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cathedral

Principal Christian church of a bishop or archbishop, containing his throne, which is usually situated on the south side of the choir. In the Middle Ages, cathedrals were used for state occasions, such as parliaments, and they are still used for royal coronations and weddings, and state funerals. Many cathedrals also house the relics of the saints, and so in the Middle Ages were centres of pilgrimage. Until modern times, only a town with a cathedral could be called a city.

History, UK

Formerly, cathedrals were distinguished as either monastic cathedrals (where the clergy were monks) or secular cathedrals (where the clergy were not members of a monastic order). Some British cathedrals are referred to as ‘minsters’, such as Southwell and York, the term originating in the name given to the bishop and cathedral clergy, who were often referred to as a monasterium. During the Middle Ages, cathedrals were by far the largest buildings, reflecting the importance of religion to the medieval mind. They were built as symbols of the glory of God, but also to impress people of the power of the medieval church and the monarchy. After the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII, most of the monastic churches were refounded and are called Cathedrals of the New Foundation. Cathedrals of dioceses founded since 1836 include St Albans, Southwark, Truro, Birmingham, and Liverpool. There are cathedrals in most of the chief cities of Europe.

Art and architecture

Because of their importance, cathedrals were for many centuries the main focus of artistic and architectural effort. Their artworks include stained glass, frescoes, mosaics, carvings in wood and stone, paintings (such as altarpieces), ironwork, and textiles. Most cathedrals were built during the Middle Ages and reflect the two main styles of medieval architecture (see English architecture: medieval): Romanesque architecture, or Norman architecture, and Gothic architecture.

Examples

Romanesque cathedrals include Durham Cathedral (England), Worms (Germany), and Cefalù (Sicily). Gothic cathedrals include Canterbury Cathedral, Ely Cathedral, Exeter Cathedral, Winchester Cathedral, and York Minster (England); Chartres Cathedral, Notre-Dame, (Paris), Amiens, and Rouen (France); Cologne, Regensburg, and Ulm (Germany); Milan, Orvieto, Siena, and Florence Cathedral (Italy); Ávila, Burgos, Léon, Salamanca, and Toledo (Spain); and Uppsala (Sweden). Among the few built since the Middle Ages are Valencia, Spain (13th-15th century); St Paul's Cathedral, London (17th century); SS Peter and Paul, and St Petersburg, Russia (both 18th century); Westminster Cathedral, London (19th century); and the 20th-century Liverpool (Catholic) Cathedral.

Formerly, cathedrals were distinguished as either monastic or secular, the clergy of the latter not being members of a regular monastic order. Because of their importance, cathedrals were for many centuries the main focus of artistic and architectural endeavour. Their artworks include stained glass, frescoes, mosaics, carvings in wood and stone, paintings (such as altarpieces), ironwork, and textiles. Most cathedrals were built during the Middle Ages and reflect the many styles of Romanesque and Gothic architecture. There are cathedrals in most of the important cities of the world.

Chartres Cathedral Early English (architecture) Gothic architecture Gothic Architecture: England

Russian architecture Salisbury Cathedral St Paul's Cathedral