Analysis
Lichfield Cathedral
Lichfield is located in Staffordshire, West Midlands, and is the home of Lichfield Cathedral. The site where the current Cathedral stands was also the foundation to two other churches before it.
The original Anglo-Saxon Cathedral was built as a shrine to St.Chad, after his death in 672. The Cathedral was founded in 700, by Bishop Hedda, and would house the relics of the Bishop of Mercia. St Chad was celebrated for being responsible for establishing a see in Lichfield and converting the majority of Mercia to Christianity. The Saxon Church was succeeded by a Norman Cathedral around 1085, before being replaced by the current place of worship.
The Cathedral seen today is mainly from the Gothic architectural era, it’s construction started around 1200, spanning over a period of 150 years. Not only is the Cathedral of the oldest places of worship, but is also unique as it is the only medieval Cathedral with three spires to exist in the UK.
The Cathedral follows a traditional cruciform floor plan, and consists of a Nave, Choir and Lady Chapel as the body, with South and North Transepts giving the arms to the aptly shaped building. The cruciform shape is altered slightly with the addition of a Vestibule and a Chapter House.
The original Anglo-Saxon Cathedral was built as a shrine to St.Chad, after his death in 672. The Cathedral was founded in 700, by Bishop Hedda, and would house the relics of the Bishop of Mercia. St Chad was celebrated for being responsible for establishing a see in Lichfield and converting the majority of Mercia to Christianity. The Saxon Church was succeeded by a Norman Cathedral around 1085, before being replaced by the current place of worship.
The Cathedral seen today is mainly from the Gothic architectural era, it’s construction started around 1200, spanning over a period of 150 years. Not only is the Cathedral of the oldest places of worship, but is also unique as it is the only medieval Cathedral with three spires to exist in the UK.
The Cathedral follows a traditional cruciform floor plan, and consists of a Nave, Choir and Lady Chapel as the body, with South and North Transepts giving the arms to the aptly shaped building. The cruciform shape is altered slightly with the addition of a Vestibule and a Chapter House.
The Choir dates to around 1200 and is known the be the oldest part of the Cathedral, some norman features, such as the stonework of the walls leading to St Chads head Chapel. Norman stonework can also be found in the crossing. The blind arcade arches are simple, yet elegant, gradually becoming more decorative towards the Nave - showing the change in architectural styles.
The Nave itself was completed around 1285 in the geometric style. It has a large and open space, with tall elegant columns, there is ample room for worship and visitors, with removable seating creating more than enough room on service days. The gothic rib vaulting still exists, however, the stone was replaced with wood and plaster in the eighteenth century, due to the walls collapsing under the weight, moving them outwards. Medieval carvings still remain at high level throughout the nave, the arcading carvings in the North and South aisles represent worshippers of the faith from medieval times. During the restoration of the Nave, and replacement of the alter, in 2003 and anglo Anglo-Saxon carving was found while excavating. The carving is known as the ‘Lichfield Angel’ and is thought to have been part of the original shrine of St Chad, the carving is now exhibited in the Chapter House.
The Chapter House is situated to the left of the choir and is now used as a gallery room to house the important relics of the past churches, such as the Lichfield Angel carving, the St gospels of St Chad and the recent additions of the Staffordshire hoard, a medieval carving of the Virgin Mary also still exists above the doorway. When the Chapter House was completed on 1249, it would have been used as a meeting place for members of the clergy to conduct church business. The central column shows examples of stone vaulting and ornate medieval carvings, the vaulting extends upwards into a Library room directly above, the Library is only open on special occasions and by arrangement for small groups.
The Nave itself was completed around 1285 in the geometric style. It has a large and open space, with tall elegant columns, there is ample room for worship and visitors, with removable seating creating more than enough room on service days. The gothic rib vaulting still exists, however, the stone was replaced with wood and plaster in the eighteenth century, due to the walls collapsing under the weight, moving them outwards. Medieval carvings still remain at high level throughout the nave, the arcading carvings in the North and South aisles represent worshippers of the faith from medieval times. During the restoration of the Nave, and replacement of the alter, in 2003 and anglo Anglo-Saxon carving was found while excavating. The carving is known as the ‘Lichfield Angel’ and is thought to have been part of the original shrine of St Chad, the carving is now exhibited in the Chapter House.
