Image ID: 26963

Southwell Minster

Westgate
Southwell
Nottinghamshire
England

The image is taken from a photograph album which was presented to Mr. and Mrs. White of the Swan Hotel, Mansfield by John Bayliss of Westminster; 'in testimony of their great kindness and attention to him, during the construction of the Mansfield Southwell railway. November 1871'. A magnificent example of Norman architecture with equally stunning medieval additions. Foundations exist from saxon times, The Minster at Southwell was probably built in 956 with King Eadwig granting a manor and land to the Archbishop of York, Oskytel, as one of the four Minsters of the See of York (the others are Ripon, Beverley and York.) and a collegiate church founded c 1050-60. After the Norman invasion, c1108-14, it became the mother Church of the County, and the west tower, nave and transepts date from this period. The present building dates from the aforementioned Norman building of the early 12th century, into the 13th century when the existing building was re-constructed by Archbishop Thomas II, including the Early English Quire (early 13th century) , altar and east transepts date between 1234-1241, and the stunning octagonal Chapter House on the north side of the Minster was added after 1288. The Minster is also famed for its detailed carvings (see NCCE000480). The Minster was granted Cathedral status in 1884.

Date: c 1871

Organisation Reference: NCCW001369

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