The Glorious Medieval Leaves of Southwell Minster

[@annettewillis2797]

Whenever you visit a medieval church I always think it a miracle that it survived the ravages of time and politics. Yet such beautiful places like Southwell minster have survived. The decorative detail is stunning and so naturalistic. I very much appreciate your lying on the floor for a better view Allan! Many thanks as always.

[@388Caroline]

Thank you as always, Allan. This Church is a treasure 🙏

[@orlando1a1]

The leaves of Southwell Chapter house quite literally represents an early flowering of the decorated, a wonderful and uniquely English style of gothic architecture. The chapter house of Southwell minster is a gorgeous building. When you think of the turbulent history of England, it's a miracle this beautiful building survives at all. Thank you, Allan, for a beautiful video.

[@markgoddard2560]

Beautiful picture of the ceiling. Thanks for lying down on the floor!!

[@heatherjones6647]

Welcome back! You were missed.

[@nadiabrook7871]

What a BEAUTIFUL minister church!! I love cathedrals and minsters as they are so majestic!! 👍💖💞❤

[@robb2biago]

Thank you for laying on the floor to get that ceiling shot. How remarkable. Most people are too busy, to look up. Look up!! That was awesome

[@carolinegreenwell9086]

Beautiful. I would definitely watch a longer video about all those carvings.

[@melaniehylok5670]

Glorious! I’m astounded at the things builders and craftsmen could do in the Middle Ages! I’m glad you laid on the floor!

[@williamevans9426]

... and gracefully rotated while reclining, it appears!

[@dorothysutton5162]

Thanks, Allan. How beautiful!

[@hugolandheer7008]

Oh my goodness.... It's no use visiting England because I could not decide where to start! We are lucky to have Allan Barton...

[@bevinboulder5039]

What a great view of the ribbed ceiling! Thank you so much for bringing this beautiful building to your channel.

[@miraclegal55]

Wonderful video, Allan, and thank you for lying on the floor 😊

[@catw4729]

When we had a group of Germans over from our twinned church in Neustadt in the Pfalz I organised a tour of Southwell. It was well worth doing. (We followed with lunch at the Saracen’s Head, a visit to the Workhouse and tea and cake in the Workhouse tea room - a good day out)

[@ianjordan1465]

Glad that I am not the only one who gets the odd stare when lying on a church floor-try Ely cathedral lantern. Will add Southwell Minster to my list and many many thanks for your efforts.

[@reachme1609]

Alan, you are a treasure.

[@flamencoprof]

Beautiful work. Despite my Atheism, when on a driving tour of continental Europe and Britain back in 1996, I never tired of "religious" architecture. I recall laying, not myself, but my 35mm camera on the floor of the cathedral in Seville to capture the vaults. I did sketches of some in my travel diary. I liked the folky carvings in Autun, France, the exquisite mosaics in Ravenna, Italy, an organ recital in Chartres at sunset thru the stained glass, the chunky work at Durham, and the beautiful Kings College Chapel in Cambridge, etc., etc.

[@bessofhardwick9311]

Beautiful. Thanks again for posting.

[@CrowSkeleton]

I really appreciate the beautiful foliage and perfect upward view, thank you. I hope you didn't make anyone worry they'd found a dead antiquary whilst admiring said view likewise.

[@elizabethcornwell4156]

What a beautiful space!

[@HighWealder]

I came across a second hand copy of a little book from Penguin about 45 years ago and was immediately enthralled by the images. Sadly, I have never managed to visit it.

[@richardbouchard1716]

One of your best.

[@allanbarton]

Thanks very much!

[@carolescutt2257]

Thank you for a glimpse into this wonderful building xx

[@gonefishing167]

Just glorious, thank you so much 🙏🙏👵🇦🇺

[@AmynAL]

Please Allan, a longer video! I would love to hear about those carvings. Who, in that long ago, would design such a beautiful building? Archbishops, clergy, the masons? The buildings are so intricate. Thank you so much for the video.

[@carolinebeaumont5590]

So lovely - I visit Southwell and the Minster as often as I can and recommend you add it to your Church and Cathedral trail next time you are in the Midlands!

[@Jo_Lori]

Lovely! Thanks for the tour, Allan.

