The River Dee: Its Aspect and History (page 1/3)

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Ruins of St. John’s, from the Grosvenor Park,

bwpics has a history and more pictures of this ruined church which was heavily ‘restored’ in the 19th century.

“[...] we find in St. John’s Church a permanent and very grand memorial of the Early Norman period [i.e. approx. 1070 – 1100 — Liam]. In Saxon times Chester was included, with all the extensive tract of Mercia, in the Diocese which acknowledged allegiance to the great see of St. Chad: but with the early Norman kings came a change that made Chester a definite centre of episcopal jurisdiction. [...]

“Chester [...] still retains, on the very edge of its historic river, a striking monument of its early diocesan dignity. The gigantic round Norman piers of the Nave stand just as they stood in the days of William Rufus; and the fine Triforium above belongs yo a period not much later; and though large portions of this structure have been destroyed, and though its partial restoration in modern times [1875] is unworthy of its ancient grandeur, yet in two respects this church cannot fail to make a great impression on all who see it.

“The ruins at the East-end, recently extricated from heaps of rubbish and the growth of trees, are now a recognised ornament of Chester, near the new park which is laid out on a table-land above the banks of the Dee; while the lofty tower, erect though mouldering, and still showing in parts some [more...] [$]

Chester Cathedral Tower from St. John’s Street

A narrow cobbled street with black-and-white half-timbered buildings, an overhanging turret with a percariously-mounted lamp, a heavily-laden cart pulled by two horses, and in the background, with birds wheeling about it, the tower of Chester cathedral. Perhaps this street had [...] [more...] [$]

Water Tower, with Roman Hypocaust

“The descent of Watergate Street, at right angles to Bridge Street, led to the [River] Dee at another point of its broad, sweeping course. Of the actual form of the gate there is less to be recorded; but a little beyond this spot the Water Tower (sometimes called the New Tower), remains at the north-western angle of the city, so as to show us very [...] [more...] [$]

Title Page, The River Dee

THE RIVER DEE
ITS ASPECT AND HISTORY [more...] [$]

Cathedral Cloisters and King’s School

The King’s School was so named when Henry VIII founded it in 1541. The location shown in the woodcut is now (2007) a Barclays Bank. [more...] [$]