Lincoln Cathedral has a strong claim to being England's finest medieval building, being one of the most ambitious and beautifully designed and adorned cathedrals in Europe, a real masterpiece of Gothic architecture.
Sited dramatically on a hilltop overlooking the city below, it's three tapering towers are a landmark visible from miles away over the otherwise flat Lincolnshire countryside. Originally however the effect was even more magnificent, as the towers were formerly crowned by lead-covered wooden spires, the tallest of which gave the cathedral the title of the World's tallest building for some two and a half centuries until the spire was blown down by a gale in 1549. The smaller spires on the west towers survived until they too were dismantled in c1810.
The earliest part is the core of the west front and the lower part of the west towers, part of the original Romanesque cathedral begun in 1088 by Bishop Remigius and ornamented with a fine carved frieze, of which significant sections remain (some recently replaced by copies, others still currently boxed in for protection from the elements). The remainder of this building suffered damage in an earthquake in 1185 and was replaced by the present cathedral in the following century.
The first phase of reconstruction between 1192 & 1210 was directed by Bishop Hugh of Avalon, later known as St Hugh of Lincoln, whose shrine was later venerated in the completed building. The bulk of the building is 13th century Early English Gothic, with lancet windows, coloured marbles and stunning rose windows in the main transepts (like several of England's larger cathedral's Lincoln was given a secondary pair of transepts flanking the choir).
The final part was the extension east of St Hugh's choir which is one of the richest, most celebrated expressions of English Gothic dating from the early 14th century, known as the Angel choir after the carvings that decorate it's higher parts (other sculptural details here include the famous Lincoln Imp). The cathedral's main tower was also raised at this time, followed by the heightening of the western towers, adding great height to the main facades extraordinary width. The former spires must have finished the effect in spectacular fashion.
The cathedral contains some superb stained glass, including a substantial amount of it's original 13th century glazing in the choir aisle east windows and the main transepts, particularly the two rose windows (the Dean's Eye to the north, with much of it's original Last Judgement narrative, and the later Bishop's Eye to the south, mostly composed of fragments in set in gorgeous tracery). Most however is Victorian, but very effective nonetheless, with a particularly rich sequence in the nave aisles. There are also some more contemporary pieces in certain chapels.
The cathedral also boasts some of the finest medieval woodwork in the country in it's superb choir stalls, extensively carved with canopies with misericords (though sadly the latter are rarely on show). There are surprisingly few major monuments for so grand a cathedral, compared to so many others; the best known being the heart tomb of Queen Eleanor (a Victorian reconstruction after the original was destroyed by Cromwell's mob).
Though the cathedral never served as a monastic foundation, it was nonetheless provided with cloisters and an impressive chapter house at the north east corner. The cloisters are relatively small and lost their northern side in the 17th century, afterwards replaced by a lighter arcade with a new cathedral library above it designed by Sir Christopher Wren.in 1674. One of the four surviving original copies of the Magna Carta was held here for centuries, though more recently it was put on display at the nearby Lincoln Castle.
For more see below:-
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Cathedral
Or the cathedral's own website here:-
lincolncathedral.com/
Tags: lincoln cathedral lincolnshire gothic medieval
© All Rights Reserved
Lincoln Cathedral has a strong claim to being England's finest medieval building, being one of the most ambitious and beautifully designed and adorned cathedrals in Europe, a real masterpiece of Gothic architecture.
Sited dramatically on a hilltop overlooking the city below, it's three tapering towers are a landmark visible from miles away over the otherwise flat Lincolnshire countryside. Originally however the effect was even more magnificent, as the towers were formerly crowned by lead-covered wooden spires, the tallest of which gave the cathedral the title of the World's tallest building for some two and a half centuries until the spire was blown down by a gale in 1549. The smaller spires on the west towers survived until they too were dismantled in c1810.
The earliest part is the core of the west front and the lower part of the west towers, part of the original Romanesque cathedral begun in 1088 by Bishop Remigius and ornamented with a fine carved frieze, of which significant sections remain (some recently replaced by copies, others still currently boxed in for protection from the elements). The remainder of this building suffered damage in an earthquake in 1185 and was replaced by the present cathedral in the following century.
