Salisbury Cathedral.
Artist: John Constable.
Date: Circa 1825.
This File: 9 December 2014.
User: Tohma
(Wikimedia Commons)
Text from Wikipedia - the free encyclopædia,
unless stated otherwise.
unless stated otherwise.
Salisbury Cathedral, formally the Cathedral Church of The Blessed Virgin Mary, is an Anglican Cathedral in Salisbury, England. The Cathedral is the Mother Church of the Diocese of Salisbury and is the Seat of the Bishop of Salisbury.
The building is regarded as one of the leading examples of Early-English Gothic architecture.[3] Its main body was completed in thirty-eight years, from 1220 to 1258.
The Spire was built in 1320. It was heightened to 404 feet (123 metres) and has been the tallest Church Spire in The United Kingdom since 1561.[4]
Salisbury Cathedral.
Photo: 13 April 2016.
Source: https://www.wyrdlight.com
Author: Antony McCallum
(Wikimedia Commons)
The Cathedral has the largest Cloister and the largest Cathedral Close in Britain at eighty acres (thirty-two hectares).[3] It contains a Clock which is among the oldest working examples in the World, and has one of the four surviving original copies of Magna Carta. In 2008, the Cathedral celebrated the 750th anniversary of its Consecration.[5]
Possibly as a response to deteriorating relations between the Clergy and the Military at Old Sarum Cathedral, the decision was taken to re-site the Cathedral, with the Seat of the Bishopric being moved to New Sarum, or Salisbury. The move occurred during the tenure of Richard Poore, the Cathedral’s Bishop.[6]
The Choir,
Salisbury Cathedral.
Photo: 8 July 2014.
Source: Own work.
Attribution:
“Photo by DAVID ILIFF.
Licence: CC BY-SA 3.0”.
Author: Diliff
(Wikimedia Commons)
A legend tells that the Bishop of Old Sarum, Richard Poore, shot an arrow in the direction he would build the Cathedral; the arrow hit a deer, which died in the place where Salisbury Cathedral is now.[A]
The Foundation Stone was laid on 28 April 1220 by William Longespée, 3rd Earl of Salisbury, and by Ela of Salisbury, 3rd Countess of Salisbury.[9][10] Much of the Freestone for the Cathedral came from the Teffont Evias Quarry.[11]
The Nave,
Salisbury Cathedral.
Photo: 8 July 2014.
Source: Own work.
Attribution:
“Photo by DAVID ILIFF.
Licence: CC BY-SA 3.0”.
Author: Diliff
(Wikimedia Commons)
The only major sections begun later were the Cloisters, added in 1240, the Chapter House in 1263, the Tower and Spire, which at 404 feet (123 metres) dominated the skyline from 1320.
Because most of the Cathedral was built in only thirty-eight years, it has a single consistent architectural style, Early-English Gothic. In total, 70,000 tons of Stone, 3,000 tons of Timber and 450 tons of Lead were used in the construction of the Cathedral.[13]
PART TWO FOLLOWS.
Another wonderful travel journey with Zephyrinus now to Salisbury.
ReplyDeletePerhaps Salisbury Cathedral, with its awe-inspiring spire over 120 m. high and due to the wonderful distance views one can enjoy of it (since it has
the largest cathedral “close” or surrounding grounds, over 80 acres of any English cathedral), these two features are what makes this shrine so particularly striking and memorable.
But Zephyrinus’ wonderful photos of the interior show a soaring ceiling (over 80’ high, 26 m.) and generously illuminating windows —but the great center triple window is over 80’ high as well.
As Zephyrinus notes, it is long narrow space which lends itself to majestic rolling echoes for (of course) its memorable and world-famous 1877 Henry Willis Sr. pipe organ (rebuilt, with fully computerized up-to-date console and mechanical action, but with no essential tonal modifications, by Harrison & Harrison, Ltd in 2020). The Salisbury pipe organ is considered by the experts as equal to if not itself the finest English pipe organ and acoustic in all ofGreat Britain, having glistening strings, an array of melodious flutes of various timbres, a strident English Diapason chorus, growling 16’-8-‘4’ reeds on both the Swell Division (so-called because it is under expressive baffles) and the Solo Divisions, and two thunderous “Voice of Sinai” 32’ stops, both a Contra Fagotto reed and a Diapason in the North Transept, since they are far too large to position in the quire recesses on the left and right sides above the chancel area. (To be continued later. -Comment by Dante P)
A magnificent professional update and learning curve from our Mediæval Liturgical Organ Correspondent, Dante P.
DeleteIt is not often that one can learn so much in such fine detail. We are honoured and most grateful.
The Salisbury Cathedral Henry Willis Sr. Pipe Organ is, indeed, a thing of beauty to behold and to listen to. Dante P's description and thorough historical thread is well worth reading.
Dante P's marvellous technical description and explanation of Salisbury Cathedral's magnificent Organ is well worth repeating: “ . . . a strident English Diapason chorus, growling 16’-8-‘4’ reeds on both the Swell Division (so-called because it is under expressive baffles) and the Solo Divisions, and two thunderous “Voice of Sinai” 32’ stops . . .”
When reading about “. . . growling reeds on both the Swell Division . . . expressive baffles . . . and two thunderous Voices of Sinai . . .”, Zephyrinus is immediately reminded of Perkins and Jeeves rolling home from the Pub on a Saturday night after a very heavy drinkiing bout.
Indeed, one wonders that Zephyrinus is able to get any consistent sleep in the wee hours of early Sunday mornings with the “growling” and screeching return of Jeeves and Perkins. Comment by Dante P
ReplyDelete