Bell's Cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of Gloucester [2nd ed.] / A Description of Its Fabric and A Brief History of the Espicopal See

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

25682

Title

Bell's Cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of Gloucester [2nd ed.] / A Description of Its Fabric and A Brief History of the Espicopal See

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A scholarly yet accessible guide to Gloucester Cathedral, blending architectural history with the rich narrative of the Episcopal See. Ideal for students and tourists seeking accurate, illustrated insights into England's great cathedrals.

Summary up to 500 words

H. J. L. J. Massé's monograph on Gloucester Cathedral offers a comprehensive guide that bridges the gap between technical archaeological scholarship and practical visitor instruction. The work traces the cathedral's chequered history from its Saxon foundations to its Norman reconstruction, detailing the building's fabric and the history of the Episcopal See. The narrative begins with the monastery's early instability, noting the expulsion of secular priests by King Cnut in 1022 and the subsequent introduction of Benedictine monks. A pivotal moment occurred in 1089, when Abbot Serlo initiated a massive rebuilding project following an earthquake and the perceived inadequacy of the existing Primitive Romanesque structure to meet Norman standards of scale. The new church was dedicated in 1100, though it suffered further damage from fires in the early 12th century. Massé provides a detailed examination of the cathedral's exterior and interior, highlighting the unique Norman choir and the crypt, famously known as the 'Bone House' due to the vast accumulation of remains from the former burial ground outside. The text explores the Transitional style of the south transept and the later Decorated and Perpendicular work in the north transept and choir. The author also covers the monastic precincts, including the chapter-house, cloisters, and various monastic buildings, alongside significant historical anecdotes such as the siege of 1643 and the tragic fate of Bishop Hooper. Illustrated with forty-nine plates, the book serves as both a technical resource for archaeologists and a practical guide for tourists, enriched with descriptions of monuments, tombs, and artistic features like 'Prentice's Bracket.' The work concludes with lists of abbots and bishops, providing a complete picture of the cathedral's enduring legacy.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/25682.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg25682.epub

Download EPUB

Downloaded at

2026-07-04 16:03 UTC

Categories

• Religion
• History
• Travel