Exeter Cathedral - the nave
The vaulted ceiling in the nave of Exeter Cathedral, which reaches from the Great West Door to the Great East Window, is over 100 yards long, and is the longest continuous medieval vault in the world. It was completed in about 1340, and is the glory of Exeter Cathedral. There are over 400 decorated bosses which act as keystones.
The Cathedral of St Peter was originally built by the Normans with its foundation in 1133, but it took many more years to complete. Following the appointment of Walter Bronescombe as bishop in 1258, the building was already recognized as outmoded, and it was rebuilt in the Decorated Gothic style, following the example of nearby Salisbury. However, much of the original Norman building was kept, including the two massive square towers and part of the walls. Unlike many other English cathedrals, there is no centre tower. It was constructed entirely of local stone, including from the quarries at Beer in Devon, plus Purbeck Marble. The new cathedral was complete by about 1400, apart from the addition of the chapter house and chantry chapels.
For other photos of Exeter Cathedral please see my Photostream.
Exeter Cathedral - the nave
The vaulted ceiling in the nave of Exeter Cathedral, which reaches from the Great West Door to the Great East Window, is over 100 yards long, and is the longest continuous medieval vault in the world. It was completed in about 1340, and is the glory of Exeter Cathedral. There are over 400 decorated bosses which act as keystones.
The Cathedral of St Peter was originally built by the Normans with its foundation in 1133, but it took many more years to complete. Following the appointment of Walter Bronescombe as bishop in 1258, the building was already recognized as outmoded, and it was rebuilt in the Decorated Gothic style, following the example of nearby Salisbury. However, much of the original Norman building was kept, including the two massive square towers and part of the walls. Unlike many other English cathedrals, there is no centre tower. It was constructed entirely of local stone, including from the quarries at Beer in Devon, plus Purbeck Marble. The new cathedral was complete by about 1400, apart from the addition of the chapter house and chantry chapels.
For other photos of Exeter Cathedral please see my Photostream.