Salisbury Cathedral

Bishop Richard Poore got permission from the Pope to build a new cathedral on land by a river, that the church already owned. He wanted to build a cathedral as beautiful and splendid as the art and technology of the time. In 1220, the foundation stones were laid. The Beginning

Design Because the cathedral was built so quickly, it is all in the Early English Gothic style. The tower and spire, some strengthening arches, and a small chantry chapel have been the only three additions since the cathedral’s original construction. The tower and the spire were added between 1297 and 1320, which is about half a century after the original cathedral was built.

The Trinity Chapel was the first part of the cathedral to be built The Trinity Chapel was the first part of the cathedral to be built. It was completed in 1225. The early morning service is usually held there. On a bright day, the light will stream through the windows reflecting the colors upon the entire room. The window in Trinity Chapel is dedicated to prisoners of conscience throughout the world(people who have been imprisoned for beliefs even if they have never acted with violence. Everyday at morning service, prayers are offered for an individual prisoner, each month from a different country. Trinity Chapel

The chapter house was a place built for the cathedral’s clergy meetings. Each meeting, a chapter from the bible was read and so they were called Chapter Meetings. The Chapter House is one of the surviving 12 Chapter House buildings. The Chapter House walls are decorated with scenes from Genesis and Exodus. The chapter house

The Magna Carta In 1215, King John of England was forced to accept and sign the Magna Carta. Elias of Dereham was involved in the making of the Magna Carta, who later would supervise the building of the Salisbury Cathedral. He was at Runnymede and entrusted with the meting of many of the original copies of the Magna Carta. Only four of them survived: one at Salisbury Cathedral, two at the British Library in London, and one at Lincoln Cathedral. It is now safely on display in the Chapter House.

The End