Hereford - Cathedral

The Hereford Cathedral, which is dedicated to St Mary and St Ethelbert, was begun in 825 and was the burial place of St Ethelbert, king of East Anglia, who was beheaded by King Offa of Mercia in 794. After being destroyed by the Welsh in 1056 the present day church was rebuilt as a round church by the first Norman bishop Robert de Losinga (1079-1095) and Bishop Reynelm (1107-1115) added a nave.

It displays outstanding examples of the various styles of the Pre-Reformation period. The arches, the piers supporting the tower, most of the south transept and the arches and triforium of the choir are Norman. The Lady Chapel and the crypt are Early English (after 1200), and the north transept was rebuilt between 1250 and 1288 in a style transitional between Early English and Decorated. the tower is Decorated (early 14th century). The west front collapsed in 1786 and was rebuilt, in rather unsatisfactory style, by James Wyatt and again by Johm Oldrid Scott in 1902-1908.

In the interior the north transept is notable for its tall narrow windows and unusual vaulting. It contains the tombs of Peter of Aigueblanche or Aquablanca (bishop 1240-68) and Thomas de Cantelupe. The south transept is Norman, with Perpendicular windows. In the choir are the bishop's throne and fine choir stalls with 60misericords (14th century). To the left of the high altar is a chair which is said to have been used by King Stephen but is probably later.

The crypt (Early English) is the only medieval crypt in England under a Lady Chapel of the same period.
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