Worcester Cathedral

I had about an hour to look round Worcester Cathedral while D and B returned to the Victorian Market.

The Cathedral has been a place of worship for 14 centuries (bet its on a ley line!! - still reading my ley line book and Alfred Watkins' Old Straight Track!).

It is dedicated to Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary. The first Cathedral was founded in 680 and Saint Oswald built another Cathedral in 983 and established a monastery. Saint Wulfstan began the present building in 1084 replacing the two earlier buildings.

During Anglo Saxon times it was one of the most important monastic cathedrals in the country. It was a centre of great learning and this continued until the Middle Ages when the Benedectine monks attended University to study theology, medicine, law, history, maths, physics and astronomy. Some of their text books survive in the Cathedral library today.

The Monastery existed until 1540 when it was dissolved by Henry VIII. Some of the last monks became the first Dean and Chapter. The building was badly damaged during the Civil Wars and a major rebuilding programme began following the restoration of Charles I. A Victorian restoration took place between 1874 and 1875. Sir Edward Elgar performed many times at the Three Choirs Festival Concerts.

Apologies for the poor photos - it was very dull and gloomy outside so light levels in the Cathedral were very low. I've used the camera flash in many photos but I do struggle with flash photography - one day I'll find out how to improve it!

This is a monument to Richard Eades DD Dean 1587-1604. He was appointed Chaplain to Elizabeth I in 1589. In 1597 he was appointed Dean of Worcester and Rector of Upton on Severn and became a chaplain to James I in 1603. He was asked to be part of the team which undertook the translation of the Bible known as the Authorised or King James version but he died before work really started. As a young man he wrote poems and plays. He is buried in the Lady Chapel and this monument does not mark the actual place of his burial.

I do wish I could have taken better photos of the Font - it was beautiful if a trifle ornate.

The stained glass is mostly modern or Victorian - just a few photos due to low light.

The Byrne Window

The Bennett Window

The marble pulpit in the Nave was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott.

There were so many beautiful wooden carvings

Unfortunately, only a few of the misericords were visible. Most date from around 1379.


"Man Holding Flowers" may represent May in the Circle of the Labours of the Months. Supporters are owls with cloven hooves. The one on the left is a modern copy of the original right hand version.

"Man Digging and Woman Spinning" represents Adam and Eve after expulsion from Paradise. The supporters are grotesque monsters.

"Lion and Dragon Fighting" represents the battle between Good and Evil. Supporter on the left is a lion and the dragon on the right is biting its tail.

"Two Knights Jousting" - the Knight on the right is unseating the knight on the left. The supporter to the left is playing drums and the one on the right is blowing a trumpet.

King John (of Magna Carta fame) is buried in the Cathedral. He was born on Christmas Eve, 1166 and became King in 1199.

He is most famous for agreeing to the Magna Carta - a charter of demands from his barons. He died in October 1216 by which time he had lost most of his lands in France and was in the middle of a civil war with his rebellious barons. King John often visited Worcester to hunt and he stayed at the cathedral priory or castle. He had a special interest in Saint Wulfstan (1 of the 2 famous Anglo Saxon saints buried at Worcester). He died from Dysentery and had dictated a will requesting he be buried at Worcester.

Also at Worcester is the Chantry Chapel and Tomb of Arthur, Prince of Wales, the eldest son of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York and eldest brother of Henry VIII. Arthur died at Ludlow castle in 1502 aged 16 (some of you may recall a photo from my last post on The Parish Church of St Laurence, Ludlow, showing a plaque marking the place where is heart is buried). His body lay in state initially at Ludlow and was then carried in a procession to Worcester. The chantry chapel was made by masons from Westminster Abbey.

Medieval Wall Paintings

Sadly, I didn't have time to look round the crypt as I wanted to leave enough time to visit the Christmas market in the cloisters.

It is a very beautiful and interesting Cathedral and I hope I can make another visit one day. The Cathedral does have a medieval library but I believe you have to book a visit in advance.

The Christmas Fayre in the Cloisters was very good - I came home with a few Christmas presents and a Holly Wreath for the front door.



Reference:

Worcester Cathedral Official Guidebook
The Misericords of Worcester Cathedral (A Pocket Tour)
The Stained Glass in Worcester Cathedral (A Pocket Guide)