Exterior Survey
Before entering the Cathedral the visitor should make a circuit of the Close (beginning on the south side and going eastward), comparing the outlines of the Cathedral with the plan and noting the location of the other buildings. This will give him a better understanding of the interior of the Cathedral and of its ultimate connection with the Bishop’s House and the Choir School by means of cloisters. It will be noted that the Old Synod House (brick, with Ionic-columned portico) occupies the site of the South Transept.
The Seven Chapels of Tongues, ([see page 69 et seq.],) may be identified on the exterior by the following characteristics (south to north): Chapel of St. James, rectangular plan, crenelated parapet of roof, and pinnacles on buttresses. Chapel of St. Ambrose, half round window arches. Chapel of St. Martin of Tours, fleurs de lis in quatrefoils above large windows; narrow pointed arch windows with single lights in basement. Chapel of St. Saviour (easternmost), rectangular plan; cross on gable; statues in niches of buttresses and wall. Chapel of St. Columba, angel on roof; statues in niches of buttresses. Chapel of St. Boniface, statues in niches of buttresses; small mullioned windows of three lights in basement. Chapel of St. Ansgarius, rectangular plan; parapet of quatrefoil tracery; pinnacles on buttresses.
Three of the chapels have the following sculptures by Mr. Gutzon Borglum: Chapel of St. Saviour: On eastern wall above the great window, the Christ Child; in niches of buttresses on either side of window, Angels of the Resurrection; and beneath the window, the Virgin, seated between (left) St. Simeon who blessed the infant Jesus (Luke ii. 25-35) and (right) St. Zacharias, father of John the Baptist (Luke i. 67-80).[11] Chapel of St. Columba: On roof, an angel with hands joined in prayer; in upper part of great window, St. Columba with tamed wolf, recalling how he subdued wild beasts as well as wild tribes; and in niches of buttresses the four patron saints of the British Isles (left to right): St. David of Wales in beretta and fringed gown: St. George of England in armor with cross on shield and dragon at feet; St. Andrew of Scotland with diagonal cross[12]; and St. Patrick of Ireland, in Bishop’s robes, with crozier in right hand and shamrock in left. Chapel of St. Boniface: In niches of buttresses, Charlemagne, with crown and sword; Alcuin, Charlemagne’s preceptor, in monastic garb with manuscripts in right hand; Gutenberg, with book in each hand, his initials “J.G.” on one; and Luther, in scholar’s gown, with book between hands.
The Clerestory of the Choir rises above the roofs of the chapels. In the canopied niches near the top of the turrets and buttresses are 10 stone figures 9½ feet high by Mr. Borglum, as follows (south to north): St. James the Less with fuller’s club (indicating manner of his martyrdom), and St. Philip with Latin cross (symbol of his crucifixion), together on turret; St. Bartholomew[13]; St. Thomas with square (spiritual architect); St. James the Great with staff (pilgrim); St. Peter with key (to the kingdom of Heaven); St. Andrew with diagonal cross; St. Matthew[13] with drapery over head; and St. Simeon with saw, and St. Jude with spear, (indicating manner of their death), together on turret.
Fourteen Stone Shields (only 12 in place), in the spandrels of the clerestory windows above the seven Chapels of Tongues, bear (or will bear) the following devices (south to north:) Above Chapel of St. James, (left) winged ox; and (right) artist’s palette, brushes and maulsticks, and lily, symbolizing St. Luke.[14] Above Chapel of St. Ambrose (left) lily, and (right) rose, both symbols of the Virgin Mary. Above Chapel of St. Martin of Tours, (left) eagle, and (right) chalice, symbols of St. John. Above Chapel of St. Saviour, (left) letters ΙϹ, ΧϹ, ΝΙ, ΚΑ, in four quarters formed by a Greek cross, signifying Jesus Christ Conquers; and (right), initials SP, SF, SS, of the Latin words Sanctus Pater, Sanctus Filius, Sanctus Spiritus, (Holy Father, Holy Son, Holy Spirit,) in a trefoil, symbolizing the Trinity.[15] Above Chapel of St. Columba, (left) crossed keys, symbol of St. Peter, and (right) crossed swords, symbol of St. Paul. Above Chapel of St. Boniface, (left) winged lion; and (right) fig tree, both symbols of St. Mark. Above Chapel of St. Ansgarius, (left) winged man and (right) axe and book, both symbols of St. Matthew.
1. Jesus Christ Conquers. 2. Holy Father, Holy Son, Holy Spirit. 3 and 4. Saint Luke.
Surmounting the roof of the Choir, and facing eastward, is a bronze statue, 9½ feet high, by Mr. Borglum, representing St. Gabriel as Angel of the Resurrection, blowing a trumpet.
THE WEST FRONT
(From Architect’s Drawing)