The Twenty-Six Mediæval Cathedrals Of England (Part Eleven).

The Cloisters, Gloucester Cathedral.

Photo: 17 January 2018.

Source: Own work.

Author: Christopher JT Cherrington

(Wikimedia Commons)

Text from Wikipedia - the free encyclopædia,

unless stated otherwise.

The façades of English Cathedrals show a considerable diversity, rather than a consistent progression, as is the case in Northern France and other Cathedrals influenced by the French Gothic Style.[5] 

In many cases, regardless of the architectural form, the English façade was treated as a Decorative Screen with many Niches occupied by Statues. A great number of these were toppled or defaced during the 17th-Century, however a “Gallery of Kings” remains high on the façade of Lincoln Cathedral, and many of the original weather-worn figures remain at Exeter Cathedral.[4]

Most English Cathedral façades fall into two basic types, with several variations.

Peterborough Cathedral.

Photo: 31 July 2014.

Source: Own work.

Attribution: Photo by DAVID ILIFF.

Licence: CC BY-SA 3.0.

Author: Diliff

(Wikimedia Commons)

The most typical Cathedrals are those that have large Paired Towers at their Western End, as at Canterbury, Durham, Southwell, Wells, Ripon, York.

Between the Towers is either a single, large, Traceried Window, as at York and Canterbury, or an arrangement of un-Traceried Lancets, as at Ripon and Wells, rather than the Rose Windows typical of French façades. 

There are usually three Doors, but, unlike those of French Cathedrals, they are rarely highly elaborate and far more emphasis is placed on the Central Door than those to either side. 

Peterborough Cathedral.

Available on YouTube

HERE

The entrance in most common use is sometimes located in a Porch at one side of the Nave.[5] Where there are not two large Towers at the West Front, there are generally two Pinnacled Turrets that frame the façade or the Central Nave, much in the nature of very large Buttresses. This arrangement may be seen at Salisbury, Winchester, Rochester.

At Lincoln, a vast Gothic Screen, with similar Buttress-like terminals, was built across the front of the Cathedral, incorporating the Norman Portals, but hiding the Norman Towers. The Towers were then greatly heightened to be visible above the Screen.

A Gothic Screen was also added to the Norman Nave at Peterborough, but this is an architectural oddity with no precedent or successor. The Screen is composed of three enormous open Arches, the two outer ones being much wider than that which frames the Central Door. 

The Lady Chapel, Lichfield Cathedral (Church of The Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Chad). The original Cathedral was Founded in 700 A.D., in the  Kingdom of Mercia. The present Cathedral was built 1195-1330. Pictured is the 13th-Century Decorated Lady Chapel with 16th-Century Flemish Glass.

Photo: 24 May 2016.

Source: Lichfield Cathedral (St. Mary & St. Chad)

Author: Hugh Llewelyn, Keynsham, UK

(Wikimedia Commons)

Lichfield Cathedral.

The only Cathedral in Britain with three Spires.

Photo: 13 October 2010.

Source: Own work.

Author: Bs0u10e01

(Wikimedia Commons)

The overwhelming composition is somewhat spoilt by the later Porch and the fact that two Towers of very different height pop up from behind the Screen. 

Despite this, it is regarded as one of the supreme masterpieces of Gothic Architecture, revealing the enormous diversity and imagination of English Mediæval Architects.[4]

PART TWELVE FOLLOWS.