Five English Cathedrals

England’s medieval cathedrals are a motley assortment – mostly a collection of various additions and differing styles often stitched together with little regard. Durham, Gloucester, Ely, Norwich and Canterbury each demonstrate the diversity of medieval English architecture in a sequence that should slowly unroll the story of English taste, skills, daring and occasional ineptitude.

Aims of the course

This course aims to help you
1. Appreciate the wide variety of styles in English Medieval Architecture;
2. Understand the competing demands of monks, bishops and relics;
3. Gain a grasp of the abilities and limitations of medieval builders.

Content

England’s medieval cathedrals are amongst the most architecturally diverse in Europe. The majority display unlikely combinations of styles and periods, often with little regard for each other. 

Hence, whereas the classic cathedrals of France are often single, cohesive design and campaigns, their English equivalents often appear a mess. This is their great interest. The five cathedrals studied will combine all the major styles of English medieval architecture, occasionally all at once. Durham is one of Europe’s finest and most important Romanesque buildings though there are later Gothic additions. Ely combines almost everything the English came up with between 1080 and 1350. Gloucester divides almost equally between a curious Romanesque style and pioneering work of the mid-14th-century. Norwich also reveals a mature Romanesque core though one transformed in the late Middle Ages with stunning Perpendicular additions. Canterbury simply has everything, and all of the highest quality.

Why did the English mix and match in this way? One reason was money – the cash available rarely, if ever, matched their continental cousins. Another reason is that England’s major churches kept falling down – they were remarkably badly built! But the English also regarded their churches as more than just buildings; many were venerated as relics associated with their saints and founders.

This course will examine each building as a complete study, though each class will move the story of English medieval architecture onwards until we reach Canterbury, the culmination of all the best.

Presentation of the course

The course will use PowerPoint and class discussion.

Class sessions

1. Durham - The greatest Romanesque Cathedral in Europe.

2. Ely - From monastery to great church. The problems of bad building!

3. Gloucester - The transformation of a Romanesque church into something radically different.

4. Norwich - Solid and dependable, a palimpsest of styles.

5. Canterbury - Quite simply the best and most complicated.

Learning outcomes

The learning outcomes for this course are:

1. A better understanding of the progress and variety of architectural styles available in medieval England;
2. An appreciation of the reluctance and occasional refusal of the English to throw anything away;
3. A better understanding of the unique combination of functions within all the cathedral studies

Required reading

Bony, J. English Decorated Style, Oxford University Press, 1979

Fernie, E. The Architecture of Norman England, Oxford University Press, 2000

Frankl, P. Gothic Architecture, Edited Crossley, P. Yale University Press, 2001

Typical week: Monday to Friday

Courses run from Monday to Friday. For each week of study, you select a morning (Am) course and an afternoon (Pm) course. The maximum class size is 25 students. 

Courses are complemented by a series of daily plenary lectures, exploring new ideas in a wide range of disciplines. To add to the learning experience, we are also planning additional evening talks and events.

Evaluation and Academic Credit 

If you are seeking to enhance your own study experience, or earn academic credit from your Cambridge Summer Programme studies at your home institution, you can submit written work for assessment for one or more of your courses. 

Essay questions are set and assessed against the University of Cambridge standard by your Course Director, a list of essay questions can be found in the Course Materials. Essays are submitted two weeks after the end of each course, so those studying for multiple weeks need to plan their time accordingly. There is an evaluation fee of £75 per essay.

For more information about writing essays see Evaluation and Academic Credit.

Certificate of attendance

A certificate of attendance will be sent to you electronically after the programme.