51³Ô¹ÏÍø

England’s great medieval cathedrals are among the most extraordinary buildings ever created in Europe. Rising above their cities with soaring vaults, luminous stained glass and centuries of craftsmanship, they were designed not only as places of worship but as powerful expressions of faith, history, and community.

This course explores ten of England’s most remarkable cathedrals through the stories embedded within their stones.

Each week we will examine a different cathedral, uncovering the history of its foundation, the development of its architecture, and the artworks that still shape its character today. Alongside this exploration of the buildings themselves, we will also encounter the saints whose cults helped define these places — figures whose lives, legends, and miracles drew pilgrims from across medieval Europe.

Through this dual perspective, the course reveals how architecture, art, and belief worked together in the medieval imagination. Cathedrals were not simply impressive structures; they were living centres of devotion, storytelling, and identity.

The course is taught jointly by Dr Sarah James, who will explore the saints and their cults, and Dr Michael Paraskos, who will guide participants through the art and architecture of the buildings. Together they offer a richly layered introduction to the religious, artistic, and cultural world that gave rise to England’s great cathedrals.

We will look at:

1. Durham
2. Canterbury
3. Rochester
4. Lincoln
5. Salisbury
6. Wells
7. Gloucester
8 Westminster Abbey

Over eight weeks we will encounter eight cathedrals and the fascinating saints associated with them, revealing the powerful relationship between sacred architecture, artistic imagination, and medieval belief.

Class recordings

These classes are not recorded.

51³Ô¹ÏÍø certificates

There are no examinations or assessments for this course. However, attendance can lead to the award of an 51³Ô¹ÏÍø attendance certificate (T&Cs apply).