| Summary : The cathedral was originally situated at Old Sarum (SU 13 SW 150) but moved to its present site in 1219 when a wooden chapel and cemetery was consecrated. The foundation stones to the present building were laid on April 25th 1220. The cathedral was consecrated in 1225, 1258 and on completion in 1266. Additions to the cathedral took place between 1270-79 which included construction of the cloisters and chapter house. The spire was added during the 13th or, more likely in the 14th century. Its interior comprises a complex of timber scaffolding. The weight of the spire has distorted the masonry in the crossing and the adjoining bays of the choir, transepts and nave. Chapels flanking the Lady Chapel were built in 1464 and 1481, but were destroyed in 1789. A series of alterations took place during the late 18th century including a restoration of 1789 by James Wyatt and involved the demolition of a detached belfry on the west side and the removal of the north transept porch to the grounds of Wyndham House. Nineteenth century activity included repairs to the cathedral in 1844 and the restoration of the chapter house from 1855 to 1861. A restoration programme was started in 1862 and continued until 1878. It involved renewal of much of the architectural decoration including replacement of the statues on the west front. An restoration of much of the late 18th century interior to its original appearance and positions. Further work, including strengthening of the spire took place in 1895-96, 1938, 1949-51 and from the late 1980s. The west front was underpinned in 1909. There are many monuments in the cathedral, including the tombs of William Louspee, Bishop of Roper (died 1139) and of Bishop Jocelyn (died 1184); both tombs were transferred from Old Sarum. The tombstones in the churchyard were covered over by lawns in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, many slabs remain about 1ft below the current ground level. |
More information : (SU 14302953) St Mary's Cathedral (NAT)
(SU 14312947) Chapter House (NR)
(SU 14262948) Cloisters (NR)
(SU 14272961) Bell Tower (NAT) (Site of) (1)
The building of Salisbury Cathedral (see plan) was begun in 1220, on
the removal of the See from Old to New Sarum. The Cathedral church,
dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, was completed in 1266. About
this time the great campanile (3) was built, north (see plan (4)) of
the nave; it was destroyed in 1789. The Chapter House and Cloisters
were begun 1263-71 and were finished in a decade. The cathedral tower
was heightened and the spire added in the 13/14th C's and the
building drastically restored in 1789 and 1862. The library was added
on the east side of the cloisters in 1445. (2-5)
1594 THE CLOSE Cathedral Church of St Mary
SU 1429 NW 3/61
SU 1429 SW 5/61 28.2.52.
A GV
2.
Foundations laid April 25, 1220. Consecrated 1225, 1258 and when
completed in 1266. Cloisters and Chapter House circa 1270-79. Chapels
flanking Lady Chapel built in 1464 and 1481 destroyed in 1789. Tower
enlarged by 2 stages and spire added since 1330. Restored by James
Wyatt from 1789. A detached belfry, on the north west side, was
destroyed at the end of the C18. North transept porch removed by
Wyatt to grounds of Wyndham House, now The Council House, Bourne Hill
qv. Many monuments including tomb of William Louspee, Bishop of Roper
(d.1139) and Bishop Jocelyn (d.1184) both transferred from Old Sarum.
The tombstones of the churchyard were covered over by the present
lawns in late C18 and early C19. Many stone slabs remain in position
about 1 ft below the ground.
The setting of the Cathedral is probably the finest in England. The
grouping and splendid character of the houses of the Close, all in
sites laid down at the time of the Foundation of the Cathedral, make
all the buildings inside the close wall, including the Close Wall
itself a group of the first importance.
All the listed buildings in the Close form an outstanding group.
1594 THE CLOSE Churchyard walls surrounding Cathedral lawn
SU 1429 NW 3/61A
SU 1429 SW 5/61A
II GV
2.
South section running from east end of Cathedral to Lodge at north
entrance to Cathedral School, C17?, approximately 5 to 6 ft high
stone rubble roughly dressed and moulded stone coping. The walls on
east, north and west sides, and returning to cloisters on south, are
lower approximately 3 to 4 ft, old stone rubble shaped coping, some
brickwork particularly in north stretch.
All the listed buildings in the Close form an outstanding group. (6)
There has been ongoing debate about the date of the cloister of the cathedral. From documentary evidence it is now clear that the second stage of the cloister build started after 15th June 1263. it is clear from the archaeology that the first phase of the cloister reused 12th century fragments from Old Sarum, and must be post-1219. (7) |