Worcester Cathedral facts for kids

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Quick facts for kids Worcester Cathedral
Cathedral Church of Christ and Blessed Mary the Virgin
Worcester Cathedral
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Location	Worcester (Worcestershire)
Country	United Kingdom
Denomination	Church of England
Website	worcestercathedral.co.uk
History
Former name(s)	Worcester Priory
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Style	Norman, Gothic
Years built	1084–1504
Specifications
Length	130 m (426.51 ft)
Nave length	53 m (173.88 ft)
Width	44 m (144.36 ft)
Nave width	9 m (29.53 ft)
Nave height	20 m (65.62 ft)
Number of towers	1
Tower height	62 m (203.41 ft)
Bells	16 hung for change ringing
Tenor bell weight	48cwt - 0qr - 2lb in B
Administration
Diocese	Worcester (since 670)
Province	Canterbury

Arms of Worcester Cathedral

Flag of Worcester Cathedral, consisting of the cathedral's arms in the canton of a Saint George's Cross, usually flown from the cathedral tower

Worcester Cathedral is a famous church in Worcester, England. Its full name is the Cathedral Church of Christ and Blessed Mary the Virgin. It belongs to the Church of England.

This amazing building is the main church for the Worcester area. It is also the home of the bishop of Worcester. The cathedral is a very important historic site, protected as a Grade I listed building.

The cathedral was first started in 680 AD. The oldest parts you can still see today were built in 1084. Back then, it was rebuilt in the Romanesque style. Over the years, new parts were added in the Gothic style. The central tower, which is very beautiful, was finished in 1374.

Inside, you can find old wooden seats called misericords. The cathedral was also greatly repaired in the 1800s. It holds the tombs of important people like King John and Arthur, Prince of Wales.

A Look at Worcester Cathedral's Past
Cathedral Architecture and Design
Burials and Memorials
The Cathedral Library
Misericords: Hidden Carvings
The Cathedral Bells
Music at the Cathedral
Special Events
Images for kids
See also

A Look at Worcester Cathedral's Past

How the Cathedral Began

The cathedral was founded in the year 680. A priest named Tatwine was meant to be its first bishop. But he passed away before he could take the job. So, Bishop Bosel became the first serving bishop of Worcester.

The very first church here was dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul. Sadly, none of that first church remains today. However, the crypt (an underground room) of the current cathedral is from the 11th century. It was built during the time of Bishop Wulfstan.

In the 900s, the church community became more organized. They followed strict rules, similar to a monastery. This was part of a big change called the Benedictine reforms. A bishop named Oswald brought these rules from France. He started a monastery here around 966, dedicated to St. Mary.

The Medieval Years

The medieval cloisters

After the Norman Conquest, most English bishops were replaced. But Wulfstan, the last Anglo-Saxon bishop of Worcester, stayed. He was later made a saint.

Worcester Cathedral is the burial place of King John. He was the brother of Richard the Lionheart. King John asked to be buried here before he died in 1216.

The cathedral was also a powerful place in the city. It owned a lot of land and was important for the local economy. It was a center for learning and even had schools. The church also had close ties with important families. It played a huge role in the daily life of the city.

Changes and Challenges

The monastery at Worcester ended during King Henry VIII's reign. This was part of the Dissolution of the Monasteries. In 1535, the head of the monastery, William More, left his position.

A new bishop, Hugh Latimer, wanted to reform the church. He preached against old traditions. But he resigned in 1539 when King Henry VIII changed his mind about some religious ideas.

At the time, there were about 35 monks at Worcester. In 1540, the monastery was officially closed. Some monks were given money to live on. Others became priests in the new church system.

The cathedral's old library had many important books. These books are now spread out in different libraries. You can still see parts of the old monastery from the 12th and 13th centuries.

The English Civil War

During the Civil War, the cathedral was used to store weapons. In 1642, royalist soldiers kept their supplies there. When Parliament's army took the city, they damaged the cathedral.

Stained glass windows were broken. The organ was destroyed. Books from the library and monuments were also ruined. After the war, the church was even used as a prison.

From Victorian Times to Today

In the 1860s, the cathedral had a big makeover. Sir George Gilbert Scott led major restoration work. Most of the inside decorations and stained glass are from this time.

An image of the cathedral used to be on the back of the British £20 banknote. This was between 1999 and 2007. It honored the famous composer Sir Edward Elgar.

Cathedral Architecture and Design

The nave

Worcester Cathedral shows many features typical of old English cathedrals. It has two transepts (parts that cross the main building). This is different from many European cathedrals. Two transepts helped many priests say prayers at the same time.

Like other English cathedrals, it has a chapter house and a cloister. A chapter house is where the clergy meet. A cloister is a covered walkway, often around a garden. On the north side, there is an entrance porch. This helped stop drafts from blowing through the church.

