I live here and almost grew up in that cathedral, it is a work of art but I find it amusing to keep finding little facts like this to add to the secret toilets and etched-up choir-boy room walls I already have seen. Did you know there are peregrine falcons roosting in the central tower?
I thought that once but now seeing new walls quickly succumb to black "mold" in rainy Oldham - I don't think it is soot. Also, pressure washing removes the surface of the stone to remove the mold, not a good idea long term.
I habe just revisited your analysis of Lichfield Cathedral. Really enjoyed your observations; It is a truly ‘wonky’ build but that is what makes It LICHFIELD! A bit like it’s inhabitants.
😂 I live 5 mins from the cathedral. It’s an amazing building. I had no idea it had all of those “ anomalies”, and I shall go and take a look and have a laff at them. Surprised about the statues around the outside being Victorian. Really enjoyed the video, great job.
According to a tour I took years ago, Lichfield was besieged during the Civil Wars. As a result it was heavily damaged and I believe one of the towers (can't remember which one) collapsed under canon fire. It had significant renovation afterwards
How about the ribs in the vault of the nine altars at Durham? Drastic but not a mistake. How about the tower at Durham, and at Howden too? They built fine towers and then decided they should be taller, so they put a bit more on the top. Mistake! The additions make the towers worse. How about the fine window next to the demolished North Transept at Dorchester Abbey, Oxfordshire? The left hand surround viewed from outside is missing some components that are present on the right hand side. Mistake? No. The window was originally in a tight corner between the aisle and a chapel attached to the transept. When the chapel was demolished the window was reused. Llandaff Cathedral Presbytery, south side. The North side was reconstructed in the 14th Century as an arcade of two arches. On the south side was an earlier transept chapel. They could have demolished the chapel, or retained it and satisfied themselves with a single arch. But they crammed in the easternmost of a two arch arcade, starved of space, but still couldn't finish it because they hadn't decided to demolish the chapel. So they gave up. The fragmentary 14th century western arch intersects with Norman elements that were being replaced. Very interesting as regards building methods, but as a piece of design, it is the worst of all possible worlds. Mistake!
when they replaced the vaults in the nave with plaster did they also replace the ribs between the vaults, they do still look quite Stoney. Litchfield cathedral is very continental, a better effort at a more French church that Westminster abbey, which is ugly to the max
