A church of an Augustinian monastery was adopted as the cathedral of Bristol when the latter see was created in 1542. It is a cathedral without a nave, the latter portion having once existed; but being removed for a purpose, it was never restored. The east window, filling the whole of the end above the reredos, is of singular beauty in tracery and design.
The see of Hereford existed before the arrival of St. Augustine, and the cathedral was rebuilt in 1012 from the foundations. St. Thomas Cantilupe was one of the bishops, and his relics were brought from Italy, where he died in 1282 on his way to Rome, and wrought many miracles long afterwards. He was canonised in 1320. In the library are many ancient volumes, all chained in the manner not uncommon in the first century after printing was discovered.
The church of the monastery of St. Mary was adopted for the see of Worcester about 680. St. Dunstan was a bishop from 957 to 961. A new minster was then built by Oswald; but being too small, a larger building was begun by Wulfstan about 1084. The great Norman tower fell in 1175, which was said to be a common incident in that style of building. The present tower was built in 1374.
The cathedral of Lichfield was supposed to be built about 1154. Its west front is scarcely exceeded by any other cathedral in grace of outline and in the harmony of its general design. The nave is also admirable for beauty and gracefulness.
SOME WELSH CATHEDRALS.
The see of Llandaff was founded in the sixth century, and the cathedral was begun in 1120 to replace a small church on the same site. But the building became wholly dilapidated, and was only restored in very modern times. Yet it is said this is the most ancient of all the sees in Great Britain.
St. Asaph was a see founded in the sixth century, like the other Welsh sees. The cathedral is small and plain, but stands in a picturesque situation, and was in recent times restored.
Bangor see is of equal antiquity with the others, and the cathedral, which is small and plain, has also been restored.
The see of St. David’s was supposed to be founded in the sixth century, and St. David, a Welsh saint, removed it from Caerleon in Monmouthshire, which was too near the heathen English and in too populous a district. St. David went to Jerusalem, and was consecrated by the patriarch. He was a great worker of miracles in his time, according to the popular legends.