Which building do you prefer the look of, Old or New St Paul’s? Let me know below and remember you can also find me at: BUY MY BOOK (Find Your Irish Ancestors Online): amzn.to/3Z2ChnG Website (with 2 FREE DOWNLOADS): www.historycallingofficial.com/ Patreon: www.patreon.com/historycalling Amazon storefront: www.amazon.com/shop/historycalling Instagram: instagram.com/historycalling/
Everything medieval is preferable if compared with anything newer since it was more individual and local. The old St. Paul's had untypical for Europe but typical for England huge tower on the crosshair of nave and transept. All the more with high spire which is not typical for England, but extremely spectacular and shaping an individual silhouette of the city.
There is nothing more magnificent than early English and gothic ecclesiastical architecture. The old cathedral would have been an awesome sight, had it survived. The new cathedral, grand as it is, doesn’t have the same feeling of an ancient, towering, brooding megalith. Mostly, it doesn’t really feel like an English cathedral. It feels more like an Italian one.
While the “new “ St Paul’s is impressive I think I prefer the look of the older building - it seems somehow more historic to me. Thanks for a fascinating video.
While it is a shame the original was destroyed, it is nice to see the two great cathedrals in different styles. Saint Paul's Cathedral in the English Baroque style and Westminster Abbey in the Gothic style.
@@HistoryCalling technically, you do. I’m pretty sure that some of the remains of old St. Paul’s are underneath the current building. The bigger question is why no nobody in the government has been clever enough to replace some of the pavement with some sort of strong, but transparent replacement: it would be absolutely fantastic to be able to look down from the present day street into what must have been an impressive church. PS - this would also be a good idea for what used to be Bermondsey Abbey, final home of Elizabeth Woodville, that, and whatever remains of Richmond Palace. Keep in mind they excavated the old medieval Louvre’s remains in the 1980s. People still flock to see it.
The current domed St. Paul's is my favorite because the old building reminds me of the modern Parliament building with a big spire, which is common today in London. HOWEVER. I would love to walk into the old St. Paul's that housed the elaborate tomb of John of Gaunt and his beloved Blanche of Lancaster. Oh. My. Delicately carved, yet touching with their effigies together .. it would certainly be a popular stop had it survived.
Fascinating! You should get this broadcast on regular television! I had no idea about all the destruction that the cathedral went through prior to 1666. I can't imagine London without it and to know that it came so close so many times to total destruction is shockingly heartbreaking. This was an excellent video, HC. Thank you for your hard work researching and putting it together! Such a fascinating part of our history! 😊
@@HistoryCalling But most docs on The History Channel are rubbish as it gave way to the reality craze long ago. PBS still has some good stuff but allows for more "modernism" in history programs for my liking. Other sources can be interested but are rather shallow and clearly geared for commercial value. That's why I'm glad I finally started taking YT seriously for entertainment, informational videos and of course history.
This is one of those mind-reading weeks. Last night I watched a brief Amazon Prime documentary on Charles II (I'll skip the wig jokes, but just this once) and I wondered when History Calling would get around to Christopher Wren and the fire. Really interesting- I look forward to the day when old Londons of various eras are virtually re-created in the most detail possible. Los Angeles used to have a public television series called "Things That Aren't There Anymore"- the concept has always fascinated me.
@History Calling ...you are so lucky to live in a country that is a walking history book ...if i lived there i would find an excuse to vist all the historical places starting with. The tower of London
Thank you! Living here in London, I'm sure that I'm not the only englishman to wistfully gaze across the English Channel to the architectural splendours of Europe though, so it's good to be reminded of how lucky we are here. Despite the best efforts of wartime aerial bombardment and their near equal in senseless destruction of the Sixties planners, there's still a wealth of history on the doorstep. But you know how it is... not only do you fail to appreciate what you grow up with as part of the everyday experience, it's quite likely that the adult world gets in the way of visiting such gems and the fateful phrase There's always another day rears it's ugly head. I doubt that there'd be time to see all that's on offer, but you've relit my curiosity so thank you once again!
Hmm, maybe at some point (if there are enough sources for it) I could look at one specific monastery, if it was very famous. I fear looking at them in general would be too much for a single video, as there were so many of them.
@@HistoryCalling, I’d like to see one on Cadfael’s monastery, in Shrewsbury. The monastery is gone, of course, but there’s a lot of lingering info, I think. The abbey itself is very well preserved.
