Hereford Cathedral

Hereford Cathedral, formally the Cathedral of Saint Mary the Virgin and Saint Ethelbert the King, is a prominent Church of England cathedral situated in Hereford, England. It serves as the seat of the Bishop of Hereford and is the principal church for the Diocese of Hereford. The site has a history of religious use dating back to the 8th century or earlier, with the current structure having its origins in a building begun in 1079. The cathedral is recognized as a Grade I listed building, signifying its architectural and historical importance.

Origins and Early History

The dedication of the cathedral honors two saints: Saint Mary the Virgin and Saint Ethelbert the King. Ethelbert, a king of East Anglia, was beheaded in 794, with his body reportedly brought to the site of the modern cathedral. Miracles were said to have occurred at his tomb, inspiring a 9th-century nobleman, Milfrid, to rebuild the existing church in stone and dedicate it to the sainted king. Hereford had already become a bishopric by the 7th century. The stone cathedral built by Milfrid stood for approximately 200 years before being altered in the reign of Edward the Confessor. This subsequent church was plundered and burned in 1056 by Welsh and Irish forces, though its custodians offered strong resistance.

Norman and Gothic Development

Following the destruction in 1056, reconstruction began in 1079 under Bishop Robert of Lorraine, with further work carried out by Bishop Reynelm and Bishop Robert de Betun, who completed the church by 1148. Surviving elements from this Norman period include the nave arcade, parts of the choir, and the crossing arches. In the late 12th century, William de Vere initiated alterations to the east end, adding a retro-choir and a Lady Chapel. The 13th century saw significant rebuilding, particularly in the Early English style, with the Lady Chapel being reconstructed between 1226 and 1246. The north transept was also begun during this period. The central tower was rebuilt in the 14th century, accompanied by the construction of the chapter house and its vestibule. The fabric of the cathedral continued to develop through the 14th and 15th centuries with further rebuilding and the addition of chantries and a western tower. The north porch, the principal northern entrance, was erected by Bishops Richard Mayew and Charles Booth between 1504 and 1535, marking the culmination of building efforts that spanned approximately 440 years.

Notable Treasures and Features

Hereford Cathedral is distinguished by its possession of the largest library of chained books in the world, a collection that includes rare and historically significant volumes. Its most celebrated artifact is the Mappa Mundi, a medieval map of the world created around 1300. This map is considered a treasure of immense historical and artistic value and is recognized on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register. The cathedral also features forty 14th-century misericords in its choir stalls, depicting a variety of mythological beasts, grotesques, and everyday scenes. Additionally, three individual tapestries designed by John Piper, depicting the Tree of Life, the Tree of Knowledge, and the Deposition, hang on the east wall of the south transept.

Later History and Restoration

The cathedral suffered damage during the English Civil War when parliamentary forces ran riot within its walls. In the early 18th century, Bishop Philip Bisse initiated a scheme to support the central tower and installed an altarpiece and oak screen. A significant disaster occurred on Easter Monday 1786 when the west tower collapsed, causing extensive damage. Architect James Wyatt was engaged to repair the damage, making alterations that were not universally popular. A major restoration effort began in 1841, led by Dean Merewether and carried out by Lewis Nockalls Cottingham and later George Gilbert Scott. Further restoration of the west front was undertaken by John Oldrid Scott between 1902 and 1908. The 20th century saw the construction of a new library building in the 1990s and the removal of George Gilbert Scott's iron choir screen in 1967 (later restored and housed at the Victoria and Albert Museum). Recent years have involved the redevelopment of Cathedral Green and landscaping and restoration efforts funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, which included the reburial of numerous historical corpses found within the cathedral precinct.

Eminent Figures Associated with the Cathedral

Numerous eminent individuals have been associated with Hereford Cathedral throughout its history. Among them are chroniclers like Robert of Gloucester, Lollard leader Nicholas of Hereford, and John Carpenter. Polydore Vergil, a celebrated literary figure, served as a prebendary, as did Miles Smith, one of the translators of the Authorized King James Version of the Bible. Cardinal Thomas Wolsey also held a stall and later became Dean. Post-Reformation prelates include Matthew Wren, Nicholas Monck, Benjamin Hoadley, and Renn Hampden, the latter known for his scholarly reputation. Thomas de Cantilupe, Bishop of Hereford in the late 13th century, became a saint, and his shrine at the cathedral was a focus of pilgrimage.

Dimensions

The exterior length of Hereford Cathedral is approximately 104 meters (342 feet), with an interior length of about 99 meters (326 feet). The nave extends to 48 meters (158 feet) up to the screen, and the choir measures 23 meters (75 feet). The great transept spans 45 meters (146 feet) in length. The nave and choir, including aisles, are 22 meters (73 feet) wide. The nave reaches a height of 20 meters (64 feet), and the choir is 19 meters (62.5 feet) high. The lantern stands at 29 meters (96 feet), and the tower reaches approximately 50 meters (165 feet) with its pinnacles.