| Summary : Carlisle Cathedral started life as the church to St Mary's Priory, a house of Augustinian Cannons, founded in 1122 by Henry I. In 1133, Henry I established the Diocese of Carlisle and the Priory Church as its Cathedral. The priory was dissolved in 1540 and a year later the Cathedral was re-founded, and re-dedicated to the Holy and Undivided Trinity. The current building dates from the early 12th century with various rebuildings until the early 15th century, with alterations of 1652 to the west end; minor alterations of 1764, and 1846 (by Thomas Nelson), restorations of 1853-57 by Ewan Christian, and 1950s restoration. The oldest parts are constructed of mixed red and calciferous squared sandstone blocks; the remainder is red sandstone ashlar, heavily restored, on a chamfered plinth, with stepped buttresses carried up as pinnacles; string courses, dentilled cornices and solid parapets, battlemented on the tower. There are steeply pitched lead roofs, copper on the south transept and a flat roof on the tower. The early 12th century nave was originally of seven bays but most of its was pulled down in 1645 and it now comprises two bays with a fragment of the third bay remaining as buttresses; the nave is aisled with a north vestry. The south transept is also of 12th century with a 13th century chantry chapel (dedicated to St Catherine) whilst the north transept is late 14th century and incorporates part of a 12th century structure (the original transept is thought to have been destroyed when the tower fell in 1380 during a great storm). The tower was rebuilt in the late 14th/early 15th century. In around 1500 the Prior's tower was built providing fortified accommodation for the prior. |
More information : (NY 39905596) Cathedral (C of E). Remains of (NAT)
St Mary's Priory (NR)(Augustinian) (NAT). (1)
Cathedral of the Holy and Undivided Trinity. Original church finished in 1123, as an Augustinian priory church, the nave being used as a parish church. The chancel was rebuilt circa 1225, destroyed 1292, and again rebuilt in the C14, the tower being added circa 1401. Most of the nave was pulled down in 1645 and not rebuilt. Now only 2 bays of Norman work in nave, and Norman crossing with a Decorated North transept and very fine Decorated chancel and East window. Carved C15 choir stalls with misereres and paintings on the back. Gothic screen of 1542 on North side of choir. C17 octagonal pulpit. Marble recumbent effigy of Bishop Waldegrave carved by John Adams - Acton 1872. (2-3)
Additional references. (4-12) |