Five English cathedrals

England’s medieval cathedrals are amongst the most architecturally diverse in Europe. The majority display unlikely combinations of styles and periods, often with little regard for each other. Hence, whereas the classic cathedrals of France are often single, cohesive design and campaigns, their English equivalents often appear a mess. This is their great interest. The five cathedrals studied will combine all the major styles of English medieval architecture, occasionally all at once. Durham is one of Europe’s finest and most important Romanesque buildings though there are later Gothic additions. Ely combines almost everything the English came up with between 1080 and 1350. Gloucester divides almost equally between a curious Romanesque style and pioneering work of the mid-14th-century. Norwich also reveals a mature Romanesque core though one transformed in the late Middle Ages with stunning Perpendicular additions. Canterbury simply has everything, and all of the highest quality.

Why did the English mix and match in this way? One reason was money – the cash available rarely, if ever, matched their continental cousins. Another reason is that England’s major churches kept falling down – they were remarkably badly built! But the English also regarded their churches as more than just buildings; many were venerated as relics associated with their saints and founders.

This course will examine each building as a complete study, though each class will move the story of English medieval architecture onwards until we reach Canterbury, the culmination of all the best.

Learning outcomes:

1. A better understanding of the progress and variety of architectural styles available in medieval England;
2. An appreciation of the reluctance and occasional refusal of the English to throw anything away;
3. A better understanding of the unique combination of functions within all the cathedrals studies.

Session titles:

1. Durham, star of the Romanesque style
2. Ely, a story of sluggish progress and spectacular collapse 
3. Gloucester, a country cousin turned metropolitan superstar
4.  Norwich, superb Romanesque, even better late Gothic
5. Canterbury, the last word in the finest English medieval building

All course content will be delivered online via the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). You will be taught largely through a series of pre-recorded talks (which may be audio and/or video), designed to help you address different aspects of the main topic. You will normally have access to a range of useful resources and suggested activities.

There will also be an element of interactive work, and the opportunity for you to engage in written form with other course participants and discuss questions set by the Course Director via the Course Forum. The Course Director will generally respond to a selection of key questions and comments on a daily basis.

Some courses may also have elements of optional live discussions via Zoom.

There are no pre-requisites for courses, unless specified, and all are open to adult learners over 18 years old. Courses are taught at approximately first-year undergraduate level.

Content will be made available on each day of the course, Monday to Friday, from 8.00am BST. Course content will normally amount to c 1.5hrs per day across the 5 days, comprising of material delivered by the Course Director and activities/reading set, which would include discussions via the course forum. You may also need to complete reading or other preparation suggested in advance of the course.

We therefore suggest that you set aside approximately 1.5 hours of study per day to complete each day’s content and activities. However, this does not need to be done in one sitting, and you have the flexibility to access content when and where you want, and to go back and review it as often as you wish. Each course runs for one week and content will remain available to access on the VLE for 2 weeks after the course has finished.

A Certificate of Participation for the course(s) will be sent electronically, upon request via email, after the end of the Summer Festival. Details will be provided on the VLE.