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Chichester Cathedral. Photo outsourced from

Top 10 Facts about Chichester Cathedral

Chichester Cathedral is located in Chichester in West Sussex, England. It was founded as a cathedral in 1075 when the bishop’s seat was moved from Selsey.

St. Wilfred founded the cathedral in 681 near the coast in Selsey, 10 miles from Chichester, and it later became the first cathedral in Sussex.

The cathedral has fine architecture in both the Norman and the gothic style and is described as the most typical English cathedral.

Chichester Cathedral was famous for modern art and treasures such as stained glass.

It was dedicated to St. Richard de la Wyche, a bishop from 1245 to 1253. He was later canonized as St. Richard of Chichester.

The cathedral dominates the town and landscape of West Sussex. This makes a perfect place for a family day out or visits to learn more about its history.

This article will discover the top 10 amazing facts about Chichester cathedral.

1. Chichester Cathedral has fine architecture

Photo by Diliff-

The Chichester cathedral’s architectural design comprised both Norman and the gothic style and was criticized by Ian Nain as the most typical English cathedral.

The cathedral has two unique architectural features a free-standing medieval bell tower and double aisles. The cathedral has two rare medieval sculptures and many modern artworks.

The modern artworks at Chichester cathedral include tapestries, stained glass, and sculpture. Walter Hussey, a dean, put these arts in order from 1955 to 1977.

2. The cathedral has a magnificent spire

Chichester Cathedral spire. Photo by Rob Farrow-

The spire rises above the cathedral given copper root and can be seen from miles across the flat meadows of West Sussex.

Sailors use the spire as a landmark because it’s the only medieval English cathedral visible from the sea.

3. Chichester cathedral has many treasures and artworks

Stained glass in Chichester Cathedral-

One of the most precious treasures is two carved reliefs from the 12th century, which are uncommon in English sculpture.

Also, the roman mosaic pavement is viewed through a glass window and a set of thirty-eight medieval misericords from 1330.

The spire of the cathedral collapsed on 17th February. It was seen to incline slightly to the southwest and descend perpendicularly into the church. Gilbert Scolt later rebuilt it.

The misericords are found beneath the choir seat even though those parts of the choir stalls are primarily a Victorian reconstruction.

One of the famous graves are found here on being of the composer Gustar Hoilst and the gothic ‘Arundel tomb’ showing the recumbent Richard FitzAlan 10th Earl of Arundel holding hands with his second wife Eleanor of Lancaster.

The cathedral contains a pennant presented by Francis Chichester, which used to hang on his ship when he circumnavigated the globe.

4. The cathedral’s initial name was the cathedral church of the holy trinity

Chichester Cathedral was formerly known as the cathedral church of the holy trinity before it was given a new name.

The cathedral has the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Chichester, and it’s located in Chichester in West Sussex, England.

The cathedral was founded in 1075 when the bishop’s seat was moved from Selsey.

5. Chichester cathedral architectural history

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The cathedral has had a long and varied building history marked by several disasters.

The Chichester architectural history is revealed in its fabric because builders of different periods constructed in various styles and with changing technology.

Different gothic styles from the late 12th century through to the 15th century can also be identified in the cathedral.

The inside and outside of the cathedral can be distinguished from the later gothic work by the massive construction and round-topped windows.

6. Chichester cathedral plan is a cross shape

The cathedrals plan is in a shape of a cross with a nave and choir crossed by a transept. The eastern end of the building is long by comparison with the nave, is square-ended, and has a projecting lady chapel.

Typically, English is the arrangement of paired towers on the western front and a taller central tower over the crossing.

Chichester cathedral plan is unusual for England in having double aisles. It also has a cloister on the south side of the building.

7. Chichester Cathedral has Tudor painting

The display of the importance of art to the cathedral can be seen in the cathedral’s south transept. In the 1530s bishop, Robert Sherborne ordered Lambort Barnards to draw paintings.

The Lambort delivered the painting measuring 14 feet by 32 feet and painted on an oak plank, depicting two vignettes alongside a set of portraits of English monarchs. These paintings became a great panel of history.

The painting’s scene takes as their subject history of the cathedral in miniature from Selsey to Chichester and the current monarch age with Henry VIII confirming the right and royal protection of the bishopric.

The painting’s portrayal of royal authority and protection is a rare and valuable example of propaganda paintings from the era and confirms its importance among influential Tudor ecclesiastical art anywhere in the country.

8. Chichester Cathedral has a St. Richard shrine

`Modern alter at St. Richard shrine. Photo outsourced from s

St Richard was canonized as saint Richard of Chichester, and his shrine attracted pilgrims until it was destroyed in 1538 during the first stage of the English reformation.

In 1930 an altar was restored to the original site of his shrine. Almost 800 years since St. Richard died. He is a saint of Sussex and has a translated saint day on 16th June celebrated as Sussex Day.

9. Parliamentarians sacked Chichester Cathedral

During the English civil war outbreak in 1642, parliamentary forces took full control of the city.

The parliamentary forces ransacked the cathedral, and in 1660 a program of restoration was started to do the restoration. St. Richard is often remembered through his popular prayer.

10. Chichester Cathedral is home to wildlife

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Peregrine falcons nest at the Chichester cathedral. The peregrines falcons used a crenelated turret at the base of the spire.

In April 2009, three female and one male chick were hatched. Their nesting season was recorded, and a live video of the chick was shown inside the cathedral.