Norman House and Castle - The Practical Traveller's guide to historica Christchurch in Dorset
Hi and welcome to another practical traveller’s guide. Today we are looking around the Norman House and Christchurch Castle in Christchurch, Dorset. Its great family fun for your days out.
The Norman House and Christchurch Castle can both be located on Castle Street in Christchurch, near the main high street and are both clearly sign posted. They are open to the public 365 days a year and there is no charge for entry so they make a great free day out.
The castle was begun by Richard de Redvers, a Norman baron who accompanied William the Conqueror to England, in about 1100. He probably built the great earthen mound or motte, the earliest feature of the castle, and this would have probably initially been topped with a timber tower. The castle was home to the de Redvers family for the next 150 years.
Richard, 2nd Earl of Devon, rebuilt the castle in stone in the mid-12th century.
From ground level there are two sets of steps that you can climb to reach the remains. The views over Christchurch Prior at the top are worth the effort. At the top you will find information detailing the castles history. Take care when descending, especially in wet weather as the small steps can be slippery.
During the Civil War (1642–51), Parliamentarian troops attacked and took Christchurch, a Royalist town. In January 1645 a troop of 1,000 Royalists attacked Christchurch in return, forcing the Parliamentarians to seek refuge in the castle.
The castle proved too strong to capture and the Parliamentarians retained both the castle and town throughout the rest of the war. Its defences were dismantled by order of Parliament in 1651. Local people helped themselves to the building materials, and by the late 17th century the castle was a ruin.
To get to the Norman House you can go though a gate into the bowling green area or if this is locked, head 20 yards towards the main road and turn right, you can’t miss it.
The great chamber block, later known as the Norman House, was also built at the same time as the castle, providing luxury accommodation for the earl and his family. The area between the two, now a bowling green, was once the defended courtyard or bailey of the castle, and would have been filled with buildings.
This Norman house is one of the last few remaining examples of domestic Norman architecture in England. Built in about 1160 these rooms would have provided an elegant, comfortable live quarters. The tall circular Norman chimney is a particularly rare survival.
The house would have originally been spread over at least 2 floors with the entrance being on the first floor. Where you stand today, the ground floor would have been used for storage. On the first floor there would have been a hall with a double height ceiling and a large fireplace. The elaborately decorated window at the north end of the hall marks the dais end, where the high table stood. The private solar chamber had an adjoining latrine emptying into the mill stream. The wall and windows facing the river are much thicker as they would have been used for defence.
The Castle and house are now looked after and managed by English Heritage.
If you find yourself in Dorset then Christchurch is definitely a place to visit. There is so much to see and do in the pretty historic place.
Be sure to check out the description for lots of link to useful places such as accommodation and food options.
boathouse.co.uk
loch-quay.co.uk
cheeseandalfies.com
koh-thai.co.uk
Thanks so much for watch, we hope you visit Christchurch soon and have a great time. Don’t forget to hit the subscribe button and the Practical Travellers will see you soon.
Don’t forget to check out our YouTube channel
#thepracticaltraveller #normanhouse #christchurch
Language, Timothy! - A Norman House
A song written especially for our performance in the Norman House, Christchurch on Saturday 25th April 2009 as part of the Riversmeet Arts & Heritage Festival.
Recorded a short time after.
myspace.com/languagetimothy
Castles of England: Christchurch Castle (Season 1: Episode 0/Pilot)
New series everyone!
Sorry for the third re-upload for this video, the original two uploads were fine, but had no audio in them. So I decided to do some adjustments on Windows Movie Maker, and it worked! Anyways, here is Christchurch Castle, which is in the town of Christchurch in Dorset (England). This video gives a brief explanation of the castle along with its surroundings.
Credit to the people who made these characters, music, or took these photographs.
The Story of Queen Maud and King Stephen
This wonderful film was written and produced by a group of year 7 pupils from Highcliffe Secondary School as part of the HLF funded Young Blood project. The project took place at Red House Museum, Christchurch, in 2016 as part of the celebrations of Hampshire's Big Theme, Royal Blood.
