Welcome to part one of Louise’s mini blog of Gloucester. Louise worked with Amy at Brightwake and really helped Amy develop in both her career and with her confidence. Louise has taken a picture of Amy with her on her travels and written mini blogs as she goes. As a family, we’re so grateful for Louise for everything she did for Amy at work and for helping continue her travels after her passing.
Gloucester Cathedral
Took Amy on a little trip around Gloucester cathedral today. I met a lovely man who snuck me into the crypt and turned on and off a few lights to help with photos. He gave me some very interesting snippets of information too.
Tombs, Chapels and Altars
We took photos on the tomb of Edward II. A very unpopular king. Thought to have been brutally murdered in 1327. His son, Edward III commissioned the tomb around 1330.
Next we went to the Lady Chapel, the last part of the church built in the medieval period.
We then visited the tomb of William the Conqueror’s eldest son, upon which Amy is photographed. He helped lead the first crusade. He never got to be king. Instead, he was captured in 1106 by his youngest brother, Henry I, and spent the rest of his life in prison, eventually dying at Cardiff Castle.
We went to the high altar next, also commissioned by Edward III. The East window is 700 years old and took 30 years to build. Medieval architecture scholars still can’t believe how it was done.
A quick visit to the north transept, then the processional cross used at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, quite appropriate for the last day of the jubilee celebrations.
The side chapel has relatively recent paintings completed around 1866, inspired by Italian medieval frescoes.
A little quiet time in St John the Baptist chapel. A beautiful and quiet little corner.
As Amy was a scientist, it was great to pop her photo on the statue of Jenner, the pioneer of vaccination and the man responsible for saving millions of lives. Interesting fact, it was Jenner who discovered the migration of birds. Before that, they were thought to hibernate in mud.
The Crypt
We were lucky enough to be snuck into the crypt, the oldest part of the cathedral, usually only able to be viewed by tours at a £3 charge. We were allowed to go in to take a photo of the oldest face carving and oldest pillar at 900 years old.
The elephant is curious. The carvings under the seats aren’t usually seen. Monks carved them about 600 years ago. Having never seen an elephant and only having descriptions to go from, it has horse’s hooves.
Finally we stopped at one of the newest parts, the altar with the East window reflected in the photo. The altar is just 15 years old.
Gloucester cathedral is beautiful. The guides couldn’t be nicer. Free to enter, but donations are welcome. Wheelchair accessible, toilets and cafe are available too. Definitely worth a visit 
