Hi and welcome back to part 2 of my tour around Gloucester Cathedral, a truly magnificent structure with many intriguing aspects to explore.

Please see here for part 1: https://steemit.com/photography/@onesunbeingnow/a-marvel-of-medieval-architecture-part-1

We have a quadrangle of walkways with a beautiful garden in the middle known as the Cloisters where scenes from the Harry Potter trilogy were filmed, a lavish Treasury, a dank old crypt, and the piece de resistance: the bell tower which grants an awesome view from some 70 meters up.

Reverend Stephen Lake, Dean of Gloucester (chief resident cleric) expresses the following in welcome to newcomers to the Cathedral:

There is something special about Gloucester Cathedral. I would say that wouldn’t I, but I believe it to be true. Perhaps it is in the dramatic yet elegant architecture of this building, perhaps it is in the majestic music that takes place here, perhaps it is in the countless prayers that have been said down the ages, and perhaps it is in the simple truth that people have felt something of God here down the centuries. Perhaps it is also in the fact this this is still true today and that people come here to pray, to wonder, to be quiet, to sing, to find refreshment and to simply be more whole.

Today we are going to explore the top half of the main Cathedral building, and it really does have some of the most remarkable features. But before we continue, and as promised, please allow me to share with you a short tour I did of this upper half with some beautiful live organ music to accompany it. Enjoy!

Quire, High Altar & East Window

The following short clip shows the main worship area and where everyone participating will be seated among the numerous ornately carved wood seats. It accommodates the quire and thus is known as the Quire proper.

The main Quire area is furnished with carved wooden seats that look very regal, especially the two larger seats reserved for the senior members of the church hierarchy, like the various Bishops from surrounding diocese or ones that may visit from afar, as they often do.

Here is me sitting in this area listing to some organ music and admiring the East Window:

There is also a gold looking stand that is used for Bible reading during services. The eagle’s wings embrace an enormous decorative bible that must way a ton and cost perhaps as much in gold!

Let me just say now that I am not religious, I am not a Christian. However that has not stopped me from delighting in many a good sermon spoken from here. The core messages and practical wisdom of Christianity shines through the clergy member’s oratory skills and imparts the universal truths of how to live a virtuous and peaceful life. I look up to beings who can impart such wisdom, clarity and peace via sound vibration with great reverence. There are many lectures throughout the year by many compelling speakers.

The High Alter is pictured bellow, lavishly decked out with the usual paraphernalia to conduct a full service. I am not privy to the exact intricacies surrounding the protocol of a service, but there is a set order in which they perform actions throughout. For example, lighting the candles at the start and extinguishing them at the end, and administering the Eucharist. To me they are symbolic of letting the light of divinity into ones life and the partaking of the bread and wine is a physical gesture of surrender that allows that process to occur and deepen.

Overlooking the Higher Alter is the Great East Window that is truly a sight to behold. The sheer dedication of the artisans who spent countless hours crafting it is staggeringly beyond belief.

Here is what the historians say about it:

At the time of its installation in the 1350s, the Great East Window was the largest window in the world. Today, it is still one of the greatest landmarks of English, and indeed European, medieval stained glass. It measures 22 metres in height and 12 metres in width. In fact, it is as big as a tennis court! The window was created as part of the reconstruction of the Quire following the burial of King Edward II and fills the entire wall behind the high altar. Made and assembled in the middle of the 14th century, the colourful glass reflects the hierarchical nature of medieval society as well as the Church’s interpretation of the Divine Order. Depicting a clear hierarchy that rises from heaven to earth, the panels move from shields of nobility, through tiers of bishops and abbots, saints, apostles and angels. Over the six centuries of its existence, the window has survived all the events of history and remains in good condition.

http://www.gloucestercathedral.org.uk/

Here are some shots I took of the roof in this area which has an amazing symmetrical pattern outlined in gold:

Ornate Room, South Ambulatory Chapel and the Lady Chapel

Let’s begin in the South Wing which is to ones left after you come through the entrance. To the left of the picture bellow is another entrance into a small alter room but it is without question the most ornate among all the minor alters. I have never seen anything take place there, apart from it being cleaned. I think it is more used by the tourists who admire its atheistic qualities, the craftsmanship in the wall paintings is quite amazing.

In the video of tour I included at the beginning you may have noticed the rather modern looking blue stain glass windows in the room we started out in. This is the South Ambulatory Chapel and in the 20th century it was fitted with an atypical style of stain glass. The official Cathedral website mentions that it directly depicts scenes from the Gospel and The Book of Psalms:

As part of the 900th anniversary celebration of Abbot Serlo laying the foundation stone of St Peter’s Abbey (now Gloucester Cathedral) in 1089, the South Ambulatory Chapel was refitted with a new stained glass window by Thomas Denny.

Depicting the New Testament story of Thomas in the presence of the risen Christ in the centre light, the windows either side are based on Psalm 148, praising God’s creation. The triptych illuminates the chapel in a magnificent blue light.

Morning service is held here along with Bible reading afterwards. Many members of the local clergy from the surrounding houses of worship gather here early morning and then go about their duties at their respective churches. Not only are the windows modern but the seats and upholstery are too.

Lastly we have the Lady Chapel. It is at the very top at the East facing side.

Looking in from the entrance

During weekdays a midday service is conducted here. Behind the alter are three canvas paintings depicting the crucifixion of Jesus.

The lady Chapel was the very last part of the Cathedral to be built during the Medieval period in the 15th century.

Looking back from the alter

TO BE CONTINUED...

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