Monday, October 4, 2021

Salisbury Cathedral


It's been way too long since I've written about our last day spent in England celebrating our Golden Anniversary.  Maybe I've secretly not wanted our anniversary trip to end. Some of you may remember me writing about this trip.  If you wish to read all about it, I have been posting in order under the tab above labeled Great Britain.  This month we will be celebrating our 54th anniversary.  Though that gives me pause, I feel the strong desire to finally put this last day we spent for our 50th together and end this trip--well kind of.  Thank goodness my travel journal and photos keep this trip alive in our minds and certainly it is alive in our hearts.

Visiting cathedrals are so special to Grayden and I when we travel.  So we ended our time on our Golden Celebration in Salisbury Cathedral.  We had just a short walk in the early morning to visit this wonderful house of worship.  In a few hours we need to be traveling down to Southampton to board the Queen Mary II for our transatlantic trip back home.


Salisbury Cathedral, formally known as The Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is a magnificent living house of worship.  Its spire is the tallest in the UK at 404 feet tall.  The early English Gothic architecture was completed in 1258.  The spire was built in 1320.  Spires on churches add enormous weight to the structures.  The spire here added 6397 tons to the cathedral and created problems as you can imagine.  Anchor irons and buttresses had to be added or the spire would have certainly fallen under the weight!  Additional beams were added in 1668 when Christopher Wren had tie beams added above the crossing.  Then a false ceiling was added to hide those beams below the lantern stage of the tower.


Salisbury Cathedral also houses one of the four original copies of the Magna Carta!  So much to learn and see in this beautiful place!  My journal tells me that upon entering a morning service was being held.  The children's orchestra was playing along with the magnificent organ.


Lift up your hearts!


We felt priviledged to be visiting at such a time.  Listening to the sermon of the parable of the Good Samaritan being delivered along with the music brought tears. 


 The cathedral is quite large and so lovely.  There truly is a sacred feeling of reverence as we walked around.



The narrow Nave has the lovely Chilmark stone for the walls and Purbeck marble for the columns.



"The windows of a building are its eyes, within those eyes is a character gained over many years.  Take them away and replace them with new and a lifetime of history is lost."  The Salisbury Cathedral stained glass workshop.

It's wonderful to learn that these lovely windows are being taken care of so intently.





In the north Nave aisle the world's oldest working clock stands.  While we were in Cotehele we were told about the clock there is like the one here at Salisbury Cathedral.  If you would like to see this one you can visit my link Here .


You may want to read about it here.





An unusual Baptismal font was installed in 2008.  The work of William Pye is quite modern and unique in its cruciform shape brimming with water overflowing into the cathedral stone floor.




Stepping outside into the Cloister garden we make our way to the Chapter House that houses one of the copies of the Magna Carta which is Latin for "Great Charter."  This great document clearly was a great influence on the United States Constitution, Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights and other countries constitutions.  The Magna Carta though written in 1215 is quite  extraordinary!

Inside the octagonal Chapter House we await the privilege of viewing the Magna Carta!  Since the sun and lights would damage this incredible document, it is housed in a small white enclosure.  No photos of the document were permitted on our visit.



On the stone seats there is a copy (not one of the originals) that I did photograph.




I can hardly believe the things we have done during this incredible four week visit to Great Britain.  It's so emotional to reflect on our amazing time there!  Our Golden Celebration meant the world to both of us.  Walking hand in hand back to our hotel to retrieve our car we feel incredibly blessed to experience all of this with each other.



This afternoon we will be onboard the Queen Mary II for our journey back home.  I've said it before, she certainly takes the sting out of leaving a place that feels like home. 












24 comments:

  1. Fifty four years is no mean achievement in this day and age. Congratulations on your Anniversary. I hope current conditions will not prevent a family celebration. Looking back on your trip is bringing you so much joy, but there is a pang of longing to return too, yes? These days, despite it's rich history and architectural beauty, Salisbury cathedral conjures up images of Russian intrigue and spies!
    Deb in Wales xoxo

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    1. Yes Deb, there is a pang of longing to return, my friend. Thank you for the lovely wishes. Many trips have been cancelled these last two years, but we are praying that one day we will be able to travel safely.
      I would have never thought Salisbury Cathedral would have had such horrible happenings in this sacred place! xoxo

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  2. Oh my, what a fabulous post.
    A lovely look back, what a trip.