CHRISTCHURCH & HIGHCLIFFE CASTLE 31-7-2018 DORSET
The two remaining walls of the castle's keep
Christchurch Castle is located in Christchurch, Dorset, England (grid reference SZ160927). The earliest stonework has been dated to 1160. It is a Norman motte and bailey castle. The castle's site is inside the old Saxon burh dominating the River Avon's lowest crossing.
The Constable's House standing adjacent to the castle was added at around 1160 and is a rare and notable example of a Norman domestic dwelling.[1] Today the bailey is home to a bowling green and gardens, and the ditch has been filled but parts of the keep and much of the constable's house still stand. The site is managed by English Heritage.
Welcome to Christchurch Priory, home to a thriving Christian community, set on the southernmost edge of the town on the confluence of the River Avon and the River Stour as they flow into Christchurch Harbour.
Prayer and worship have been offered on this site for more than 1,300 years, and in this Priory Church for over 900 years, by people who have left behind a testimony to their faith in the architecture of this magnificent parish church which dates back to Norman times. We are open every day of the year, and welcome a large number of visitors from across the world.
A wide range of services is on offer in the Priory, many of them involving our choirs which are among the best parish church choirs in the country. As a Christian community, we set out to be welcoming and inclusive, and so the Priory is also used by the people of Christchurch for weddings, funerals, baptisms, and other significant events in both local and national life.
We hope that you will have the opportunity to visit us, to enjoy the beauty and peace of this building, to take time for prayer and reflection, to light a candle, or to join us in any of our acts of worship which take place regularly in this remarkable church hallowed by centuries of prayer and worship.
Highcliffe Castle, situated on the cliffs at Highcliffe, Dorset, was built between 1831 and 1835 by Charles Stuart, 1st Baron Stuart de Rothesay in a Gothic
The best riverside houses on the market in the UK
The best riverside houses on the market in the UK
Situated upstream from Shepperton lock, this beautiful four-bedroom property boasts a feature you probably won't have seen before in the UK. Accessible by boat, this spacious family home boasts river ...
Druitt Gardens - The Practical Traveller's guide to places to visit in Christchurch UK
Hi and welcome to another practical traveller’s guide. Today we are looking at Druitt Gardens and Hall in Christchurch, Dorset.
Christchurch, on the south coast of England is a town and borough. It’s sandwiched between Bournemouth in the west and the New Forest to the east. Steeped in history it is definitely a place to visit if you find yourself in Dorset.
A particular favourite place with locals is Druitt Gardens which occupies approximately 1.20 hectares in the centre of Christchurch. Unless you know its there as a visitor to Christchurch you might miss it which would be a real shame. It’s a fantastic place to go for a walk, have a picnic, let the kids run around and enjoy the wildlife. Two protected species, Bats and Stag Beetles have been found in the gardens and their habitat must be preserved.
With several entrances is very easy to access. You will probably find the one down the side of the library in the middle of the High Street easiest if you are visiting the area. There are two open grassy areas, several paths and Druitt Hall is located in the north of the area
Druitt Hall was built with public subscription in 1953 to commemorate the Coronation, and it’s a fantastic example of 1950’s architecture.
In 2012 an application to demolish Druitt Hall was submitted by Christchurch Borough Council. Luckily The Friends of Druitt Hall fought a hard campaign to save the hall and in 2014, after much work the Council granted a 3-year Lease to Druitt Hall Community Association.
In September of that year the hall was 're-launched' sporting a newly-painted interior and exterior, new ladies toilets and sanded and re-varnished floors. Today the hall is well used for events, clubs, craft fairs, local produce markets and more. There is always something going on there so pop in if you get a chance.
Druitt gardens are a wonderful place to visit if you want to get away from it all, enjoy the wildlife and watch the world go by.
Be sure to check out the description for lots of link to useful places such as accommodation and food options as well as links to other vlogs of places to visit in Christchurch and surrounding area.
Don’t forget to check out our YouTube channel
Christchurch Castle and Norman House
Thanks so much for watch, we hope you visit Christchurch soon and have a great time. Don’t forget to hit the subscribe button and the Practical Travellers will see you soon.
