Answer these questions with reference to the passages which follow.
Which city/cities
... were not founded by the Romans? 01. ................. 02. .................
03. ................. 04. .................
... exhibits antiquities in a bedroom? 05. .................
... Is not situated on a river? 06. .................
... Is named after a local food? 07. .................
... owes its existence entirely to the Church? 08. .................
... has musical sculptures in its cathedral? 09. .................
... has a cathedral that made money out of the royal family? 10. .................
... has made good use of its penal institutions? 11. .................
... was in the wool business? 12. .................
... has some well-trained birds? 13. .................
... has a cathedral with beautiful windows? 14. .................
ENGLISH CATHEDRAL CITIES
A.
Gloucester
is a former Roman city on the River Severn. The ground-plan of the original Roman settlement is still preserved in the four main streets which meet at right-angles in the centre of the town and are named after the four points of the compass: Northgate, Southgate and so on. The fine cathedral is Norman to early Perpendicular with a notable 14th century east window. The tomb of the murdered King Edward II is to be found here. The possession of the body of this unfortunate monarch proved a source of great wealth to the cathedral, and the pulpit where the priest stood to receive the contributions of the pilgrims still exists. Also of special interest are the crypt, the choir stalls and the noble central tower. The Cathedral Close is entered by two old gateways. A Cross stands to the memory of Bishop Hooper who was martyred here in 1555. Bishop Hooper's house is now a museum of English Rural Life. The famous Gloucester bell-foundry of Abraham Rudhall cast over 4,500 bells. The Three Choirs Music Festival takes place every third year in Gloucester. Near the city is Matson House which was the headquarters of Charles I during the siege of Gloucester during the Civil War.
B.
Wells
is a beautiful little medieval cathedral city, situated at the foot of the Mendip Hills. Wells was never a royal dwelling-place; it was never of commercial importance; it was never a place of military strength. The whole interest of the city is ecclesiastical. The Cathedral, mainly 13th century, is famous for the west front with its statuary. Also outstanding are the three towers, the north porch and the astronomical clock. The moated Bishop's House retains a 13th century chapel, and the swans in the lake are famous for their habit of ringing a bell for their meal. In the East and North Liberties are a number of interesting old houses, including the Cathedral School and the Organist's House. Near the town, Tor Hill, which belongs to the National Trust, is a good viewpoint.
C.
Durham
lies on the River Wear which is crossed here by three fine old bridges. The Cathedral, on a splendid site overlooking the river, has very notable Norman work, including the remarkable Galilee porch which contains the tomb of the Venerable Bede. The 13th century Chapel of the Nine Altars contains the tomb of St Cuthbert. The well-known sculptures portraying the Dun Cow and the Milkmaids are set in the north-west turret of a gable on the north front. There are remains of the monastic buildings and the Chapter Library was formerly the monks' dormitory. It now contains Roman remains and Anglo-Saxon crosses.
D.
York
was known to the Romans as Eboracum. It is situated on the River Ouse and retains its impressive medieval walls, three miles in extent, together with four fine gateways. The splendid Minster, Early English to Perpendicular, is famous for the west front and the towers, and for its wonderful old stained glass, particularly the 12th century Five Sisters window in the north transept. The octagonal chapter house is 14th century while the oldest part of the structure are the walls of the crypt which may date from the 8th century. York is second only to Norwich in the number of its fine old churches. On a small hill in the city stands Clifford's Tower, all that remains of the old York Castle. A former women's prison, dating from 1780, now houses the very interesting Castle Museum of Crafts and old social life. The adjacent Old Debtors' Prison (1705) is also a museum, featuring toys and costumes. Near the station is the well-known Railway Museum, including many actual engines and coaches.
E.
Ely
stands on a hill on the west bank of the Ouse, rising above the surrounding fenland. The cathedral, towering above the town, is a landmark for miles around. It is mainly of Norman construction, and the great western tower and the transept were completed in the 12th century. There are some fine tombs inside the cathedral, such as that of Bishop Redman (1505) and the two chapels in the Perpendicular style of Bishop Alcock and Bishop West. The town, according to early records, is supposed to derive its name from the abundance of eels found in the local rivers.
F.
Exeter
is a former Roman city standing on the River Exe. The beautiful cathedral is mainly Decorated in style but has two remarkable twin Norman towers. A minstrels' gallery with angels carrying the musical instruments projects over the nave. The wood carvings and the 14th century clock are all worth seeing. Elsewhere in the town, part of the Norman castle has survived, and there are stretches of the original city walls. Much has been preserved, and a rare half-timbered 14th century merchant's house was removed from its original site to a new location near the river.
G.
Canterbury
a former Roman military camp, standing on the Stour, is famous for its historical and ecclesiastical associations. The beautiful cathedral was build between the 11th and the 15th centuries. It was the scene of the murder of its Archbishop, Thomas a Becket in 1170, supposedly on the orders of the King, Henry II. Of outstanding interest in the cathedral are the Norman crypt and the lovely 12th century choir. The site was built upon long before the Norman period, as early as 200 BC, when there was a heavily stockaded and ditched settlement. The Romans built a wall and fortified the place in 200 AD, and archaeologists have unearthed the foundations of a large Roman theatre. Near the cathedral has been found the remains of a Saxon abbey church, and tombs of Saxon kings have been discovered. Also nearby is the oldest used church in England, St Martin's, which was standing before St Augustine came to England. He was the first archbishop of Canterbury, 597-604. There are ancient fortifications, the ruins of a castle and the Roman city wall still standing.
H.
Norwich,
standing on the River Wensum, depended for its early prosperity upon the trade in worsted cloth. Its recorded history begins in 924 when it became a royal borough, and had a mint. The cathedral, largely Norman, has a spire of the Decorated period which rises to a height of 315 feet. The 15th century choir stalls and the cloisters are of interest. Little remains of the Norman castle and city walls, which were four miles in circumference, although the inner keep of the castle continued to be used as a prison until 1880 when it was acquired by the city corporation and converted into a museum and art gallery.
