English Cathedral and Monastic Carpentry

By Cecil A. Hewett

Well over a hundred great churches were built in the cathedral tradition in the Middle Ages. They are our most important group of historical monuments and embody the finest craftwork of medieval architecture. Despite a great mass of specialist literature and research on other aspects, it was not until Cecil A. Hewett’s work over the past three decades that any serious attention was paid to their functional carpentry or, indeed, to their decorative timberwork.

Examining the entire range of ‘great’ churches, Hewett’s carefully reasoned and well-organised text covers all areas of monastic and cathedral carpentry, classifying roof structures, towers and spires in chronological order, while an important section deals with the surviving examples of hoisting machinery still in situ, some from a very early date. In English Cathedral and Monastic Carpentry, he relates the physical evidence to the documentary record supported with over 300 of his own magnificent drawings. In this, Hewett provides both a work of reference and a stimulating analysis of the evolution of the craft.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Phillimore & Co Ltd
• Release date: Sep 7, 2023
• ISBN: 9781803994802

Cecil A. Hewett

The late Cecil A. Hewett was an influential figure in English carpentry. It was due to his hard work and often lone campaign that effort was made to date wooden structures in England, which previously had been automatically dated to the fifteenth century. In fact, many were far older and more significant than had been assumed. Although Hewett published many volumes before his death in 1998, English Historic Carpentry is considered his seminal work.

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Ely Cathedral, the framing of the lantern.

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Front cover image: Peterborough Cathedral. (Colin Underhill/Alamy Stock Photo)

First published in 1999 by Sutton Publishing

This paperback edition published in 2023

The History Press

97 St George’s Place, Cheltenham,

Gloucestershire, GL50 3QB

www.thehistorypress.co.uk

© Cecil A. Hewett, 1999, 2023

The right of Cecil A. Hewett to be identified as the Author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without the permission in writing from the Publishers.

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data.

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

ISBN 978 1 80399 480 2

Typesetting and origination by The History Press

Printed and bound in Great Britain by TJ Books Limited, Padstow, Cornwall.

