Winchester Cathedral

The Cathedral and its Buildings Usually you enter the cathedral through a tree-lined path that crosses the lawn and opens into a large free space leading to the west front of the longest cathedral in Europe. On the South Side, is the Inner Close, a domestic area of monastery and cathedral life. On the eastern side there are 5 pillared arches forming the entrance to what used to be the Chapter House, a space where monks could establish the tasks of the day, and deal with issues toward decision/discipline, or to hear readings of the monastic rule of St. Benedict.

St. Benedict St. Benedict was very clear about the duties/character of the porters that were at any important entrance to his monasteries. They could not want to be somewhere else, and needed to be there whenever asked to "welcome visitors as God's guests". This phrase is still used in setting the standards of cathedral entrance services.

parliamentarian troops rode in and raided taking fabrics and manuscripts, and using bones of kings and prelates to break windows. It was not until Charles the second returned to rule, that the cathedral was restored to its original function as a great church. The Past….. The large three-tier structure of the original Norman cathedral can still be seen, telling the story of what the cathedral was like before the bishop in Winchester transformed it. There are several small side chapels along with the Holy Sepulchre Chapel, the Epiphany Chapel, and the Chantry Chapels.

Inside the Cathedral The Nave The Font The Holy Sopulchre Chapel The Epiphany Chapel The Crypt The Pilgrims Steps The Quire

Specific Parts of the Cathedral….. The Nave: has the chantry chapel for William of Wykeham part way down it, and near the nave alter is William of Edington. It the place that monks gathered before entering to sing and say their offices. The Font: is used for baptizing and made of black Tournai marble. Winchester Bible: Inside of this are the first focus, The Word of God's Love. it is made up of 4 volumes, and was worked on for at least 20 years by scribes and illustrators using calf-skin, gold, and pigments. The Royal Arms and St. George's Cross: all can be seen high on the vault together with roses, foliage, and faces that contribute craftsmanship.