CANTERBURRY CATHEDRAL

The central nave of the cathedral was built in 1378-1410 by master Henry Yevel, who also participated in construction of the church of the Westminster Abbey. The southern tower was completed in 1460, while the northern one — only in 1832. During its construction the cathedral reflected all the stages of development of Gothic architecture in England. The oldest part of the temple is the eastern one where Roman traits are kept. The western part of the cathedral was erected in 1390–1411.

The cathedral is 160 meters long. The cathedral’s structure is very complicated: it consists of a big number of facilities following one another and is surrounded by auxiliary buildings; because of that the cathedral outwardly does not appear to be one entity. Above the many constructions of different times a huge four-faceted tower over the crossing rises. Two more towers rise above the temple on the western side.

The big bright space of the nave is brimmed on both sides with straight colonnades. The caps of the columns are ornamented with “wickerwork,” which is the favorite motif of the medieval art. Huge arrow-shaped windows of the side naves with intricate pattern of the wickerwork are ones of the highest in England.

The choir of the Canterbury Cathedral is the earliest pattern of Gothic art in England. It is adjoined by the crown of chapels where a lot of relics and works of the medieval art are kept. One of the most famous and completed works of English monumental art is picture “Apostle Paul with a Snake” — a fragment of a Chapel St. Anselm’s painting. One can notice traces of Byzantium’s influence in it. Paintings of Saint Gabriel Chapel made around 1130 became a new word in English art. Without losing English specific finery, they gained a lot of energy and expression. On the eastern side the temple is completed by small round Becket’s Crown chapel. It received its name after the crown that was snatched off the head of the archbishop by his murderers. This crown is kept right here in the chapel as well as the marble “arm-chair of St. Augustine” made in 1205. Throughout many centuries the ceremony of dedication of archbishops of Canterbury was conducted in it.

Stained glass of XII-XIII centuries in the Holy Trinity and Becket’s Crown chapels represent the best pattern of stained glass art in England. Their multi-colored composition of shining green, blueness, gold and striking shade of ruby resembles a luxurious carpet.

The oldest part of the temple — crypt — is built around 1100. After 1174, it was enlarged and decorated with many paintings. The tombs of many archbishops of Canterbury and many renowned men of medieval England are here. In the Canterbury Cathedral famous “Black Prince” Edward (1330-1376) is buried, an outstanding English army commander, who won a number of major battles over the French in the early period of the Hundred Years’ War.

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