The Chapter House is situated to the left of the choir and is now used as a gallery room to house the important relics of the past churches, such as the Lichfield Angel carving, the St gospels of St Chad and the recent additions of the Staffordshire hoard, a medieval carving of the Virgin Mary also still exists above the doorway. When the Chapter House was completed on 1249, it would have been used as a meeting place for members of the clergy to conduct church business. The central column shows examples of stone vaulting and ornate medieval carvings, the vaulting extends upwards into a Library room directly above, the Library is only open on special occasions and by arrangement for small groups.
A passageway, known as a vestibule, that extends from the North Quire aisle and serves as an entrance to the Chapter House. The vestibule has stone seating set into the walls, representatives of Coventry and Lichfield are said to have collected here to elect a bishop, medieval carvings can be seen above the seating. The space is often referred to as the pedilavium, groups of pilgrims would gather here to have their feet washed on Maundy Thursday to symbolise the act performed by Jesus in the gospel of John. The custom is generally carried out by the monarchs and bishops and is followed by many churches in England. Today the clergy and choir members gather here at the beginning and end of every service.
In 1330 the addition of a Lady Chapel was completed. The Chapel was the work of Bishop Walter De Langton and would be dedicated to the Virgin Mary, whom along with St Chad, is the patron saint of the Cathedral. The Chapel is in the decorated style, this can be seen in the nodding ogees, another style of blind arcading found in the Cathedral. There are a series of tall windows around the bay of the the Lady Chapel, the windows contain re-claimed coloured glass, originally from the Roman Catholic Abbey in Herkenrode and dates to the sixteenth century, the glass was found by a local land owner, Sir Brooke Boothby and added to the Cathedral in 1802.
The Lady Chapel houses the shrine of St Chad at it’s entrance, and appears to be the most popular area of worship. Votive candles are lit as an aid to prayer and worship. Requests for prayers are also left near the candle shrine to be included in the prayers of the next service.
The North transept contains St Michaels Chapel, and is used as an area of remembrance. The chapel was dedicated to the Staffordshire regiment and contains military memorials, as well as the book of remembrance from the first world war. The Cathedrals only remaining fragments of medieval glass, depicting the sun and the moon, can be found in the Chapel, along with a spectacular stained glass window which was produced in 1895 by Kempe Studios in London. The window shows the spread of the Church along with Jesus Christ.
The outer walls of the Cathedral are as, if not more stunning than the inside. The Cathedral was built from sandstone, with is believed to have been locally sourced from a quarry in Lichfield. Unfortunately the sandstone has naturally aged from the weather, destroying some of the detail from the carved exterior. The western front is ornate, and described as the ‘glory of the church’ by antiquarian John Leland. (Leland (1501-1600) Scaife & Moore. 2014:26) The exterior is decorated with 113 carvings, including those of Kings, prophets, saints, archangels, martyrs and bishops. The majority of the statues were replaced in the 1880’s due to damage, however there are 5 medieval figures that still remain on the north tower. The great western window sits above the portal doors, depicting the birth of Jesus Christ. The western doors weigh one and a half tonnes and still show some of the ironwork from the thirteenth century. The Cathedrals unique spires can be seen from all directions and were used as destination markers by travelling pilgrims and visitors, today they are locally known as the “ladies of the vale”. The spires were damaged during the civil war in the 1640’s, the central spire was restored in 1957, making it slightly different from the other two spires.
Lichfield has undergone much restorative work over the years, and still, although with some changes, still remains a wonderfully unique Cathedral. Some newer aspects of the Cathedral have changed it’s purpose, such as the addition of a gift shop and the use of the Chapter House as a gallery. There are information boards dotted around the Cathedral, completely changing the atmosphere, giving it a tourist attraction status. Although the Cathedral is not solely used for worship I feel that giving a museum style feel is attracting more donating visitors, helping to preserve the beauty of the Cathedral.
The Lady Chapel houses the shrine of St Chad at it’s entrance, and appears to be the most popular area of worship. Votive candles are lit as an aid to prayer and worship. Requests for prayers are also left near the candle shrine to be included in the prayers of the next service.
The North transept contains St Michaels Chapel, and is used as an area of remembrance. The chapel was dedicated to the Staffordshire regiment and contains military memorials, as well as the book of remembrance from the first world war. The Cathedrals only remaining fragments of medieval glass, depicting the sun and the moon, can be found in the Chapel, along with a spectacular stained glass window which was produced in 1895 by Kempe Studios in London. The window shows the spread of the Church along with Jesus Christ.