#thepracticaltraveller #christchurch #placestovisit
Highcliffe Castle, Highcliffe on Sea, Christchurch, Dorset, England ( 1 )
HIGHCLIFFE CASTLE
Rothesay Drive Highcliffe Dorset BH23 4LE
Highcliffe Castle is a Grade I listed building now owned by Christchurch Council, and described as the most important remaining example of the Romantic and Picturesque style of architecture. It holds events open to the general public throughout the year open, and can be used for weddings and other private events.
Highcliffe Castle, situated on the cliffs at Highcliffe, Dorset, was built between 1831 and 1835 by Charles Stuart, 1st Baron Stuart de Rothesay in a Gothic Revival style on the site of High Cliff house, a Georgian Mansion designed for the 3rd Earl of Bute ( a founder of Kew Gardens) with the gardens laid out by Capability Brown. The design, by William Donthorne, a founder member of RIBA, incorporated large quantities of carved Medieval stonework salvaged from the Norman Benedictine Abbey of St Peter at Jumieges and the Grande Maison des Andelys.
The Earl's fourth son, General Sir Charles Stuart sold the estate apart from the nearby smaller Bure Homage House.
All that remains of the original High Cliff are the two entrance lodges, now used as a restaurant, also some of the garden walls and features in the lands. The son of Sir Charles Stuart, also Charles Stuart, decided to buy his grandfather's estate and build a new house there. In 1828 Sir Charles Stuart became Lord Stuart de Rothesay.
Early retirement from the diplomatic service meant Lord Stuart could now start on the project to build the new house and by 1830 he had purchased much of the eastern end of the estate.
The castle is built on an L shaped plan, oriented on a south-east axis, so the oriel window is central on the south east elevation, providing a vista across the landscaped gardens to a panorama of the needles and Isle of Wight. The house remained in the family until 1950 when much of the estate was sold and eventually developed up to the castle walls.
For a time from 1950 to 1953 the Castle was a children's home before being sold to Claretian Missionary fathers as firstly a noviciate, then for use as a seminary. The castle was put up for sale in 1966, after many years of uncertainty and neglect the castle was eventually restored.
Today the Castle's renovated exterior is testimony of the remarkable skills of craftsmen and women who carried out a huge repair and conservation programme in the 1990s, jointly funded by Christchurch Borough Council, English Heritage and a £2.65 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Highcliffe Castle, Highcliffe on Sea, Christchurch, Dorset, England ( 3 )
HIGHCLIFFE CASTLE
Rothesay Drive Highcliffe Dorset BH23 4LE
Highcliffe Castle is a Grade I listed building now owned by Christchurch Council, and described as the most important remaining example of the Romantic and Picturesque style of architecture. It holds events open to the general public throughout the year open, and can be used for weddings and other private events.
Highcliffe Castle, situated on the cliffs at Highcliffe, Dorset, was built between 1831 and 1835 by Charles Stuart, 1st Baron Stuart de Rothesay in a Gothic Revival style on the site of High Cliff house, a Georgian Mansion designed for the 3rd Earl of Bute ( a founder of Kew Gardens) with the gardens laid out by Capability Brown. The design, by William Donthorne, a founder member of RIBA, incorporated large quantities of carved Medieval stonework salvaged from the Norman Benedictine Abbey of St Peter at Jumieges and the Grande Maison des Andelys.
The Earl's fourth son, General Sir Charles Stuart sold the estate apart from the nearby smaller Bure Homage House.
All that remains of the original High Cliff are the two entrance lodges, now used as a restaurant, also some of the garden walls and features in the lands. The son of Sir Charles Stuart, also Charles Stuart, decided to buy his grandfather's estate and build a new house there. In 1828 Sir Charles Stuart became Lord Stuart de Rothesay.
Early retirement from the diplomatic service meant Lord Stuart could now start on the project to build the new house and by 1830 he had purchased much of the eastern end of the estate.
The castle is built on an L shaped plan, oriented on a south-east axis, so the oriel window is central on the south east elevation, providing a vista across the landscaped gardens to a panorama of the needles and Isle of Wight. The house remained in the family until 1950 when much of the estate was sold and eventually developed up to the castle walls.