    Friends have just gone to Salisbury for a few days break, looking at your photographs, I'm sure they will have a wonderful time.

    What special memories you must have of your trip.
    My good wishes for your 54th anniversary.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Jan, I am a wee bit jealous of your friends. Salisbury is so special to us!
      Thank you for the kind wishes!

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  3. How extraordinary! Sending you happy anniversary wishes for the 54th!

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  4. That was a vacation that you have documented so well. What a lovely gift to yourself and Grayden. You'll just have to go back when travel improves because you love England so.

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  5. Martha Ellen, when you said that you will be celebrating your 54th wedding anniversary this month, I was startled! Can it really have been four years since this amazing Golden Anniversary trip? I can hardly believe it!

    Thank you so much for sharing the inspiring and heartwarming and informative moments of this very special trip! And a very Happy 54th Anniversary to you and Grayden! You make the years look good!

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    1. Cheryl, our Golden Anniversary trip was indeed four years ago. It seems so long ago yet like yesterday in many respects.
      Thank you for following us along on this journey that we hold close to our hearts. I think I have made it last as long as I could!

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  6. Fabulous photos Martha Ellen and I thank you so much for sharing them. They have been an absolute delight. What an amazing adventure you had and to end it with a ride home on the Queen Mary. Fantastic! I have a memory of visiting Salisbury Cathedral when I was nine years' old with my parents and sister. At that age I couldn't quite take it all in I'm sure, all the more reason why I appreciate your photos. Thanks again and Happy 54th Anniversary in advance :)

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    1. Denise, I am honored that you enjoyed our trip. That "green and pleasant land" has captured my heart. That's so nice you remember visiting Salisbury Cathedral when you were nine. It is quite extraordinary and certainly left an impression on us. Thank you for your lovely comments and the Anniversary wishes!

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  7. Such an amazing cathedral. So glad you were able to see it inside and out!

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  8. What a grand place to celebrate! Salisbury Cathedral! I visited once and have always hope to return so really enjoyed your photos.
    Amalia
    xo

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  9. Exquisite photos and such a beautiful Cathedral. Thanks for sharing

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  10. You will always have this trip etched in your heart, Martha Ellen. It's nice that
    you have it all recorded with special writings and photos so you can look back on
    it for many years to come. Happy Anniversary, and October is a wonderful month to
    celebrate. : )

    ~Sheri

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    1. You are so right, Sheri, this trip is etched in our hearts. I've taken so long getting it all recorded here it's embarassing. October is our month, indeed! Thank you for your kind comments as always, my friend.

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  11. Absolutely stunning! I saw this snippet on another blog's sidebar, and because a trip to the UK (with all its glorious sights!) is on my "bucket list," I figured I needed to pop by for a visit. This sounds like a fantastic trip! And not just the England part, but the transatlantic crossing via ship. So much more fun than an airplane! Happy anniversary! 54 years is indeed something to celebrate!
    Blessings,
    Patti @ Leaving a Legacy

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    1. Thank you so much for visiting, Patti. Your bucket list sounds wonderful and one that I'm sure you will enjoy. Once you travel aboard the QM2 across the Atlantic, you will never want to fly there again! I appreciate your kind wishes for our anniversary.

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  12. Such a magnificent cathedral, Martha Ellen! Whenever I visit a church like this I always try to spend a few moments thinking about all the people who came before to worship in it and of course to say a prayer! We are 3 years away from our Golden Anniversary and I hope we will be healthy and able to enjoy such a wonderful trip like you took to celebrate it

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    1. I too hope you will be healthy to enjoy your 50th, Pat as it approaches! We are celebrating our 54th anniversary today and I'm overcome with thankfulness that we can continue to enjoy our life with each other.
      It is quite amazing to think of all the souls that have worshiped in these great cathedrals. Prayers for peace, love, and kindness, my friend.

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