Our Visit to Gloucester Cathedral

 With thanks for text and words; FLAG member Carolyn Gifford

Gloucester Cathedral

The cathedral, originally a minster, was established in 679. It became a Benedictine monastery in the 11th century (but with only two monks in 1072) and the present building was begun in 1089. After a series of fires, the choir and cloisters were rebuilt in the 14th century, the earliest surviving example of fan vaulting. After the Dissolution, it was re-established as a cathedral and like so many, was refurbished in the 18th and 19th centuries.

 

Photo of large columns

The nave, the earliest surviving part of the early church, has massive columns with spans of zigzag arches between. They are, apparently, filled with rubble.

 

Photo of intricate fan vaulting

 

The intricate vaulted stone ceiling above the choir.

There is a very ornate tomb of Edward II, who met his death at Berkeley Castle in 1327. Probably murdered, his tomb soon became a shrine, much visited by pilgrims and swelling the cathedral’s coffers.

 

Photo of the cloisters

 

The cloisters also have very fine fan vaulting and although enclosed by glass windows onto a walled garden, are surprisingly draughty.

 

Photo of blue stained glass

 

 This is ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ in the Thomas Chapel, stained glass created by Thomas Denny in 1992.

 

There are furnishings and memorials from pretty much every one of the 15 centuries since the cathedral was built, including the 20th century.