables the ceiling bosses to be studied without neck strain.
Above the north porch is the glorious Minstrel Gallery with its musical angels, while standing in the choir the soaring majesty of the Bishop's Throne, a richly carved canopy made from oak in 1315, is quite breathtaking. The medieval screen that encloses the choir dates from 1325 and is emblazoned with thirteen paintings depicting biblical scenes, including the Creation. Apart from the throne, the choir is notable for its 13 th century misericords, the most famous being the elephant now on display in the south choir aisle.
In the north transept is an astronomical clock and the oak cover of the baptismal font has eight inlaid figures of apostles. Among the many handsome tombs located in the cathedral, those of especial merit include the canopy and base that surrounds the black basalt effigy of Bishop Bronescombe 1258-80. Also, that of Edward II's treasurer Walter de Stapleton 1261-1326 who had raised much of the money that funded the cathedral - he was murdered at the hands of a London mob.