eBook converted by Geethik Technologies

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CONTENTS

List of Plates

List of Figures

Bibliography

Introduction

Ridged Main-span Roofs

Lean-to Roofs

Roofs of Polygonal Plan

Crossings and Returns

Towers and Spires

Doors

Hoisting Machinery

Joints – Lap Joints

Joints – Other Carpentry Joints

Mouldings and Ornaments

Tables

Glossary

LIST OF PLATES

1.   The spire of Salisbury Cathedral

2.   From Rayleigh Castle, Essex, a post excavated in 1910

3.   A notched lap joint of archaic profile from the belfry of Navestock church, Essex

4.   A secret notched lap joint without refined profile from Romsey Abbey, Hampshire

5.   Portrait of Adam Lock, master mason, from Wells Cathedral

6.   An open notched lap joint of refined profile, from Wells Cathedral

7.   Woodcut, c.1515, showing two types of axes in use at that time

8.   Mortise joint from the Barley Barn, Cressing Temple, Essex

9.   An oblique mortise from the Barley Barn, Cressing Temple, Essex

10.   The timber roof over the Chapter House, Wells Cathedral

LIST OF FIGURES

1.   Peterborough Cathedral precinct, roof of the Norman Hall

2.   Waltham Abbey, reconstruction of the nave roof

3.   Peterborough Cathedral, roof of the north-west portico

4.   Wells Cathedral, high-roof of the nave east of the ‘break’

5.   Lincoln Cathedral, high-roof of St Hugh’s Choir

6.   Lincoln Cathedral, high-roof of the north choir transept

7.   Lincoln Cathedral, high-roof of the south choir transept

8.   Wells Cathedral, high-roof of the nave west of the ‘break’

9.   Hereford Cathedral, roof of the Lady Chapel

10.   Coggeshall Abbey, roof of the capella extra portas

11.   Chichester Cathedral, high-roof of the nave

12.   Lincoln Cathedral, roof of the Morning Chapel

13.   Lincoln Cathedral, plan of the high-roof of the Morning Chapel

14.   Lincoln Cathedral, roof of the chapter house vestibule

15.   Lincoln Cathedral, plan of the high-roof of the Consistory Court

16.   Lincoln Cathedral, high-roof of the Consistory Court

17.   Lincoln Cathedral, high-roof of the Consistory Court

18.   Lincoln Cathedral, long section of the high-roof of the Consistory Court

19.   Lincoln Cathedral, high-roof of the Consistory Court

20.   Salisbury Cathedral, high-roof of the north-east transept

21.   Boxgrove Priory, Sussex, eastern bay of the high-roof

22.   Romsey Abbey, Hampshire, rafter-couple of the roof of the refectory

23.   Lincoln Cathedral, high-roof of the nave

24.   Beverley Minster, high-roof of the nave

25.   Greyfriars, Lincoln, the eastern part of the nave roof

26.   Westminster Abbey, high-roof of the north transept

27.   Salisbury Cathedral, roof of the north porch

28.   Lincoln Cathedral, high-roof of the Angel Choir

29.   Lincoln Cathedral, high-roof of the Angel Choir

30.   Greyfriars, Lincoln, the western part of the roof

31.   Wells Cathedral, high-roof of the choir

32.   Salisbury, the Old Deanery

33.   Tewkesbury Abbey, high-roof of the north transept

34.   Gloucester, Blackfriars, roof of the nave

35.   Bushmead Priory, Bedfordshire

36.   Bisham Abbey, Berkshire, roof of the hall

37.   Exeter Cathedral, high-roof of the presbytery

38.   Winchester Cathedral, high-roof of the nave

39.   Winchester Cathedral, high-roof of the south transept

40.   Wells Cathedral, roof of the south choir transept

41.   Roof of The Chequers, Vicars’ Close, Wells

42.   Exeter Cathedral, high-roof of the nave

43.   Exeter Cathedral, high-roofs of the transepts

44.   Bristol Cathedral, high-roof of the choir

45.   Bisham Abbey, Berkshire, roof of the east range

46.   Wells Cathedral precinct, roof of No. 22, Vicars’ Close

47.   Winchester Cathedral, high-roof of the presbytery

48.   Winchester Cathedral, high-roof of the north transept

49.   Carlisle Cathedral choir, one rafter couple

50.   Worcester Cathedral, high-roof of the nave

51.   Durham Cathedral, roof of the monks’ dormitory

52.   Beeleigh Abbey, Essex, roof of the dormitory

53.   Canterbury Cathedral, high-roof of the north-west transept

54.   Peterborough Cathedral precinct, the roof of Table Hall

55.   Hereford Cathedral, roof of the Vicars’ Cloister

56.   Bath Abbey, roof of the choir

57.   Roof of King’s College Chapel, Cambridge

58.   Bath Abbey, roof of the nave

59.   Abbey Dore, Herefordshire, roof of the nave

60.   Wells Cathedral, high-roof of the north transept

61.   Lichfield Cathedral, high-roof of the south transept

62.   Sherborne Abbey, Dorset, roof frame from the nave

