Gloucester Cathedral
Gloucester Cathedral, in Gloucester, England, stands in the north of the city near the river. It originated with the foundation of an abbey dedicated to Saint Peter in 681 (dissolved by King Henry VIII of England).
History
Foundations
The foundations of the present church were laid by Abbot Serlo (1072-1104), later to become the first Dean of Exeter. Walter Gloucester (d. 1412) its historian, became its first mitred abbot in 1381. Until 1541, Gloucester lay in the see of Worcester, but the separate see was then constituted, with John Wakeman, last abbot of Tewkesbury, as its first bishop. The diocese covers the greater part of Gloucestershire, with small parts of Herefordshire and Wiltshire. The cathedral has a stained glass window containing the earliest images of golf. This dates from 1350, over 300 years earlier than the earliest image of golf from Scotland.[1] There is also a carved image of people playing a ball game, believed by some to be one of the earliest images of medieval football.
Construction and architecture
The cathedral consists of a Norman nucleus (Walter de
Lacy is buried there), with additions in every style of Gothic architecture.
It is 420 feet long, and 144 feet wide, with a beautiful central tower of the 15th century
rising to the height of 225 ft. and topped by four graceful pinnacles, a famous landmark. The
nave is massive Norman with Early English roof; the
The south porch is in the Perpendicular style, with a fan-vaulted roof, as also is the north transept, the south being transitional Decorated Gothic. The choir has Perpendicular tracery over Norman work, with an apsidal chapel on each side. The choir-vaulting is particularly rich. The late Decorated east window is partly filled with surviving medieval stained glass. Between the apsidal chapels is a cross Lady chapel, and north of the nave are the cloisters, with very early example of fan-tracery, the carols or stalls for the monks' study and writing lying to the south.
The finest monument is the canopied shrine of King Edward II of England who was
murdered at nearby Berkeley Castle. By the visits of pilgrims to this the building and
sanctuary were enriched. In a side-chapel, too, is a monument in coloured bog oak of
Robert Curthose, eldest son of William the Conqueror and a great benefactor of the abbey, who was interred there; and those of
Bishop Warburton and Dr Edward Jenner are also
worthy of special mention.
Between 1873–1890, and in 1897, the cathedral was extensively restored by Sir George Gilbert Scott.
Three Choirs Festival
A musical festival (the Three Choirs Festival) is held annually in this cathedral and those of Worcester and Hereford in turn.
Organ
Details of the organ from the National Pipe Organ Register
Organists
The known organists of the cathedral are listed below. In modern times, the most senior post has become known as Director of Music, only these names are recorded here.
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20th century to present
Involvement with Harry Potter Films
The Cathedral has been used from 2000 as a location for filming the first two Harry Potter films, which has generated revenue and publicity, but caused some controversy amongst those who suggest that the theme of the films was unsuitable for a church.
The King's School
The cathedral is also used during school term-time as the venue for school assemblies and events by The King's School, Gloucester.
Timeline
- 678-9 A small religious community was founded here in Saxon times by Osric of the Hwicce. His sister Kyneburga was the first Abbess.
- 1017 Secular priests expelled; the monastery given to Benedictine monks.
- 1072 Serlo, the first Norman abbot, appointed to the almost defunct monastery by William I.
- 1089 Foundation stone of the new abbey church laid by Robert de Losinga, Bishop of Hereford.
- 1100 Consecration of St. Peter’s Abbey.
- 1216 First coronation of King Henry III.
- 1327 Burial of King Edward II.
- 1331 Perpendicular remodelling of the Quire.
- 1373 Great Cloister begun by Abbot Horton; completed by Abbott Frouster (1381-1412).
- 1420 West End rebuilt by Abbot Morwent
- 1450 Tower begun by Abbot Sebrok; completed by Robert Tully.
- 1470 Lady Chapel rebuilt by Abbot Hanley; completed by Abbot Farley (1472-98)
- 1540 Dissolution of Abbey
- 1541 Refounded as a Cathedral by King Henry VIII.
- 1616-21 William Laud holds the office of dean of Gloucester.
- 1649-60 Abolition of Dean and Chapter, reinstated by Charles II.
- 1735-52 Martin Benson, Bishop of Gloucester carried out major repairs and alterations to the cathedral.
- 1847-73 Beginning of extensive Victorian restoration work (F.S.Waller and Sir Gilbert Scott, architects).
- 1953 Major appeal for the restoration of the Cathedral; renewed
- 1968 Cathedral largely re-roofed and other major work completed.
- 1989 900th anniversary appeal.
- 1994 Restoration of tower completed.
- 2000 Celebration of 900 years after the consecration of St Peter’s Abbey
References
- ^ http://www.foreteevideo.co.uk/Gloucester.html
- ^ New Director of Music Announced. Gloucester Cathedral website. Dean and Chapter of Gloucester Cathedral (2007-05-08). Retrieved on 2007-10-11.
See also
- List of cathedrals in the United Kingdom
- Richard Pate whose tomb is in the cathedral
- Edward II who is buried in the cathedral
- The King's School, Gloucester
External links
- Official website
- Website of The King's School, Gloucester
- Gloucester City Council
- Visit Gloucester
- A history of the choristers of Gloucester Cathedral
- Adrian Fletcher’s Paradoxplace – Gloucester Cathedral Pages – Photos
- Three Choirs website
- Flickr images tagged Gloucester Cathedral
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