England
Hampshire

Winchester Cathedral

The pride of Winchester is its magnificent cathedral. A bishop's see as early as 662, Winchester was home to St. Swithin, an early bishop. The early church was rebuilt beginning in the late 11th century under Walkelin, the first Norman bishop of Winchester. He chose a very unpromising site; the ground was so marshy that thousands of wooden piles had to be driven intio the ground to make it solid enough to build what was then the longest church in Europe. Even today, the cathedral crypt is prone to flooding.

When William Rufus (William II) died in the New Forest in 1100 he was buried beneath the tower crossing of the Cathedral. The tower promptly fell down, causing widespread concern that heaven disapproved of the unpopular king's resting place.

Such was Winchester's importance in the Middle Ages that the cathedral was used as often as three times a year for royal court functions.

Winchester's greatest bishop was William of Wykeham, founder of Winchester College and New College, Oxford, who began the rebuilding of the Norman nave.

Site of The Old Minster

Look up above the piers; there you can see metal brackets that were used to hang tapestries. Winchester is also rich in chantry chapels, the tombs of the bishops. In the presbytery there are mortuary chests containing the bones of Saxon kings and bishops. When Parliamentary troops despoiled the cathedral during the Civil War, they used these bones as missiles to break up the stained glass windows.

Outside the north wall of the cathedral, you can see the pattern of foundation walls marking the site of The Old Minster, the cathedral church which was replaced by the current building.

Medieval Cheyney Court, within the Close

To the south is the peaceful enclave of the Cathedral Close. Here you will find some wonderful examples of medieval architecture, less spectacular than the Cathedral itself, but equally moving. The Close is built about the Deanery, which dates in part to the 13th century. The contemporary Pilgrim's Hall is open to visitors.

Also in the Close, the Porter's Lodge and Cheyney Court show very enjoyable examples of half-timbered architecture. During the medieval period Cheyney Court served as the site of the Bishop's "Soke" or court. The former stables of Cheyney Court are now in use as a music school. Beyond Cheyney Court, Prior's Gate marks the boundary of Cathedral Close.

Within the Cathedral itself is the Triforium Gallery and Library, which houses the Winchester Bible, a superb illuminated manuscript.

For current opening details of the Cathedral, visit the Winchester Cathedral official website

Related:
St Swithun

© David Ross and Britain Express