63.   Tewkesbury Abbey, high-roof of the nave

64.   St Paul’s Cathedral, high-roof of the nave

65.   St Paul’s Cathedral, high-roof of the west portico

66.   Durham Cathedral, high-roof of the choir

67.   Winchester Cathedral, high-roof of the eastern nave

68.   Worcester Cathedral, high-roof of the choir

69.   Lincoln Cathedral, high-roof of the great south transept

70.   Lincoln Cathedral, high-roof of the great north transept

71.   Beverley Minster, high-roof of the great south transept

72.   Ely Cathedral, high-roof of the choir

73.   York Minster, high-roof and vault of the south main transept

74.   Canterbury Cathedral, high-roof of the south-east transept

75.   Rochester Cathedral, high-roof of the great north transept

76.   York Minster, high-roof of the choir

77.   York Minster, high-roof of the nave

78.   Sherborne Abbey, Dorset, the high-roof of the choir

79.   Rochester Cathedral, high-roof of the choir

80.   Ripon Cathedral, high-roof of the choir

81.   Wells Cathedral, roof of the north nave triforium

82.   Salisbury Cathedral, roof of the north choir triforium

83.   Lincoln Cathedral, roof of the north choir triforium

84.   York Minster, roof of the north transept triforium

85.   Rochester Cathedral, roof and timber vault of the south choir aisle

86.   Wells Cathedral, roof of the north choir aisle

87.   Cartmel Priory, Lancashire, roof of the south choir aisle

88.   York Minster, roof of the nave aisle

89.   Carlisle Cathedral, roof of the north aisle triforium

90.   Canterbury Cathedral, roof of the nave aisle

91.   Norwich Cathedral, former roof of the north nave triforium

92.   Malmesbury Abbey, Wiltshire, roof of the south triforium

93.   St Paul’s Cathedral, a triforium roof

94.   Lincoln Cathedral, roof of the north nave triforium

95.   Salisbury Cathedral, roof of the south nave triforium

96.   York Minster, west triforium roof of the south transept

97.   Ely Cathedral, triforium roof of the north transept

98.   Westminster Abbey, high-roof of the eastern apse

99.   St Albans Cathedral, timber vault of the presbytery

100.   Salisbury Cathedral, roof of the vestry

101.   Wells Cathedral, high-roof of the Lady Chapel

102.   Salisbury Cathedral, roof of the chapter house

103.   York Minster, plan of the chapter house spire at base

104.   York chapter house spire, the pattern of the vault ribs

105.   Perspective of the York chapter house spire framing

106.   Wells Cathedral, high-roof of the chapter house

107.   Wells Cathedral, roof of the retro-choir

108.   Exeter Cathedral, timber vault of the south transept

109.   Ely Cathedral, angle post of the lantern

110.   Ely Cathedral, plan of the floor of the octagon

111.   Ely Cathedral, assembly of the inner sill of the octagon

112.   Ely Cathedral, assembly of the vault

113.   Ely Cathedral, sector of the ‘floor’ of the octagon

114.   Ely Cathedral, vault and ‘floor’ of the octagon, assembled

115.   Ely Cathedral, framing of the lantern

116.   Ely Cathedral, plan of the ‘floor’ showing angle post division

117.   Ely Cathedral, pattern of vault ribs in the upper and lower systems

118.   Worcester Cathedral, the high-roof of the chapter house

119.   Lichfield Cathedral, roof of the Lady Chapel

120.   Westminster Abbey, roof of the south-east transept

121.   Pershore Abbey, Worcestershire, roof of the apse

122.   Lincoln Cathedral, chapter house spire

123.   Lincoln Cathedral, assembly of the ring-beam of the chapter house spire

124.   Southwell Minster, roof of the chapter house

125.   Salisbury Cathedral, return of the north porch and north aisle

126.   Salisbury Cathedral, return of the north choir triforium and the eastern triforium of the great transept

127.   Lincoln Cathedral, roof of the choir crossing

128.   York Minster, roof of the chapter house vestibule

129.   St Mary, Ottery, Devon, nave transepts

130.   St Mary, Ottery, Devon, nave transepts

131.   Chichester Cathedral, cloister roof

132.   Salisbury Cathedral, roof of the choir crossing

133.   Canterbury Cathedral, south-east spirelet

134.   Salisbury Cathedral spire, floor over the crossing vault

135.   Salisbury Cathedral spire, gallery

136.   Salisbury Cathedral spire, system of iron ties

137.   Salisbury Cathedral spire, floor above the gallery

138.   Salisbury Cathedral, spire scaffold above parapet level

139.   Salisbury Cathedral spire, the next three stages and the remains of the ironwork from which the scaffold was suspended

