There was a monastery in existence in Exeter by about 680
It was here that St Boniface, Apostle to the Germans, received
his education. A later monastery founded by Athelstan served as the
Cathedral from 1050 to 1133, following the transfer of the Bishop's seat
from the monastery at Crediton.
William Waelwast, the nephew of
William the Conqueror, and the third Bishop of Exeter, was responsible
for building a new Cathedral. Work began in 1114 and the Cathedral was
consecrated in 1133. Only the pair of massive towers remains today. The
late medieval rebuilding was started by Bishop Bronescombe in the 1270s
and completed by Bishop Grandisson in the 14th century.
The West
Front is in the Decorated style of the 14th century and is the most
recent part of the main building. The lowest tier of figures are some of
the finest medieval figure sculptures in England. The carving is
particularly well-preserved in the South Porch, where there is a scene
of the Annunciation and a Nativity scene opposite. The upper row of
figures with Christ and the twelve apostles at the centre was added in
about 1460-80.
The Cathedral has the longest unbroken stretch of
Gothic stone vaulting in the world. Other features of particular
interest include the Bishop's Throne, one of the finest pieces of
woodwork of the late 14th century; a clock made in 1376; and there is
original glass in the East Window. The Cathedral has many monuments
including the tomb and effigy of Bishop Walter Bronescombe who began the
rebuilding of the Cathedral.
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