John Prichard, "bearing the mighty tower"

John Prichard, J. P. Seddon and others

Victorian restoration, 1843-1869; south-west tower and spire, 1869

Llandaff Cathedral (Eglwys Gadeiriol Llandaff)

Llandaff

Cardiff, Wales

Other Views and Related Material

Cathedral

South side, showing Chapter House

South side

Restored interior

Close-up of chancel ceiling

Burne-Jones and Morris, stained glass window

Triptych by D. G. Rossetti

Central panel of triptych

J. R.Buckley, by Sir William Goscombe John

View of J. R.Buckley and "Prichard's Tower"

Offsite: Panoramic view Cardiff

Photograph and text Jacqueline Banerjee, 2009

[You may use this image without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the photographer and (2) link your document to this URL.]

In restoring the collapsed southwest tower, Prichard and Seddon wanted harmony above all. Generally known as "Prichard's Tower," this part of the cathedral is much admired, especially as Llandaff is unusual in having two towers at the west front. Prichard himself is depicted at the head of one of the new supporting columns, "bearing the mighty tower on his shoulders" (Davies 7). A brass plaque nearby, in what is now the cathedral shop area, reads: "In Memory of the Great Architect J. Prichard, Restorer of This Cathedral. Born May 6 1817. Died October 13 1886." Prichard is buried along with his father (for 35 years vicar-choral of the cathedral) on the south-east side of the cathedral, beyond the Chapter House (see Ellis).

References

"Chronology." (Walker Art Gallery site on Rossetti.) Viewed 3 September 2009.

Cormack, Peter. Illustrated Catalogue for Morris & Company's Stained Glass for the Chapel of Cheadle Royal Hospital". London: Haslan and Whiteway, 2008. This beautifully illustrated catalogue is available here. Viewed 3 September 2009.

Davies, Chrystal. Around and About Llandaff Cathedral. Much Wenlock, Shrops: R. H. Smith, 2006.

Ellis, Megan. "Prichard, John (1817-1886)." (Welsh Biography Online). Viewed 3 September 2009.

Freeman, Edward Augustus. Remarks on the Architecture of Llandaff Cathedral: With an Essay towards a History of the Fabric. London: Pickering, 1850. Available here. Viewed 3 September 2009.

"Llandaff Cathedral," The Saturday Magazine (No. 143) 27 September 1834: 113-5. Viewed 3 September 2009..

"A Short History: Historical Landmarks" (on the Llandaff Cathedral website). Viewed 3 September 2009.

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Last modified 15 September 2009