A brief history of Southwell Minster
Saint Paulinus
43 AD
The Roman Invasion brought much change to life in Britain. The discovery of a Roman Christian font near to Southwell demonstrates that Christianity was present before the Romans left Britain in 410 AD.
627
It is recorded that Paulinus, the missionary archbishop of York, was baptising believers in the River Trent. He is said to have visited Southwell and founded a church. This legend is commemorated in the Minster's baptistry window, right, and on the Minster windows page.
956
Saxon tympanum
Side aisle
King Eadwig gave a gift of land in Southwell to Oskytel, Archbishop of York. A Minster church was established on this land. Apart from the tessellated floor the only remaining piece of the Saxon church is the late 11th century tympanum (lintel) over a doorway in the North transept.
1068
Domesday Book. The Archbishop's Manor in Southwell is recorded in great detail.
1108
The Normans were great builders and re-builders of churches and in 1108 a decision was made to re-build the Minster. As was usual, building started at the East end so that the high altar could be used as soon as possible. The earlier Saxon building was taken down as work progressed. No doubt much of the stone was re-used. Work on the nave began after 1120 and the building was completed by approximately 1150.
The Quire screen
1234
The Norman Quire was considered to be too small and was replaced by the present Early English Gothic masterpiece.
1286
The Chapter House, renowned as one of the finest in an English cathedral, was created. The Church was now complete.
1350
The Quire Screen (pulpitum), a delightful example of the Decorated style, was built.
The Reformation was a period of great change in the history of the church and led, eventually, to the establishment of a separate Church of England. The Minster seems to have suffered less than many other religious institutions during this time.
Horses in Nave
The Civil War. During this time a great deal of damage was done to the building. Whether or not horses were stabled in the Minster is a matter of conjecture. The Scottish troops vandalised the Archbishop's Palace and its ruin was completed by local people. The Minster's financial accounts show that extensive repairs were necessary when this turbulent period ended.
5th November, 1711 : During a terrible storm the south west spire was struck by lightning and the resulting fire spread to the nave, crossing and tower destroying roofs, bells, clock and organ. By 1720 repairs had been completed. The nave and transepts now had a flat panelled ceiling.
Newstead eagle lectern
1800
The building was now in a poor condition and in 1805 the pepperpot (spires) were removed.
1805
The Newstead lectern, once owned by Newstead Abbey, was given to the Minster by Archdeacon Kaye. During the Dissolution of the Monasteries the monks threw the lectern into the Abbey fishpond. Many years later the pond was dredged and the lectern discovered.
1818
Sir Henry Galley Knight gave the Minster the four panels of 16th-century Flemish glass which he had acquired from a Parisian pawnshop. They now fill the bottom part of the East window. (See the Minster windows page for images of other windows in the Minster.)
West end 'Pepperpots'
1851
Ewan Christian, an architect specialising in churches, brought about great changes in the state of the building, its function as a place of worship and its part in the life of the community. The very extensive restoration included:
1879-81
The pyramidal spires of lead (or Rhenish caps), unique in this country and known locally as 'pepperpots', were added to the west towers.
1881-88
The unsuitable flat ceiling was removed and the nave was re-roofed to a steeper pitch. The quire was re-designed and re-fitted.
Diocesan coat of arms
1884
The Minster became the cathedral for the newly formed Diocese of Southwell. Dr George Ridding, the first Bishop of Southwell, designed and paid for the grant of Arms now used as the Diocesan coat of arms.
1927
The Diocese was divided when the Diocese of Derby was formed.
1984
The centenary of the Diocese was celebrated by the visit of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to distribute the Royal Maundy.
For many generations the Minster has been an important centre of Church life in Nottinghamshire. Its noble fabric has been used and admired by eminent divines and statesmen who have loved to worship here. In the words of Bishop Selwyn:
‘And hence the daily choral song,
The Gospel’s hopes and fears,
Have sounded forth to Christian hearts
Beyond a thousand years.’
Today the Minster has two functions: it is the cathedral for the 313 churches in the Southwell Diocese and it is an active and well-loved parish church. In addition to the full-time staff, many volunteers, who love the Minster, give their time willingly to ensure that its work continues.
The Minster Refectory
Maintenance and restoration of the Minster continues. New organs, nave choir stalls, a magnificent new West window (see windows for other windows in the Minster) and modern artwork have been installed in recent years.
Across the churchyard there is a Visitor Centre and Theological Library, a modern Refectory and the Minster shop.
