Norman, 1079-1115. Piers of nave, choir as high as clerestory, and south transept, (which has had Perpendicular alterations).
Early English, circ. 1190. Vestibule of Lady-chapel.
Early English, circ. 1220. Lady-chapel.
Early English, circ. 1260? Clerestory and vaulting of choir.
Transitional, from Early English to Decorated, 1282-1287. North transept.
Geometrical, (Early Decorated,) 1287-1320. Eastern transept. Upper part of central tower.
Late Decorated, 1360-1364. Outer walls and windows of nave-aisles.
Perpendicular, 1492-1502. Bishop Audley’s chantry. 1516-1535. The north porch.
It thus appears that (besides the Norman work) Hereford Cathedral is principally rich in the architecture of the Early English and Geometrical periods. The Norman portions are curious and important. The Early English Lady-chapel is an excellent example; but the most remarkable part of the building is unquestionably the north transept. Bishop Cantilupe, who died in 1282, (and was canonized in 1320,) was buried in the Lady-chapel, which was the first addition to the Norman church. The north transept (into which the relics of the bishop were removed in 1287) was to all appearance built expressly for the reception of the Cantilupe shrine; and the further changes and additions during the early Decorated period may safely be assigned to the increase of riches and consequence which the possession of this shrine brought to the cathedral. In the same manner, at Gloucester (see that Cathedral) the possession of the remains of Edward II. was the cause of the entire alteration of the abbey church.
III. Hereford Cathedral is open on the north side, and a good general view may be obtained from the Close, [Frontispiece,] through which it is approached. On the south side the bishop’s palace and the college of the vicars choral fill the space between it and the river Wye. Eastward the cathedral was closely pressed on by the outworks of the castle, anciently one of the strongest on the Welsh marches, but of which only the foundations now remain. The Norman cathedral, built, as has been said, in imitation of that of Aachen, terminated eastward in a triple apse. (Compare Norwich, the most perfect example of a Norman ground-plan now existing.) The central apse was destroyed, in all probability, on the formation of the Lady-chapel; and the side apses, at a somewhat later period, were converted into the eastern transept, as it now appears. This double transept (possibly suggested by that at Worcester, which is a century earlier; see that Cathedral) combines, with Bishop Booth’s large projecting porch, in producing a degree of intricacy in the general outline, the effect of which is not lessened by the various alterations and restorations, which, however necessary, render it difficult to distinguish between the new work and the old.