The first phase of reconstruction between 1192 & 1210 was directed by Bishop Hugh of Avalon, later known as St Hugh of Lincoln, whose shrine was later venerated in the completed building. The bulk of the building is 13th century Early English Gothic, with lancet windows, coloured marbles and stunning rose windows in the main transepts (like several of England's larger cathedral's Lincoln was given a secondary pair of transepts flanking the choir).
The final part was the extension east of St Hugh's choir which is one of the richest, most celebrated expressions of English Gothic dating from the early 14th century, known as the Angel choir after the carvings that decorate it's higher parts (other sculptural details here include the famous Lincoln Imp). The cathedral's main tower was also raised at this time, followed by the heightening of the western towers, adding great height to the main facades extraordinary width. The former spires must have finished the effect in spectacular fashion.
The cathedral contains some superb stained glass, including a substantial amount of it's original 13th century glazing in the choir aisle east windows and the main transepts, particularly the two rose windows (the Dean's Eye to the north, with much of it's original Last Judgement narrative, and the later Bishop's Eye to the south, mostly composed of fragments in set in gorgeous tracery). Most however is Victorian, but very effective nonetheless, with a particularly rich sequence in the nave aisles. There are also some more contemporary pieces in certain chapels.
The cathedral also boasts some of the finest medieval woodwork in the country in it's superb choir stalls, extensively carved with canopies with misericords (though sadly the latter are rarely on show). There are surprisingly few major monuments for so grand a cathedral, compared to so many others; the best known being the heart tomb of Queen Eleanor (a Victorian reconstruction after the original was destroyed by Cromwell's mob).
Though the cathedral never served as a monastic foundation, it was nonetheless provided with cloisters and an impressive chapter house at the north east corner. The cloisters are relatively small and lost their northern side in the 17th century, afterwards replaced by a lighter arcade with a new cathedral library above it designed by Sir Christopher Wren.in 1674. One of the four surviving original copies of the Magna Carta was held here for centuries, though more recently it was put on display at the nearby Lincoln Castle.
For more see below:-
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Cathedral
Or the cathedral's own website here:-
lincolncathedral.com/
Tags: lincoln cathedral lincolnshire gothic medieval architecture
© All Rights Reserved
Lincoln Cathedral has a strong claim to being England's finest medieval building, being one of the most ambitious and beautifully designed and adorned cathedrals in Europe, a real masterpiece of Gothic architecture.
Sited dramatically on a hilltop overlooking the city below, it's three tapering towers are a landmark visible from miles away over the otherwise flat Lincolnshire countryside. Originally however the effect was even more magnificent, as the towers were formerly crowned by lead-covered wooden spires, the tallest of which gave the cathedral the title of the World's tallest building for some two and a half centuries until the spire was blown down by a gale in 1549. The smaller spires on the west towers survived until they too were dismantled in c1810.
The earliest part is the core of the west front and the lower part of the west towers, part of the original Romanesque cathedral begun in 1088 by Bishop Remigius and ornamented with a fine carved frieze, of which significant sections remain (some recently replaced by copies, others still currently boxed in for protection from the elements). The remainder of this building suffered damage in an earthquake in 1185 and was replaced by the present cathedral in the following century.
The first phase of reconstruction between 1192 & 1210 was directed by Bishop Hugh of Avalon, later known as St Hugh of Lincoln, whose shrine was later venerated in the completed building. The bulk of the building is 13th century Early English Gothic, with lancet windows, coloured marbles and stunning rose windows in the main transepts (like several of England's larger cathedral's Lincoln was given a secondary pair of transepts flanking the choir).
The final part was the extension east of St Hugh's choir which is one of the richest, most celebrated expressions of English Gothic dating from the early 14th century, known as the Angel choir after the carvings that decorate it's higher parts (other sculptural details here include the famous Lincoln Imp). The cathedral's main tower was also raised at this time, followed by the heightening of the western towers, adding great height to the main facades extraordinary width. The former spires must have finished the effect in spectacular fashion.