[@pixbychris3182]

This is on my list to visit when I get my hip done. Lovely chapter house and I have never seen the wooden seats in place before. Interesting the point about colour a very good friend of mine was a Canon at Bristol Cathedral. They wanted to paint an effigy as it would have been originally but English Heritage refused permission. Thanks for this Allan

[@anne-marie2972]

It would be amazing to see in colors. Maybe they could recreate images where we can see how it looked like hunders of years ago. Sorry grammar/spelling errors because this is not my native language.

[@Floortile]

I know Southwell Minster quite well. The Chapter House is, indeed, an exquisite space. Extraordinarily for circa 1287, the fluid, naturalistic, carvings show the influence of Rheims Cathedral - the coronation church of the Kings of France - as well as capitals found in Naumburg cathedral in Germany. Could it be that the master mason at Southwell cut his teeth at either of these European cathedrals? An intriguing possibility of pan-European cultural pollination in the medieval period! A beautifully shot and narrated video - thank you so much.

[@UnaBongo]

I quite agree!

[@elizabethsands4470]

Hello again, Allan! Hoping you are well as you jaunt your way around these glorious churches. I am sad that not much in the way of stained glass remains. I just adore Greenmen. If I recall correctly the oldest one is in Iraq 🥀👑

[@JangianTV]

Oh nice! You've been down to old Southwell, Doctor? Beautiful little town we're lucky to have nearby and glorious minster. Those Leaves are special: won a national competition not long ago. Did you visit the Saracens Head pub? Maybe visit the second hand bookshop nearby too? 🙂

[@revgurley]

Thanks for this! I've been collecting "Greenmen" for decades. Great to see originals and how they were applied to buildings.

[@susanwestern6434]

Apparently the West Country, and especially in Devon, has many 'Green Men.'

[@markuslangguth7315]

Stunning! Thanks a lot, I would love to visit that wondrous building, too.

[@JoeHershock]

Alan, greetings from Philadelphia Pennsylvania! Your videos are wonderful! This one, especially! Southwell Minster is inspired and artistically a true masterpiece! I hope to visit one day soon. Are those pitched gables along the wall sometimes referred to as "Wimpurgs" ? Also, why do you describe the sculptural decoration as informal? I'd love to hear your explanation! The foliate carving is so exuberant and beautiful! Thank you for all you do, all of this brilliant content. You are very passionate about your subject matter, so God bless you, Alan! From a very appreciative fan in the USA!!

[@conniehopkins6105]

I visited Europe in 1975. When I was in the Sistine Chapel, I wanted to lie down on the floor to view the ceiling, but I was afraid they would throw me out. It is painful to look up for a long time in there since there is so much to admire.

[@albertsmyth9616]

A very beautiful chapter house and thank you for sharing it as I had no idea it existed. As you say, it must’ve been a tremendous experience to go in there when it was all painted, with the stained glass windows.

[@neddoucet7779]

Dr. Barton, Once agin a wonderful video. I was in the Saint Chapelle in Paris for an early music concert many years ago, and the light from the stained glass combined with the music created a feeling in me which I can only describe as ineffable. The Chapter House at Southwell Minster must have created an equally intoxicating effect. Your wonderfully calming voice, combined with your tasteful videography are, for me, a wonderful balm in these sad distracted times. Greetings fro the cold Hudson Valley, and thank you.

[@rickythe2nd63]

beautiful! love all of your videos

[@deniseatkins9407]

How beautiful I saw a big flower like a poinsettia in the ceiling and you could see traces of the colour here and there

[@glorias6517]

This has to be one of my favorites, thank-U

[@karenparinisi3182]

Glad you are back!

[@patcardiff2563]

Thank you Alan

[@loriwatters8661]

Breathtaking thank you for this video and all your knowledge

[@9er..]

So unfortunate….I just a quick 4 day trip to London for a meeting but no time to get out to the countryside to do some church hopping. Thinking about making an extended trip within the next few years.

[@jansoule4395]

Successful at giving me the creeps. Very well told

[@rhiannonpoole6019]

Thanks again for an all too short video, what a glorious space that chapter house is. Do they still use it for meetings, I wonder, maybe taking cushions to sit in those niches?

