Peterborough Cathedral is an impressive Romanesque church located in England and is renowned for being one of the finest buildings in the country. The church is almost unaltered since its completion in the 13th century except for the restorations done during the 19th century and the damage caused by Civil War in the mid 17th century. The Norman architecture dominates the church, and its construction was guided by a unique design on the west facade, featuring three vast Gothic arches forming a giant porch in front of the building, flanked by small spires. Further, the central tower is a 14th-century structure with a stunning vaulted ceiling and an equally squat western tower which replaced two of the turrets, which were originally surmounted by a wooden spire removed in the 19th century.
The church was initially Peterborough Abbey until 1541 when it was established as the cathedral. The sheer size and financial resources of the abbey are demonstrated by the remarkable architecture that features the church. Additionally, the buildings were home to two queens, including Katherine of Aragon, whose tomb rests on the north side of the choir, and Mary of Scots, whose body was transferred to Westminster by her son.
The Civil War period had a traumatic impact on the cathedral as it was ransacked by Parliamentary troops who engaged in an orgy of destruction. Tombs and monuments were defaced, and all stained glass, as well as furnishings and woodwork, were destroyed or damaged. Even the cloisters on the south side were demolished, leaving only the outer walls, and the Lady Chapel attached to the north transept was destroyed for materials to fund the cathedral’s restoration. However, significant restoration work was conducted in the 19th century, including the dismantling and rebuilding of the central tower.
Even though the building has undergone significant changes for repair, it remains a marvel of architecture and one of the best churches in the country. It, however, holds little clutter of the centuries that many other cathedrals possess in terms of tombs and furnishings. There are few notable windows in the building, but its architecture is grandeur, and hence, it remains among the very finest churches in the country.
Posted by Aidan McRae Thomson on 2017-06-14 22:54:55