Canterbury Cathedral (Part Five).

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Canterbury Cathedral, England.

Photo: 17 April 2011.

Source: Own work.

Author: Mattana

(Wikimedia Commons)

The buildings, devoted to hospitality, were divided into three groups. The Prior's group were "entered at the South-East angle of the Green Court, placed near the most sacred part of the Cathedral, as befitting the distinguished ecclesiastics or nobility who were assigned to him." The Cellarer's buildings, where middle-class visitors were entertained, stood near the West End of the Nave. The inferior pilgrims and paupers were relegated to the North Hall or Almonry, just within the Gate.

Priors of Christ Church Priory included John of Sittingbourne (elected 1222, previously a Monk of the Priory) and William Chillenden, (elected 1264, previously Monk and Treasurer of the Priory). The Monastery was granted the right to elect their own Prior, if the Seat was vacant, by the Pope, and, from Pope Gregory IX, onwards, the right to a free election (though with the Archbishop overseeing their choice). 

Monks of the Priory have included Æthelric I, Æthelric II, Walter d'Eynsham, Reginald fitz-Jocelin (admitted as a Confrater, shortly before his death), Nigel de Longchamps and Ernulf. The Monks often put forward candidates for Archbishop of Canterbury, either from among their number or outside, since the Archbishop was nominally their Abbot, but this could lead to clashes with the King and/or Pope, should they put forward a different man, examples are the elections of Baldwin of Forde and Thomas Cobham.

Canterbury Cathedral, England.

Photo: 17 April 2011.

Source: Own work.

Author: Mattana

(Wikimedia Commons)

Early in the 14th-Century, Prior Eastry erected a stone Choir Screen, and his successor, Prior Oxenden, inserted a large Five-Light Window into St Anselm's Chapel. The Cathedral was seriously damaged by an earthquake in 1382, losing its bells and Campanile.

From the Late-14th-Century, the Nave and Transepts were rebuilt, on the Norman foundations in the Perpendicular style. In contrast to the contemporary rebuilding of the Nave at Winchester, where much of the existing fabric was retained and re-modelled, the Piers were entirely removed, and replaced with less bulky Gothic ones, and the old Aisle walls completely taken down, except for a low "Plinth" left on the South Side.

More Norman fabric was retained in the Transepts, especially in the East Walls, and the old Apsidal Chapels were not replaced until the Mid-15th-Century. The Arches of the new Nave Arcade were exceptionally high in proportion to the Clerestory. The new Transepts, Aisles and Nave were roofed with Lierne Vaults, enriched with Bosses. Most of the work was done during the Priorate of Thomas Chillenden (1391–1411): Chillenden also built a new Choir Screen at the East End of the Nave, into which Eastry's existing Screen was incorporated. The Norman stone floor of the Nave, however, survived until its replacement in 1786.

Bosses on the Vault of the Cloisters, 

Canterbury Cathedral, England.

Photo: 17 April 2011.

Source: Own work.

Author: Mattana

(Wikimedia Commons)

A shortage of money, and the priority given to the rebuilding of the Cloisters and Chapter-House, meant that the rebuilding of the West Towers was neglected. The South-West Tower was not replaced until 1458, and the Norman North-West Tower survived until 1834, when it was replaced by a replica of its Perpendicular companion.

In about 1430, the South Transept Apse was removed to make way for a Chapel, founded by Lady Margaret Holland and dedicated to St Michael and All Angels. The North Transept Apse was replaced by a Lady Chapel, built in 1448 - 1455.

Stained Glass Window in the Chapter House, 

Canterbury Cathedral, England.

Photo: 18 April 2011.

Source: Own work.

Author: Mattana

(Wikimedia Commons)

The 235-foot Crossing Tower was begun in 1433, although preparations had already been made during Chillenden's Priorate, when the Piers had been reinforced. Further strengthening was found necessary around the beginning of the 16th-Century, when Buttressing Arches were added under the Southern and Western Tower Arches. The Tower is often known as the "Angel Steeple", after a gilded angel that once stood on one of its Pinnacles.

PART SIX FOLLOWS