England
Cheshire

Chester Cathedral

Here is a church which suffers much from the well-intentioned efforts of Victorian restorers. Chester was originally built by Saxon canons in the name of Saint Werburgh, a lady whose claim to sainthood was not harmed by having three Saxon kings as relatives.

The second church on the site was built by Hugh "Lupus" (the Wolf), Earl of Chester, in 1092, perhaps as expiation for his worldly excesses. Anselm of Bec, later Archbishop of Canterbury, helped found Hugh's monastic settlement at Chester. Beginning in 1250 yet a third church was begun, this time in Norman Gothic style. The monks of Chester built the new church over the top of the old church, which they dismantled from the inside!

The church was raised to cathedral status by Henry VIII. In the interim Chester gained magnificent woodcarving in the choirstalls (about 1380).

Look closely at the carvings on the misericords and bench ends; aside from the obvious (St. Werburgh), there are details of Arthurian legend, Aesop's fables, and fabulous mythical beasts. At the shrine to St. Werburgh you can see the niches where medieval sufferers rested their heads while spending the night in a prayer for healing.

The Cathedral hosts ongoing "Chester Cathedral Classics" concerts by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. Concert details at the cathedral web site.

Details
Chester Cathedral
12 Abbey Square
Chester
Cheshire
England
CH1 2HU
Website: Chester Cathedral
Phone: 01244 324 756
Fax: 01244 341 110
map
OS SJ405 666

CHESTER
City Guide | Roman Amphitheatre | Chester Cathedral | Eastgate Clock | Roman Garden | The Rows | Tourism

CHESHIRE
Cheshire Guide | Beeston Castle | Cholmondeley Castle Garden | Adlington Hall | Arley Hall | Bramall Hall | Capesthorne Hall | Dunham Massey | Gawsworth | Lyme Park | Little Moreton Hall | Tatton Park

© David Ross and Britain Express