Cathedrals in Devon

Cathedrals

 in Devon

Brambles Bed and Breakfast Tiverton
Whitnage, near Sampford Peverell, Tiverton, Devon
E-mail: info@bramblesbedandbreakfast.co.uk - Telephone: 01884 829211

Places to Visit Index

Exeter Cathedral

Visit the Cathedral in the heart of Exeter, with it's huge library, art collection, educational facility, refectory and shop.  There are many services taking place, guided tours and other individuals soaking up the atmosphere.  Visit their website for a wealth of information.   The History behind the construction of the Cathedral is fascination.

How the Cathedral was built: Life in medieval times was very different to today with modern computer design, engineering, and machinery, yet medieval people were able to build some of the most beautiful and amazing buildings ever to be seen. Who were these people, how were they organised and what skills did they have? More importantly why did they construct our great Exeter Cathedral? Who were they built for? How.....? This popular workshop invites children and students of all ages to think about some of the most fundamental questions asked by humans and shows with the aid of models and pictures how such a project could be started and brought to fruition. Elements of Geology, and technology can be incorporated as required. The workshop on Designing the Cathedral complements this workshop and can be run as part of a combined input.

The Reformation: What would you be prepared to die for? The Cathedral is considerably older than the established church. The changes started by Henry VIII are still very much in evidence within the Cathedral and students are able in this workshop and trail to see for themselves the effect of the changes both in the Cathedral and church worship. A process of cleansing or an act of vandalism? A dangerous time to be alive if your religious views happened to be different to that of the monarch.... Local evidence and eye witness accounts help to bring these fundamental changes to life.

Pilgrimage: Exeter Cathedral was a centre for pilgrimage to the shrine of Bishop Edmund Lacy. This workshop considers the reasons for pilgrimage, and invites children to think not just about medieval pilgrimage with all its tradition and superstition but also about the idea of their own pilgrimage or journey through fife. Reflective activity, music, costume and a service can all be incorporated as required.

The Cathedral during the Second World War: The reasons for the raid on Exeter are discussed and put in context. The damage caused to the Cathedral during the mid is examined using video, archive photographs, press accounts, trail material and fragments of the 500Kg bomb. The post war restoration is investigated and children and students invited to think about the symbolism and meaning behind the blitz window.

WELLS CATHEDRAL

Wells Cathedral welcomes visitors everyday of the year. Please feel free to attend one of the regular daily services or simply wander around this amazing building. Only by visiting can you properly experience this wonderful and holy place.

Guide books, leaflets and information boards are available to help interpret the historical, architectural and spiritual significance of the Cathedral.

Volunteer guides regularly provide excellent guided tours Monday to Saturday, which are free of charge and are of approximately 45 minutes duration.

Like many buildings which have stood for centuries, the Cathedral has had periods of great contrast; periods of intense activity and vigorous building programmes, and periods of neglect and decay. There have been Bishops of great vision and those who were never in residence. Some of the master masons were visionaries in their own right and were far ahead of their time. Later, as the power of the dean grew in relation to that of the bishop, there were deans of learning and restoring zeal. Money, or the lack of it was often a significant factor.

Although Bishop Reginald was responsible for the very early stages c1180, the greater part of the original building took shape under Bishop Jocelyn "of Wells", so named because he was a local Somerset man and had the burning ambition to restore to Wells its cathedral status. He oversaw the construction of the Nave and most of the West Front. Simultaneously he was building the central part of the present Bishop's Palace and a residence at nearby Wookey. He lived to see the church dedicated, but despite much lobbying of Rome, died before cathedral status was finally granted in 1245.

By the time the building was finished, including the Chapter House(1306), it already seemed too small for the developing liturgy, in particular the increasingly grand processions. So, a new spate of expansive building was initiated. Bishop John Drokensford started the proceedings with the heightening of the central tower and the beginnings of a dramatic eight sided Lady Chapel at the far east end, finished by 1326. Thomas of Whitney was the master mason, a man of considerable repute.