[@stevedunn3113]

My all time favourite chapter house, if a favourite is possible.. Excellent introduction, Allan

[@allanbarton]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@TheBlondeSunset]

Such a good story about architecture.

[@NinaHansen2008]

Glad you are well again. Thanks for the video!

[@loriwatters8661]

By the way, I could watch 10 more videos on this church! I truly wish I could see it the way it originally was maybe there’s some magic way that’s possible take care

[@TerryC69]

Hi Allan! Hope you are feeling well. It might sound a bit corny, but the architecture produces joy within me. You mention lying on the floor of the church. I had to chuckle to myself as I recalled my first visit to the World Trade Center in New York. Yes, I found myself face up on the sidewalk trying to take in the gigantic structure. New Yorkers are apparently accustomed to all manner of odd happenings, I suppose, and merely walked around me. Lovely work, as always!

[@lianefehrle9921]

I’m glad you are back. Very interesting and informative

[@allanbarton]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@ChrisHunt4497]

The sculptures of the leaves are beautiful and very on trend today ! Copying French fashion, how clever. I noticed a lot of the carvings of the heads seem to have lost their noses to damage. What a shame. I must try your lying down trick to observe the ceilings. 😂😂

[@anne-marie2972]

Like Afrocentric's are trying to claim that European's broke all ancient Egyptian statues noses, because according to them everybody inculing Pharos was black in Ancient Egypt 😅.Not multi ethnic.

[@jamesallison4875]

Wonderful story!

[@excession3076]

They should place a shallow, octagonal pool of water in the center that reflects the ceiling. (not talking about some fibreglass fish pond, but something properly sculptured and made for the space). Partly because if I were to lie down on the floor to get a good view, I'm not getting up anytime soon. They have a pool/font(?) at Salisbury and it allows you to view the vaulting.

[@davidd6171]

I am so happy to see you back Dr. Barton!!! But in keeping the same, can I call you Allan as I have done in days past? :)

[@tonyharpur8383]

A wonderful post! Thank you, Allan. 🙂

[@jontalbot1]

It is well worth a trip to Southwell. Just down the road is the original tree from which all Bramleys are descended. For non Brits, the Bramley is the nations premier cooking apple- essential for apple pie, apple sauce etc

[@allanbarton]

It is a delightful little town all told.

[@emmabaylis4144]

Thanks so much for this amazing video ! I think I just found you today and I’m all in! Keep up the good work!

[@patrickharris5903]

Wonderous , Thanks so much for sharing.

[@allanbarton]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ludovica8221]

Fantastic as always I know about the carvings from books, never seen them so well as in this video Thank you xxx

[@educanassa100]

Amazing video, Allan

[@allanbarton]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!

[@culturevulture3382]

Allan, did you not only lie on the floor, filming upwards, but also rotate on the spot???

[@allanbarton]

If I answered that I'd be giving my secrets away!

[@ManuelFSX]

That naturalistic trend must have been kind of a trend in Western Europe, as you find the same kind of foliage in Spain also in buildings of around that period.

[@Xanaseb]

Chapterhouse reminds me of York Minster

[@allanbarton]

In many respects it is intended to be a mini version of York, but rather more perfectly formed I think!

[@EllenCFarmGirl]

Would it be okay if I brought a yoga mat to lay on the floor? ❤

[@ZAV1944]

i bet with an ai and 3d render program one could recreate the chapter house as it looked in the 13th century.

[@jldisme]

❤

[@GodsOath_com]

I have a question, what kind of craft guild were the masons hired from?

[@guypeasley]

Don't try lying down in the Sistine Chapel, the locals get upset. 😉

[@allanbarton]

😂

[@jilltagmorris]

❤🎉😊🎉❤

[@GodsOath_com]

Sothull?

[@robertbrown4629]

Nice video thank you but you fail to mention the fantasy figures that were there along side the green men that were defaced possibility by the puritan Scottish cavalry who used the minster as a stable during the civil war

[@allanbarton]

There’s always more that can be said, as I said in the video I could have made a longer video, but only had the footage I had! The joy of the comments box, people add extra details.

[@jldrake3424]

💟