Cathedral Yard

Cathedral Yard. . , The Church of St Peter , In the Middle Ages, religion was at the centre of all life. The Cathedral was not just a splendid building but an offering of praise demanding the very best work from skilled craftsmen., To create such magnificence required time and the Cathedral Church of St Peter was built in two main stages. The first, in Romanesque style, was begun in 1114 by Bishop Warelwast, William the Conqueror's nephew, on the site of the earlier Saxon Minster. Although little else remains, Warelwast's magnificent twin Norman towers still dominate Exeter's skyline today., Inspired Architects , Bishop Bronescombe's rebuilding programme begun in the 1270 extended the Cathedral to the east, while the nave was completely rebuilt in the Decorated Gothic style. When it finally reached completion over 80 years later under the equally visionary Bishop Grandisson, the result was a church to rival all the cathedrals of England and France and was on the cutting edge of gothic design., Exploring the Medieval Cathedral , Take time to stop and admire the great West Front ascending tiers of beautifully carved figures of kings, prophets and the twelve apostles. Inside the Cathedral is a treasure house of medieval craftsmanship. Look out for:, . The nave's glorious uninterrupted span of Gothic vaulting, the longest in Europe , . The 14th century stained glass Great East Window , . The majestic Bishop's Throne (1312) , . Effigies of knights and bishop , . The 15th century astronomical Exeter Clock , . The comically inaccurate Exeter Elephant with misshapen cow hooves -- a carving from one of 49 medieval misericords (seats for the clergy) , . Roof bosses -- a profusion of kings, queens Green Men, animals, birds, flowers, biblical and historical scenes , . The minstrels gallery with pierced stonework for better acoustics, Cathedral Life , The precinct was home to the Cathedral clergy. Accommodation ranged from the Bishop's grand palace to large hall houses for the Dean and other key figures, and shared halls for lesser members such as the vicar's choral Jobs for Cathedral employees were not all spiritual though; the dog whipper chased out animals that had strayed inside me Cathedral before each service!