An introduction to Ripon Cathedral

Last updated on August 19th, 2024 at 02:47 pm

Ripon Cathedral, Nave

Ripon Cathedral has such publicly ancient roots that I was surprised to learn it only got promoted to cathedral as recently as 1836.  As a matter of fact, Ripon is a physical link with the earliest days of Christianity in Britain, and particularly associated with Wilfred – bishop, saint and builder of the 7th century stone church whose crypt still survives under the present cathedral.

Ripon Cathedral

A monastic community was first founded at Ripon as a daughter house of St Aiden’s monastery at Melrose – or Mailros as it was known – sometime in the mid-7th century.  Wilfred arrived a little later, in 658, when he was appointed Abbot.  Trained at Lindisfarne, Wilfred had travelled to Rome, and then Lyons.  Whilst overseas, he had become immersed in the practices of the Roman church, which were at odds with the Celtic traditions that had independently evolved in the British Isles.  So, Wilfred introduced the Benedictine Rule to Ripon and, according to some accounts, turfed out those that didn’t like it – including, allegedly, St Cuthbert – the North of England’s favourite saint.  En passant, during Cuthbert’s time at Ripon he is said to have been visited by an angel…yes, well.  Anyway – Wilfred also set about replacing the timber church at Ripon with a brand-new stone one, engaging skilled craftsmen from mainland Europe to create a Roman-styled building using dressed stone, with columns, side-aisles, a great many windows and arched vaults.  It was dedicated to St Peter in 872 and probably seemed quite alien to the Anglo-Saxons of Northumbria.

Ripon Cathedral, south side
Ripon Cathedral, east end

Wilfred went on to represent the Roman party at the Synod of Whitby and subsequently seemed to divide his time between holding a variety of high church offices, overseas travel, converting the South Saxons and falling out with people.  He died at Oundle in c709 and was buried at Ripon, where his shrine became an important destination for pilgrims.  In fairness, I’m struggling to appreciate exactly what the old chap did to warrant being canonised and can only conclude that the process had similarities with the current honours system in the UK.

Inevitably, the vicissitudes of English history have impacted on Ripon Cathedral.  In 875, Ripon was sacked by the Danes.  In 948, King Eadred of England burned the monastery and destroyed the church as part of his campaign against the supporters of the Norwegian Erik Bloodaxe, and to bring Northumbria back under English control.  The church was rebuilt, only to be wrecked again in 1069-70 during William the Conqueror’s ‘Harrying of the North’.  The Norman Archbishop of York, Thomas of Bayeux, reconstructed the church in 1080, but the present building really began to emerge under the guidance of yet another Archbishop of York (and, obviously, a big cheese) – Roger de Ponte l’Eveque in the late 12th century.  The medieval archbishops of York actually constructed a palace for themselves in Ripon.  In the late 15th century, the cathedral’s central tower collapsed and necessary rebuilding was delayed by the Wars of the Roses.  Somehow, the church survived the Reformation.  It was vandalised by Parliamentary troops during the Civil War and, in 1660, the central spire fell through the roof of the choir.  Shortly afterwards, the wooden medieval spires that had once adorned the west towers were removed.  And there was extensive restoration work undertaken in the 19th century.

I was interested to learn that a right of sanctuary was granted to Ripon in the 10th century.  This covered an area of one mile in circumference from the church and allowed fugitives 30 days’ security under the protection of the Church (terms and conditions applied).  The boundary was marked by sanctuary crosses, one of which remains – though I haven’t seen it – at Sharow village and is under the care of the National Trust.

Visiting Ripon is of course an opportunity to experience one of Britain’s great medieval buildings.  I can never quite get over how these places soar over you, their great columns and arches seemingly extending into another world.  It is simply wonderful; my photos certainly do not do it justice.  Of course, those mindful of history will make a beeline for the crypt, the only surviving part of Wilfred’s church.  Some believe it was intended to represent Christ’s tomb and it is a slightly eerie sensation to go down the steps, knowing that countless people before have been doing the same thing for more than thirteen hundred years.  If it is not the oldest church building still in use in Britain – and some say it is – it is certainly one of the oldest.  It is suggested that some of the stone used in its construction was salvaged from Roman ruins.  One of its features is a narrow niche known as ‘St Wilfred’s Needle’.  It is a chastity test – every church should have one.  I gather that any young woman unable to squeeze through was deemed to have failed; presumably, she’d have to try again another time.  In another niche there’s a beautiful 14th century carving of the Resurrection, which had been hidden in the 16th century and was discovered in the 19th.

Ripon Cathedral screen
Ripon, stone pulpitum

One of the most beautiful features of Ripon Cathedral has to be the stone pulpitum screen, which dates from the 15th century though the statues in it are 20th century.  They represent figures from the cathedral’s long history.  On the choir side of the screen is an unusual wooden hand poking out above the doorway.  You wonder whether it’s the hand of God, but it is 17th century work and enables the organist to beat time for the choir; quite astonishing!  The choir stalls and misericords are skilfully carved with wonderful figures and date from the 15th century.  One carving shows a rabbit pursued by a griffin and disappearing down a hole.  I didn’t see it, but it is said to have inspired Charles Dodgson, better known as Lewis Carroll, whose father was a canon at Ripon.

