That big building next door to the school is probably one of the best-known churches in Europe – one of the very few great cathedrals in Europe – or in the world for that matter – to have been built quickly enough to be all in one style. Early English it began in 1220 and Early English it was finished in 1266, some 46 years later. The only later addition to the 13th century structure is the 14th century spire. But for such a stunning piece of architecture, such an iconic structure for the established church in this country, it is surprising to find that its designer and builder is something of a mystery. A contrast to the modern way of things, where the names of designers of everything – from wobbly bridges to outsize gherkin-shaped office blocks – is plastered everywhere! We actually don’t know that much about the man who designed St Mary’s Cathedral.
We do know his name – Elias of Dereham. We know also that he was head hunted by Bishop Poore in around 1219 to become the guiding hand in a huge project – the moving and reconstruction of a whole cathedral on a new site outside Salisbury. The bishop had probably met Elias in Canterbury, where he had done some building design in the cathedral; Poore was obviously impressed and knew that Elias was the man to do the job in Salisbury.
When Elias first arrived in Salisbury he seems to have become the Bishop’s major domo (or right-hand man). His importance is shown by the fact that he was sent not just one but six copies of the Magna Carta to distribute among the clergy in 1215 – and one of those you can now see on display in the Chapter House today. But it was in 1220 that Elias finally got around to starting the most important job in hand – that of not just building a cathedral, but a cathedral surrounded by a new town – New Sarum.
The pope authorised the moving of the cathedral from Old Sarum in March 1219 – a huge site was selected, and Elias began frantically working on detailed plans for perhaps the most ambitious building project that England had ever experienced – an entirely new cathedral to be built in one go on a very large scale in the latest style. This was really cutting-edge stuff; in every other case that you could think of, cathedrals were based on a rebuild of a church that was already there. Large parts of the old building were usually retained – after all, it made sense to use what was already built – and the shape and size of the build was almost always limited by other buildings nearby. Not in Salisbury, where the ground was flat, open, entirely undeveloped – and in fact rather low-lying and liable to flood. It sounds very much like the type of area being used to build today’s new housing estates.
260 acres (a vast area) were set aside for the new town, with 83 acres occupied by the Cathedral Close. The buildings were set out in straight lines, with open views and with a network of waterways running through. A true vision of a brave new urban work in 13th century England.
An enormous project then – which was also going to be ruinously expensive. The cost of the new cathedral, given in 1266 on completion was put at 42,000 marks. The fact that this money was raised, and funds never ran out was down to vigorous fund raising and donations from local wealthy benefactors. Some things never change! The fact that the cathedral itself took just 46 years to build is a great tribute to the design, drive and determination of Elias, and the support of his Bishop, Richard Poore.
Elias of Dereham never saw the building or the town - which he had laid many of the plans for – finished. When he died in April 1245 his cathedral must have been swathed in scaffold, and his streets still forming on the flood plain of the River Avon. Because of his, and Richard Poore’s vision of a great building dedicated to worship, we have St Mary’s next door. It seems strange that so great an enterprise can be driven by a man about whom history records comparatively little. The lasting memorial to the 13th century architect is the feeling that we can all get viewing the soaring majesty of a cathedral and spire rising over the west wall of the school – a great sign of faith and glory for us all. Elias would have been proud.
