Various

“ The northwest tower is modern, the older tower having been pulled down, with doubtful wisdom, to make room for one to match its southwest neighbor. In spite of its huge proportions the interior of the nave produces a wonderful effect of lightness. The choir, one hundred and twenty feet long, is the longest in England. The great Norman arches, supported by circular and octagonal piers alternately, furnish a striking contrast to the inner portions of the nave. ”

“ Winchester Cathedral is a stately edifice, incorporating every style of English architecture from the Norman to the Perpendicular. It was founded on a more ancient site in 1079. The choir and transepts were finished in 1093. The conversion of the nave from Norman to Perpendicular was begun by Bishop Edington before 1366, and the whole was completed in 1486. The builder of the greater part of the nave was Bishop William of Wickham, the renowned architect and statesman, who occupied the See from 1366 to 1404. The church is the longest in England, measuring 560 feet in all. ”

“ The English minsters are long, narrow and low in contrast with the greater squareness and height of French contemporary churches. The English transepts have bolder projections, and the number of side chapels is smaller. The east end is almost invariably square. The aisles are practically always single; Chichester is the only example to the contrary. The central tower is a predominant feature; and a single western tower is characteristic of English early churches. Flying buttresses, though not uncommon, are not so prominent as in French cathedrals. ”