Building Durham Cathedral
Published on 15. December 2022
192 pages
978-1-80399-234-1 (ISBN)
Description
Durham Cathedral was completed nearly 900 years ago, after 40 years of construction. Inevitably it has suffered from the effects of time: physical erosion, from the weather and increasing pollution on stone that was never of the best quality, and cultural erosion, the impact of secular and religious changes - not least the depredations of clerics, improvers, and administrators. Nevertheless, it remains: the stones speak and provide the story of themselves.
Building Durham Cathedral explores this magnificent structure by questioning its architectural plans and stonework. As there have been minimal additions we catch sight of it as the Norman builders intended. Remarkably, a few early documents and the stonework itself allow us to glimpse its beginnings and some of the personalities involved. Questions remain, but there may even be a clue to the identity of its original master mason.
Building Durham Cathedral explores this magnificent structure by questioning its architectural plans and stonework. As there have been minimal additions we catch sight of it as the Norman builders intended. Remarkably, a few early documents and the stonework itself allow us to glimpse its beginnings and some of the personalities involved. Questions remain, but there may even be a clue to the identity of its original master mason.
Reviews / Votes
'Explores this magnificent structure by examining its architectural plans and stonework, revealing surprising insights into one of Britain's best-loved cathedrals.'< * <i>Methodist Recorder</i> *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Stroud
United Kingdom
Illustrations
33 Line drawings, color; 30 Illustrations, color
File size
40,60 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-80399-234-1 (9781803992341)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Brian K. Roberts
Building Durham Cathedral
Book
12/2022
The History Press Ltd
€22.50
Article in reprint
Person
BRIAN K. ROBERTS is a retired geography lecturer. His work involved teaching and research in the field of historical geography and the evolution of rural settlement in the UK. While not an architect, practical experience in surveying and the archaeology of rural landscapes established a strong foundation of pragmatic observation in architectural history. He lives in Durham.
Content
- Intro
- Title
- Copyright
- Acknowledgements
- 1 Preliminaries: Stories, Histories, Myths, Measures and Masons
- 2 Of People: Bishop William and Prior Turgot
- 3 The Church at Warkworth, Northumberland
- 4 Durham Cathedral: Assessing the Site and Plan
- 5 The Columns and Piers
- 6 The 'Twin Towers West-Work' and Building Phases
- 7 Measurements and Stones: A Reassessment
- 8 Durham Cathedral in Photographs
- Appendices
- Bibliography
