Worcester Cathedral

Worcester Cathedral is one of the outstanding monuments of medieval England. This book, a revised and updated translation of the German edition (2000), is the first complete architectural history of the cathedral, covering all aspects of the building from the 11th to the 14th centuries, including the later restorations. The four phases of Worcester Cathedral’s construction represent the successive stages of English medieval architecture. The Norman cathedral, begun in 1084 by the last Anglo-Saxon bishop of England, Wulfstan II, has, through the reconstruction of its large crypt and a wealth of archaeological evidence, been recognised as one of the first monuments of the Anglo-Saxon/Anglo-Norman overlap.

The nave’s late 12th-century west bays are famous for their transition between late Anglo-Norman and early Gothic architecture. The east arm, started in 1224, is a key building in the Early English style. Finally, the 14th-century nave is of special interest because it demonstrates the change from the Decorated to the Perpendicular style. In this authoritative book these phases of construction are set in their historical context, based on architectural and documentary evidence. Patrons, masons and finance are all discussed.

The iconographical significance of the cathedral’s rich sculptural embellishments, the functions and liturgical arrangements of the building (such as altars, shrines and Lady Chapels) and the veneration of Worcester saints Oswald and Wulfstan are explored. Worcester Cathedral is of national importance as the burial place of King John, whose son, Henry III, acted as patron of the new Worcester choir. An important contribution to the history of ecclesiastical buildings, this well illustrated book will also be of interest to any who have marvelled at the splendour of Worcester Cathedral architectural heritage.