Carlisle Cathedral. England

Introduction

This evening I am reporting on Carlisle Cathedral in N.W. England. 

Information on Carlisle Cathedral

In recent years I have made at least seven visits to Carlisle (pop 75,000). These relates to my close interest in the on-going archaeological investigation of an important Roman site at the local cricket ground.Last week I found myself with a spare hour and took the opportunity to spend time at the local cathedral.

This cathedral is about 800 years old having commenced life as St. Mary's Priory by King Henry I in 1122.Subsequently, over the centuries, the cathedral building and it's wider complex suffered some damage resulting in a contraction of the cathedral's physical estate, notably the nave.This time span covers:

  • Official ceding of Carlisle from Scotland to England (1237).
  • Jacobite Uprising and English civil war. During the former the cathedral nave was used to hold Jacobite (mainly Scottish) prisoners. 
  • Removal of some stonework for use in the nearby castle.
  • Transition from Roman Catholic to Anglican worship around 1540. 

Today, the Cathedral is in excellent condition with particular features illustrated in the photographs below.

View towards the great east window. The altar and baldachino (canopy) date from 1934. 

St. Wilfrid's Chapel & The Brougham Triptych.The latter was probably made in Antwerp (Belgium) during the 15th or 16th centuries.

Internal view west.

Stunning choir ceiling which dates from mid-19th century.

Pulpit with 19th century organ

Pre-Reformation painted panels dating from time (possibly 15th century) when the cathedral was under Roman Catholic control.

External ruins, possibly that of the former cloisters.

There is a cafe facility on site.


 

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