A guide
to the building
Click on a number to get more information
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1 The Font - a 13th Century bowl supported on a Victorian base; it was recovered from a Canon's garden in the 1820’s. It is made from Alwalton marble. The font is shortly to be moved from the North-West Trancept to a new position in the centre of the nave, two bays in from the west end. This will make the Font easier to use in the context of the Cathedral Eucharist. The position in front of the main door will also make a much stronger statement that Baptism is the beggining of the Christian journey. |
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2 'The Story of Peterborough Cathedral' - a clear and easy to follow exhibition looking at the history of the Abbey and Cathedral, how it was built, and aspects of the life of the medieval monastery. |
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3 The Nave - a superb example of late Norman architecture. The painted wooden ceiling dates from about 1230 and is unique in England. |
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4 The hanging Crucifix or Rood - designed by George Pace in 1975 with a figure by Frank Roper. The inscription means "the cross stands whilst the earth revolves". |
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5 The Choir Stalls - fine late Victorian work carved by Thompsons of Peterborough, with figures representing the history of the building. Worship takes place here daily with psalms, prayers and readings from the scriptures. |
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6 The Central Tower - the 14th century tower was rebuilt in the 1880's. Its restored ceiling has original roof bosses and Victorian paintings depicting symbols of the Passion. |
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7 The Eagle Lectern - a particularly fine medieval brass lectern donated by Abbott William Ramsey (1471-96) |
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8 Sanctuary (or Presbytery) - refurbishment following the rebuilding of the tower included the creation of the marble tesserae floor, the ciborium or altar canopy and the Cathedra (bishop's throne). Note the early 16th century wooden vaulted ceiling and the medieval glass in the Apse windows. |
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9 The North Transept - superb Norman work with medieval wooden screens and Victorian stained glass. |
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10 The Treasury - normally open during Cathedral opening hours it contains a large collection of church silver and some other archive material. |
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11 Effigy of Abbot Benedict - abbot from 1177-93, he completed most of the Nave and brought relics of St Thomas of Canterbury (Thomas Becket) to Peterborough. Made from Alwalton marble, this is one of several effigies of medieval abbots that can be seen in the Cathedral. Opposite is the mechanism of former cathedral chiming clocks, the earliest parts dating from the 15th century. |
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12 Tomb of Katharine of Aragon - buried here, following her death at Kimbolton Castle, in January 1536. A detailed exhibition stands alongside. |
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13 The 'New' Building, or Eastern Building - added between 1496 and 1509, its superb fan vaulting was probably the work of John Wastell who built Kings College Chapel, Cambridge. |
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14 The Hedda Stone or Monks Stone - one of the few remains of the Anglo Saxon Church, this 8th century carving shows Christ, the Virgin Mary and ten disciples |
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15 The Apse - The original east end of the church begun by John de Sais in 1118 and consecrated in 1143. 17th century Flemish tapestries depict scenes from the life of St Peter. The ceiling painting by George Gilbert Scott in 1856 is a reconstruction of an earlier one destroyed in 1643 by the musket fire of Cromwell's soldiers. |
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16 Former burial place of Mary Queen of Scots - buried here after her execution at Fotheringay in 1587, her body was removed to Westminster Abbey in 1612 by order of her son, James I. An exhibition gives more detail. |
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17 South Transept - completed at the same time as the North Transept, it has three chapels dedicated to St Oswald, St Benedict and St Kyneburga. In St Oswald's Chapel is a rare watchtower used by a monk to guard the famous relic of St Oswald's arm, which disappeared at the time of the Reformation. In St Benedict's chapel is a modern window showing the founder of the Benedictine order and scenes from the history of the building. In St Kyneburga's chapel is an ivory Annunciation by Alan Durst and an altar frontal by George Pace. In the West wall is another Saxon sculpture from the earlier church. |
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18 The Cloister - through the 'Bishop's Door' is the remaining outer wall of the Great Cloister. In the centre is a Saxon well and in the south-east corner is Laurel Court, the Cathedral choir school. |
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19 The St Sprite Chapel - here are memorials dedicated to service personnel who served in some of the wars of the 20th century. Also three carved misericordes from the original Benedictine choir stalls. |
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20 Robert Scarlett (d. 1594) -Tudor gravedigger and sexton at the Parish Church of St John the Baptist. He is buried under the stone marked simply R.S., but is shown in a wall painting and later portrait and remembered in a verse above the West Door. Note the door itself which is 800 years old |
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21 The West Front - as you leave, look up at what has been described as "the most magnificent portico in Europe". The arches are 26m (81 feet) high and the centre one leans out 58 cm (2272 inches). The three figures at the top of the gables are Sts. Peter, Paul and Andrew to whom the church is dedicated. High inside the north (left) arch is a modern statue, by Alan Durst, of Elizabeth II. The front was completed in the early 13th century, but the porch was added later. |
A further exhibition can be found in the Tourist Information Centre next to the Cathedral Shop and Beckets Restaurant