The outer walls of the Cathedral are as, if not more stunning than the inside. The Cathedral was built from sandstone, with is believed to have been locally sourced from a quarry in Lichfield. Unfortunately the sandstone has naturally aged from the weather, destroying some of the detail from the carved exterior. The western front is ornate, and described as the ‘glory of the church’ by antiquarian John Leland. (Leland (1501-1600) Scaife & Moore. 2014:26) The exterior is decorated with 113 carvings, including those of Kings, prophets, saints, archangels, martyrs and bishops. The majority of the statues were replaced in the 1880’s due to damage, however there are 5 medieval figures that still remain on the north tower. The great western window sits above the portal doors, depicting the birth of Jesus Christ. The western doors weigh one and a half tonnes and still show some of the ironwork from the thirteenth century. The Cathedrals unique spires can be seen from all directions and were used as destination markers by travelling pilgrims and visitors, today they are locally known as the “ladies of the vale”. The spires were damaged during the civil war in the 1640’s, the central spire was restored in 1957, making it slightly different from the other two spires.
Lichfield has undergone much restorative work over the years, and still, although with some changes, still remains a wonderfully unique Cathedral. Some newer aspects of the Cathedral have changed it’s purpose, such as the addition of a gift shop and the use of the Chapter House as a gallery. There are information boards dotted around the Cathedral, completely changing the atmosphere, giving it a tourist attraction status. Although the Cathedral is not solely used for worship I feel that giving a museum style feel is attracting more donating visitors, helping to preserve the beauty of the Cathedral.
Bibliography
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Cannon, John. (2014) Medieval Church Architecture. Oxford: Shire Publications Ltd.
Lichfield Cathedral. (s.d) The Cathedral Today. At: http://www.lichfield-cathedral.org/the-cathedral-today
Lichfield Cathedral. (s.d) The Gothic Cathedral. At: http://www.lichfield-cathedral.org/the-gothic-cathedral (Accessed on 25.05.15)
Lichfield Cathedral. (s.d) Introduction. At: http://www.lichfield-cathedral.org/introduction (Accessed on 25.05.15)
Lichfield Cathedral. (s.d) The Norman Cathedral. At: http://www.lichfield-cathedral.org/the-norman-cathedral (Accessed on 25.05.15)
Lichfield Cathedral. (s.d) Reformation and Civil War. At: http://www.lichfield-cathedral.org/reformation-and-civil-war (Accessed on 25.05.15)
Lichfield Cathedral. (s.d) The Saxon Church. At: http://www.lichfield-cathedral.org/the-saxon-church-a-name-and-a-legend (Accessed on 25.05.15)
Lichfield Cathedral. (s.d) The 18th Century. At: http://www.lichfield-cathedral.org/the-18th-century (Accessed on 25.05.15)
Lichfield Cathedral. (s.d) The 19th Century. At: http://www.lichfield-cathedral.org/the-19th-century (Accessed on 25.05.15)
Lichfield City Council. (s.d) Places of Intererest - Lichfield Cathedral. At: http://www.lichfield.gov.uk/cathedral-early.ihtml (Accessed on 25.05.15)
Lomax, T.G. (1834) A Short Account of Lichfield Cathedral. [online] At: https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=9YYwAQAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=lichfield+cathedral&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CCAQ6AEwAGoVChMIgdH2qbzRxgIVRukUCh1x2wD6#v=onepage&q=lichfield%20cathedral&f=false. (Accessed on 30/5/2015)
Pfingsten, Max. (s.d) Gothic Architecture: Style, Characteristics & History. At: http://study.com/academy/lesson/gothic-art-and-architecture.html (Accessed 19.05.15)
Scaife, Patricia & Moore, Anthony. (2014) Lichfield Cathedral. London: Scala Arts & Heritage Publishers Ltd
Spanswick, Valerie. (s.d) Gothic architecture: an introdcution. At: https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/medieval-world/latin-western-europe/gothic1/a/gothic-architecture-an-introduction (Accessed on 19.05.2015)
Staffordshire hoard. (s.d) The Find. At: http://www.staffordshirehoard.org.uk/about (Accessed on 30.05.15)
Timeref. (s.d) Parts of a Medieval Cathedral. At: http://www.timeref.com/life/cathpart.htm (Accessed on 19.05.15)
Victoria and Albert Museum. (s.d) Gothic Architecture. At: http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/g/gothic-architecture/ (Accessed on 22.05.15)