Salisbury Cathedral.

We couldn’t leave Salisbury without visiting its Cathedral. Salisbury Cathedral construction began in 1220 and was completed in 1258. The pointy bits, the tower and spire, were added by 1330, but 38 years is a very short time to construct a working cathedral!

We took a tour of the Cathedral and saw its copy of the Magna Carta of 1215, one of only four surviving copies.

The Magna Carta was created in 1215 and established core rights for the people to protect them from overreach by the King. Tenets of the Magna Carta exist in British law today, as well as in the US Constitution, such as the idea that no man (or king) is above the law, and rights such as due process and speedy trial by jury.

The document is written on a single piece of sheepskin parchment, in very tiny Latin text. The overall parchment is about 18″ x 24″.

Salisbury Cathedral is beautiful and built in the Gothic style. It is special in its double transept design. Viewed from above, you’d see two north-south cross bars in the typical cross-shaped layout of a cathedral, instead of one.

Like other English cathedrals, Salisbury Cathedral experienced some damage during the Reformation and the English Civil War. But, it is said to be not as extensive as what other cathedrals experienced. Likewise, it was spared damage in WWII.

The Cathedral has a beautifully designed modern baptismal font, the design of which is echoed in several altars throughout.

On our way out, we strolled through the Cloisters of the Cathedral as the sun began to set.

After thoroughly exploring two cathedrals in two days, we were glad to head back to the hotel for our last night in Salisbury.

We took one last walk through the market square and found a lovely wine bar with nibblies for dinner.

Tomorrow… Greenwich!

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Links for the curious:

Salisbury Cathedral’s website to plan your visit.

Salisbury Magna Carta history and information.