The mutilated 14th century effigies of Sir Thomas Markenfield and his wife Dionysia caught my eye.  The tombs were ‘damaged’ during the Civil War, but must have been things of beauty before then.

The Ripon Jewel

Up a wide flight of stairs off the south transept takes you into the cathedral library, where there is an astonishing display of treasure, some of it exquisite, some of it gaudy, most of it impressive.  There’s also an interesting series of portraits of kings and queens, dating from the early 17th century.  However, the most amazing item – to my mind – was the ‘Ripon Jewel’.  This is a Saxon ornament – possibly a decoration from a book, a casket or a crucifix.  It is gold, inlaid with amber and garnets, and was found close to the cathedral in 1976.

Markenfield tomb, Ripon Cathedral

My latest visit to Ripon Cathedral included a meeting with fellow webist Helen, and her husband Glenn. Helen’s eye for beauty and elegance, as well as her skill with a camera, can be seen over at Entertablement.  I must say that, given that poor weather had thwarted Glenn’s attempt to take a flight in a Spitfire, he seemed impressively calm.

Of course, there’s more to Ripon than the cathedral and I’m glad to say that this includes a selection of places nearby serving coffee and tempting buns.  I’d like to learn more about the earlier history of Ripon, whose name might be tribal in origin – variations on Inhrypum or Hrypis – and therefore pre-date the Anglo-Saxons. I’m wondering how it survived them, and the Danes; both invaders stamped their language on British place names.  On that thought, I’ll leave you with a link to the Ripon Cathedral website.

Sundial, Ripon

 

49 thoughts on “An introduction to Ripon Cathedral”

  1. I live in Ripon. Great place. Not far from here is one of those little known castles – Snape. Round the back, still in use and generally open is Henry VIII’s, last wife’s chapel. Markenfield Hall just down the road is both a rare and remarkable survivor of a small 12C fortified house. Enjoy!

  2. Hello Mike,
    We were at Ripon Cathedral September 20th of this year. I’m just finishing up my post about our stop there and am including a link to this post of yours about the cathedral. Love the great photos you got and all the information you included. So many cathedrals…so little time. Thank you! https://happywonderer.com/
    My post will publish on Friday November 3rd. Cheers!

    1. Hi Ellen. Thanks for this – glad you liked it. Sorry for the delayed response. I popped over to your blog – you need to add a search facility! I did scroll through and found some lovely photos of places that are very familiar to me, such Skipton, Grassington, the Dales in general and Liverpool – but didn’t spot the Ripon one. Seems like you had a great time, though, and were lucky with the weather!!

  3. Mm, I went to Ripon Cathedral years ago as part of a Lewis Carroll Society outing (his dad was archdeacon of the cathedral) and your post makes me think that I should go again. I do remember it as being most impressive but I suppose one forgets so much and it is obviously well worth another view. Nice part of the countryside too. Your photos are wonderful I think so please don’t apologise for them. Thanks for this.

  4. I always enjoy your posts about cathedrals and churches, Mike. I’ve long been fascinated with church architecture. Ripon is a jewel. Thank you for showing us this!

  5. My neighbour! Well, forty minutes away. I’ve visited the Cathedral many times, in fact I was confirmed by the Bishop, not the present one!

    Some years ago I joined a tour of the old prison, very interesting. I believe you have to book in advance, I went with a pre-booked party.

    And just down the road is Ripley Castle which you’ve probably visited, now that is steeped in English history. I love that place.

  6. Wow — I’ve never heard of Ripon but it’s certainly beautiful. Amazing the colors in such a medieval building. Must be great restoration! As always, the history fascinates me.

  7. Another great blog about somewhere I haven’t explored inside. I love the quote about Wifred’s canonisation being similar to today’s honours list. That made me chuckle.

  8. artandarchitecturemainly

    Wilfred was a brave man replacing the timber church at Ripon with a brand-new stone one, and he was even braver importing skilled craftsman from outside. The dressed stone, with columns, side-aisles, windows and arched vaults are still gorgeous.

    Now I have to ask myself why I have never been to Ripon.

  9. Loved this post, Mike. Ripon is a beautiful cathedral and everything I wrote in my journal about it, you covered in this post – and far more, of course. We were there for a midday service that had a disappointing low attendance. Like 6. (Mr. C added, ‘and 5 were Americans’ LOL). I loved that beautiful rood screen and the gorgeous needlepoint kneelers. But wait. There’s more in Ripon than the cathedral? 😉

  10. I was most amused by the conducting hand! So many churches could do with one of those. I have never visited Ripon and enjoyed your history of the church and all the fabulous photos very much.

  11. Bishop Ponte l’Eveque reminded me of Citizen Camembert – another big cheese!
    That was a fascinating tour of the cathedral – though wonderful as it is, i think I too would head for the crypt first.

  12. Cynthia H Anderson

    I never got to Ripon when I was over there but if ever again I should be able to visit I will! This is fascinating and the photos wonderful!

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