Salisbury Cathedral Image One

Salisbury Cathedral
Introduction
Once known as the Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, an Anglicacathedral is now
referred to as Salisbury Cathedral. The cathedral has been identified as one of the leading
examples of Early English Gothic architecture. This style emphasized height and light and
compared to the bulkier, heavier buildings of the 11th and 12th centuries, it was quite
revolutionary. Salisbury was built nearly to completion within a single generation. As a result,
the final structure presents a unity of vision that is very satisfying and evocative of a single era
of English architecture and is probably the finest example of the Early English style in the
country.
Building Name: Salisbury Cathedral
Building/architecture style: Gothic style
Location: Wiltshire, England, SP1 2EF
Date: 1220-1258 (the original cathedral was completed ), the cathedral was finally completed
by 25 March 1266
Architect: Richard Poore

Historical Influence: The cathedral made use of the new techniques of style from Early
English Gothic architecture, also known as “Lancet”. Additionally, the cathedral shows the
reference to the Romanesque architectural style.
The most fundamental element of the Gothic style of architecture is the pointed arch, which
was likely borrowed from Islamic architecture. The pointed arch relieved some of the thrust,
and therefore, the stress on other structural elements. It then became possible to reduce the size
of the columns or piers that supported the arch. Moreover, principal structural features of what
came to be called classical High Gothic were established at Charters and refined in the later
buildings. These are, the quadripartite ribbing, slender towers topped with spires, lancet
windows – both single and grouped and the piers with narrow, clustered shafts.
Characteristics:
Roof – A characteristic of Gothic church architecture is its height, both absolute and proportion
to its width. Salisbury Cathedral has the tallest spire in the world, at 123 metres (403 ft),
equivalent to a modern forty story building. The spire originated in the 12th century as a simple,
four-sided pyramidal roof, generally abrupt and stunted, capping the church tower. Having only
one spire, it is positioned perfectly over the meeting of the nave and the transept giving it
architectural completeness that is exceedingly rare.
Building materials – Since the gothic movement in Europe arose as a response to Romanesque
ideas about religion and art. The new Christian doctrine that was focused on Christ avoided the
Romanesque’s focus on hell and doomsday. Therefore, to translate lighter, happier religious
ideas into architecture, architects began to deconstruct the cathedrals. Unnecessary weight was
removed from the exterior walls and in its place, flying buttresses were added to the exterior
of churches to support the great vaults that spanned the naves. This technique is used at
Salisbury Cathedral, where several different buttressing techniques were used.
The first was a system concealed beneath the side aisle roofs. The second system was a system
of more visible external flying buttresses located around the larger cross arms, which was added
to prevent damage caused by the weight of the spire. The third was added for extra stability
which is located at the choir transept transitions into the Trinity Chapel. Hence, from an
architecture standpoint, the flying buttresses were necessary to help support the weight of
Salisbury Cathedral’s spanning ribbed vaults; a technique developed within the Gothic
movement. The ribs created a web-like design in each of the vaults that emphasized their span
and heights as well as supported them structurally. Therefore, with the flying buttresses as
support, the vaults added to the airy feeling of the Cathedral and allowed in an ample amount
of sunlight through its stained glass windows.
The cathedral makes exceptional use of Purbeck marble. This is a crystalline limestone and it
was quarried in Corfe Castle, Dorset. The Purbeck marble is used primarily in column shafts
of the nave and aisles, and the vault ribs.
Windows – stained glass windows are another element associated with the gothic period. The
beautiful coloured glass allows light into the Salisbury Cathedral and creates a jewel-like glow
on the grey stone. The flying buttresses support larger spans of glass, allowing for large, tall
lancet style windows to line the Cathedral. Therefore, depicting religious scenes or rituals
associated with historical events through the glass.
Structural and ornament/ decorative features – Walking up the entrance of the cathedral,
individuals get the chance to look up at the façade. Apart from the seventy-nine statues, each
side is a perfect copy of the other, as this style of symmetry was well known to medieval
architects, e.g. Ellias Wereham who was the master designer behind Salisbury Cathedral. The
statues are found on the front façade in seven tiers and some were added as recently as the
twenty-first century.
Characteristics:

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Salisbury Cathedral

Building Name: Salisbury Cathedral

Building/architecture style: Gothic style

Location: Wiltshire, England, SP1 2EF

Architect: Richard Poore

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