John de Ramsey facts for kids
John de Ramsey was a very important English master mason and architect who lived in the 14th century. He worked on many amazing buildings in Gothic architecture style across England. A master mason was like a chief builder and designer, leading big construction projects.
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Who Was John de Ramsey?
John de Ramsey was active from about 1304 to 1349. He came from a family of builders! His father, Richard Curteys (also known as Richard le Machun), was also a mason who worked at Norwich Cathedral in the late 1200s. John de Ramsey himself was probably a talented sculptor too.
What Did John de Ramsey Build?
John de Ramsey was known for his work on two very famous cathedrals: Norwich Cathedral and Ely Cathedral.
Norwich Cathedral Work
In 1304, John de Ramsey was the Master of the Works at Norwich Cathedral. This meant he was in charge of all the building projects there. At that time, a new, separate bell tower (called a belfry) was being built. This tower is no longer standing today.
Later, between 1324 and 1330, John de Ramsey likely designed and worked on the southern parts of the cathedral's cloisters. Cloisters are covered walkways, usually found in monasteries or cathedrals, that surround an open courtyard. They are often very beautiful and peaceful places.
Ely Cathedral Work
John de Ramsey also played a big role at Ely Cathedral in Cambridgeshire. He was probably in charge of the construction there between about 1322 and 1326. Ely Cathedral is famous for its stunning octagonal (eight-sided) lantern tower, which was a very advanced design for its time.
John de Ramsey's Family Legacy
John de Ramsey's influence didn't stop with him. His son, William de Ramsey, became an even more famous architect! William worked in London and was very important in developing a new style of Gothic architecture called Perpendicular Gothic. This style is known for its strong vertical lines and large windows.