The cathedral contains some superb stained glass, including a substantial amount of it's original 13th century glazing in the choir aisle east windows and the main transepts, particularly the two rose windows (the Dean's Eye to the north, with much of it's original Lastr Judgement narrative, and the later Bishop's Eye to the south, mostly composed of fragments in set in gorgeous tracery). Most however is Victorian, bbut very effective nonetheless, with a particularly rich sequence in the nave aisles. There are also some more contemporary pieces in certain chapels.
The cathedral also boasts some of the finest medieval woodwork in the country in it's superb choir stalls, extensively carved with canopies with misericords (though sadly the latter are rarely on show). There are surprisingly few major monuments for so grand a cathedral, compared to so many others; the best known being the heart tomb of Queen Eleanor (a Victorian reconstruction after the original was destroyed by Cromwell's mob).
Though the cathedral never served as a monastic foundation, it was nonetheless provided with cloisters and an impressive chapter house at the north east corner. The cloisters are relatively small and lost their northern side in the 17th century, afterwards replaced by a lighter arcade with a new cathedral library above it designed by Sir Christopher Wren.in 1674. One of the four surviving original copies of the Magna Carta was held here for centuries, though more recently it was put on display at the nearby Lincoln Castle.
For more see below:-
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Cathedral
Or the cathedral's own website here:-
lincolncathedral.com/
Tags: lincoln cathedral lincolnshire facade
© All Rights Reserved
Model displayed inside the nave roof showing the cathedral as it would have appeared in the Middle Ages when it was completed by three tapering lead-covered wooden spires, that on the central tower being for some years the World's tallest structure.
Lincoln Cathedral has a strong claim to being England's finest medieval building, being one of the most ambitious and beautifully designed and adorned cathedrals in Europe, a real masterpiece of Gothic architecture.
Sited dramatically on a hilltop overlooking the city below, it's three tapering towers are a landmark visible from miles away over the otherwise flat Lincolnshire countryside. Originally however the effect was even more magnificent, as the towers were formerly crowned by lead-covered wooden spires, the tallest of which gave the cathedral the title of the World's tallest building for some two and a half centuries until the spire was blown down by a gale in 1549. The smaller spires on the west towers survived until they too were dismantled in c1810.
The earliest part is the core of the west front and the lower part of the west towers, part of the original Romanesque cathedral begun in 1088 by Bishop Remigius and ornamented with a fine carved frieze, of which significant sections remain (some recently replaced by copies, others still currently boxed in for protection from the elements). The remainder of this building suffered damage in an earthquake in 1185 and was replaced by the present cathedral in the following century.
The first phase of reconstruction between 1192 & 1210 was directed by Bishop Hugh of Avalon, later known as St Hugh of Lincoln, whose shrine was later venerated in the completed building. The bulk of the building is 13th century Early English Gothic, with lancet windows, coloured marbles and stunning rose windows in the main transepts (like several of England's larger cathedral's Lincoln was given a secondary pair of transepts flanking the choir).
The final part was the extension east of St Hugh's choir which is one of the richest, most celebrated expressions of English Gothic dating from the early 14th century, known as the Angel choir after the carvings that decorate it's higher parts (other sculptural details here include the famous Lincoln Imp). The cathedral's main tower was also raised at this time, followed by the heightening of the western towers, adding great height to the main facades extraordinary width. The former spires must have finished the effect in spectacular fashion.
The cathedral contains some superb stained glass, including a substantial amount of it's original 13th century glazing in the choir aisle east windows and the main transepts, particularly the two rose windows (the Dean's Eye to the north, with much of it's original Last Judgement narrative, and the later Bishop's Eye to the south, mostly composed of fragments in set in gorgeous tracery). Most however is Victorian, but very effective nonetheless, with a particularly rich sequence in the nave aisles. There are also some more contemporary pieces in certain chapels.