The building has parts from every century, from the 11th to the 16th. Its central tower is in the Perpendicular style. It looks especially beautiful from across the River Severn.

The oldest part is the crypt, built in the Norman style. It has many columns and dates back to 1084. The round chapter house from 1120 is also Norman. Its outside was made octagonal later.

The nave (the main part of the church) was built over 200 years. It shows a mix of Norman and Gothic styles. Some parts have unique patterns. The oldest sections use green sandstone and yellow limestone.

The lady chapel and east window

The Norman crypt

The east end was rebuilt between 1224 and 1269. It is in a style similar to Salisbury Cathedral. From 1360, John Clyve finished the nave and added its vaulted ceiling. He also built the west front and the north porch. His best work is the central tower from 1374. It once had a tall spire, but that is gone now.

Later, more parts were added to the cloister. The last big addition was Prince Arthur’s Chantry Chapel. This was built between 1502 and 1504.

From 1857 to 1874, the cathedral was greatly restored. Most of the current decorations and stained glass are from this time.

Burials and Memorials

The interior, looking east.

Tomb chest in the nave.

The Cloister gardens.

Grave of Stanley Baldwin and his wife Lucy

The cathedral is the resting place of King John. He is buried in the chancel, the area near the altar. He lies between the shrines of St Wulfstan and St Oswald.

There is also a special memorial for Prince Arthur Tudor. He was the older brother of King Henry VIII. Prince Arthur is buried here. The cathedral was saved from total destruction by Henry VIII. This was because his brother's chapel was inside.

Other important people buried or remembered here include:

Godfrey Giffard (died 1302), a powerful bishop and Lord Chancellor.
Ivor Atkins (1869–1953), a choirmaster and organist.
Alfred Barry (1826–1910), a former Bishop of Sydney.
William Hamilton, 2nd Duke of Hamilton (1616–1651), a Scottish Royalist leader.
Stanley Baldwin, a former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
Francis Brett Young (1884–1954), a famous author from Worcestershire.

The Cathedral Library

The library at Worcester Cathedral is in a loft above the South Nave. It holds many old books and documents. There are 289 medieval manuscripts. These are books written by hand before printing was common. It also has 55 incunabula, which are very early printed books.

The library has a total of 19,000 archived documents. It also has a music collection. This includes works by famous composers like Edward Elgar. Important items include the Worcester Antiphoner, a unique music book. There is also the will of King John and a 1225 copy of Magna Carta.

In the past, the cathedral had a large scriptorium. This was a place where monks copied and created manuscripts. Many famous scribes worked here.

Misericords: Hidden Carvings

Misericord N-07, The Clever Daughter

The cathedral has 39 special wooden carvings called misericords. Most of these date from 1379. They are found on the underside of the choir stalls. When the seats are folded up, you can see these small, detailed carvings.

They show many different scenes. Some are from the Bible. Others show myths and folklore. For example, one carving (N-07) shows "The Clever Daughter." She is draped in a net, riding a goat, and carrying a rabbit. Three of the misericords are newer, from the Victorian era.

The Cathedral Bells

The tower of Worcester Cathedral has a set of bells. There are twelve main bells for change ringing. This is a special way of ringing bells in a pattern. There are also four smaller bells and a very large bell called a bourdon.

The current 15 ringing bells were made in 1928. They were cast by John Taylor & Co. The bourdon bell was made in 1869. It is used by the clock to strike the hours. It also tolls for special events.

The bells at Worcester are the sixth heaviest set of twelve in the world. They are known for their beautiful sound. The bells hang in a wooden frame built in 1869. The cathedral also has a special training center. It has eight practice bells linked to computers.

Music at the Cathedral

The transept organ-case

The choir

Worcester Cathedral has three choirs. The main choir has both boys' and girls' sections. There is also a Voluntary Choir and a Chamber Choir. All these choirs perform regularly.

Since the 1700s, the Cathedral Choir has taken part in the Three Choirs Festival. This is the oldest music festival in the world.

The famous composer Edward Elgar lived most of his life in Worcestershire. His well-known piece, Enigma Variations, was first performed here. This happened during the 1899 Three Choirs Festival. There is a stained glass window in the cathedral that shows his portrait.

The cathedral has a long history of organs, dating back to 1417. The current main organ was completed in 2008. It is a large and impressive instrument. There is also a separate organ in the nave.

Many famous organists have worked at Worcester. These include Thomas Tomkins and David Willcocks.

Special Events

Worcester Cathedral is still a busy place today. It hosts the yearly graduation ceremonies for the University of Worcester. These events take place over four days in November.

Since 2018, the cathedral has also hosted the annual awards celebration for the Royal Life Saving Society UK. This event honors people who have shown great service in lifesaving.