Henry Yevele facts for kids

Henry Yevele (born around 1320, died 1400) was a very important and busy master builder in England during the late Middle Ages. He was known for designing and overseeing the construction of many famous buildings. The first record of him is from 1353. This is when he gained the freedom of London. This meant he could work and trade freely in the city. By 1356, he was so well-known that he was chosen to advise the city leaders about building rules.

Henry Yevele's Building Career

Henry Yevele started working on royal buildings around 1357. He was hired to rebuild the Black Prince's manor house in Kennington. This project cost a lot of money for that time. In 1360, he became the "disposer" of royal building projects. This meant he managed all the king's construction work. He oversaw projects at the Palace of Westminster and the Tower of London. Even with this big job, he still took on other building work.

Important Projects in London

At the Palace of Westminster, Yevele was in charge of updating Westminster Hall. He also built two important buildings there. One was the Jewel Tower (1365–1366). The other was a clock tower (1366–1367), which is now gone. This clock tower helped keep time for the royal courts.

At the Tower of London, Yevele built the famous Bloody Tower. His brother, Robert, helped with smaller jobs there. These included adding a vaulted ceiling to an old watergate. At this time, a lot of royal building was happening at Windsor Castle. Yevele supplied building materials to many royal sites. These were in Kent, Surrey, and London.

Famous Church Buildings

Some of Yevele's most important works are the naves of Westminster Abbey (started 1362) and Canterbury Cathedral (started 1377). The nave is the main part of a church where people sit. The Canterbury Cathedral nave was built in the early Perpendicular Gothic style. This was a popular English building style.

Advising on Castles and Walls

Yevele also gave advice on repairs and new buildings. He worked on castles like Southampton (1378–1379) and Carisbrooke (1380–1385). He also advised on Winchester Castle (1390–1400) and Portchester Castle (1384–1385). He helped with the town walls of Canterbury (1385–1386). It's not clear how much he designed these projects himself.

In the 1380s and 1390s, important people asked for his advice. One was William of Wykeham, a powerful bishop. By 1390, Yevele was excused from some duties because of his age.

Work for Other Important People

Yevele also worked for people who were not the king. For example, he did work for John of Gaunt in 1375. John of Gaunt was a very rich and powerful duke. Yevele also designed a grand tomb for him and his wife. This tomb was in Old St Paul's Cathedral. He also designed a new part for the church of St Dunstan-in-the-East in London.

From 1368, he helped manage London Bridge. He was likely the designer of the chapel on the bridge. This chapel was built between 1384 and 1397.

Henry Yevele's Death

Henry Yevele died in the year 1400. He was buried at the church of St Magnus-the-Martyr near London Bridge. His tomb was still there in the late 1500s. But it was probably destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666.

Key Works by Henry Yevele

Here are some of the buildings and projects that Henry Yevele worked on:

• Kennington Manor (part, 1358, now destroyed)
• Bloody Tower at the Tower of London (1361)
• Abbot's House and College Hall, Westminster Abbey (1362)
• Nave and west cloister, Westminster Abbey (1362)
• Palace of Westminster clock tower (1365, now destroyed)
• Parts of old London Bridge (now destroyed)
• London Charterhouse (1371)
• High altar screen of Durham Cathedral (1372–1380)
• Savoy Palace (part, 1376, now destroyed)
• West Gate, Canterbury (1378)
• South transept façade of Old St Paul's Cathedral (1381–1388)
• Old St Dunstan-in-the-East (part, 1381, now destroyed)
• Rochester bridge (1383, now destroyed)
• Canterbury city walls (1385)
• Nave and south cloister of Canterbury Cathedral (1377–1400)
• Westminster Hall (1395)

Tombs Designed by Yevele

Henry Yevele also designed several important tombs:

• Cardinal Simon Langham (died 1376) in Westminster Abbey (1389)
• King Edward III in Westminster Abbey (after 1386)
• King Richard II in Westminster Abbey (1395)
• Edward, the Black Prince in Canterbury Cathedral (1376)
• Archbishop Simon Sudbury in Canterbury Cathedral (around 1391)
• John of Gaunt and Blanche of Lancaster (1374–1380; now destroyed) in Old St Paul's Cathedral.

Images for kids

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  Canterbury Cathedral, the south side of the nave

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  Canterbury Cathedral, the south aisle of the nave

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  Canterbury Cathedral, nave looking west

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  Canterbury Cathedral, nave looking east

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  Canterbury Cathedral, vaulting in nave

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  Canterbury Cathedral, cloisters

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  West gate, Canterbury

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  Westminster Hall, roof by Hugh Herland

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  Westminster Abbey, nave looking east

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  Westminster Abbey, vaulting in nave

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  King Edward III's Tomb, Westminster Abbey