Image ID: 04335

Southwell Minster, Westgate, Southwell

Courtesy of The Dean and Chapter of Southwell Minster

Westgate
Southwell
England

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.

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Southwell Library