SALISBURY CATHEDRAL : THE MAKING OF A MEDIEVAL MASTERPIECE - NEW BOOK BY TIM TATTON-BROWN AND JOHN CROOK

Salisbury Cathedral – The Making of a Medieval Masterpiece is a fascinating new book which presents the most authoritative account of the building of the Cathedral yet published. Researched and written by Tim Tatton-Brown, Consultant Archaeologist of Salisbury Cathedral since 1990, it is lavishly illustrated with beautiful new pictures by specialist photographer John Crook, a fine new series of drawings by Jill Atherton and two new watercolours by Terry Ball.

Tim Tatton-Brown said, “This book offers a completely fresh account of the building of the Cathedral, revealing all the new findings which have been made from both my work and associated specialist studies of the building’s fabric during the past twenty years as it undergoes its Major Repair Programme. I have attempted to put these new findings alongside the known historical dates and documentary information we already have and present it all in a straightforward and readable style.

“Salisbury Cathedral is a famously beautiful work of ecclesiastical architecture and an extraordinary achievement. It is unique among medieval English cathedrals being erected within about 40 years in a single style, Early English Gothic, and is a testimony to the faith, skill, craftsmanship and endeavour of those who built it.”

Edward Probert, Canon Chancellor at the Cathedral, said “Tim’s book is a great read. Meticulously researched and drawing on history and geology as well as his expertise in architecture, Tim shows the wider context of the building, situating its development against the background of English politics of successive ages, including the era of medieval monarchs and powerful bishops, and the high drama of the Reformation, Civil War and Restoration. He also discusses the earlier cathedral at Old Sarum and covers, with similar authority, the relatively few changes which have taken place to the Cathedral’s structure since it was first erected right up to the installation of the new baptismal font in September 2008.

“Every page is brought alive with stunning photographs, engravings and other illustrations, all carefully captioned. Special thanks must go to photographer John Crook, Jill Atherton for numerous detailed drawings of plans and reconstructions, and to the eminent artist Terry Ball, well known for his work for English Heritage, for his two new watercolours of the Cathedral showing it as we now believe it looked in 1225 and 1245.”

Salisbury Cathedral -The Making of a Medieval Masterpiece is published by Scala Publishers Ltd and available from mid-December, price £14.95, from the Cathedral Shop. Mail order also available, email: giftshop@salcath.co.uk or telephone 01722 555170.

Tim Tatton-Brown has been the Consultant Archaeologist to the Chapter of Salisbury Cathedral since 1990. He is a buildings archaeologist and architectural historian, and the author of several books including The English Cathedral, The English Church, The Abbeys and Priories of England and Lambeth Palace: A History of the Archbishops of Canterbury and their Houses.

John Crook is an architectural historian, archaeological consultant and church specialist, and the author of many books and articles on medieval ecclesiastical art and architecture. Dr Crook is also a widely published professional photographer. This is his fourth major collaboration with Tim Tatton-Brown. www.john-crook.com

BBC Interview with Tim Tatton-Brown on his new book