The Cathedral Church of Saint Peter, Saint Paul, and Saint Andrew, 1118-1237 (15th century retrochoir), Peterborough, England speakers: Dr. Ron Baxter, Fabric Advisory Committee, Peterborough Cathedral and Dr. Steven Zucker
That fan vaulting is simply stunning! Just gorgeous. The 1116 fire was pivotal, not just for the building of this cathedral, but also for what it did for the recording of the English language. The fire had destroyed the abbey’s version of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. After it, they had borrowed another abbey’s version, copied it, and then started adding their own annotations to that copy to make their own distinctive version. The scribe who was writing his updates was already demonstrating some changes to Old English. Then, the Anarchy happened, and the scribes took a few-decades-long hiatus in the Chronicle. In the early 1150s, another scribe revisited the Chronicle, added the events of the past 20 years, and recorded a few more years, before the Chronicle was completely abandoned, the last abbey to do so. That later scribe wrote in a completely different form of English, and is now seen to have been the first writer of Middle English. The Peterborough Chronicle is vital to tracking the evolution of the English language.
I have always wanted to go on a trip to Europe that was centered around churches and cathedrals! I fell it brings me closer to God when I visit places of worship!
Oooo, you really should! I did that in Austria and I was just FLOORED by how much beauty I saw -- and I didn't even hit nearly all I could have! Highly, highly recommend it.
I never knew Peterborough had such a stunning Cathedral - Its truly amazing that it has that 13th century timber ceiling that has survived to this day - I love Smart History videos and their style of presentation - Keep them coming - more, more, more please .....
@@smarthistory-art-history I think I have seen them all - Therefore, I have to take a tour throughout England to see them all. BTW, these late Gothic columns that resemble blossoming flowers or at least plants are the perfect expression of a Christian belief in creation! I will send you the invoices for my trip - if your videos weren't so wonderful, I wouldn't be making the journey ;-)
I live near here and have been to the cathedral several times. On any ordinary day, I could just stroll into this church and sit on one of the chairs and just be by myself for a while in peace, even if I'm just waiting for a friend to meet me up for an appointment somewhere else. It's such a peaceful environment. Because it's something I'm so used to, I'm being quite picky about which churches I want to see when I go on my Paris trip soon. It will have to be more stunning than this 😅 I have been to Lincoln cathedral and York cathedral - both also very grand and beautiful in their own ways.
So beautiful. Whenever I visit, I am overwhelmed by the stunning west front (shame about the 14th century porch though) and am in awe of the power of the nave and the contrast with the breathtaking fan vaulting of the retro choir which nearly brings me to tears.
Absolutely phenomenal, stunning, perfect in every way and I love each and every little detail! Words can't begin to describe, yet the speakers do so well. Thank you so much.
A fantastic & informative video as always. It is great to watch a video about a place not far from me, that I have been to. I would love to see more videos about British Anglican Cathedrals. Keep up the great work.
I figured today waws a good day to watch this one. 🙂 I was immediately surprised to learn about the historical divisions of England itself. I always thought of the divisions between it, Wales, Ireland, and Scotland. There was something about the way music started to play as Dr. Baxter talked about the fire... Added some gravity to what was being discussed. "Opus Dei" resonated with me.. I'm fresh out of church and the work of God is on my mind. How can I contribute to the fulfillment of His good purpose? I was dumbstruck with each new view of the interior.. The vaults, the retrochoir... How long could I wander and quietly reflect in a place like this? I'd have to bring a blanket! This place is gorgeous - not unlike the faith expressed therein. ❤
At present the interior of the cathedral has mainly shades of grey, but at times in the past the walls and pillars would have been painted in different colours. That paint would fade or be covered by black soot from hundreds of candles, so the effect would have changed over the years until the next scrubbing and repainting. I imagine that it would be easier (and safer) to repaint the lowest level, the arcades, and the galleries, clerestory and roof would be sooty much of the time.
Another Catholic abbey stolen and gutted by the Protestants. And contrary to what the man said, the transition was not "usually smooth". England's population was hit with fines, loss of property, torture and death for not submitting to the Protestant religion. But the Catholics survived and once again form the biggest single religious group in England, because people don't dedicate their lives to watered-down Christianity, they want the real deal.
This historic presentation from an architectural perspective was brilliantly done! The original purpose of the architecture, however, was meant to enshrine a monastic community of Catholic Benedictine monks ,who not only engaged in the “Opus Dei,” but served the spiritual and temporal needs of the local Catholic community. The tragic dissolution of the monasteries in the 16th century and the forced laicization of Catholic monks with what amounted to a pittance in financial compensation, could never compensate for the spiritual, cultural and social harm caused by Henry VIII. The dissolution of the monasteries was not always smoothly and easily accomplished with Catholic monks who resisted often being “hung, drawn and quartered .” Not even the designation of the former Abbey as a “Cathedral” can change the fact that what was historically and architecturally designed for Catholic monastic worship is now , and has been since the 16th Century, a worship space where some believe schismatic, heretical and invalid protestant services take place. This certainly was not the intent of the original Catholic architects of the Abbey.
@@ULlisting Another Catholic abbey stolen and gutted by the Protestants. And contrary to what the man said, the transition was not "usually smooth". England's population was hit with fines, loss of property, torture and death for not submitting to the Protestant religion. But the Catholics survived and once again form the biggest single religious group in England, because people don't dedicate their lives to watered-down Christianity, they want the real deal.
We hope to have a video on the changes to Peterborough over time including 19th century interventions. In general though, it is common for large churches, which can take generations to construct, to be the result of many forces that construct and deconstruct. As for towers, they are often built later, and they can fall or be taken down in caution as their great weight takes a toll on their stability.
No smooth change at all!Monasteries became ruins, monks chased away, lands were given to noble friends and castles were built like Burgley Hall, some abbots were executed.
Another Catholic abbey stolen and gutted by the Protestants. And contrary to what the man said, the transition was not "usually smooth". England's population was hit with fines, loss of property, torture and death for not submitting to the Protestant religion. But the Catholics survived and once again form the biggest single religious group in England, because people don't dedicate their lives to watered-down Christianity, they want the real deal.
@@stuartwray6175 Structurally, contemporary buildings tend to be quite sound, and are probably technically stronger and more durable than at any previous point in human history. Aesthetically, it is all a matter of taste and opinion.
Remember the poorly constructed building of the past collapsed and have disappeared. The ones that are left and that we see are the well constructed or (very often) well repaired buildings. There were multiple collapses of medieval cathedrals which were often experimental ( and of course the majority of buildings eg the ordinary peoples house have rotted away, lasting only a few decades - if that) There are be beautiful modern buildings being built today.
