Sunday 25 March 2018

Mosaic Monday # 78 - a visit to Worcester Cathedral

Whenever we go back "home" to England we like to include spending some time in an area or county that we've not been to before. Renting a vacation cottage enables us to "self cater" and come and go as we please. We chose the Perry Shed because of its rural location set in a small hamlet ideally situated in the "Heart of England", close to Droitwich Spa and the City of Worcester.
A visit to Worcester Cathedral was on our "must see" list and in order to learn more of its history we booked a tour with one of the Cathedrals volunteer docents.
Volunteer docent Andrew recounting the History of King Johns Tomb in the Quire
Andrew, 86 years of age, has been leading tours of the Cathedral for 15 years, his knowledge of the subject is boundless.
We joined two other couples for an hour long tour, but it wasn't until almost  two hours later that we said a reluctant goodbye to Andrew and the group before heading to the Cathedral cafĂ© for lunch.
Benedictine Cloisters
Here are seven things I learned about Worcester Cathedral that I didn't know before.
If you'd like to learn more about the 7 things I didn't know there'll be links to follow at the bottom of this post.
A Church was founded in Worcester in 680 and Bosel was consecrated as Bishop.
In 983 Oswald founded a Benedictine Monastery within the Cathedral.
Wulfstan was Bishop of the Cathedral when the Normans invaded in 1066 and was allowed to remain. He decided to demolish most of Oswalds church and to build a Cathedral on the site, beginning with the crypt. Wulfstan was Canonised as a Saint in 1203.
The Crypt
King John, the younger brother of Richard the Lionheart, began his reign in 1199 and is mostly remembered as the Monarch who agreed to the signing of the Magna Carta.
The tomb of King John
Before he died in 1216 he requested that he be buried in Worcester Cathedral, his tomb made of dark Purbeck marble is situated in the Quire.
The Quire
Arthur Tudor, Prince of Wales, the eldest son of King Henry VII and older brother of Henry (who later became Henry VIII), was formally betrothed to Catherine of Aragon when he was 3 years old.
The marriage took place in 1501, he died 6 months later and is buried in the Chantry Chapel of the Cathedral.
Chantry Chapel, Arthur Tudors final resting place.
The following year, 1502, Catherine of Aragon became the first wife of Henry VIII.
During the English Civil War the City of Worcester was loyal to King Charles and paid a high price for it. After defeating the Royalists in battle the Parliamentarian troops occupied the Cathedral which they looted and vandalised, riding their horses up and down the nave and destroying anything that they, as Puritans, considered represented Popery within the Cathedral.
Restoration of the Cathedral has been ongoing throughout the ages, the Victorians being responsible for a lot of the exterior stonework which isn't very attractive.

Inside many of the original furnishings have long disappeared, the stained glass windows, ceilings and floors are Victorian.



16 comments:

  1. Worcester Cathedral looks like it is full of impressive history and beauty, Haggie. Takimg a tour is the best way to learn about it.Imagine the cost to build churches like this in this day and age? Have a very happy and blessed Easter!

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  2. One of the things I love most about blogging is being able to see places I will never visit in person. These are stunning photos of the Cathedral. Thank you for sharing your trip and for hosting Mosaic Monday. Blessings, Mildred

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  3. You lead a pretty great virtual tour yourself Maggie! Such lovely pictures and just the right words. Your tour guide was a real gem though ... definitely one of a kind, and it was nice to have only a small group, so that you could take full advantage of his expertise.

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  4. It's so nice to go somewhere and have time to take a leisurely tour. Thanks for including the links...I love reading the history. Happy MM! Hugs, Diane

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  5. Worcester Cathedral is certainly beautiful. Thank you for the tour. Wishing you a wonderful week!

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  6. Great post, Maggie. Your post brought back many happy memories of our trips to the UK and our visit to this wonderful old cathedral.

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  7. Lovely, Maggie! Thanks for hosting.

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  8. Such beauty and history - the photos are fascinating.

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  9. Oh, Maggie, nothing like a good Cathedral to get my Monday morning off to a motivating start. The Crypt caught my attention - imagine those pillars and when they were constructed, and they are holding up the base of the Cathedral! I am always fascinated by the construction aspects - the soaring ceilings and arches .... amazing for the time frame when they were built! Thanks for sharing this treasure with us, and hosting Mosaic Monday!

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  10. Always, Maggie, thank you for sharing your visits. Worcester Cathedral with such elaborate designs and such age - one can wonder what the original Cathedral and the origial features that were destroyed and removed. Thank you too Maggie for your 78th Mosaic Monday.
    Joy

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  11. Luv luv all that historical stuff. Thanks for magnificence photos and your gracious hosting at Monday Mosaic

    Much love...

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  12. the churches in Europe are beautiful and with such a fascinating history. Thank you for taking us there. Happy travels and enjoy your week.

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  13. Dearest Maggie; I loved to read this post as gorgeous & magnificent Worcester Cathedral is I would never have chance to see♪
    And how wonderful you had the great docent (I checked meaning of the word p;-) to lead you.

    Happy Monday and Thank you SO much for hosting.
    Sending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan to my Dear friend, xoxo Miyako*

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  14. I was going to say I knew none of this -- and then you got to the Arthur/Catherine part and thanks to slogging through 765 pages of Six Queens I knew that! Glorious photos in every single way, Maggie. Your camera combined with your artistic eye are four star. And isn't it wonderful when you have a really good guide? They can make the experience!

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  15. Maggie, I enjoyed reading about your English vacation. Beautiful photos!
    I'd love to return to the English countryside again. I have such fond memories of our trip years ago when we rented a car and drove around for several weeks.
    Sorry I'm late arriving this week. Happy Easter to you and Mr. B.

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Thanks for stopping by, your visit just made my day!