Chester Cathedral founded by the nephew of William the Conqueror in 1092

Chester Cathedral was built by Hugh Lupus, the Earl of Chester and also nephew to William the Conqueror.  The Cathedral which was then a Monastery was founded in 1092 and built in the Romanesque style.  Apparently they started at the east and continued towards the west the last part built was the chapter House in 1250 in the then Gothic style.  Due to this remodelling of the Cathedral continued throughout the centuries to what it is today.  During King Henry VIII time the Monastery like most in England was dissolved in 1539, however instead of it been demolished as many were the King gave back the church to the Diocese of Chester as a Cathedral this is the main reason that the Cathedral is still standing today.  Of course there has been restorations over the centuries, however the architecture is stunning and make me wonder how we think our own buildings of today are superior.  I for one cannot imagine our buildings of today still standing in another 2000 years.

 

 

 

This is a side view of the Cathedral showing Chester Townhall  tower in the background.

 

 

This is the entrance that is used today, the décor is extraordinary

 

The above two photos are a model of what the Cathedral looks like from both wings, I must say I didn't realise how huge the place actually was, amazing to say the least.

 

This was one of the passage ways to the entry of the Cathedral, a bit blurry though it makes it look a bit more like a painting than a photo

 

Down the main Aisle

 

The Baptismal was closed off

 

Turn to the left from the central aisle were these magnificent pictures on the wall, they followed the aisle all the way down.

 

 

Look at the stunning work that the masons did.

 

I think if memory serves me correctly these are two Bishops of the Cathedral, there were pictures of four however the other two were too blurred to put on the blog.

 

It was the first time I had seen a plaque for someone born in America.  There was another that told his story about leaving everything behind and living the rest of his very worthy life in England

 

A Masons mark

 

This photos was for my daughters friend

 

That is all the photos I have of Chester Cathedral, though I have access to a few more that my mother took.  I will post these when I am able they show the Cheshire Regiment wing of the Cathedral along with other photos that I was unable to keep due to been blurred.