Description of the attraction
On the banks of the River Severn in the ancient city of Worcester, there is the Cathedral Church of Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary in Worcester - this is the official name of Worcester Cathedral. The first cathedral was built in Worcester at the end of the 7th century, but nothing has survived from it. The earliest fragments of the currently existing cathedral date from the 10th century. The cathedral was part of a monastery which, according to Bede the Venerable, an English chronicler, existed in Worcester as early as the 7th century. At the end of the 10th century, the monastery became Benedictine and existed until 1540 - i.e. before the church reforms of Henry VIII, when almost all monasteries were abolished in England. The huge monastery library was partly transferred to Oxford, partly to Cambridge, a number of manuscripts were taken to London, and only a small part of the books remained in the Cathedral Library of Worcester.
Like many other medieval cathedrals, Worcester Cathedral combines a variety of architectural styles, from Norman to Perpendicular Gothic. The main part of the building that has come down to us was built in the XII-XIII centuries. The decoration of the cathedral - the central tower - was made at the end of the XIV century. Then it was crowned with a wooden spire. Large-scale restoration work in the cathedral was carried out at the end of the 19th century; stained glass windows and most of the decorations belong to this period. However, the misericords deserve special mention. These are small ledges-seats, which, during many hours of worship, gave the monks a merciful opportunity (hence the name) to sit down imperceptibly, and from the side it seemed that the person was standing. The 39 misericords of Worcester Cathedral were made in the 14th century and are a true work of art. They depict biblical and folklore scenes, as well as the seasons - twelve paintings symbolizing a particular month of the year.
King John Lackland of England is buried in Worcester Cathedral. There is also the grave of Prince Arthur Tudor, the elder brother of King Henry VIII. It is believed that it was this circumstance that saved the cathedral from destruction during the church reforms carried out by Henry VIII.
Description added:
Ute Engel. In the book 2016-10-01
"Built in 1175-1250".
Link to "Gothic. Architecture. Sculpture. Painting." Edited by Rolf Thoman. Koneman. 2004. page 133
