Norman architecture

It's common for architectural historians to have favourite periods. For some it is the elegance and good sense of the Georgian era. Others prefer the Englishness of Arts and Crafts. And there are even those who have a liking for the watered-down English version of the Modern style of the first half of the twentieth century.

When it comes to medieval Romanesque and Gothic people often have a preference - maybe Early English rather than Decorated, or Perpendicular over Norman. I have no strong feelings for one style over another but I do confess to liking Saxon/Norman more than most people. On a recent tour I admired the grand and somewhat gloomy Norman style at Winchester Cathedral (top photo) and the more modest, but no less interesting arches, columns, capitals and decorative features of St John Baptist at Devizes (bottom photo).

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon D5300

Winchester Cathedral choir

The seating area where cathedral choir members sit and stand as they take part in a service is called, sometimes helpfully, other times unfortunately, the "choir". The confusion arises when the listener doesn't know whether the word applies to people or the place. It would be better if the term chancel was always used to described the place rather than interchangeably with "choir". Winchester Cathedral choir (above) is quite typical of English cathedral choirs with tall wooden canopies rising above and behind facing rows of benches and individual seating.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon D5300

Winchester Cathedral

Winchester Cathedral in Hampshire is the longest Gothic cathedral in Europe at 556 feet (169 metres). However, for all its length it is not very tall and looks smaller than it is due to the crossing tower being quite low and the absence of other tall external features. When you also consider that the surrounding buildings are quite close then the photographer is presented with a challenge when it comes to capturing a of the exterior.

A walk around the cathedral gives the visitor an impression of a building that grew piecemeal rather than from an overarching plan. However, that view is based on a single visit in glaring light. Subsequent visits might moderate that impression. The first photograph shows the south transept and crossing tower, the second adds a view of the east end.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon D5300

Chantry chapels, Winchester Cathedral

Chantry chapels were built mainly in churches and cathedrals towards the east end of the building. They were usually closed, with entry by a door, and usually had an altar and a bequest of money attached to them. This was used to pay a priest to say prayers and services for the soul of  the builder of the chapel after his death. In many, perhaps most, this was expected to continue in perpetuity.

In England they flourished from the late 1100s to the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 1530s. Many chantries, after closure, became Lady Chapels. Most English Cathedrals have chantry chapels, sometimes large, often relatively modest. On our first visit to Winchester Cathedral in Hampshire we were surprised to see the scale and opulence of the chantries.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon D5300