Ships Of Heaven
The Private Life of Britain’s Cathedrals
(Autor) Christopher Somerville_____ 'Something close to divine inspiration' - The Times When Christopher Somerville, author of the The January Man ('a truly wonderful, uplifting book, bursting with life' - Nicholas Crane), set out to explore Britain’s cathedrals, he found his fixed ideas shaken to the roots. Starting out, he pictured cathedrals – Britain possesses over one hundred – as great unmoving bastions of tradition. But as he journeys among favourites old and new, he discovers buildings and communities that have been in constant upheaval for a thousand years. Here are stories of the monarchs and bishops who ordered the building of these massive but unstable structures, the masons whose genius brought them into being, the peasant labourers who erected (and died on) the scaffolding. We learn of rogue saints exploited by holy sinners, the pomp and prosperity that followed these ships of stone, the towns that grew up in their shadows, the impact of the Black Death, the Reformation and icon-smashing Puritanism, the revival brought about by the Industrial Revolution, and the hope and disillusion of two world wars. Meeting believers and non-believers, architects and archaeologists, the cleaner who dusts the monuments and the mason who judges stone by its taste, we delve deep into the private lives and the uncertain future of these ever-voyaging Ships of Heaven.
Christopher Somerville
Christopher Somerville is a British travel writer, author, and broadcaster known for his exploration of the British countryside. He has written numerous books on walking, hiking, and nature, including "The January Man" and "Walking in Ireland." Somerville's writing style is lyrical and descriptive, capturing the beauty and serenity of the landscapes he traverses. His works have had a significant impact on the genre of nature writing, inspiring readers to connect with the natural world and embark on their own adventures. "The January Man" is considered his most famous work, where he recounts his journey through the English countryside during the course of a year. Somerville's contributions to literature have helped to promote the importance of preserving and appreciating the natural environment.
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