Stiffleaf's photos

late c14 sculpture on the outside of the west porch

a late c14 porch was squeezed into the central western arch, possibly to add support , buttresses being lacking to the west.

this boss under the late c14 western porch shows the trinity, with god as the sun holding up christ's wounded hand whilst the holy spirit takes the form of a dove.

late c14 niche of fool playing on pipes in the porch at the west

these 3 half man half bird figures on a late c14 niche in the porch look like harpies

the gables above the west front are not centred on the arches below, nor are they of a design strong enough to top such grand arches. the muddle of c13 arcades and sculpture does not help. again, the c14 spire on the south west turret, whilst a pretty conception in itself, appears flimsy as a stop to such a front.

the back wall of the 3 giant arches of the west front was built to take arches and vaults of a different design, with the side arches slightly smaller than the central one. the effect of widening them shows here in the skewed vault, and in the doors no longer being central to each outer arch. these changes were made in the process of building between 1180 and 1238 in order to widen the west front as an external reredos such as was produced at wells etc. at this time.

the early c13 jumble of motifs on the west front weakens the power of the giant porch, built between 1180 and 1238

the west front, whilst something of a dog's dinner design-wise, is still a wonder to experience, much more spectacular in person than in any photo. between its start c.1180 and its completion in 1238 the design suffered several major changes; the back wall of the porch showing a different rhythm to the front arches, which messes up the vaulting, the gables and worst of all leaves one with the central arch smaller than those to each side. the porch of the late c14 exacerbates matters, though the front as a whole still has immense force .

large gargoyles project from the base of each gable on the west front of 1180-1238. there is a profusion of carved motifs that fails to gell into a strong design. some statues are old, some new by alan durst.

the gatehouse from the outer court to the abbots' quarters by the west range dates from the early c13, say 1240 judging by the superb statues on its face.

the gatehouse from the outer court to the abbots' quarters by the west range dates from the early c13, say 1240 judging by the superb statues on its face.

the gatehouse from the outer court to the abbots' quarters by the west range dates from the early c13, say 1240 judging by the superb statues on its face.

the gatehouse from the outer court to the abbots' quarters by the west range dates from the early c13, say 1240 judging by the superb statues on its face.

the gatehouse from the outer court to the abbots' quarters by the west range dates from the early c13, say 1240 judging by the superb statues on its face.

the outer gate from the current market place, which leads now into the cathedral precinct, was built c.1180 though altered c.1305. the norman work is singularly plain for its date.

the outer gate from the current market place, which leads now into the cathedral precinct, was built c.1180 though altered c.1305. the norman work is singularly plain for its date.

the church was built in 1402-7, reusing some work from the nave of st.thomas, mostly in the lower west tower door and window.