Lichfield is a great city that goes back over one-thousand years. Based in the heart of the Midlands in Staffordshire, it is home to Lichfield Cathedral, perhaps one of the most beautiful medieval buildings in the country. Lichfield has a wonderful and rich history and is well worth the visit, not just for the cathedral but for everything else it has to offer.
Lichfield Cathedral holds a special place in English history and is truly a spectacle to behold. It is the only medieval building in England with three spires and considering it has been through a rough history, especially during the English Civil War in the 17th century, it still never fails to amaze.
Early history
The earliest known date of Lichfield Cathedral is in the 7th century when Bishop Hedda founded the site it stands on today in memory of Bishop Chad, who was Bishop of Mercia from 669 up until his death in 672. Hedda had built the new site to house and commemorate the relics of Chad.
It was originally a wooden structure, but this was demolished and rebuilt in stone by the Normans at the beginning of the 12th century. There are no remains of the Anglo-Saxon site, but the church holds two notable treasures from this period – The St Chad Gospels (730) and the stone carving known as The Lichfield Angel, which likely dates from from the 8th century. The Norman building was again replaced in the 13th century and rebuilt in the Gothic style, which still stands today.
The three spires at Lichfield Cathedral are known as ‘The Ladies of The Vale’, and they can be seen from all directions for miles around. By the time the spires were finally completed, a cathedral had stood on this site for over six hundred years.
Nave
The nave of Lichfield Cathedral has mostly been replaced and restored over the years, but it does still retain some medieval features. The columns and windows are thought to be from the thirteenth century during its rebuilding, but in the 18th century the medieval stone vaultings were replaced with a wood and plaster copy.
During excavations and the replacement of the nave altar in 2003, a piece of the Anglo-Saxon Lichfield Angel was found. It is thought that this area of the nave may have been the original site of the shrine of St Chad, as a stone chest which possibly could have housed Chad’s relics was also found, as well as a number of other burials, mostly likely medieval priests and pilgrims.
The Chapter House
The Chapter House at Lichfield Cathedral was built in 1249. There is a medieval carving of Christ above the doorway, and stone seats are carved into the walls. During medieval times, it is thought the Chapter House was used to hold meetings for electing bishops. There are many medieval carvings above these seats, including a cat with a mouse and a Green Man.
Today, the Chapter House holds many treasures and relics, including The St Chad Gospels, The Lichfield Angel, Summa Predicantium, The Decretals of Pope Gregory IX, Chronicles of the Hundred Years War, and a book depicting many of the knights and coats of arms of the Order of the Garter. Most of these are from the Middle Ages and offer some amazing insight into the history of the cathedral.
The Lady Chapel
At the beginning of the 14th century, Bishop de Langton began work on the construction of the Lady Chapel (there are other Lady Chapels across the country, and they are dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary). It was decided that this chapel would be added on to the main structure of the cathedral; unfortunately de Langton died in 1321 and he was unable to witness the completion of the building, which was finished a few years after his death.
At the entrance to the chapel, there are monuments dedicated to Bishop de Langton, who paid for the construction of the building; Bishop Hedda, who founded the cathedral; and Bishop Lonsdale, who was bishop at the time of the cathedral’s 19th-century restoration. Higher up in the chapel there are stone carvings of tiny praying angels, as well as statues of various female saints.
The stained glass in the Lady Chapel is also a beautiful sight to see. During the Middle Ages, these were probably filled with coloured glass, a popular way of telling stories and showing worshippers what heaven was like. However, during the English Civil War the windows took a beating, and by the 18th century the medieval glass was gone. Luckily, a local landowner found coloured glass from a Roman Catholic abbey in Belgium, which had been removed during the French revolutionary wars. The glass was purchased and installed in the seven windows in the Lady Chapel.
Another interesting fact about the Lady Chapel is that it contains the site of the shrine of St Chad. It is unlikely that this is the original location for the shrine, as the first one would have been located elsewhere in the cathedral.
Exterior Statues
There are 160 ornately carved statues around all of Lichfield Cathedral. These are carved figures of various kings, queens, and saints. By the end of the 19th century the majority of these statues were seriously deteriorated, only five remain from the Middle Ages, as well as the ‘Christ in Majesty’ on the roof of the west doorway; the rest were all replaced. The West Front is decorated with 113 statues alone, and each figure is inscribed with their name. The statue of Queen Victoria was sculpted by her daughter, Princess Louise.
Some of the statues that really stood out to me were the Norman and Plantagenet dynasties, starting with William I (the Conqueror) going all the way to Richard II. There are also figures of various Saxon kings, starting with Peada and ending with Edward the Confessor. As well as these statues having names inscribed, there are also characteristics or attributes defining the figures: King John with a feather and the Magna Carta, William the Conqueror with the Doomsday Book and a sword, and so forth.
There is also a statue of King Charles II at Lichfield Cathedral. When the monarchy was restored in 1660 after the events of the English Civil War, Charles II was generous enough to supply money and timber towards repairs for the cathedral, which had suffered some extensive damage during this time. The statue was originally placed in the principal position by the West Front, but the Victorians eventually moved it to the south side of the building, and the effects of the weather over the years have diminished the statue greatly.
For a full list and description of the many statues at Lichfield Cathedral, you can visit this website.
There is so much more to Lichfield Cathedral. It is a stunning place and you will be awestruck if you ever decide to visit, it is certainly one of the most beautiful buildings in England, and everything that accompanies it is simply amazing. If you haven’t been, put it on your list and prepare to be amazed, and if you have been, let me know your thoughts!
Photography by Steven Blakemore
References
https://www.lichfield-cathedral.org/
https://visitlichfield.co.uk/business-directory/lichfield-cathedral