I thought it would be interesting to set myself a challenge for 2014 to see if I could visit one of our UK cathedrals each month. Fortunately for me, David thought this was a great plan too, so the idea was hatched! It nearly got off to a difficult start, as I found myself right at the end of January, and I had yet to visit a Cathedral! Whilst in Leicester shopping on January 29th, we decided to nip into Leicester Cathedral, and so our challenge started!
January Cathedral - Leicester - 29th January, 2014
When we visited, the Cathedral was undergoing a lot of work in preparation for the reinterment of Richard III. We have subsequently visited several times throughout the year and the improvements and plans for the ceremony are now nearly completed. The city is looking forward to a great celebration in 2015
The Cathedral Church of St Martin
Inside Leicester Cathedral.
Link for panorama photos inside the cathedral.
February Cathedral. - Southall Minster. -26th February 2014
Once more, we nearly missed visiting a cathedral and managed to squeeze this visit in at the end of
February. We were bowled over by the size of this
Cathedral in this little town. We really enjoyed our
visit. One of the fascinating features we pondered
over was the huge stained glass angel window.
Cathedral and Parish Church of the Blessed Virgin
Angel window
The Great West Window (Angel Window) at the west end of the Nave is a huge Perpendicular window with modern glass which was designed and painted by Patrick Reyntiens, based on an initial concept of Martin Stancliffe, then cathedral architect. Made in the Barley studios in York it was installed in 1996 and described by the artist as "a great gathering of angels enjoying being with God; just all joy and worship". When the sun is low in the sky it is particularly beautiful part of the Norman Nave.
Pilgrim tapestry
March Cathedral - Durham - 7th 8th &9th March 2014
We celebrated our 45th wedding anniversary this March, and so indulged in a two night break away staying near Durham! I'm not sure we were quite prepared for the impact this cathedral would make on us! The outside is amazing, but the inside is Awesome!! Huge solid sandy coloured stone pillars seemed to lend such warmth and give this place such a sense of presence and history! We visited several times over the time we were here, and attended
evensong and matins. Interesting that the choir is all
girls! The singing was beautiful! So much we loved
about this cathedral! The shrine of St
Cuthbert, and the wonderful windows including the
transfiguration window, which we caught just right, the sun illuminating it so we could view in it's full glory!
Cathedral Church of Christ, Blessed Mary the Virgin and St Cuthbert of Durham
Interior
Transfiguration window
Close up reveals a pilgrim!
April Cathedral or rather Cathedrals - Winchester and Chichester
Winchester Cathedral - 4th April 2014
Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity, and of St.Peter and St Paul and of St Swithun
The crypt, which frequently floods, houses a statue by Anthony Gormley called "Sound II", installed in 1986, and a modern shrine to Saint Swithun. The mysterious statue contemplates the water held in cupped hands. Gormley spoke of the connection of memories to basic elements of the physical world, "Is it possible to do this and make something fresh, like dew or frost – something that just is, as if its form had always been like this.’ (Quote taken from Wiki)
Shrine of St Swithun
This is a bust of William Walker the deep-sea diver who worked underwater in the crypt between 1906 and 1911 underpinning the nave and shoring up the walls.
Winchester Cathedral is the resting place of Jane Austen, who died in Winchester on 18 July 1817. Her funeral was held in the cathedral and she was buried in the north aisle. The inscription on her tombstone makes no mention of her novels, but a later brass tablet describes her as "known to many by her writings" (quote from Wiki)
I loved the old medieval floor tiles!
Chichester Cathedral. - 5th April 2014
The Cathdral Church of the Holy Trinity, Winchester.
I have shamelessly stolen this photo from my nephew Bram! Hope you don't mind, Bram!!
Below is the one I took on my phone!!
http://www.paradoxplace.com/Photo%20Pages/UK/Britain_South_and_West/Chichester_Cathedral/Chichester.htm
The Gothic "Arundel tomb", Richard FitzAlan, 10th Earl of Arundel (1313–1376), holding hands with his second wife, Eleanor of Lancaster (1318–1372). The tomb was celebrated in the poem "An Arundel Tomb" by Philip Larkin. Below is a link of this poem being read by TomO'Bedlam.
Simply stunning John Piper's Chichester Cathedral Tapestry.
Interesting two minute + video about tapestry:
This stunning stained glass window by Marc Chagall was based on Psalm 150
Praise The Lord!
Praise God in His Sanctuary;
Praise Him in his mighty firmament.
Praise Him for His mighty acts;
Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!
Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet;
Praise Him with the lute and harp!
Praise Him with the timbrel and dance;
Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!
