Cathedral Church Of St Mary And St Ethelbert

The Cathedral Church of St Mary and St Ethelbert, located in Hereford, is a Grade I listed building that dates from the 11th to the 15th centuries. It has undergone restoration and alterations by notable architects including Wyatt, Cottingham, Sir Gilbert Scott, and Oldried Scott. The structure is built of ashlar sandstone and features lead roofs.

The exterior includes north and south aisles, transepts, the Lady Chapel, a crypt, a north porch, a crossing tower, and the 15th-century Bishops Cloisters, with both east and west walks still intact.

Inside, the cathedral is renowned for its stained glass, particularly in the Lady Chapel, the north-east and north transepts, and the south aisle. It also features a Norman font adorned with arcaded figures, choir stalls, misericordes, and other woodwork. The chained library is significant as it houses the largest collection of its kind in England, with around 2,000 volumes and five oak bookcases dating from around 1600. The choir stalls and the bishop's throne from 1375 are exceptionally fine and elaborate.

Among the notable monuments are those of Bishop Aquablanca from 1268 and St Thomas of Cantilupe. Other memorials include Johanna de Bohun from 1327, Peter de Grandison from 1352, Richard de la Barr from 1386, Andrew Jones and his wife from 1497, Swinefields from the 14th century, Richard Rudhall from 1476, and bishops such as Coke from 1646, Bennet from 1617, Meyew from 1516, Trelleck from 1360, Frowsetoure from 1529, and Charlton from 1343, as well as Richard de la Mare from 1435. The cathedral also features much notable work from the 19th century.