History Around Us (main points)

Question 1

Shrine of St Erkenwald

Answer 1

1. A richly decorated shrine to a 7th century bishop, central to pilgrimage in medieval London
2. Believed to have healing powers, especially for eye disease
3. Physically destroyed during the Reformation, but well-documented in wills and miracle accounts
4. Reflects the medieval belief in saints, relics and physical expressions of faith

Question 2

Gothic Spire and Flying Buttresses (Medieval)

Answer 2

1. The original cathedral had the tallest spire in Europe and Gothic engineering for height and stability
2. Completely destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666, but detailed in maps and drawings
3. Symbolised closeness to God and Church’s spiritual and civic power

Question 3

Paul’s Cross (Medieval-Tudor)

Answer 3

1. Outdoor pulpit used for sermons, public trials and royal proclamations
2. Central to political control, public punishment and religious communication
3. Structure is gone but its footprint is marked today and sources describe its use in detail
4. Shows how the site functioned as a civic as well as religious space

Question 4

Reformation Iconoclasm (Tudor)

Answer 4

1. In the 1530s-40s, shrines and religious images were destroyed, including Erkenwald’s shrine
2. Interiors were whitewashed to remove Catholic decoration
3. These changes are documented in inventories and orders, though not physically preserved
4. Represents a radical shift from visual ritual to Protestant word-based worship

Question 5

Wren’s dome (Post-Great Fire)

Answer 5

1. 111m tall Baroque dome, completed in 1710, built with a triple-layered structure
2. Tallest building in London until 1963
3. Still intact today - dominates London’s skyline
4. Symbol of national rebirth, Protestant identity and Restoration and pride

Question 6

Auditory Church Layout (Saucer Vaults & Open Nave) (Post-Great Fire)

Answer 6

1. Wren designed a long, open interior suited to Protestant sermon-centred services
2. Saucer vaults and clear sightlines prioritise hearing over spectacle
3. Still used today for services, funerals and national ceremonies
4. Reflects post-Reformation theology and architectural function

Question 7

Portland Stone Exterior (Post-Great Fire)

Answer 7

1. Pale, fire-resistant limestone used throughout Wren’s’ cathedral
2. Chosen after the 1666 fire to symbolise durability and renewal
3. Still visible and distinctive - part of the building’s symbolic appearance
4. Reflects both safety concerns and national pride in material

Question 8

Survival During the Blitz (WWII)

Answer 8

1. Cathedral survived bombing during the Blitz; famously photographed standing in smoke
2. Exterior remained largely intact - seen as a miracle and morale boost
3. Became a powerful national symbol of endurance and hope

Question 9

American Memorial Chapel (Post-WWII)

Answer 9

1. Built to commemorate US soldiers who died in WWII
2. Features wood carvings, stained glass and a Book of Remembrance
3. Blends into the cathedral’s eastern end, physically accessible to visitors
4. Reflects post-war alliance, gratitude and sacred commemoration

Question 10

2022 Step-Free Access Porch (21st Century)

Answer 10

1. A modern architectural addition allowing wheelchair access into the North Transept
2. Blends with historic design but serves a new social function
3. Physically present today - visible evident of changing attitudes to inclusion and public heritage
4. Reflects current values of equality, accessibility and adaptive use

Question 11

Ludgate Hill - Elevation and Visibility

Answer 11

1. The highest point in the City of London
2. Symbolically powerful - height linked to authority and closeness to God
3. Practically useful - protection from flooding and better defence
4. Still physically evident today

Question 12

Roman Londinium Legacy

Answer 12

1. Site lies within the walls of Roman London
2. Possibly built on or near a former Roman temple or civic building
3. Choosing this site allowed the Church to claim continuity with Roman power and sacred tradition
4. Physically, the layout of the area still reflects Roman infrastructure

Question 13

Mission of Augustine and Bishop Mellitus

Answer 13

1. St Paul’s was founded in 604AD by Bishop Mellitus, sent by Pope Gregory as part of the conversion of Anglo-Saxon England
2. Meant to be the bishopric of London, giving the Church a permanent and authoritative base in a key city
3. Though the original building is lost, the uninterrupted bishopric remains to this day

Question 14

Continuity of Use Across Four Cathedrals

Answer 14

1. Four cathedrals have been built on the same site: Saxon, Norman, Gothic and Wren’s Baroque version
2. This reflects a long-standing belief that the site itself held spiritual and civic importance
3. The physical decision to rebuilt on the same location shows how people valued and preserved its status

Question 15

Urban Centre and Road Network

Answer 15

1. Located at the crossroads of key Roman and medieval roads
2. London was a centre of commerce, politics and trade - ideal for religious influence
3. Gave the church access to both elite and everyday people in the heart of the city