140.   Lincoln Cathedral, base of the former spire

141.   Lincoln Cathedral tower, stone squint arches and timber structure

142.   Winchester Cathedral, roof of the crossing

143.   Pershore Abbey, Worcestershire, roof of the tower

144.   Gloucester Cathedral, floor in the central tower

145.   Canterbury Cathedral, original roof of the Bell Harry Tower

146.   Norwich Cathedral, inner frame of the spire

147.   Southwell Minster, base of a spire

148.   St Paul’s Cathedral, framing of the dome

149.   Westminster Abbey, the door called ‘Pyx’

150.   Durham Cathedral, north doors

151.   Durham Cathedral, south-west doors

152.   Selby Abbey, west doors

153.   Peterborough Cathedral, central west doors

154.   Peterborough Cathedral, south-west door

155.   Peterborough Cathedral, west doors of the precinct

156.   Ely Cathedral, great west doors

157.   Waltham Abbey, Essex

158.   Wells Cathedral, north doors

159.   Wells Cathedral, door in the cloister

160.   Lincoln Cathedral, door of the north transept

161.   Wells Cathedral, west central door

162.   Salisbury Cathedral, west doors

163.   Salisbury Cathedral, vestry doors

164.   Wells Cathedral, door of the chapter house crypt

165.   Abbey Dore, Herefordshire, north door

166.   York Minster, door of the chapter house

167.   Ripon Cathedral, door of the north choir aisle

168.   Wells Cathedral, door of the chapter house

169.   Westminster Abbey, door to the treasury

170.   Southwell Minster, north door of the nave

171.   Worcester Cathedral, gate of the Edgar Tower

172.   St Albans Cathedral, Abbot’s door

173.   Wells Cathedral, doors of the south aisle screen

174.   Winchester College, Middle Gate

175.   Winchester College, Outer Gate

176.   Winchester, gates of the Beaufort Tower

177.   Canterbury Cathedral, west doors

178.   Hereford Cathedral, cloister door

179.   Gloucester Cathedral, doors to the cloister

180.   York Minster, main door of the south transept

181.   Norwich Cathedral, doors of St Martin’s Palace gatehouse

182.   Norwich Cathedral, central doors

183.   King’s College Chapel, Cambridge, north doors

184.   Westminster Abbey, west doors

185.   Wells Cathedral, gates of the north porch

186.   The windlass at Tewkesbury Abbey

187.   The windlass at Durham Cathedral

188.   The windlass at Peterborough Cathedral

189.   The windlass at Salisbury Cathedral

190.   The ‘faucon’ at King’s College, Cambridge

191.   The ‘faucon’ at Canterbury Cathedral

192.   The treadwheel windlass at Beverley Minster

193.   The treadwheel windlass at Canterbury Cathedral

194.   The windlass at Norwich Cathedral

195.   The capstan at Durham Cathedral

196.   Clasp-arm wheel illustrated by Villard de Honnecourt

197.   Sub-structure of the round table, Winchester Castle

198.   The windlass in the Byward Tower, Tower of London

199.   From St Mary, Sompting, Sussex

200.   From St Mary, Sompting, Sussex

201.   From the barn of Paul’s Hall, Belchamp St Paul, Essex

202.   From Moyses Hall, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

203.   From the Norman Hall, Peterborough

204.   From Waltham Abbey, Essex

205.   From the nave roof of Peterborough Cathedral

206.   From Abbey Dore, Herefordshire

207.   a From the north triforium, Wells Cathedral

207.   b From the south triforium, Wells Cathedral

208.   From the roof of St Hugh’s Choir, Lincoln Cathedral

209.   a and b From the barn, Grange Farm, Coggeshall, Essex

210.   From the south-east spirelet, Canterbury Cathedral

211.   From the Barley Barn, Cressing Temple, Essex

212.   From Wells Cathedral

213.   From Worcester Cathedral

214.   From Lincoln Cathedral