Wow!! The heat from the fires were so profound that it melted the church bells!! That had to have been sooo HOT. Those bells are absolutely massive!! 🔔😳🔥 A detail that I truly love and appreciate about this channel is how it features letters of the time frame on the subject matter of the video we are learning about today. It just adds extra insights to matters of the past which I always think is very interesting. And, as I said that little additional details that I hold in high regard. I think about lost churches and palaces and their importance. So, tragic from a historical standpoint because we will never get to see truly see them in all their glory. Our discover what treasures they held or their deep secrets. As always, fabulous video of great educational value and very fascinatingly entertaining. 🏰⛪️📖📚🕯
Bell metal is a type of bronze that's typically made up of 78% copper and 22% tin. The tin gives bell metal its distinctive sound quality. It melts between 840°C and 971°C (1,550°F and 1,780°F). So the fire was definitely VERY hot!
@@HistoryCalling Always a pleasure to visit and learn. I feel I can speak for everyone here that the fine details are much appreciated. I do so love learning something new. Even when I think I might already have a pretty good idea about a subject, this channel is a plethora of knowledgeable wealth. Thank you!! 🕯📚📖
@hectorpascal Wow!!! Now THAT'S HOT!!! I didn't realize the bell was made up of so many different components. Idk why I always thought they were always like straight bronze. Silly!! But they must have to add different metals to help with the molding and the endurance of the piece. Good grief!! Can't even imagine how heavy that was to boot!! And, this was all before modern equipment. Truly remarkable!!! 🔔
@@BeeKool__113 The secrets of mold-making and bell casting were very closely guarded - usually within a family - and other proprietary metal "ingredients" could be used to used improve "pourability". Nevertheless success was not always guaranteed, especially with the larger bells. And finally of course there was the problem of tuning them if they were to be hung with others... The subject fascinates me, as you might have guessed!
This was fascinating! I never knew that Old St. Paul's is not as old as it might have been. It's a shame that the older cathedral was lost with all of it's history. I appreciate the effort to salvage what they could and re-incorporate it in the new design. But I can't help feeling a sense of loyalty to the St. Paul's of today. It is one of those iconic (a word I hate but is properly used here) images that is so closely associated with London that it is instantly recognizable all over the world. So I vote for Mr. Wren's design. And I think I'm in good company. During the Blitz, Winston Churchill ordered that St. Paul's Cathedral should be defended AT ALL COSTS. For he felt that the destruction of St. Paul's would demoralize the populace to an intolerable degree and would damage the war effort as a whole.
Yes, I know what you mean about Wren's cathedral being an iconic part of the London skyline now and I think Churchill was correct about how terrible it would have been if it had been lost in WW2.
I have to agree. Whilst the old St Paul's was much a victim of misfortune, abuse and neglect, Wren's building owes it's continued existence to nightly dedication, extraordinary bravery, and a good deal of luck. In a way it now embodies the cultural spirit of old London in its resistance to fire, an element which had always been the historical city's greatest threat.
I just want to say thank you so, so much for providing such fascinating and consistently high-quality content for us history nerds! I of course understand that there is a monetary component and therefore tailoring one's videos to the algorithm simply can't be helped, but videos like this are still such valuable resources, so I really do hope you can continue with them every so often, if that's viable. The algorithm is very capricious. As a side note, have you ever thought about doing a video on the Catholic Monarchs? There's obviously tie-in points with Algorithm-friendly topics but also a lot of fascinating history otherwise.
Definitely worth a rewatch, HC! I'm enjoying it just as much on second viewing. In terms of the question, I'd admit to favoring the older design. I can imagine a British version of Quasimodo lurking in the tower. The newer version looks quite grand, of course. Great shots. Have a wonderful week. 🙏🏼
Thanks Stephen. Yes, I wish we had the older version too, much as I like Wren's design. Generally speaking, the older the better for me when it comes to historic buildings. Have a lovely week too.
Thank you so much for this video. Ever since I first learned about the old St Paul’s its history and the many important burials inside it have fascinated me. As much as I mourn the loss of such an important building, the loss of the people who were buried there makes me even sadder. I would’ve liked to have seen the tomb of John of Gaunt and Blanche of Lancaster. Considering how run down the cathedral became by the end of Elizabeth I’s reign and during the rise of the Puritans (those insufferable killjoys!) during the first half of the 17th century perhaps the Great Fire of 1666 was a blessing in disguise. While I prefer gothic architecture Wren’s architecture was perfect for its time and looked forward to the time when London would become the capitol of the greatest empire in history. PS. Would you please consider doing more videos on cultural history? The art, music, dance, literature, theatre etc are an important part of every historical period. As a friend and professor of cultural history taught me the cultural aspects of history tell us not just WHAT happened but HOW and WHY things happened. History is best when it takes a broad view of the people and their culture(s) at any given time. I’ve always loved history, but after my friend taught me to look at the cultural aspects of a specific time period it has greatly enriched and enhanced my understanding of history.💜🙏
I like cultural history too, but it can be tricky to compress into a single video as you might have to look at (for example) dozens of theatre productions in order to be able to draw general conclusions about what the public liked to watch and what themes were most common to plays of the era. I'm not against looking at very specific cultural moments though, like an individual song or piece of artwork. I have an art history playlist for instance, if that helps?