For a time from 1950 to 1953 the Castle was a children's home before being sold to Claretian Missionary fathers as firstly a noviciate, then for use as a seminary. The castle was put up for sale in 1966, after many years of uncertainty and neglect the castle was eventually restored.
Today the Castle's renovated exterior is testimony of the remarkable skills of craftsmen and women who carried out a huge repair and conservation programme in the 1990s, jointly funded by Christchurch Borough Council, English Heritage and a £2.65 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
LYDFORD CASTLE, DEVON, UNITED KINGDOM
ONE OF THE ANCIENT CASTLES, DEVON, UK
Highcliffe Castle, Highcliffe on Sea, Christchurch, Dorset, England ( 2 )
HIGHCLIFFE CASTLE
Rothesay Drive Highcliffe Dorset BH23 4LE
Highcliffe Castle is a Grade I listed building now owned by Christchurch Council, and described as the most important remaining example of the Romantic and Picturesque style of architecture. It holds events open to the general public throughout the year open, and can be used for weddings and other private events.
Highcliffe Castle, situated on the cliffs at Highcliffe, Dorset, was built between 1831 and 1835 by Charles Stuart, 1st Baron Stuart de Rothesay in a Gothic Revival style on the site of High Cliff house, a Georgian Mansion designed for the 3rd Earl of Bute ( a founder of Kew Gardens) with the gardens laid out by Capability Brown. The design, by William Donthorne, a founder member of RIBA, incorporated large quantities of carved Medieval stonework salvaged from the Norman Benedictine Abbey of St Peter at Jumieges and the Grande Maison des Andelys.
The Earl's fourth son, General Sir Charles Stuart sold the estate apart from the nearby smaller Bure Homage House.
All that remains of the original High Cliff are the two entrance lodges, now used as a restaurant, also some of the garden walls and features in the lands. The son of Sir Charles Stuart, also Charles Stuart, decided to buy his grandfather's estate and build a new house there. In 1828 Sir Charles Stuart became Lord Stuart de Rothesay.
Early retirement from the diplomatic service meant Lord Stuart could now start on the project to build the new house and by 1830 he had purchased much of the eastern end of the estate.
The castle is built on an L shaped plan, oriented on a south-east axis, so the oriel window is central on the south east elevation, providing a vista across the landscaped gardens to a panorama of the needles and Isle of Wight. The house remained in the family until 1950 when much of the estate was sold and eventually developed up to the castle walls.
For a time from 1950 to 1953 the Castle was a children's home before being sold to Claretian Missionary fathers as firstly a noviciate, then for use as a seminary. The castle was put up for sale in 1966, after many years of uncertainty and neglect the castle was eventually restored.
Today the Castle's renovated exterior is testimony of the remarkable skills of craftsmen and women who carried out a huge repair and conservation programme in the 1990s, jointly funded by Christchurch Borough Council, English Heritage and a £2.65 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Hurst Castle and Christchurch Castle [Castle Vlog Nr.17]
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Hello and welcome back to new castle Vlog!
This time we will visit Hurst castle and Christchurch castle.
Hurst castle located on hurst spit and I needed to walk more than a mile to get to the castle.
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Hurst Castle full history
Cristchurch Castle full history
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Salisbury, England (1080p HD)
Salisbury is a cathedral city in Wiltshire, England and the only city in the county. It is the second largest settlement (with the largest being Swindon) in the county. It has also been called New Sarum to distinguish it from the original site of settlement to the north of the city at Old Sarum, but this alternative name is not in common use.
The city is located in the south-east of Wiltshire, near the edge of Salisbury Plain. It sits at the confluence of five rivers: the Nadder, Ebble, Wylye and Bourne are tributary to the Avon, which flows to the south coast and into the sea at Christchurch, Dorset. Salisbury railway station serves the city, and is the crossing point between the West of England Main Line and the Wessex Main Line, making it a regional interchange.