215.   From Wells Cathedral

216.   From Salisbury Cathedral

217.   From Romsey Abbey

218.   From the Wheat Barn, Cressing Temple, Essex

219.   From a barn at Whepstead, Suffolk

220.   From the eastern apse, Westminster Abbey

221.   From a barn at Parkbury Farm, Radlett, Hertfordshire

222.   From the south transeptal roof, Exeter Cathedral

223.   From the south choir transept, Wells Cathedral

224.   From Chipping Ongar church, Essex

225.   From the church of Bradwell-juxta-Coggeshall, Essex

226.   From the great west doors, Ely Cathedral

227.   From the north triforium of the choir, Lincoln Cathedral

228.   From the north triforium, Salisbury Cathedral

229.   From the Greyfriars Church, Lincoln

230.   From the Angel Choir, Lincoln Cathedral

231.   From the Angel Choir, Lincoln Cathedral

232.   a From the great transept, Salisbury Cathedral

232.   b Rear view of the same assembly

233.   From the spire, Salisbury Cathedral

234.   From the Old Deanery, Salisbury

235.   From St Mary’s Hospital, Chichester, Sussex

236.   From the chapter house, Salisbury Cathedral

237.   From the chapter house, Salisbury Cathedral

238.   From Place House, Ware, Hertfordshire

239.   a From the chapter house, York Minster

239.   b From the spire-mast, York Minster

240.   From the chapter house, York Minster

241.   From the chapter house, Wells Cathedral

242.   From the choir, Wells Cathedral

243.   From the nave aisles, York Minster

244.   a and b From the north transept, Tewkesbury Abbey, Gloucestershire

245.   From the roof of No. 22, Vicars’ Close, Wells

246.   From the high-roof of the choir, Carlisle Cathedral

247.   From the south-east transept, Hereford Cathedral

248.   From the presbytery, Winchester Cathedral

249.   From the nave, Winchester Cathedral

250.   From the Vicars’ Treasury, Wells Cathedral

251.   From the library, Wells Cathedral

252.   From the north-west transept, Canterbury Cathedral

253.   From the north nave triforium, Norwich Cathedral

254.   From King’s College Chapel, Cambridge

255.   From King’s College Chapel, Cambridge

256.   From King’s College Chapel, Cambridge

257.   From Lichfield Cathedral

258.   From Lichfield Cathedral

259.   From the south-east triforium, Westminster Abbey

260.   From the west end of the nave, Winchester Cathedral

261.   From St Paul’s Cathedral

262.   From St Paul’s Cathedral

263.   From the eastern arms, Worcester Cathedral

264.   From the north nave triforium, Lincoln Cathedral

265.   From the north nave triforium, Lincoln Cathedral

266.   From the chapter house, Lincoln Cathedral

267.   From the great north transept, Rochester Cathedral

268.   From the choir roof, Sherborne Abbey

269.   From the choir roof, Sherborne Abbey

270.   From the transept of Winchester Cathedral

271.   From Old Court House, Limpsfield, Surrey

272.   From Peterborough Cathedral

273.   From Salisbury Cathedral

274.   From St Albans Cathedral

275.   From Bushmead Priory, Bedfordshire

276.   From Salisbury Cathedral

277.   From Salisbury Cathedral

278.   From Bisham Abbey, Berkshire

279.   a, b and c From Prittlewell Priory, Essex

280.   From Rochester Cathedral

281.   From Rochester Cathedral

282.   From Ely Cathedral, the octagon

283.   From Ely Cathedral

284.   From Cartmel Priory, Lancashire

285.   From Gloucester Cathedral

286.   From Winchester College, Middle Gate

287.   From Wells Cathedral, Bishop Bubworth’s Library

288.   From Durham Cathedral

289.   From Norwich Cathedral

290.   From Winchester, the Hospital of St Cross

291.   From Abbey Dore, Herefordshire

292.   From York Minster

293.   From St Paul’s Cathedral