Medieval History
English Heritage has unveiled the results of a major survey into the state of the nation's great cathedrals, whilst also highlighting three East of England cathedrals for undertaking striking projects in a new report.
The English Heritage Cathedrals Fabric Condition Survey 2009 reveals that:
Between 1991 and 2009 English Heritage pledged over £50m for cathedral repairs, most recently with the support of the Wolfson Foundation. Total funding allocated to East of England cathedrals was:
The Refectory and Hostry at Norwich Cathedral are hailed as two of the most exciting and ambitious construction projects at an English cathedral in recent years. The project transforms the medieval cloister into the main route between the cathedral and the buildings adjacent to it, reflecting the role for which it was constructed. The new Refectory restaurant sits within the ancient walls of the cathedral, with the Hostry, which lies along the west walk of the cloister, transformed into a space dedicated to education and interpretation. It will also include a large area for community use and a new Song School. The underlying vision for this £10m project claims inspiration from Benedictine traditions of education and hospitality, demonstrating that these ancient patterns work equally well for what has become a very outwardly-focussed institution.
At Ely Cathedral, the medieval "Ship of the Fens" is popular both as a tourist attraction and as a venue for concerts and events. However a lack of toilet facilities available when public events are held has caused real inconvenience for visitors. The construction of the new Processional Way, making the fourteenth-century Lady Chapel accessible from the north side of the choir, also provided a discreet opportunity to install new toilet facilities. The Processional Way, costing £750,000 is the first structural addition to the cathedral since the Reformation and uses the original course of the passage which was excavated by the cathedral's archaeologist. The report highlights the enhanced potential of both integrating the great Lady Chapel more fully into the liturgy and providing much needed visitor facilities.
The need to provide disability access and the pastoral desire to welcome all visitors, presented a challenge to St Albans Cathedral where the shrine of St Alban was, until recently, only accessible via a flight of steps. The design of the wheelchair lift, which has created an access into the Saint's Chapel, is praised in the report for its elegance and dignity, providing both spiritual and physical access.
Greg Luton added: "Cathedrals are inspirational places, but they need to be forward thinking and constantly review how they use these wonderful spaces. At Norwich Cathedral the development manages to be emphatically modern while keeping its roots deep in the past. At Ely and St Alban's, two projects have improved access and helped to open up the cathedrals to a wider public. All three richly deserve praise in this fascinating new publication."
The Rt Hon Frank Field MP, Chairman of the Cathedrals Fabric Commission at the Church of England, said: "Roman Catholic and Anglican cathedral authorities alike are not only custodians of past splendours: they can also be wise and willing midwives to future glories. We hope Creativity and Care will encourage cathedral bodies to think in the boldest terms about their building's future, rather than scale down their ambitions to what they think will be approved."
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Medieval History
Report describes the state of England's Cathedrals
English Heritage has unveiled the results of a major survey into the state of the nation's great cathedrals, whilst also highlighting three East of England cathedrals for undertaking striking projects in a new report.
The English Heritage Cathedrals Fabric Condition Survey 2009 reveals that:
- Cathedrals have spent more than £250 million on repairs since 1991 and almost all-critical work has been done
- They have spent nearly £90 million on repairs since 2001 and over the same period have spent nearly £90 million on new works to add to their splendour and make themselves more welcoming to visitors
- Over the next 10 years cathedrals need to spend some £100 million on repairs
- Six cathedrals still need to carry out major repair programmes in the next 10 years: Canterbury - £16m; York - £8m; Lincoln - £13m or more; Salisbury - £15m; Chichester - £10m; and Winchester - £4m
Between 1991 and 2009 English Heritage pledged over £50m for cathedral repairs, most recently with the support of the Wolfson Foundation. Total funding allocated to East of England cathedrals was:
- Chelmsford - £192,500
- Ely - £3,487,500
- Norwich - £1,336,737
- Norwich Roman Catholic Cathedral - £292,000
- Peterborough - £1,404,000
- St Alban's - £1,108,500
- St Edmundsbury - £541,900
The Refectory and Hostry at Norwich Cathedral are hailed as two of the most exciting and ambitious construction projects at an English cathedral in recent years. The project transforms the medieval cloister into the main route between the cathedral and the buildings adjacent to it, reflecting the role for which it was constructed. The new Refectory restaurant sits within the ancient walls of the cathedral, with the Hostry, which lies along the west walk of the cloister, transformed into a space dedicated to education and interpretation. It will also include a large area for community use and a new Song School. The underlying vision for this £10m project claims inspiration from Benedictine traditions of education and hospitality, demonstrating that these ancient patterns work equally well for what has become a very outwardly-focussed institution.