The loss of the old is sad. However, new St Paul’s is pretty impressive. I enjoyed this change from the Tudors today, but then I enjoy everything you produce! ❤
I loved St Paul's...the acoustics are incredible and the view .....Beautful...but the size of the old St Paul's looked so beautiful...thanks @historycalling
Thanks Lisa. Yes, I like to step away from the Tudors sometimes, though sadly this one isn't doing as well as I'd hoped, but then again last week's Tudor video didn't either which I think goes to show that one just can't win sometimes.
This is really one of your best podcasts. Thank you🎉 You did Buckingham Palace as a stand alone podcast once which was very good. I wish you would do more like these including castles, abbeys, cathedrals, etc. I have a soft spot for the new St Paul's just because I am a big fan of Sir Chirstopher Wren . And going up the whispering gallery was one of my first tastes of London as a tourist. Keep these podcasts coming, please🎉
Yes, the Buckingham Palace episode was the one that put this idea into my head, though this one isn't doing as well. I have a few other ideas for similar videos though.
Thank you. Me too. I get tired of the Tudors sometimes and then sometimes the Tudor videos don't even do well (like last week) and I think 'what was even the point of making that one?'
I liked the one about the consorts! I totally agree that Philip was a bust as far as supporting his wife in her role as queen. A new Ferdinand and Isabella they were not.
It is sad when you think of all the merchants who never thought it would burn so they stored all their stuff in it. If it wasn’t for that scaffolding you never know, it might have held!
A tidbit I discovered just recently about Æthelred the Unready (Æthelred II): His epithet comes from the Old English word unræd meaning "poorly advised"; it is a pun on his name, which means "well advised".
it's odd, I just couldn't imagine London without Christopher Wren's St. Paul, along with Tower Bridge, The Tower, Houses of Parliament etc and even newer buildings such as the Gherkin it just inhabits almost the very foundations of London. But this is a fascinating insight into an alternate world and a what could have been and I'm sure there are many that don't even know of the Old St. Paul's. I'd love more videos on lost buildings such as Richmond palace.
Ah, but the Houses of Parliament building is a baby compared to the Tower, St Paul's, Westminster, Buckingham Palace etc. Maybe I'll do a video on the old version of it at some point, also lost to fire, this time in 1834. Richmond is an interesting idea too.
I loved this video...i was at St Pauls in 2019 its beautiful and the acoustics...and the view ..incredible...but i saw the model of old St pauls would have loved to see it....really great to see the history love the besutiful cathedrals....thanks @historycalling....should of learned theyre lesson with wood!!!
Thank you for this fascinating history! While all your videos are superb, this one captivated me. I prefer the old St Paul’s with the spire, but am likely to revise that decision after watching this video again.
I prefer the new. The exterior is handsome, but the grandeur of the interior with its classical proportions and elegant detailing, is truly awe-inspiring, a fine English couterpart to St. Peter's in Rome.
I absolutely love your videos. The information is great. I really appreciate that you readily admit when something is your opinion or if there is something you are not sure of. Also, your voice is very calming and the pacing is superb.
The thing that struck me most when viewing the oldest and worn churches in Germany was I could almost believe I could turn a corner and bump into God. The newer churches never gave me that feeling.
I knew about the fire of St. Paul’s Cathedral, just a little though. Wow, that must’ve been traumatic to watch. The picture of the Charles of Faith reminded me of the Starks family home from Game of Thrones. Maybe my mind is playing tricks on me. I can’t travel due to health issues, I enjoyed your video with the sketches of the old Cathedral and pictures of the modern Cathedral. I Learned something new. Thank you.
Thanks Leticia. Yes, it must have been awful to see it burn down like that, especially if you'd just put all your belongings into its crypt for safe-keeping!
I think I might tend towards Christ Church before St Patrick's, but I don't know that I'll do either. This video doesn't look like it's doing as well as I'd hoped unfortunately and if people won't watch one on the super famous St Paul's, I don't think they'd click on one on an Irish cathedral (which would be their loss of course).
