Southwell - Minster

Southwell Minster was begun in the 12th century and the nave and transepts of this period have been preserved. There are three Norman towers, one over the crossing and two on the west front; the west towers still have their original roofs, in spite of rebuilding after a fire in 1711 and further alterations in 1880. The minster, originally served by a college of secular canons, became a cathedral in 1884. The fine brass lectern was found in a lake in the grounds of Newstead Abbey, where it had probably been thrown for concealment by the monks at the time of the Dissolution of the Monasteries. The most exquisite part of the minster is the Decorated chapterhouse (13th century) with its wonderful doorway. A profusion of beautiful naturalistic leaves and flowers, vines and grapes, animals and human figures, have been carved here by an unknown sculptor.