Therron Welstead Profile picture
Jan 11, 2023 9 tweets 4 min read Read on X
Today's thread is looking at St David's Cathedral, Pembrokeshire. The history of the architectural history is partly defined by its foundations...or perhaps better described as the ever-shifting gravel bed of an old river bed that the cathedral is resting on. 1/9 Looking down on St David's Cathedral from the South west. Th
There is a noticeable slope within the church; the ground difference between the east and west ends of 4 metres. To counteracted the slope by making the pillars progressively taller the further west they were. This was in a bid to keep the arches and roof line horizontal. 2/9 St David's Cathedral from the south. the slope on which the
The present structure primarily dates to when the cathedral was rebuilt in 1181. Disaster struck twice soon after it was completed. In 1220 the tower collapsed taking the choir & transepts with it. These were rebuilt but in c.1247 an earthquake caused further damage. 3/9 The tower of St David's Cathedral which was always in a prec
The steep pitch of the roof has meant there is there is a constant pushing out of the walls. This was countered by the construction of flying buttresses on the N side of the nave in the C14. These can be partially seen in the aisle (image). 4/9
Despite the efforts of the builders over the years, the 5,000-tonne tower, however, was still on the move. By the end of the C18 the west front was leaning outwards by almost a metre. The cathedral chapter commissioned the Georgian architect John Nash to rebuild it. 5/9 'The West end entrance to St David's Cathedral', by John Nas
The work under John Nash proved to be substandard as the west end was still moving. The anachronistic style he had designed was also quickly out of favour. As a result, George Gilbert Scott was employed to rework the west front in the 1860s, which is what we have today. 6/9 St David's Cathedral including the west end which was rebuil
Other works the Scott undertook to prevent movement of the cathedral included the rebuilding of the western arch supporting the tower, as well as repairing the tower itself. Tie rods can be seen to help stabilize the tower. The painted design dates from Scott's restoration. 7/9 The beautiful lantern of the tower. The tie rods  above the
This thread has shown there is an ongoing battle with gravity. Due to the slope & the waterlogged ground, the cathedral is ever moving, hopefully not too much in the near future! The image is the restored presbytery undertaken by Scott. 8/9 The east end of the presbytry. The three blocked windows hav
The next thread will look at some of the features to look out for when visiting this lovely building. This includes the beautiful oak nave ceiling dating the late C15 & early C16. This work set the canons back £90. 9/9 #Woodensday The oak ceiling of the nave. The photo taken whilst lying on

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More from @TherronWelstead

Jan 23, 2023
Today's thread is about aspects of Temple Church, London. So called because it was built in 1162 for the Knights Templar as their English headquarters. Although heavily restored following WWII damage, its significance in history has waned little. #medievalmonday 1/13
Templar churches were often round in design as they were based on the C4 rotunda (round building) of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, built for the Emperor Constantine. The Holy Sepulchre's location was chosen as it was identified as the site of Jesus’s tomb.2/13
One of the noteworthy events in the church was a stormy meeting in 1215 between King John and the barons over the upholding the rights in the Coronation Charter of Richard I, both his predecessor & elder brother King. This led to the signing of Magna Carta later that year. 3/13 A copy of one the four surviving copies of Magna Carta. The
Read 13 tweets
Jan 22, 2023
Todays thread is about the Church of St Stephen Walbrook. The beautiful domed church was designed by Christopher Wren following the the Great fire of London of 1666. It was largely based on his early plans for St Pauls Cathedral. 1/9 Looking up at the dome with its supporting 8 arches. T. Wels
Externally you would be forgiven for not realising what was inside: The church is crowded in by buildings and its rubble stone walls. Although there have been many changes since the C17, when you enter, it is soon clear you are in a special space and an architectural marvel 2/9 The south exterior side of the church. To the left (West end
The dome (c.13m in diameter) was based on Wren's original design for St Paul's Cathedral. Its design & how it is supported has led writers over the centuries to say it's one of Wren's finest churches. Pevsner said that it was 1 of the 10 most important buildings in England! 3/9
Read 10 tweets
Jan 15, 2023
Today's thread explores St David's Bishop's Palace, Pembrokeshire, a short distance away from the cathedral. The majority of the palace was built for Bishop, Henry de Gower (1328-1347) & is laid out in a quadrangle. Each side relating to a different phase of construction. 1/15 The ivy clad St David's Palace with some Cowes drinking in t
The earliest surviving part is the west range built in the early C13. Gower had stone vaults inserted in the ground floor above were 2 long rooms. Within these rooms were fireplaces and access to a latrine. These dormitories were lodgings for guests of a lower status. 2/15 The vaulting of the west range made up of layers of thin sto
The entrance is a 3-storey gatehouse. The wall either side, which continued around the palace and its gardens to the cathedral close wall, was built at the same time. It may have been built in relation to bishop Bek’s 1287 order that the canon’s were to enclose their houses. 3/15 The late 13 century gate house on the left, and Gower's east
Read 15 tweets
Jan 12, 2023
Today's thread will continue looking at St David's Cathedral, Pembrokeshire, focussing on a few features to look out for. Starting with the early C16 fan vaulting above the Holy Trinity Chapel. It includes the crest of Bishop Vaughan (who had the chapel built) and Henry VII 1/11 The fan vaulting above the Holy Trinity Chapel. coming out o
Another vaulting I'll highlight today is that above the Lady Chapel. The vaulting collapsed in 1775 in part due to the lead roof being stripped in the Reformation. In 1901, following money raised by public subscription, the chapel incl. the fan vaulting was restored. 2/11 The fan vaulting above the lady vaulting. Where the ribs cro
In the C13 the bones of St David were discovered in housed in a new shrine in 1275. At the bottom are arched recesses where pilgrims could give alms. In 1538 Bishop Barlow, stripped St David's shrine of its jewels and saintly relics to counteract "superstition". 3/11 St David's tomb in the nineteenth century. This is part of a
Read 11 tweets
Dec 2, 2022
Today's thread will be about another Welsh castle. This time it's Dolbadarn Castle, Gwynedd. Its ruins casting their shadow over the lake of Llyn Padarn, the castle stands on the Llanberis Pass (an important valley route giving access to Yr Wyddfa (Snowdonia). 1/9
Along with several other castles such as Castell y Bere (image), Dolbadarn Castle was built in the 1220s or 1230s for Llywelyn ab Iowerth (also Llywelyn the Great). The castles helped consolidate his position as he extended his rule beyond the Welsh princedom of Gwynedd. 2/9
In the 1230s the round tower was inserted into the castle. Modelled on English examples, it emulated the latest architectural designs. Llywelyn was showing his importance to both his allies & those who challenged him. Although missing its battlements, it still stands 14m high.3/9
Read 9 tweets
Nov 30, 2022
One of my favourite castles is Carreg Cennen in Carmarthenshire. It's a rugged ruin perched on top of a 90m cliff, overlooking the river Cennen. Underneath the castle is a cave (torch needed). Whenever I've been, it's not been busy so great for exploring. 1/10
The 1st stone castle was probably built late C12 for The Lord Rhys (ruler of the Welsh kingdom of Deheubarth). From mid C13 it was regularly attacked passing from English to Welsh, between Welsh nobles & back again. Image, effigy of Lord Rhys, but 100 years after his death. 2/10 An effigy that is said to be the Lord Rhys in St David's Cat
In 1462, towards the end of the War of Roses, it was taken by Yorkist forces. A force of around 500 men went to Carreg Cennen armed with ‘bars, picks, & crowbars…breaking and throwing down the walls’ ending the castle’s life, but thankfully leaving enough for us to explore! 3/10
Read 10 tweets

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