That is sad. I'd certainly watch either. I find that these days, I'd rather watch building history rather than people history. We don't have much here in the US. When I was stationed in Germany, a village next to Bamberg, Poudeldorf (sp?) was celebrating it's 900th Anniversary! It was so intersting!
Oh wow! Thank you so much for another incredibly generous donation Theresa. I'm glad you enjoyed hearing about old St Paul's. It's just a shame we can't see it for real.
Thank you for this informative video with lovely narration. I learned much. Only four churches in Britain had spires over 400 feet. St. Paul's spire was the world's tallest when completed, although it is possible that Malmesbury Abbey at 427 feet, was completed earlier, relegated to second and third places when Lincoln Cathedral added another 100 feet for the record. Salisbury, added a century later at 404 feet, was the only one to survive. These spires were daring feats of engineering but sadly vulnerable to storm and lightning. Malmesbury fell first, followed by St. Paul's and then Lincoln. What a sight they must have been. I have never liked the brutal masculinity of the old St. Paul's aesthetic, but the portico looks gorgeous
I've thoroughly enjoyed this my first visit to your channel and thank you for it. I wonder if the origin of the image of Old St. Paul's in its decrepit state at 29:40 could be made known, please. It's the first time that I have seen it, let alone known of its existence and fired up with enthusiasm from this enthralling video, I paused it to go find the original. Unfortunately it seems to me to be hidden from the (nearly) all-encompassing power of the internet. Whilst pleased to have beaten it, I bemoan the resultant inability to examine the map in its entirety. Any help would be most appreciated and thank you once again for your engagingly entertaining production.
I personally would have loved to see the original cathedral in the hieght of its glory. Its a shame that it was allowed to fall into disrepair for so long. Had it been maintained it probably would have withstood the fire better if only the original stonework syrvived. Sadly I live in the staes and have never seen the indide of Europe's many grand medieval churches and cathedrals in person. I bet they are magnificent to see in person. You can help but wonder if the walls could talk what stories could they tell us, aside from what is already known. Would they tell us of some family coming to pray for theur family. Would they tell us of some mischievous child getting away from his or her parents during services? Would they tell us of a nervous bride about to be married? Did she fret herself silly? Was it a happy or sad occasion for her? Little things that we ourselves in this day and age to help is relate back to our ancestors. As always thanks for the video. This was a very fascinating look at St. Pual's cathedral and history.
Yes, same here and I love all your ideas about the stories that the walls could tell. Of course some walls could also tell very violent stories (I'm thinking of Thomas Becket being murdered in Canterbury Cathedral).
Not quite old enough to remember the 'old' St Paul's but here's a tip for all you wannabe and burgeoning visitors to London. Take the tube out to Tower Hill and walk (yes, walk) from Tower Bridge all the way down The Strand and end upin Trafalgar Square. There's a great 3 miles of Tudor History and more (on and off the beaten track) to see right there. Including St Paul's, if you take the right route. 😊
Yep. As an instructor for HMCE I walked from the Tower, Custom House Lower Thames Street now sold 🤬, everywhere. Other offices, roleplay scenarios for Training ALL over the place and of course, off duty desperately searching for Sherry or two 🤣. Biggest hint to visitors…..The Globe Theatre. Fabulous.
I actually prefer the new St Paul's, it's more distinctive. Whereas the old one (if the drawings are accurate) looked like several other buildings, including Winchester Cathedral. I must actually visit it one day. It's on my list.
Yes, it's true that for London and for that time period, it was pretty distinctive. Other later buildings have copied the basic design though (I'm thinking of the US Capitol and even Belfast City Hall). No one does it quite like St Paul's though and of course even it's borrowed some architecture ideas from Rome.
I lived in Washington DC for quite a number of years. Most of the older buildings have the same look. It's pretty common to see that style here, especially in courthouse and other showier official buildings; but no city I've seen matches the sheer number of them I've seen in DC. I've never been to London so all I have are pictures to go on, though, so bear that in mind when reading my comment.
Thank you so much for such a generous donation. I hope you enjoyed the little trip back to old London to see the former St Paul's. It's such a shame we don't have it anymore. :(
Thank you dear HC 👍. You are a wonderful presenter. I love all historical places. I always think that back in the day buildings were build for centuries, without all the technology and yet some of them are still here with us to enjoy. Buildings nowadays need reparing after a few years with all technology 🫣. St. Paul's is beautiful, I've visited several times. I prefer the "newer" version of it, but the old one was also beautiful. Thank you very much.
