The Cathedral

The Cathedral
A Novel

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The Cathedral by Hugh Walpole

Published:

1922

Pages:

783

Downloads:

1,048

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The Cathedral
A Novel

By

0
(0 Reviews)
A notable novel of power and interest, marking the close of an era ending with the Queen's jubilee in 1897. Its action covers less than a year. The central theme is the Polchester cathedral, splendid and massive, "become a god demanding his own rites and worshippers." Against the background of its magnificence and petty village life is fought the duel for supremacy between simple-minded, autocratic archdeacon Brandon, symbolizing the arrogance of the church, and Canon Ronder, used by destiny as a blind, impersonal force to break in pieces the old order to make way for the new.

Book Excerpt

ain lights, the effect of delicate lace; the canopy over the tomb has pinnacles which rise high above the level of the choir- stalls. The tomb itself is made from a solid block of a dark blue stone. The figure of the bishop, carved in black marble, lies with his hands folded across his breast, clothed in his Episcopal robes and mitre, and crozier on his shoulder. At his feet are a vizor and a pair of gauntlets, these also carved in black marble. On one finger of his right hand is a ring carved from some green stone. His head is raised by angels and at his feet beyond the vizor and gauntlets are tiny figures of four knights fully armed. A small arcade runs round the tomb with a series of shields in the spaces, and these shields have his motto, 'God giveth Strength,' and the arms of the See of Polchester. His epitaph in brass round the edge of the tomb has thus been translated:

"'Here, having surrendered himself back to God, lies Henry of Arden. His life, which was distinguished for its great piety, its

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