Praise Him with loud cymbals;
Praise Him wih clashing cymbals!
Let everything that hath breath Praise The Lord.
Praise The Lord.
Listening to the guide talking about this window we heard and learnt about the Tudeley chapel where there are many Chagall windows! That would be our next port of call, and Wow!! What a discovery that was!! Below link regarding Tudeley chapel!
There seems to be a bit of Cathedral rivalry and envy that the peregrines had arrived at Norwich
Cathedral and they were still waiting for theirs! So
much in Chichester Cathedral that I found fascinating
and absorbing! This is definitely a favourite!
May Cathedral - Canterbury - 21st May 2014
(But also, Chartres, Leon, Burgos and Santiago)
Visiting Canterbury Cathedral was such a surprise! We had stayed overnight with friends in Ashford as we had just completed our trip to Santiago de Compostela! We were on our way home and saw the sign post for Canterbury, so we went especially for
the Cathedral! This seemed to be just the right
place for our May Cathedral after all our adventures in Spain, and of course it didn't disappoint!
Have taken this photo from the internet, and it belongs to a fabulous site all about Canterbury cathedral!
June Cathedral - Norwich 26th June 2014
For me there will be no other Cathedral to compare with Norwich! So many memories, my favourite being cycling to evensong after school to see my Dad
sing in the choir! That aside though it is the most
beautiful Cathedral and the setting within the
Cathedral Close is special.
Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity
The choir were practicing when I took this photo! Love their green choir clothes!
Norwich Cathedral cloisters, a favourite with film makers!
Three new stained glass windows, representing the Trinity. When we were there the sun was shining through bathing the internal stonework in warm colours.
Edith Cavell
Julien of Norwich on the front of Norwich Cathedral
I've enjoyed watching the web cam following the nesting, hatching and fledging of this years peregrine falcons that nest on the spire of the cathedral.
July Cathedral - Coventry - 24th July 2014
Cathedral Church of St. Michael
We took a day out to visit Coventry cathedral! We had visited before, but many years ago probably early 70's. We remember going with David's Mum and Dad. The surrounding environment has changed from what we remember and the cathedral is now incorporated into the university campus.
The bombed ruins of the original Cathedral.
Interior, still striking and modern.
Fabulous stained glass
1000 cranes of peace from the children of Hiroshima.
At the base of the memorial it reads:
'this is our cry, this is our prayer, peace in the world'
August Cathedral - Lichfield. - 26th August 2014
Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Chad
http://www.paradoxplace.com/Photo%20Pages/UK/Britain_Centre/Lichfield_Cathedral/Lichfield.htm
Our approach to the Cathedral.
Can you spot Ben?!
St James complete with pilgrim shell
Mary Magdalen
Detail of stone work surrounding the door.
September Cathedral - Wakefield - 28th September 2014
We visited Wakefield on our way home from Leeds, where we had enjoyed seeing James Taylor perform at the Leeds Direct Arena. Our first visit to Wakefield, and the Cathedral which had been the subject of a television programme a few months back, is a large presence in the middle of a busy shopping area, making it very accessible. The Cathedral has recently undergone quite a bit of modernisation.
Cathedral Church of All Saints
The rood screen
This exhibition was on during our visit.
The church organist was having a practice :)
The choir
A hare in the stonework.
The modern pulpit.
The recent modernisation has provided a light airy feel to this Cathedral.
October Cathedral - Peterborough - 31st October 2014
It seemed that suddenly we had reached the end of October! Peterborough is not far from us, so we went on a Cathedral visit! It has been several years since we have visited Peterborough, and once again we thoroughly enjoyed our time in this Cathedral city. The cathedral is huge, and can be accessed either through gardens or a close,or through an old gateway, but it is central to the city.
Cathedral Church of St Peter, St Paul,and St Andrew
Directly opposite the place where Mary Queen of Scots was initially buried, is the resting place of Katherine of Aragon, Queen of England.
The ironwork is decorated with red and yellow ribbons, the colours of Spain, and when we were there, three teenage Spanish girls were visiting this tomb. We were impressed by their reverence. Flowers and pomegranates are often left here, the pomegranate being a symbol Katherine chose whilst still a princess in Spain. Pomegranates in Spain being a symbol of fertility.
High altar
The choir
Modern seating in the main part of the cathedral.
Below a link to information and photos.
http://www.paradoxplace.com/Photo%20Pages/UK/Britain_Centre/Peterborough_Cathedral/Peterborough.htm
November Cathedral - Ely - 22nd November 2014
We had been spending a wonderful few days in Norwich to welcome the arrival of our new grandson, Henry Samuel, and decided to travel home via Ely so that we could visit the cathedral. Long before we reached Ely we could see the cathedral standing silhouetted across the fenland fields, such a huge presence, I've since learnt that the cathedral is known locally as 'the ship in the fens' because of its prominent position in the surrounding countryside.
Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity
(Interesting this church bears the same name as Norwich Cathedral)
The lantern
St. Etheldreda, Saxon Queen and Abbess of Ely
"Mary Magdalene recognises Jesus" - a contemporary sculpture (Jonathan Rawle) that stands in the 11th Century South Transept.
A bonus! A choir and orchestra were practicing for their evening performance when we were visiting!
Below are some stunning photos of Ely Cathedral taken from the net.
December Cathedral - Newcastle - 5th December 2014
Our family celebrations continue! This time we found ourselves visiting the city of Newcastle, a first for me! We were so proud to be here with Sam, who was receiving his Masters degree from the University of Newcastle! What a fabulous experience, and so thrilled with his achievement, MSc in Hydrogeology.
We loved the City, and before we went home made our way to Newcastle Cathedral Church of St. Nicholas. Quite an appropriate name for the season!!
St Oswald and St Cuthbert
And a few more photos garnered from the net!
Challenge completed! We managed to visit a cathedral a month (two in April!). These places are architectural treasures and historical sites of interest with many fascinating artefacts and stories. These magnificent buildings are not just museums but continue to be centres of belief, and community activity. It has been a brilliant experience and we are a little sad it has come to an end.
Appendix!
When we first commenced this project we had no idea that we would be walking part of the pilgrimage of the Camino Frances, and visiting four great Cathedrals in France and Spain, Chartres, Leon, Burgos and Santiago de Compestela. I've written about these visits in my blog, but thought I would add them to this Cathedral post.
Chartres Cathedral - 8th May 2014
Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Chartres
Basilique Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres |
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This enormous cathedral towers above the city of Chartres.
Chartres labyrinth
So many wonderful stained glass windows.
Chartres cathedral is undergoing a major cleaning programme. In this photo you can see part of the cathedral which has been cleaned. This programme has met with some controversy! Here's a link!
http://www.spectator.co.uk/arts/arts-feature/7836868/restoration-tragedy/
St James in the centre.
Here we are! :)
We got our first pilgrim stamp at Chartres!
Leon Cathedral - 11th May 2014
Santa María de León Cathedral, also called the House of Light
This Cathedral is Totally Awesome! It is jaw droppingly stunning! I've written about this in the blog so I won't over egg my enthusiasm for this fabulous Cathedral. Loved the description that it was built of 'stone and light'! We attended a Sunday morning mass here which took place in a side chapel. Didn't understand a word, but it was great to soak up the atmosphere!
Ok so my photos are out of focus! Probably camera shake because of the Awesomeness!!! So I've resorted to images from the internet!
Found these photos of more stunning images, pasting the link here!
Santiago de Compestela - 18th May 2014
Our first view of Santiago de Compestela Cathedral was when we arrived after our long walk! :)
Santiago the Pilgrim, Cathedral Facade.
Only have two or three photos of this Cathedral that I can access as these were on my phone, so once again I've used internet images!
Pilgrims and visitors queue to go behind the high altar and look over this huge ornate bust of Santiago.
We were thrilled to be part of the Pilgrims Mass with the enormous censor!
Burgos - 18th May 2014
We visited Burgos' massive gothic cathedral on a sunny day in May on our homeward journey from our walk, Burgos cathedral being a place of pilgrimage through the ages for people walking the Camino. Lots of incredibly ornate artefacts, and now the burial place of El Cid.
Fabulous domes!
Everywhere seemed so ornate and oozed gold decoration. This Cathedral is amazing but I didn't like it!! Too over the top, and a lot of the depictions seemed to be of torture and slaughter! That said, it was incredible!
Saint James depicted as the Moor slayer
El Greco - St Peter. One image I did really love!
The Golden Stairs. Inspiration for the grand staircase at the Paris Opera House
A modern depiction of El Cid who is buried in this Cathedral
We have really enjoyed our year looking at the Cathedrals in the UK and are a little sad it has come to an end! Leicester, Southall, Durham, Winchester, Chichester, Canterbury, Norwich, Coventry, Lichfield, Wakefield, Peterborough, Ely, Newcastle, plenty more left to visit!! Of course no photo can ever reveal the majesty and inspiration of the real thing, and can never capture the atmosphere or presence of these buildings! I may even set a different challenge for next year! Not sure what it will be yet!
If you've read this blog, thanks for taking the time and interest!
