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Birmingham Cathedral Coventry Cathedral
In 1951 an open
architectural competition for a new Cathedral was held and won by a design by
Basil Spence. A new Cathedral was born, started in 1954 it was finished in
1962. Today thousands of visitors are drawn to the new building, acclaimed
as one of the most striking examples of modern architecture. The nave is
270ft long and 80ft wide with the focal point a superb 75ft high tapestry
designed by Graham Sutherland and woven in France. The theme
reconciliation and unity by all people from whatever religion of whatever creed
or colour, the rising of hope from the ashes of war. Hereford Cathedral An Anglo Saxon Cathedral already existed in Hereford so in 792 became the burial place of poor Ethelbert. Nothing of the earlier building remains and the present Norman Cathedral was begun in 1079 by the then Bishop, Robert De Losinga. The Lady Chapel and Crypt at the East end is an unusual construction from the 13th Century. King Stephens chair while probably from the 13th Century, is supposedly the chair used by King Stephen when he celebrated mass in the Cathedral at Pentecost 1138. Amongst the treasures housed in the Cathedral is a chained library of over 1,500 rare books including an 8th Century gospel, together with the unique Mappa Mundy, which is a map of the world drawn in 1290, showing Jerusalem at its heart and England/Ireland at its edge. Holy Trinity Church, Stratford Lichfield Cathedral
Dominating the skyline
of Lichfield are the three lovely spires of the Cathedral “known locally as the
ladies of the vale”. The only Cathedral in England with three spires.
The first Cathedral on the site was recorded in 700A.D. and took the name of St
Peter. The first Bishop of Lichfield in 669 was St Chad, he died in 672
but exercised tremendous influence over the region. Dedication of this
first Cathedral was eventually changed to St Peter & St Chad. The second
Cathedral was built in 1100 to a Norman design but was not considered good
enough so the more modern gothic design was started on the same site in 1200ad.
The twin spires are almost 200ft in height and the central tower 60ft taller.
Within the arcades and panels of the front are 113 statues. The Cathedral
suffered tremendous damage during the Civil War. Cannon were used to get
into the fortified close, the central spire was shot down in the course of one
action, restoration programmes took place during the 17th, 18th & 19th
Centuries. The lady chapel is unusual because it is the full height of the
Cathedral and forms a magnificent Eastern termination. Possibly the finest
feature of the chapel is the wonderful long windows filled with stained glass
from the Abbey of Herckenrode in Flanders. St. Mary's, Warwick
14th Century Church of
St Mary with its 174ft tower and pinnacle. Situated on the site of an
early Norman church. A number of the Beauchamp family who held the title
Earls of Warwick are buried here, the Beauchamp Chapel is incomparable. St. Michael's Church, Ledbury St. Laurence, Ludlow The parish Church of St Laurence is one of the largest parish churches in England. Largely 15th Century, interesting misericords in the church choir. The East window in the chancel 30ft high by 18ft wide depicts the life, history and miracles of the patron saint in 27 separate scenes containing approx 300 figures. The finest thoroughfare in Ludlow is broad street where every building dates back to the 14/15th centuries. Worcester Cathedral
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