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The founding of the cathedral at Exeter, dedicated to Saint Peter, dates from 1050, when the seat of the bishop of Devon and Cornwall was transferred from Crediton because of a fear of sea-raids. A Saxon minster already existing within the town (and dedicated to Saint Mary and Saint Peter) was used by Bishop Leofric as his seat, but services were often held out of doors, close to the site of the present cathedral building. In 1107, William Warelwast , a nephew of William the Conqueror, was appointed to the see, and this was the catalyst for the building of a new cathedral in the Norman style. Its official foundation was in 1133, after Warelwast's time, but it took many more years to complete. Following the appointment of Walter Bronescombe as bishop in 1258, the building was already recognised as outmoded, and it was rebuilt in the Decorated Gothic style, following the example of nearby SalisburySalisbury Cathedral is located in Salisbury, England. Building commenced when the bishopric was moved here from Old Sarum in 1220 during the tenure of Richard Poore. By 1258 the nave, transepts and choir were complete. The magnificent west front was ready. However, much of the Norman building was kept, including the two massive square towers and part of the walls. It was constructed entirely of local stone, including PurbeckPurbeck is a local government district in Dorset, England, named for the Isle of Purbeck. Its council is based in Wareham. Settlements Settlements with a population over 2,500 are in bold . Affpuddle, Arne Bere Regis, Bloxworth Chaldon Herring, Church Kno marble. The new cathedral was complete by about 1400Events Henry IV quells baron rebellion and executes The Earls of Kent, Huntingdon and Salisbury for their attempt to have Richard II of England restored as King Jean Froissart writes the "Chronicles" Medici family becomes powerful in Florence, Italy Birth, apart from the addition of the chapter houseA chapter house is a building or room attached to a cathedral or collegiate church in which meetings are held. When attached to a cathedral, the cathedral chapter meets there. When attached to a collegiate church, the dean, prebendaries and canons of the and chantry chapel s.
The west end of Exeter Cathedral
Like most English cathedrals, Exeter suffered during the Dissolution of the MonasteriesThe Dissolution of the Monasteries (sometimes called the Suppression of the Monasteries was the formal process, taking place between 1536 and 1540, by which King Henry VIII confiscated the property of the Roman Catholic institutions in England for himself, but not as much as it would have done had it been a monastic foundation. Further damage was done during the English Civil WarThe English Civil War is the period of conflict in the kingdoms of England, Scotland and Ireland between 1639 and 1651, and also refers specifically to the two wars ( 1642 1645 and 1648 1649) between the Royalist supporters of Charles I of England and the, when the cloisters were destroyed. During the Victorian eraJune 20, 1837) gave her name to the historic era. The Victorian Era of Great Britain is considered the height of the British industrial revolution and the apex of the British Empire. It is often defined as the years from 1837 to 1901, when Queen Victoria, some refurbishment was carried out by George Gilbert Scott. The bombing of the city in World War II caused considerable damage to the cathedral, including the loss of most of the stained glass. Subsequent repairs and the clearance of the area around the western end of the building uncovered portions of earlier structures, including remains of the Roman city and of the original Norman cathedral. Notable features of the interior include the great clock, the minstrels gallery , and the ceiling bosses, one of which depicts the murder of Thomas Becket.
British cathedrals
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