The cathedral also boasts some of the finest medieval woodwork in the country in it's superb choir stalls, extensively carved with canopies with misericords (though sadly the latter are rarely on show). There are surprisingly few major monuments for so grand a cathedral, compared to so many others; the best known being the heart tomb of Queen Eleanor (a Victorian reconstruction after the original was destroyed by Cromwell's mob).
Though the cathedral never served as a monastic foundation, it was nonetheless provided with cloisters and an impressive chapter house at the north east corner. The cloisters are relatively small and lost their northern side in the 17th century, afterwards replaced by a lighter arcade with a new cathedral library above it designed by Sir Christopher Wren.in 1674. One of the four surviving original copies of the Magna Carta was held here for centuries, though more recently it was put on display at the nearby Lincoln Castle.
For more see below:-
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Cathedral
Or the cathedral's own website here:-
lincolncathedral.com/
Tags: lincoln cathedral lincolnshire gothic medieval model spire
Lincoln Cathedral has a strong claim to being England's finest medieval building, being one of the most ambitious and beautifully designed and adorned cathedrals in Europe, a real masterpiece of Gothic architecture.
Sited dramatically on a hilltop overlooking the city below, it's three tapering towers are a landmark visible from miles away over the otherwise flat Lincolnshire countryside. Originally however the effect was even more magnificent, as the towers were formerly crowned by lead-covered wooden spires, the tallest of which gave the cathedral the title of the World's tallest building for some two and a half centuries until the spire was blown down by a gale in 1549. The smaller spires on the west towers survived until they too were dismantled in c1810.
The earliest part is the core of the west front and the lower part of the west towers, part of the original Romanesque cathedral begun in 1088 by Bishop Remigius and ornamented with a fine carved frieze, of which significant sections remain (some recently replaced by copies, others still currently boxed in for protection from the elements). The remainder of this building suffered damage in an earthquake in 1185 and was replaced by the present cathedral in the following century.
The first phase of reconstruction between 1192 & 1210 was directed by Bishop Hugh of Avalon, later known as St Hugh of Lincoln, whose shrine was later venerated in the completed building. The bulk of the building is 13th century Early English Gothic, with lancet windows, coloured marbles and stunning rose windows in the main transepts (like several of England's larger cathedral's Lincoln was given a secondary pair of transepts flanking the choir).
The final part was the extension east of St Hugh's choir which is one of the richest, most celebrated expressions of English Gothic dating from the early 14th century, known as the Angel choir after the carvings that decorate it's higher parts (other sculptural details here include the famous Lincoln Imp). The cathedral's main tower was also raised at this time, followed by the heightening of the western towers, adding great height to the main facades extraordinary width. The former spires must have finished the effect in spectacular fashion.
The cathedral contains some superb stained glass, including a substantial amount of it's original 13th century glazing in the choir aisle east windows and the main transepts, particularly the two rose windows (the Dean's Eye to the north, with much of it's original Last Judgement narrative, and the later Bishop's Eye to the south, mostly composed of fragments in set in gorgeous tracery). Most however is Victorian, but very effective nonetheless, with a particularly rich sequence in the nave aisles. There are also some more contemporary pieces in certain chapels.
The cathedral also boasts some of the finest medieval woodwork in the country in it's superb choir stalls, extensively carved with canopies with misericords (though sadly the latter are rarely on show). There are surprisingly few major monuments for so grand a cathedral, compared to so many others; the best known being the heart tomb of Queen Eleanor (a Victorian reconstruction after the original was destroyed by Cromwell's mob).
Though the cathedral never served as a monastic foundation, it was nonetheless provided with cloisters and an impressive chapter house at the north east corner. The cloisters are relatively small and lost their northern side in the 17th century, afterwards replaced by a lighter arcade with a new cathedral library above it designed by Sir Christopher Wren.in 1674. One of the four surviving original copies of the Magna Carta was held here for centuries, though more recently it was put on display at the nearby Lincoln Castle.
For more see below:-
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Cathedral
Or the cathedral's own website here:-
lincolncathedral.com/
Tags: lincoln cathedral lincolnshire gothic medieval
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