h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: The layout of an English Church or Cathedral - A2497142
Author: Whisky :- Consultant retro-phrenologist - U180644

Ok, another one for you to rip apart... There are quite a few entries on specific churches/cathedrals etc in the guide, this is aimed at being a general explanation of some of the terms you might find in them...

Anything I've missed?
Is it too hard to follow?

Can I spell?

Nice entry I have no real criticisms, but:

- I think I'd like to read a bit more in the introductory paragraphs about the fact that this entry deals with only the typical traditional English church design. It is important to distinguish that it's not talking about modern churches, which don't follow the standard layout that you've outlined nearly as strictly as older ones.
- Does the pulpit/lectern have a standardised placement in English churches?
- What about the chancel?
- Perhaps a mention of the church porch could be included when you mention the entrance in 'The Shape' section.
- Some sort of conclusion might help round off the entry, although I can't really see what there is to conclude.

I'm afraid I don't know much about architecture, so I can't offer many more suggestions.

Nice entry, and very timely - I'm currently researching an entry about a couple of cathedrals This will be a good one to link to

Before I get into the entry itself, do you know when this layout first appeared, why, and where? I grew up in Essex and spent some time wandering around Anglo Saxon churches such as Greensted:
http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~hanly/oe/greenstedcard.html
http://www.britainexpress.com/History/anglo-saxon_remains-churches.htm
which don't follow this pattern. You might want to have a look at this:
http://www.funtrivia.com/playquiz.cfm?qid=142811&origin=
And scroll down to question 9.


Scout

Great stuff, Whisky. I see the difference of this design against the more modern churches. But I don't see anything particularly 'English' about it. Also the nomenclature is more or less the same in old German medieval churches... Is there a way to precise this - I mean - to pinpoint the specific English component of the design? Alternatively, you could augment the title to something in the lines of: "The classical layout of a church or a cathedral" or "The basic layout of old European Churches or Cathedrals"... What do you think?

HELL

Guys - I'll certainly change the title and try and figure out how to better explain the types of church concerned...

As for the conclusion (or lack of it) - I can't think of one either - which is why the entry might seem to end a bit abruptly!


I'll get back to you shortly...

Suggestions for a start on a conclusion para:

- Dear reader keep your eyes peeled for these parts the next time you visit a church...

- Try to explain to the reader why you think this Entry is useful. Like: The design of the churches has been kept like this for centuries, because(?). And that sort of blah-blah.

- It only needs one paragraph. Maybe you find some additional link out there.

Just my 2p.

HELL

What's an apse and why do you not mention them?

You've written axe but it should be axis.

2 comments:
* You mention that it runs North-South. In a lot of cases it doesn't but it follows 'ecclesiastical North' wherever that it.
* No comment about the Rood Screen. Many churches have these and often these are beautiful and ornate. The Rood was where the cross stood.

Hello Whisky

I like this one It's structured simply. It's well-written and it doesn't go into too much detail. Perfect for the ignoramus like me!

Except when I read it, I realised I'm not such an ignoramus after all. A CofE upbringing obviously hammered a lot of stuff into my head when I wasn't looking

I agree with the comments you've already got.

It would be interesting to know when this layout started and why. Was it a wealthy benefactor, a king/queen, or church leader who kick-started the design? I'm sure there was a series on the BBC a while ago about the history English Churches, which might shed some light on it. I'll go look for it after I've posted this.

The title could be changed. Some Welsh and Scottish churches and cathedrals are also laid out in the same way. Don't irritate the Celtic fridge!

At a more detailed level - some may say pedantic

A couple of the subheaders could be shifted. >The Nave< appears beneath the paragraph in which you start to talk about it , so could be moved to above the para which starts >Looking towards the West...<

Oh, and West, East etc don't need capitals.

>The Choir< subheader could also be moved up a para.

I agree with Felonious Monk about rood screens. I think they should be mentioned, as they are often the most elaborate part of a church, other than the stained-glass windows.

And what about the pulpit? Is it usually in the same place?

The other word that just sprang into my mind was 'meserichords' I think they're something to do with the choir, but will have to go look them up too

Do you have a link to a site which actually shows the layout of a church/cathedral? It'ld be useful for folk who can't picture it


Fb

Bingo! http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/state/church_reformation/launch_gms_church_tour.shtml

And there's masses in here too http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/state/church_reformation/index.shtml

I also remembered seeing something on the telly a while back about geometry and church design. Dan Cruikshank did it. Squares, small ones, big ones and all overlapping at the crossing. Does it ring any bells with anybody?

Miserichords - http://www.faculty.de.gcsu.edu/~rviau/misericords.html

Fb

Hi Whisky,

Could have done with this to link my church entries to - even though they are in Portugal! So this layout is not particularly English.

The pulpit is in the nave, in front but to a side of the congregation.

axe > axis


Watermusic

Hey there, Whisky -- any response to the above?


Mikey

There will be shortly...



Sorry - Procrastination getting the better of me as usual

Yo! After a re-reading, I still find this is a very good Entry, Whisky.

Are you still considering a re-title? (The Entry itself is very general, yet the title is specific about English churches)

Later,

HELL

Can I be a member of the Celtic fridge? Is there beer in it?

I think the separation of the people from the altar by a series of screens dates back through the Early Christian church and the Hebrew temple all the way back to Ancient Egypt. The Egyptian temples were all based on a linear arrangement with a doorway followed by a place for the people, another door, a place for the lesser priests, another door and so on, each time to a holier place until the inner sanctum or holy of holies was reached. The CofE cathedral more or less follows this arrangement.

How is it going Whisky?!!

cough, cough...

I know! I promise I'll get a round toit

sorry

Just let us know when you've done what you need to cos I'm sure quite a few Scouts are eager to pick this one

Adds another shove in Whisky's direction to add to Gosho's