Although the actual city was not established until 1220, there has been a settlement in the area since prehistory. There is evidence of Neolithic settlement on the hilltop of Old Sarum, which became a hill fort in the Iron Age. The Romans called this fort Sorviodunum and may also have occupied the fort. The Saxons established themselves there called it Searesbyrig and the Normans built a castle or Seresberi. By 1086, in the Domesday Book, it was called Salesberie.
The first Salisbury Cathedral was built on the hill by St Bishop Osmund between 1075 and 1092. A larger building was built on the same site circa 1120. However, deteriorating relations between the clergy and the military at Old Sarum led to the decision to re-site the cathedral elsewhere. Even in the 12th century, Peter of Blois had described the old church as a captive within the walls of the citadel like the ark of God in the profane house of Baal.
Filmed and edited by Sheety33, January 2012.
FC Lullingstone Castle
Set in this hidden valley overlooking a 19 acre lake beside the meandering River Darenth sits Lullingstone Castle. South Wing is a substantial portion of the original grand building offering unique and versatile five bedroom accommodation over three floors. Sympathetic restoration has been carried out by the present owners to retain all the charactor of the period but with a modern twist.
Leap Castle PRINCE'S OF ELY * HEART OF IRELAND * LORD O'CARROLL OF ELY Duke of Sutherland Identity
ROYAL FAMILY MEDIA CENTRE - OFCOM DSMA-NOTICE NEWS BLACKOUT:
MAINSTREAM NEWS MEDIA EXTRACTS: I
British Royal Family well seasoned commentators are believed to have remarked that the genesis of the Gerald 6th Duke of Sutherland identity theft case lies in the forging of the birth certificate which effectively brought about a wide cadre of public figures who took advantage following the death of his mother and father respectively HRH The Princess Marina Duchess of Kent and George 5th Duke of Sutherland later HRH Prince Edward Duke of Windsor and Sir Winston S. Churchill both godfathers to Gerald 6th Duke of Sutherland during the formative years
HISTORICAL FOOTNOTE: I
The Carroll Institute archival records are centered around the Lord O'Carroll of Ely kingdom which is situated in the heart of Ireland in the ancient province of Munster on the border with the Lord Marshal of Leinster estates. Lord Marshal and O'Carroll of Ely fixed place line known as the Pale Line documented in 1206 defined the southern border between Celtic Ireland and the Anglo-Norman Settlements within the province of Leinster in Ireland.
Leap Castle was a stronghold of the Lord O'Carroll of Ely powerful Irish Princes. A source of evil was found at Leap Castle that compounded and nurtured the spirit of the elemental who is believed to be the returning O'Carroll from King Richard Coeur de Lion third Crusade to the Holy Land in 1190. A hidden ubliet (a dungeon) was found off the bloody chapel a small room with a drop floor those who were forgotten within this room suffered unimaginable pain and misery until their death. Prisoners would be pushed into the room to fall through the floor and land on a spike eight feet below.
HISTORICAL FOOTNOTE: II
The Carroll Institute archival records include priceless parchment documents which are centered around the Westminster Hall London England original roof construction that was undertaken by King William Rufus who is thought to have received Oak as a Gift from the Princess of Ely Eire in 1097.
The Westminster Hall massive roof reconstruction which was undertaken by King Richard II in 1380 is believed to embraced elements of the Princess of Ely Oak Gift timber members from the original roof constructed by King William Rufus. King Richard II with his cousin Roger de Mortimer Earl of March road against the Lord O'Carroll of Ely in 1395 through to 1399 and on his final return to Westminster lost his crown in a Barons Revolt supported by the Lord O'Carroll of Ely.
The O'Carrolls of Ely had close family links with the English Plantagenet Kings and also with Robert Bruce of Scotland. Peter the Great of Russia close adviser General Patrick Gordon regarded as the founding father of the modern Russian Armed Forces. The O'Carroll's were members of the founding fathers of the United States of America a Signer of the Declaration of Independence Settlor of the Duddington estate known today as the US Capitol Hill Washington DC founding father of Georgetown University United States of America.
