The architecture is chiefly of the style, called Norman; the columns and arches are exceedingly various in their size, mouldings, and ornaments; the choir terminates with a semicircular east end, over which, are curiously painted windows, by Dean Lloyd’s lady. The walls include various chapels, and some courts belonging to the dean and chapter. The extreme length of the building is 411 feet from east to west; and the width from north to south, 191 feet; the height of the spire and tower, 315 feet; the spire is ornamented with bold crockets, 5 feet asunder, attached to and
running up the ribs at each angle, and is the highest in England, except Salisbury. The cloisters are 174 feet square, with arched openings or windows, looking inwards on all sides; the roof, which is about 16 feet high, is ornamented with scripture sculptures, which however, are much injured by accident and time. The west front of the cathedral displays a large central compartment, corresponding with the width and heigth of the nave; also two lateral divisions corresponding with the side aisles, the whole forming a very grand entrance. The interior must be allowed to have a grand and solemn general effect, and that the whole appears of an unusual, bold and substantial stile. It is to be lamented that the fitting up of the choirs serve to destroy part of the grandeur and solemnity, and shuts out the sight from a general and comprehensive view of the building. Within the church and cloisters, still remain some curious memorials of the dead; but the greater part are removed, like those to whom they belong, to make room for others, or have fallen a sacrifice to the gradual inroads of time.
The Bishop’s Palace stands on the north side of the cathedral, was erected in the year 1318, and was enlarged and ornamented by several successive Bishops; it suffered greatly in the rebellion, and it was with some difficulty made habitable; it has been improving ever since, and is now made a tolerable neat and convenient residence.
On the south side of the cathedral, formerly stood a priory, occuping part of the space,
now called the Lower Close, and which was built as a residence for 60 monks, who officiated in the cathedral.
In the year 1804, on pulling down the workhouse, which stood at the entrance of the deanery, some curious ruins were discovered, and the shafts of three massive pillars are still left standing, as specimens of the architecture of the age in which they were built.
At the west end stands the free school, formerly the charnel-house—was built about the year 1316; the upper part was appropriated for the residence of four officiating priests, the part beneath was a vault used as a charnel house, which is now rendered into cellars, and part of the building occupied by the master of the school. The present portico is much more modern than the other parts of the building.
Adjoining the free-school, stands Erpingham’s gate, (it having been built by Sir Thomas Erpingham as a penance) and is an elegant specimen of the architecture of the time; it is much enriched with columns, mouldings, and many small statutes in canopied niches, in one of which, over the centre, is Sir Thomas Erpingham kneeling, and in the act of prayer.
The gate called St. Ethelbert’s gate, from a church dedicated to that saint, having formerly occupied its scite, and which appears to have been built prior to the cathedral, was burnt down in the insurrection, in 1272; after which, the citizens were compelled to build the present handsome gate with the chapel over it: the front facing tombland was formerly richly ornamented, but by modern innovation and
repair, it is deprived of all its beauty. The chapel was some years since used as the bishop’s registry, but has for the last ten years been occupied as a weekly concert room, by a society of gentlemen amateurs.