Salisbury - Table of Contents ......................Architecture Around the World

Salisbury Cathedral Close
England
The spacious and tranquil Close, with its schools, hospitals, theological colleges and clergy housing, makes a fine setting for Salisbury Cathedral. Below is a sampling of the buildings.

TEXT Beneath Illustration


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North Gate

38 Cathedral Close

Matrons' College
39 Cathedral Close

The Wardrobe
58 Cathedral Close

Arundells
59 Cathedral Close

The King's House
65 Cathedral Close

The King's House
65 Cathedral Close

The King's House
65 Cathedral Close

The King's House
65 Cathedral Close

The King's House
65 Cathedral Close

The King's House
65 Cathedral Close

Harnham Gate

The Salisbury Cathedral Close
By John Bushell

Salisbury Cathedral, a cathedral of the old foundation, has been served by priests living a secular life and not by any monastic order. When the cathedral, the Close and the city were planned the canons were each allocated an acre and a half of ground within the Liberty of the Close on which to build their houses.

Whilst all members of the Chapter are equal there were a number who were considered more equal than others. These were the "personae": the Dean, Precentor, Chancellor, Treasurer and the Archdeacons, who were each granted a double allocation of three acres.

For this reason one finds the larger houses on the West Walk of the close backing on to the River Avon. Originally the houses were occupied by canons of the cathedral, chantry priests, vicars and lay persons connected with the cathedral. Today only five members of Chapter are resident in the Close and the other properties are mainly held on lease from the Dean and Chapter by private residents.

"The (new) city centre has traditionally been divided into two distinct areas, the Cathedral Close and the commercial area centered on the Market Place. This sense of there being two aspects to Salisbury, the ecclesiastical and the business, still exists today. This separation of 'God from Mammon' is in evidence today as the gates to the Cathedral Close are locked at 11.30pm every night through to 7.00 next morning." - h2g2


Photos and their arrangement © 2003 Chuck LaChiusa
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