Church Architecture
THE BEAUTY OF HOLINESS ON THE SOMERSET LEVELS: The Early-17th C Painted Ceiling in the Church of Sts Peter & Paul, Muchelney Somerset
The parish church of St Peter & St Paul at Muchelney in the Somerset levels lies adjacent to the remains of Muchelney Abbey. Whilst there was an earlier church, the one standing today is mainly a late 15th-century[i] construction of Blue Lias and Ham Hill stone….
SAGRADA FAMILIA: The Passion Facade – Stone, Suffering & Sacred Art
If you visit Barcelona and only see one building, it will almost certainly be the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia.[1] Rising improbably from the Eixample grid, its spires seem to belong to a world between cathedral and coral reef. But for all its fantastical beauty,…
CHURCH OF ST. CUTHBERT, WELLS: A Carved Pulpit of Independence – 1636
The church of St. Cuthbert in Wells contains a remarkable carved oak pulpit of 1636. Its degree of craftsmanship and intriguing subject matter make it a standout piece of 17th century woodwork. The Jacobean period (c. 1603-1625) extends in terms of style into the mid…
Grand Tour of Winchester Part VII: 200 Years of The Cage Chantry
In Winchester Cathedral are six free-standing chantries dating from the mid-14th C to the mid-16th C. They provide an interesting comparison of Perpendicular micro-architecture over two hundred years, demonstrating the innovative and master accomplishment of medieval…
Grand Tour of Winchester Part VI: The Cathedral Retrochoir & Chantries
To describe the architecture of a cathedral is a significant task and perhaps ends up as dry facts. At Winchester the magnificent nave, choir, chancel or sanctuary are a wonder to behold and experiencing the space is an aim in itself. What I thought perhaps to bring…
A Grand Tour of Winchester Part V: Two Norman Building Bishops of Winchester
Main photo: Winchester Cathedral Crypt, 1093 Medieval history is partly shaped by the ‘magnates’ of a realm. These confident people, often men, positioned themselves to achieve what still echoes today. Two of the Norman Bishops of Winchester played their role, not…
Exploring Building History
Exploring Building History is a non-commercial site. It is my own personal musings on architectural history. There is wealth of built heritage in England, and as I explore and think about what I see, I post my reflections on this site.