Salisbury Cathedral

A study of the architectural history of Salisbury Cathedral, exploring the original intentions of its masons, the efficacy of remedial work carried out over 700 years to maintain it, and the continued relevance of the building today.





Salisbury is rightly famed for its spire, which still towers over the city. It is unquestionably the most remarkable element of the Cathedral, although the body of the church - graceful and sober, with simple lines linside and out - is itself an impressive example of the Early English Gothic style which blossomed in the early years of the thirteenth century.

The spire, added one hundred years later in a more ornate ('Decorated') style, was imposed upon the existing building without any significant alteration or reinforcement to the structure below. As a result the stone below the steeple has distorted dramatically. A major part of the study was a theoretical investigation into the behaviour of the four main piers at the crossing of the nave and transepts, which support the steeple like legs on a table.

The results were compared to measured data.







As the crossing piers have bent away from each other, the walls of the steeple itself have peeled apart. A number of structural elements have been installed over the centuries to limit this displacement.





Above: section through the Eight Doors from Francis Price's singular work A Series of Particular and Useful Observations, made with Great Diligence and Care, upon that Admirable Structure, the Cathedral-Church of Salisbury (1753).




Today, constant attention is required to conserve the 700-year old fabric. Damaged stone is painstakingly repaired or replaced. The Cathedral maintains a traditional workshop of banker masons crafting spectacularly ornate details from local Chilmark limestone.





Under This Light, Through the Night-dress (from the album Vessels)




© No Spinoza
2006