St Paul's Cathedral: Archaeology and History By John Schofield
2016 | 209 Pages | ISBN: 1785702750 | PDF | 15 MB
This is the first volume concerned solely with the archaeology of a major late 17th century building in London, and the major changes it has undergone. St Paul's Cathedral in the City of London was built in 1675-1711 to the designs of Sir Christopher Wren and has been described as an iconic building many times. In this major new account, John Schofield examines the cathedral from an archaeological perspective, reviewing its history from the early 18th to the early 21st century, as illustrated by recent archaeological recording, documentary research and engineering assessment. A detailed account of the construction of the cathedral is provided based on a comparison of the fabric with voluminous building accounts which have survived and evidence from recent archaeological investigation. The construction of the Wren building and its embellishments are followed by the main works of later surveyors such as Robert Mylne and Francis Penrose. The 20th century brought further changes and conservation projects, including restoration after the building was hit by two bombs in World War II, and all its windows blown out. The 1990s and first years of the present century have witnessed considerable refurbishment and cleaning involving archaeological and engineering works. Archaeological specialist reports and an engineering review of the stability and character of the building are provided.Table of ContentsAcknowledgementsForwardSummary 1. Introduction Purpose and research settingHistories, documentary evidence and main graphic sourcesArchaeological recording of the Wren cathedral and in St Paul's ChurchyardConventions of archaeological recording 2. The construction of the Wren cathedral, 1666-1720Temporary arrangements for worship, demolition of the medieval cathedral and removal of debris, and features of the construction siteAdapting the medieval chapter house, 1667-1714 (Wren's site office from 1671) Construction of the cathedral, 1675-1711The drainage system for the site, 1687-1710The railings and gates around the cathedralBuildings around the edge of the Churchyard, and the DeaneryUse of materials: reused stone, new stone, brick, pantiles and timber 3. The cathedral in the 18th and 19th centuriesThe interior and general stability concerns, 1711 to 1897The archaeology of burials, 1680 to 2000The outside of the building, 1711-1900St Paul's Churchyard inside and outside the railings, 1711-1900Use of stone and other building materials, 1711-1900 4. St Paul's 1897-2013: protection and conservationThe first decades of the 20th century, the works of 1925-35, and the creation of St Paul's Heights and St Paul's DepthsDamage in World War IIPost-War planning and archaeological work to 2014 5. Conclusions: towards an archaeology of Christopher Wren within the history of the cathedral 6. Specialist reportsPottery and clay tobacco pipesNon-ceramic artefactsBricksDetailed notes on the investigation of the nave roof, 2013Human boneCoffins and coffin furnitureLawrence Spencer, Clerk of Works, and his family 7. The engineer's view of St Paul'sIntroductionDescription of the structureConcerns over the stability of the structureThe material in the core of the masonryConclusion 8. Gazetteer of sitesBibliography and abbreviations