History Norwich Cathedral

1 history

1.1 origins
1.2 norman period
1.3 later medieval period
1.4 17th century
1.5 19th , 20th centuries
1.6 modern works

history
origins

in 672 archbishop of canterbury, theodore of tarsus divided east anglia 2 dioceses, 1 covering norfolk, see @ elmham, other, covering suffolk see @ dunwich. during of 9th century, because of danish incursions, there no bishop @ elmham; in addition see of dunwich extinguished , east anglia became single diocese once more. following norman conquest many sees moved more secure urban centres, of elmham being transferred thetford in 1072, , norwich in 1094. new cathedral incorporated monastery of benedictine monks.

norman period

the structure of cathedral in norman style, having been constructed @ behest of bishop herbert de losinga had bought bishopric £1,900 before transfer thetford. building started in 1096 , cathedral completed in period of (1121-1145). built flint , mortar , faced cream coloured caen limestone. still retains greater part of original stone structure. anglo-saxon settlement , 2 churches demolished make room buildings , canal cut allow access boats bringing stone , building materials taken wensum , unloaded @ pulls ferry, norwich.

the ground plan remains entirely in norman times, except of easternmost chapel. cathedral has unusually long nave of fourteen bays. transepts without aisles , east end terminates in apse ambulatory. ambulatory there access 2 chapels of unusual shape, plan of each being based on 2 intersecting circles. allows more correct orientation of altars in more normal kind of radial chapel.

the crossing tower last piece of norman cathedral completed, in around 1140. boldly decorated circles, lozenges , interlaced arcading. present spire added in late fifteenth century.

later medieval period

nave



interior of cloisters



cathedral viewed norwich castle in southwest

the cathedral damaged after riots in 1272, resulted in city paying heavy fines levied henry iii, rebuilding completed in 1278 , cathedral reconsecrated in presence of edward on advent sunday of year.

a large two-storey cloister, such in england, on 1,000 ceiling bosses begun in 1297 , finished in 1430 after black death had plagued city.

the norman spire blown down in 1362. fall caused considerable damage east end, result of clerestory of choir rebuilt in perpendicular style. in fifteenth , sixteenth centuries, cathedral s flat timber ceilings replaced stone vaults: nave vaulted under bishop lyhart (1446–72), choir under bishop goldwell (1472–99) , transepts after 1520. vaulting carried out in spectacular manner hundreds of ornately carved, painted , gilded bosses. bosses of vault number on 1,000. each decorated theological image, , group have been described without parallel in christian world. nave vault shows history of world creation; cloister includes series showing life of christ , apocalypse.

in 1463 spire struck lightning, causing fire rage through nave intense turned of creamy caen limestone pink colour. in 1480 bishop, james goldwell, ordered building of new spire still in place today. of brick faced stone, supported on brick squinches built norman tower. @ 315 feet (96 metres) high, spire second tallest in england. of salisbury cathedral taller @ 404 feet (123 metres).

the total length of building 461 feet (140 metres). along salisbury , ely cathedral lacks ring of bells, makes them 3 english cathedrals without them. 1 of best views of cathedral spire st. james s hill on mousehold heath.

17th century

cathedral west



the nave ceiling

the cathedral partially in ruins when john cosin @ grammar school in 17th century , former bishop absentee figure. in 1643 during reign of charles i, angry puritan mob invaded cathedral , destroyed roman catholic symbols. building, abandoned following year, lay in ruins 2 decades. norwich bishop joseph hall provides graphic description book hard measure:

it tragical relate furious sacrilege committed under authority of linsey, tofts sheriff, , greenwood: clattering of glasses, beating down of walls, tearing down of monuments, pulling down of seats, , wresting out of irons , brass windows , graves; defacing of arms, demolishing of curious stone-work, had not representation in world of cost of founder , skill of mason; piping on destroyed organ-pipes; vestments, both copes , surplices, leaden cross had been newly sawed down on greenyard pulpit, , singing-books , service-books, carried fire in public market-place; lewd wretch walking before train in cope trailing in dirt, service-book in hand, imitating in impious scorn tune, , usurping words of litany. ordnance being discharged on guild-day, cathedral filled musketeers, drinking , tobacconing freely if had turned ale-house.

the mob fired muskets. @ least 1 musket ball remains lodged in stonework.

only @ restoration in 1660 cathedral restored.

19th , 20th centuries

presbytery viewed choir



the pulpitum

in 1830 south transept remodelled anthony salvin. in 1930–2 new lady chapel, designed sir charles nicholson, built @ east end, on site of 13th century predecessor, had been demolished during elizabethan period.

modern works

in 2004 new refectory (winner, national wood awards 2004), hopkins architects , buro happold, opened on site of original refectory on south side of cloisters. work on new hostry, hopkins architects, started in april 2007 after cathedral inspiration future campaign had reached target of £10 million. opened queen , duke of edinburgh on 4 may 2010. new hostry has become main entrance cathedral. space has been provided within hostry temporary art exhibitions.

the organ local bulider norman , beard. in 2017 dean, rev dr jane hedges, revealed cathedral planning spend around £2m on rebuilding organ , supporting existing choirs.

there no entry charge visit cathedral; visitors instead asked make suggested voluntary donation cover costs of running cathedral each year.