Bells Cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of Durham | Page 9

the original great semi-circular arch.
Above this again, and between the two flanking western towers, is a
small gable. The west end of the cathedral, when seen from the
opposite side of the river, is extremely picturesque. The projecting
mass of the Galilee, the western towers, the foreshortened nave roof,
and the majestic central tower behind and above, form a group of high
and rare excellence.
The #North Door# is now the principal entrance to the cathedral.
Externally the present porch is the work of Wyatt. The first porch was
Norman, of four orders depth, with detached shafts in the recesses.
Above this was a high-pitched gable and roof, the front being
ornamented with a semi-circular-headed wall arcading. The inner side
of the doorway is of two orders only, and is probably the only
remaining portion of the original. The outer shaft is left plain, while the
inner one, in each case, is most elaborately carved. The capitals are all
carved, and the arch moulds richly ornamented with chevrons, foliage,
and lozenges, as well as many curious figure subjects. While examining
this doorway, notice should be taken of the ironwork of the door itself,
and particularly of the sanctuary knocker. In mediæval times all
churches afforded sanctuary to wrong-doers, but at places where the
shrines of saints existed the sanctuary privileges were much greater.
Durham being one of these, there are many curious cases on record of
persons claiming the privilege, and protection from the secular law.
The earliest instance, of which any record has been kept, of sanctuary
being claimed at the shrine of S. Cuthbert is during the episcopate of
Cynewulf, who was bishop from 740 to 748, and the last recorded was
in 1524. Criminals claiming sanctuary were admitted by two janitors,
who occupied two small chambers over the doorway, traces of which
may still be observed. The knocker itself, as may be seen from the
illustration, is a great grotesque head, made of bronze, and hanging
from its grinning mouth is a ring. Originally, there is no doubt, the eyes

were filled with crystals or enamel, as small claw-like pieces of bronze
remain by which the filling was attached. The age of this piece of work
is probably the same as that of the doorway itself.
[Illustration: Detail Of Ironwork.]
[Illustration: The Sanctuary Knocker.]
[Illustration: Ironwork On Doors of Cloisters.]
The #South Doorways.#--There are two doorways into the south aisle,
one, known as the Monks' Door, opening from the western portion of
the cloisters and immediately opposite the north porch just described.
On the cloister side this shows a Norman arch resting on double shafts,
which are enriched with a lozenge pattern. On the inner or aisle side
there are two orders, with shafts in the recesses, which are also
decorated with the lozenge. The inner arch is carved with chevrons, and
the outer with conventional foliage and medallions. The capitals are
richly carved with foliage and grotesques. On the abacus and arch of
this doorway occurs a leaf pattern strongly suggesting the Byzantine
influence which at one time was found in Norman decoration. Here
again, on the door itself, we have a fine specimen of very elaborate and
characteristic Norman iron-work. The second, known as the Priors'
Door, opens into the south aisle from the eastern alley of the cloister, is
also Norman. The outer or cloister side is of the time of Bishop Pudsey,
and has an arch of four orders, with three shafts in the recesses on
either side. Its once elaborate sculpture is now much decayed, not
enough remaining to suggest that in its original state this doorway must
have been a noble specimen of the architectural design of its period. On
the inner side it exhibits work of Carileph's time, with an early arch,
cushion capitals, and shafts.
[Illustration: Ornament On South Doorway.]
The #Western Doorway.#--The exterior of this great doorway is now
within the Galilee chapel. It was built by Flambard (1099-1128), and is
comparatively plain. On the Galilee side it consists of an arch of four
orders ornamented with chevrons. The inner face is very similar to the

outer, but is shallower, having only two orders. The shafts and capitals
are without decoration, and the arch ornamented with chevron and a
leaf pattern with medallions carved with grotesque animals. In order to
reopen this doorway and make a carriage road up to it, Wyatt proposed
pulling down the Galilee chapel.
[Illustration: The Cloister.]
The #Cloister# occupies a large open space, bounded on the south, east,
and west by the various monastic buildings, and on the north by the
cathedral itself. The existing cloister was commenced during the time
of Bishop Skirlaw (1388 to 1406), and was completed by Cardinal
Langley (who held the see from 1406 till 1438), probably in the