Exeter Cathedral

In the interior of the triple-naved pillared basilica the tierceron, a long stretch of continuous fan vaulting resting on massive sheaved columns running as far as the east end of the choir, is allegedly the longest ribbed vaulting in the world. It has magnificent keystones and intensifies the particular character of this distinctive longitudinal English Gothic building. On the northern wall of the central nave the Minstrel Gallery built by John Gradisson (Bishop from 1327-1369) has angels playing musical instruments below baldachins still mostly in the original colors. There are attractive groups of consoles (14th century) on the pillar beyond the chancel (1687) with a storyteller offering a headstand as a present to the Mother of God on the opposite column of the central nave.The choir screen with 17th century paintings was completed in 1325, during the Commonwealth (1649-1660) it was walled in, in order that the Independents could use the main nave and the Presbyterians could use the choir for their worship. Of particular interest are the 50 or so misericords from 1230-1270 which are integrated into the 19th century choirstalls, including an elephant with cow's feet, sirens, a king in a cauldron. Close to the high altar is a medieval sedilia (14th century) with stone baldachins. The lectern in the form of a brass eagle (symbol of John the Baptist) dates from around 1500. The splendid 55ft/17m-high Bishop's Throne is a masterpiece of Gothic wood carving (1313-1317) with panels depicting Bishops Warelwart (d. 1136), Quivil (d. 1291), Stapledon (d. 1326) and Grandisson (d. 1369), the leading architects of the cathedral. The tombs of various bishops from the 12th to the 16th centuries are located in the east choir, the ambulatory and in the Lady Chapel, some in new colorful settings.Also noteworthy is the large east window (1320-1370) with representations of Mary and the Saints, as is the clock in the north transept; the larger face is from the end of the 15th century and the upper face was added in 1760.

The chapterhouse from 1412 is interesting because of its painted wooden roof truss (1465-1478). The modern sculptures (1974) are by Kenneth Carter.

Among the cathedral's many treasures is the library housing the 10th century "Exeter Codex", with poems by Cynewulf and other Anglo-Saxon writers as well as a copy of the bible which was printed by John Eliot for the Indians in Massachusetts. In the former library are the archives of the Cathedral, going back to the 10th century.

In the Cathedral Close a row of old shops has been preserved, medieval houses of the churchmen, together with the four-storied half-timbered building Mol's Coffee House (1598), the small church of St Martin (15th century) and nearby in St Martin Lane the Ship Inn, an old tavern and meeting place for sailors which is referred to with approval by Sir Francis Drake. A statue of the Anglican theologian Richard Hooker (ca. 1554-1600), born in a suburb of Exeter, stands on the green.

It is just a few minutes' walk from the Cathedral to the pedestrian zone in Princesshay where the entrances to the medieval underground passages have been preserved, or to the High Street, Exeter's main shopping street (pedestrianized).

Of the Norman stronghold of Rougemont Castle only the moat, the ramparts, Athelstan's Tower (mentioned by Shakespeare in "Richard III") and the gatehouse remain. It is pleasant to walk in Rougemont and the adjoining Northernhay Gardens with their carefully tended greens.

The Royal Albert Museum and Art Gallery in Queen Street has a collection of clothing of the past, pottery, some good watercolors and fine products (including silver) by local craftsmen.

To the southeast of Tucker's Hall is Stepcote Hill with a charming late-medieval group of half-timbered houses and the church St Mary's Steps with a fine clock (18th century figures) and a Norman font. Nearby are the remains of an old stone bridge over the Exe (12th century) which was the former main entrance to the town, West Gate.