Dorset

On our way back to Godalming, after our visit to Stonehenge, we visited the town of Salisbury, to view, among other things, the grand cathedral there.
The bought some delicious Cornish pasties from a Cornish bakery and ate lunch in the extensive gardens around the cathedral. Then we for a visit inside the cathedral. Where the Italian cathedrals have domes, the English cathedrals have spires, at least in the rural townships outside London.
The cathedral was grand. It has been the subject of many paintings over the centuries, particularly in the Romantic art movement.
The cathedral also houses one of only four extant copies of the Magna Carta written on parchment from 1215. Two of the other three are in the British Library and the third is in Lincoln Castle. The copy in the Salisbury is the best preserved of all four. There was originally a copy supplied to each cathedral in England but because it was annulled shortly after, most cathedrals did not keep them. It was then reinstated in a slightly larger form in 1225.
There is a copy of the Magna Carta from 1297 in Canberra.
The earliest copy, in Salisbury Cathedral, is located in the chapter house, where we were able to view it in a large theft-proof glass case. We were not allowed to take photos of the display due to rules related to preservation of the parchment and ink. It is in a darkened space and no flash photos are allowed.
Salisbury is a beautiful old town that is a picture of the Medieval period. It was a sunny afternoon and perfect for a visit.
We left Salisbury in the early evening and returned to Godalming where Steve and Fiona had booked an Airbnb for two nights. I was able to sleep in Jo and Asher’s lounge room in their small one bedroom flat in Salisbury House in Godalming.Les mer