Therron Welstead Profile picture
Jan 23, 2023 13 tweets 7 min read Read on X
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
After the fall of the templars in 1307, the church's significance continued. It was leased to 2 colleges of lawyers. These colleges evolved into 2 of the 4 London Inns of Court. All barristers in England Wales have to belong to one of these professional associations. 4/13 The hall of the Inner temple Inn with its beautiful hammer b
The church's connection with significant documents doesn't end with the Magna Carta. 6 members of the Inner & Middle Temple were amongst the signatories to the Declaration of Independence in 1776, and 7 from the Middle Temple signed the American Constitution in 1787. 5/13 The 1823 William Stone facsimile of the Declaration of Indep
The church contains many features of interest. A selection will be highlighted. In the round nave are 8 Purbeck Marble effigies. By far the most famous of these is William Marshall, Earl of Pembroke (c.1146 -1219), often described as 'the greatest knight'. #Momentomorimonday 6/13 The effigy of William Marshall. In his right hand he his hol
The other effigies include a couple of his sons and Geoffrey Mandeville (d.1144). Geoffrey was a significant figure in the so called 'Anarchy' of King Stephen's reign. When the burning roof collapsed during the Blitz in 1941, they suffered damaged, but thankfully survived. 7/13 Looking down into the round nave. Several of the effigies caThe damaged effigy of Geoffrey Mandeville. T. Welstead
At the W end of the church is a porch over a Romanesque C12 arch & doorway. The arch is carved with alternating plain & leafy designs. There are plans restore the arch & porch replacing the Victorian restorations which are failing faster than the original masonry. 8/13 A detail of the columns supporting the western arch. They alThe Romanesque arch to enter the west end of the church. T.
In 1682 Christopher Wren was commissioned to refurbish the church. He and his team gave the church a more classical design. One significant part that has survived is the wooden reredos (altarpiece) with the 10 commandments 9/13
Around the outer wall of the round nave is a blind arcade. On each of the spandrels is a grotesque. Many are 1840s replacements. The difference between a grotesque and a gargoyle is that the latter has a waterspout (normally at roof level); they literally gargle water. 10/13
After incendiary bombing in 1941 where much of the western part of the church was damaged, esp the wooden parts, there has been much restoration. This includes the Purbeck marble columns in the chancel had to be replaced as they had cracked due to the heat. 11/13 The fire damage after it caught fire in the blitz. The metal
You can go up into the triforium (a gallery that looks down onto a space). As well as a good view of the round nave, there's a pavement of beautiful C19 Minton tiles. Originally on the ground floor but were relocated after the post blitz restoration. #tilesontuesday 12/13 A section of the Minton tiles that goes round the entire treA section of the tile pavement. Here the tiles are a imix ofA section of the Minton tile pavement. Here is a square of 1
The limestone font, despite its style, was carved in 1841. Its was based on the font in Alphington, Exeter C11, which depicts, amongst other elements, mythical creatures, St Michael slaying a dragon & a hunter armed with bow and arrow. 13/13 The Romanesque font copied from Alphington. The round nave c

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More from @TherronWelstead

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
Jan 11, 2023
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
Read 9 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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