Inside Arundel Cathedral

Inside Arundel Cathedral

Entering the West Door your impression is one of height, light and space. The height of the Nave is 71 feet 9 inches more than double the width of 33 feet (which excludes the 12 foot side aisles). The Nave is 97 feet long. Lofty piers, giving the impression of height, have eight clustering shafts, supporting a handsome cross-grained vault of chalk alternating with Bath Stone. There is no stained glass to the Nave, In spandrels between arches are roundrels with busts of English saints.

The North Aisle leads to the North Transept and on the walls there are Stations of the Cross in relief. These were in memory of Bishop John Butt, fourth Bishop of Southwark, who had been consecrated in this Church and who later became Chaplain to the Duke of Norfolk at Arundel. He founded St. John's Seminary at Wonersh, Guildford, where he is buried.

High up, on the two terminal bays at the east end of the Nave are two small statues of St. Henry, Emperor of the Romans and St. Edmund of Canterbury. These are the two name saints of the XV Duke of Norfolk and his brother Lord Fitzalan of Derwent from whose Chapel at Derwent Hall they were originally brought.

St Wilfrid's Chapel leading off the transept is dedicated to St. Wilfrid, seventh century Archbishop of York, who also laboured in other parts of England including Sussex. The Chapel is a memorial to the men of Arundel who fell in both world wars.

The Lady Chapel is distinguished with what is believed to be the first English Tabernacle made after the Reformation. In this Tabernacle was found the original parchment which says: "this Tabernacle was made by Chas. KandIer, Goldsmith at the Miter in St. Martins Lane for his Grace Thos. Howard Duke of Norfolk Anno Dominie 1739". This is used as the Altar of Repose on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. The Priedieu in front of the Altar is dated 1678.

The Great Rose Window is best seen from a position looking down the Nave from the crossing. In the centre of the great window is the Blessed Virgin with the Holy Child; around her, angels bearing incense. In the outer circle are the Mysteries of the Rosary.

Throughout the Cathedral are fine examples of Victorian glass most of which was designed by Nathaniel Westlake and made by Hardman's of Birmingham. The glass was inserted in the 1880's.

In 1999 the cathedral was cleaned, disabled access was improved, new lighting installed, and some internal modifications were made, including the relocation of the font back to tha baptistry