HISTORICAL FOOTNOTE: III
The Vatican City - Popes have generally resided within the Vatican City since the return from Avignon France in 1377. Lord Teige O'Carroll of Ely after attending the Court of King Richard II of England at Westminster Hall in 1391 then attended the Papal Court in 1392 and in 1395 Lord Teige O'Carroll defeated the forces of King Richard II which had invaded Ely under the command of the King's cousin Roger Mortimer Earl of March. The Kingdom of Ely had withstood the most powerful army in the world and repelled them out of their territory thus retaining the integrity of the ancient principality of Elie centered in the heart of Ireland until 1690.
The O'Carroll of Ely principality is situated in the ancient province of Munster on the borders of Queen's County and the Lord Marshal of Leinster estates. The Lord Marshal and Lord Carroll of Ely = FIXED PLACE LINE = known as = THE PALE = documented in 1206 defined the strategic valley southern border boundary between Celtic Ireland and the Anglo-Norman settlements within the province of Leinster.
The Annals of the Four Masters state that the O'Carrolls of Ely had close family links with the Marshal family with the English Plantagenet realm and also with Robert and Edward Bruce of Scotland.
Isabella Marshal heiress of the great Marshal Anglo-Irish estates born 9th October 1200 folklore mystery surrounds Lord Donoch O'Carroll of Ely and Isabella Marshal whose grandmother was descended from the Prince's of Ireland O'Carrolls of Ely. The Temple Church London is the final resting place of Lord Marshal of Leinster Earl of Pembroke and his first born son William. Lord Richard Marshal 3rd Earl of Pembroke lost his life in Ireland in a fierce battle along side Lord Teige O'Carroll of Ely.
International News Networks: I
International News Networks: II
Garda presence at Christchurch protecting Queen Lizzy and guests at State Dinner in Dublin Castle
Wed May 18 2011: Apparently we can't afford decent public services, but we can afford €30m+ to pay for a pointless, offensive visit which turned Dublin into a police state for a week.
Priorities, priorities, priorities!
(Demo organised by éirígí, dinner organised by cap doffing subservient jackeens)
Duchess of Cambridge and Prince George royal tour style in video
Watch what the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince George have been wearing in New Zealand and find out the labels and prices of their wardrobes on the royal tour.
April 7
Arrival in Wellington
The Duchess of Cambridge: red coat by Catherine Walker & Co (bespoke), hat by Gina Foster (£450), shoes by Emmy (£400)
April 9
Plunkett's Parent's Group playdate, Wellington
The Duchess of Cambridge: 'Paulina' style dress by Tory Burch (£390)
Prince George: dungarees by Rachel Riley (£77)
April 10
Visit to Blenheim, South Island
The Duchess of Cambridge: blue coat by Alexander McQueen (£2,345)
State reception, Wellington
The Duchess of Cambridge: black dress by Jenny Packham (bespoke)
April 11
Visit to Auckland and yacht race
The Duchess of Cambridge: jacket (£80) and jeans by Zara (£36), top by Me + Em (48), shoes by Russell & Bromley (£245)
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Arras Cathedral Ruins AKA Ruins Of Arras Cathedral (1916)
Arras, France.
World War One. Destruction; bombing. Ruins of cathedral and other buildings in Arras; France; 1916. Opens with shot of side of building; part intact; windows with shutters; part torn off. CU part of building with missing wall; doors; beams; leaning at all angles; one can see into room; with bed sliding down the caved in upper floor; wallpaper behind it--weird and surreal. Next a shot panning down another building with wall off; some of the rooms inside seem barely touched; so the effect is like a dolls house--one can see a parlour with fireplace; paintings; chairs; etc. Pan down to huge pile of rubble; French soldier walks by. GV wall of large building standing amidst ruins; pan to left across more ruins; with some houses in distance; continue pan left to ruins of cathedral; front mostly still standing but badly damaged.
FILM ID:1852.27
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2016, Christchurch Cathedral (Church of Ireland), Waterford, Ireland
Virtutes Instrumenti Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Christchurch Cathedral (Church of Ireland), Waterford, Ireland
The first cathedral to stand on this site was built in 1096 by the Vikings, who had recently converted from paganism to Christianity and affiliated themselves with the Archbishop of Canterbury. It was he who appointed Malchus as the first Bishop of Waterford, in fact one of the first in Ireland.
