European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 05, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Great Britain Majestic building celebrating its 900th birthday this year by Nancy i. Torner . Bureau i it is impossible to stand under the cavernous and intricately designed ceiling in the Nave of Winchester Cathedral and comprehend How anyone could raise a hand against a Structure of such Beauty or any item within its Walls. Yet the Cathedral has been desecrated twice in its Long history. In 1538, the shrine of St. Swithin and other items were demolished by officers from Henry Hlll s commission for the destruction of shrines. The commission was formed to carry out Henry Hlll s seizure of monasteries after he separated England from control of the Pope in Rome. The second round of violence came in december 1642, when Oliver Cromwell s soldiers charged through the Church on horseback overturning the altar and breaking the communion rail which they carried off to an Alehouse to Burn. Troops also destroyed and defaced several monuments and they pulled Down some mortuary chests and used Bones from inside the chests As missiles to break the stained Glass windows. The soldiers then Rode through the streets dressed in Church vestments carrying prayer books and pieces of carved Wood that they had broken off from various places in the Cathedral. But despite attempts by ravages to destroy the Church the restoration of 1660 brought Calm to Winchester and building projects began that have allowed the Cathedral to celebrate its 900th anniversary this year. Many special Art and music events Are scheduled in and around the Cathedral through september to commemorate the anniversary. The Only example of medieval Glass that remains in the Cathedral today is above the boo stand near the Entrance said Christine Targett one of numerous Volunteer guides who Are available to answer questions about the Cathedral. Images on the Glass depict a group of musicians. Many of the original statues that adorned the Cathedral were broken during the reformation including those that stood inside a giant 15th-Century Wall screen that stands behind the High altar. The present statues in the screen Date from the late 19th Century which explains Why there s a likeness of Queen Victoria displayed among the Saxon monarchs target said. However not All the relics were lost. Many of the original statuary were Able to be reassembled and other priceless treasures were rescued. These items Are on display in the trifolium gallery on the second level of the Cathedral s South transept. Gallery pieces include fragments of the 13th-Century Tomb of St. Swithin and pieces of a sculptured screen thought to be associated with Swithin s relics. Little is known about St. Swithin who was Bishop of Winchester except that4ie is credited with rebuilding Winchester s Bridge Over the River Itchen and with a a View of Winchester Cathedral from the Back. Single Miracle restoring an old woman s. Dropped Basket of eggs Back to their unc racked state. Swithin was buried at his request in a Humble Tomb outside the former Cathedral in 862. However on july 15, 971, Swithin s remains were ceremoniously moved inside the Cathedral whereupon it rained for 40 Days Targett said. Legend has held Ever since that if it Rains on july 15, it will rain for the next 40 Days she said. Swithin s remains were moved a second time on july 15,1093, into the current Cathedral but it is not known whether it rained on that or subsequent Days she said. The Cathedral also has a Large Library on the first level of the South transept where the Winchester Bible is on permanent display. The Bible is a prime example of manuscript illumination the Art of decorating initial letters in manuscripts with designs and colors. Manuscript illumination was practice in Winchester into the 12th Century. Construction of the current Cathedral began in 1079, but most of the Church has since been rebuilt or remodeler. The Nave was completely remodeler Between 1350 and 1404, when  ceiling and Arches were redone. Binoculars Are Handy in this area for viewing the amusing figures that Are carved into the ceiling. The original late gothic architecture in the Back half of the Cathedral can be compared with the remodeler Nave by standing in the North transept where the old and remodeler sections meet. There also is a door in the North transept that leads to a stairway an underground crypt. The crypt runs under tie entire East end of the Cathedral and is open to the Public on the rare occasions when it is not flooded. When the crypt is under water visitors still can View a Snall portion of its a Dav Edladio Stone sculptures of the Church Hierarchy from the past stare Down on visitors to the Chantry chapels in the rear part of Winchester Cathedral. From 5 Landing at the Bottom of the stairs. The choir and presbytery where most services Are held stand in the Center of the Cathedral the area is enclosed in partial Walls that Don t reach All the Way to the ceiling and Renaissance mortuary chests which sit on top of the Walls Are said to contain the Bones of monarchs and Bishops. However there s no telling whose Bones Are in which chests because they were muddled together during the 1642 desecration Targett said. The most impressive feature in the choir is its stalls of intricately carved Wood that depict an enchanted Forest of Lions is Davdi monkeys and other beasts. Members of the Cathedral choir Are All male by tradition Targett said. An addition called the Retro choir was built behind the main choir in about 1200. It contains the largest spread of 13th Century floor tiles in England As Well As several Small chapels that have been sectioned off from the main addition. The lady Chapel is at the rear of the building an unnamed Chapel is on the South Side of the room and on the North Side is the guardian Angels Chap which features a 13th-Century painted vault depicting Angels. A Small Monument that stands in the rear of the South Side of the Retro choir pays homage to diver William Walker who is credited with saving the. Cathedral from collapse in the Early 1900s. The Retro choir was built on a bed of Wood which eventually rotted because of a High water table. The rear of the Cathedral began to sink As a result and its Walls began to Bow outward a Hole was dug along the outside Wall of the Cathedral until the water table was reached. Walker continued the excavations underwater from that Point. He worked six hours a Day Between 1906 to 1912 digging out the old Wood and laying a new foundation under the Cathedral with sacks of Cement Targett said. Walker died six years after he completed the Job. The Cathedral also is known for numerous other monuments and Chantry chapels of former Bishops and cardinals. The two earliest Chantry chapels Are in the Nave and the remaining four Are in the / Retro choir All of which Are elaborately decorated with statues and other artwork. Other smaller memorials exist throughout the Cathedral such As those of authors Jane Austen and Izaak Walton. August 5,1993 stripes Magazine 11