Peterborough Cathedral

I called at Peterborough Cathedral this week in Cambridgeshire. I was here seventeen years ago but had then only a passing interest in old churches; this time, I took more in and better appreciated its bulk. I recalled, and my eyes confirmed, that the central tower is too short, and looks rather squat (above). Furthermore, as one approaches through the gatehouse from the west, there is a certain asymmetry as a south tower was never built to complement its northern colleague, giving it an unnecessarily lopsided appearance:

Yet this carping ignores its great splendour: the tremendous West Front with its three gigantic arches in an Early English style with its love of parallel lines and elongated forms. Although the west frontage of Lichfield Cathedral is worth a viewing, Peterborough’s has to be the most impressive.

Within, one beholds the beautiful if heavy-looking Romanesque arches and thick, Norman pillars, not unlike Southwell Minster, but even grander and more decorated. Furthermore, that squat little tower I spoke of in my first paragraph is rendered rather spectacular from within, for one may stand beneath it and enjoy the cathedral’s splendid ceilings:

No-one could truly approach Peterborough Cathedral and bemoan its architectural ‘failings’ as I began to in my first paragraph, above. Too often, we observe with dexterity another’s faults, shortcomings, inadequacies and drawbacks, while missing or evading the wonders, beauties and marvels they might possess. That central tower appeared stubby from without but delightful from within; the more we get to know some people, the more attractive we find them.

Sadly, the opposite is also true. So which kind are we?

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

A younger me; the cathedral has aged better.