Less than one hundred years after its construction, the Cathedral hosted an event which would change the course of Irish history forever, with the marriage of Strongbow, an English knight, to an Irish princess named Aoife in 1170. This political union granted Aoife’s father, the deposed King of Leinster, troops from England to reclaim his throne and ensured Strongbow would inherit his kingship upon his father-in-law’s death.
By 1210 the Normans had taken control of Waterford and built a new Medieval Cathedral. This was expanded through the years to include side chapels dedicated to leading Waterford figures such as James Rice, who served as city mayor 11 times in the 15th Century. The base of one of the pillars of this Norman Cathedral still remains and has been opened up for viewing.
In the 18th Century, the progressive City Corporation of the time came to regard the Norman Cathedral as rather old-fashioned and recommended to the Bishop that a new one be constructed. Bishop Chenevix resisted this proposal, and it is said that a ruse was devised to encourage his change of mind. As he was walking through the Cathedral some rubble was strategically dropped in his path, close enough to shock the clergyman, who was soon found to support the construction of a new church. The Gothic Norman Cathedral was torn down in 1773, or rather blown down, as the building was so strongly constructed that the use of gunpowder was required in its demolition.
Construction on the new Cathedral began in in 1773 and was completed in 1779, at a total cost of £5,397. It was designed by John Roberts, whose imagination had given shape to much of Georgian Waterford. Roberts also designed the Roman Catholic Cathedral in Barronstrand Street, giving Waterford the unique distinction of being the only city in Europe where the Protestant and Catholic Cathedrals were conceived by the same man.
Architecture
This cathedral has been described by architectural historian Mark Girouard as the finest 18th Century Ecclesiastical building in Ireland. It was built in the Neo-Classical Georgian style which was de rigueur. Roberts was fond of this style, reminiscent of Ancient Greece and its elegance was in contrast to the ornate Gothic interiors of most of the churches in this time. The spectacular stucco plasterwork ceiling is very similar to what could be seen in many 18th Century palaces and stately homes across Europe.
What you see today varies slightly from this original construction, as a disastrous Organ Gallery fire in 1815 devastated the magnificent Elliot organ and much of the surrounding woodwork. The cathedral was closed for three years for repair and reconstruction. Some further improvements were deemed necessary in 1891 by Sir Thomas Drew, a leading architect of the time. The square pews and galleries were removed and the ground floor windows blocked up. A new case was built for the organ and it was taken down from its gallery and squeezed into the left-hand corner of the Cathedral. In 2003 the organ was restored and a new gallery was built to house it in its original position.
The Tetragrammaton
YHWH the holy and unutterable name of God
Given central place on the reredos behind the altar is the Tetragrammaton the letters YHWH, the holy and unutterable name of God in the Hebrew Bible. This roots the faith of Christians in the biblical tradition of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
The James Rice Tomb and the Camino
James Rice tomb
Cadaver Monument ‘I am what you will be; I was what you are now.’
James Rice was Mayor of Waterford eleven times during the 15th Century. In 1481 he built a chapel to house his tomb in the original Norman cathedral. It is a fine example of a cadaver monument, depicting the horror of death and the glory of saints. Weather damage has taken its toll down the centuries and made the Latin inscription quite difficult to read. Rice wished that his tomb be a reminder of the briefness of our earthly lives and the transient nature of fame, wealth and power. The tomb displays a badly decayed corpse, crawling with worms and with a frog feasting on the stomach. A section of the inscription reads, ‘I am what you will be; I was what you are now.’ The figures of saints can be seen on the sides of the tomb.
Rice walked the Camino pilgrimage twice during his lifetime and his tomb became a starting point for Waterford pilgrims as they embarked upon their journey to Santiago di Compostela.
Registered Nurse Sheena McLeod
Sheena McLeod moved to Christchurch from the UK with her family to work at the 24 Hour Surgery. Watch the video to hear what she has to say about her life in Christchurch.