At Ely Cathedral, the medieval "Ship of the Fens" is popular both as a tourist attraction and as a venue for concerts and events. However a lack of toilet facilities available when public events are held has caused real inconvenience for visitors. The construction of the new Processional Way, making the fourteenth-century Lady Chapel accessible from the north side of the choir, also provided a discreet opportunity to install new toilet facilities. The Processional Way, costing £750,000 is the first structural addition to the cathedral since the Reformation and uses the original course of the passage which was excavated by the cathedral's archaeologist. The report highlights the enhanced potential of both integrating the great Lady Chapel more fully into the liturgy and providing much needed visitor facilities.
The need to provide disability access and the pastoral desire to welcome all visitors, presented a challenge to St Albans Cathedral where the shrine of St Alban was, until recently, only accessible via a flight of steps. The design of the wheelchair lift, which has created an access into the Saint's Chapel, is praised in the report for its elegance and dignity, providing both spiritual and physical access.
Greg Luton added: "Cathedrals are inspirational places, but they need to be forward thinking and constantly review how they use these wonderful spaces. At Norwich Cathedral the development manages to be emphatically modern while keeping its roots deep in the past. At Ely and St Alban's, two projects have improved access and helped to open up the cathedrals to a wider public. All three richly deserve praise in this fascinating new publication."
The Rt Hon Frank Field MP, Chairman of the Cathedrals Fabric Commission at the Church of England, said: "Roman Catholic and Anglican cathedral authorities alike are not only custodians of past splendours: they can also be wise and willing midwives to future glories. We hope Creativity and Care will encourage cathedral bodies to think in the boldest terms about their building's future, rather than scale down their ambitions to what they think will be approved."
- Exploring The Enigma Of Bristol Cathedral
The Medieval art, architecture and history of Bristol Cathedral is the focus of a new book by researchers at the University of Bristol. The study, edited by Jon Cannon and Beth Williamson of Bristol?s Department of Historical Studies, offers a detailed...
- Complex Operation To Put Cross On Wiltshire Cathedral
A new stone cross was lowered into its permanent position in one of Britain's finest medieval cathedrals yesterday. The cross, which was carved from a single block of stone and took 220 hours to complete, was placed in Salisbury Cathedral at the apex...
- Archaeologists Discover Medieval Building At Rochester Cathedral
Archaeologists working at Rochester Cathedral in Kent, England, have discovered a late-medieval building which used part of an ancient Roman wall. They have uncovered a door or window that looks onto the Priory?s infirmary garden. Graham Keevil, who is...
- Pope Speaks On The Inspirational Power Of Medieval Cathedrals And Art
Recalling the great European cathedrals of the Middle Ages, Pope Benedict XVI said that the contemplation of art and beauty offers a special way to commune with God. Today, at his weekly general audience in the Vatican's audience hall, the pope gave...
- The Future Of Medieval Spaces
In my last trip to France, I spent a day exploring the three Gothic churches in Rouen: St. Maclou, Rouen Cathedral and the Monastery St. Ouen. As the Catholic fervor that has defined and shaped the past millennia in France appears to be passing, the uses...