Hereford
Hereford
Once the capitol of the Saxon kingdom of west Mercia the town of Hereford sits quietly on the banks of the rive Wye amid rolling hills and orchards on the Welsh Marches. Founded in AD 700 the town was a Saxon settlement and the oldest area was protected by a ditch which stretched south of the river enclosing Bishops meadow this was to protect the place from the welsh.
Later in the 11th century, walls were built and 200 years later were extended northwards, some remains of this can still be seen near the wye bridge. There has been a cathedral here since the city was founded.
After the welsh sacked the original Saxon cathedral the grander one we see today was constructed, the present day building dates from the 12 century, the central tower and stalls were added 200 years later.
The cathedral has two magnificent highlights the first is the Mappa Mundi this is a vellum parchment that represents the sum of knowledge at the time regarding the earth although other examples can be found elsewhere the one in Hereford is particularly intricate. A Lincolnshire monk Richard De Bello created this rare item in the 13th century.
This pictorial representation is full of mythical beasts water dragons mermaids and the like as well as half-human half plant beings, the compiler had to rely on reports from drunken sailors, rumours and hearsay for his material, Interestingly CS Lewis used this for inspiration in his Narnia chronicles.
In the same wing of the cathedral library the largest chained library in existence can be found, full of rare manuscripts these are chained to the shelves, the collection also includes a fist edition of Dr Johnsons’ Dictionary of the English language, other items include a first edition king James bible a copy of the revised Magna Carter and the Hereford gospels.
Outside of the cathedral, visit the Old House this is a fine black and white medieval three storeyed timber house, the rooms are beautifully preserved with period furniture, wood panelling and some antique cast iron work.
Nearby there several worthwhile destinations to visit such as Ledbury, Ross on Wye and the beautiful Wye Valley.
Activities in Hereford
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