I completely agree. We don't have as good quality in so many things now, from buildings, to clothes, to even washing machines! Back in the day things were made to last and people appreciated the work that went into them so much more.
I'm reading Deborah Harkness's All Souls Trilogy. In the 2nd book, the main characters travel back in time to Elizabethan London & Old St Paul's is mentioned quite frequently in the book. I think it would be cool to see what London would have looked like back then.
Thank you HC. This was a very interesting look at an important building during early London. It appears to have had a bit of bad luck on several occasions. Not sure whether the devil had a part in it, or just nature and a serious bit of carelessness. I think I prefer the older one. Not sure why, I guess it’s the age it would have been today and the stories it would still be telling. Have a great week!
Just bad luck I think. I suppose it did last 100s of years, despite the fact that it existed before modern fire-fighting techniques had been invented and wasn't very well cared for. Most medieval buildings can't say the same.
The way you pronounce figures is so cool with your accent. Sadly in America many catholic churches are closing. It's very weird. I believe in God. Love your chan. New style looks good
Thank you. Not everyone appreciates the accent (I literally had some pig call it a speech impediment a couple of weeks ago), so I'll take the compliments where I can get them :-)
The reason that books were in St. Faith's and that wagons, etc. went through St. Paul's is that the wall of the Cathedral were used to prop up book and print shops in the Church Yard. Holler seems not to have drawn them, but there were records of the shops after the fire as a result of a request for compensation by the Stationers' Company. See Peter W. Blaney, _The Bookshops of Old St. Paul's Cross Churchyard_ Occ. Papers of the Bib. Soc. Nov. 1990.
I've been to lots of cathedrals in Europe including many gothic ones. The first time I saw one as a kid I was pretty awed. But I've been in so many, and not just in Europe, that I've gotten used to them. To be honest, I feel like, if you've seen one gothic cathedral, you've seen 'em all. My favorite European cathedral of any era is Speyer Cathedral. It is in the Romanesque style, of which there are many fewer examples extant. I just think it's a lot cooler than any gothic church.
You speak of the fire at Notre-Dame in Paris being the closest modern analogue to the loss of St Paul's in 1666. Within recent memory, I suppose so. I would suggest that the almost complete destruction of St Michael's Cathedral in Coventry as a result of bombing in WWII is a better analogue: Notre-Dame was damaged, but most of the medieval structure survived. Coventry, like St Paul's, was rendered unusable by fire, with only the walls and tower surviving. Both destroyed English cathedrals were replaced in short order (and thus in a single architectural style) , by Sir Christopher Wren, and in the twentieth century by Sir Basil Spence.
History calling, my friend was going to go on tour through Ireland and I was thinking if you wanted to see Ireland, then you should look up history calling. She’s the Empress of Ireland.
New St Paul’s is an incredible, awe inspiring building, but I’d have loved to see the older one. Old St Paul’s was taller, wider and about 1/2 as long again as the current building. Maybe with the surrounding chapter house & other buildings/land, it would still retain more of its impact. The current building seems too closed in by the surrounding city.
Oh, it is too hard to choose between two such distinctive buildings. Since we are fortunate to still have many medieval churches, I suppose I would vote for Wren's St. Paul's because I cannot think of another church from that particular time period that compares in size and magnificence to the new St. Paul's.
Of course I have only seen the "new" St. Paul's which was built as a homogenous whole instead of the old building which was built over many centuries in various styles. The former steeple of the old cathedral was taller than the present Salisbury Cathedral. During the blitz in WW2, incendiary bombs were extinguished by brave and dedicated fire wardens on the roof of St.Paul's. Thank you for this very interesting account.
Interesting use of Caen Stone, the area has similar sized Abbeys, but they are in sheltered hollows, rather than on the tall hill, while many churches maybe on the higher (natural or made up) ground others are not. Lincoln Cathedral being similar atop the high point, which often have old spirtual significance. However placing things so high would invite lightening strikes, and indeed the bulk and mass of the building would influence the weather, disturbing the normal westerly winds
@9:20 "with their hands joined". Did your source make clear whether John of Gaunt and Blanche were holding each other's hands, or simply shown with their own hands "joined in prayer" - as actually shown in the picture? The latter was quite common on tomb effigies at the time (and later). Nice bit of research, nevertheless!
Although I have been to St. Paul"s several times with the kids climbing all the way to the top and enjoying the whispering gallery, I really like the Old St.Paul's with its rose window and flying buttresses very reminiscent of Notre Dame.
Yes, I know what you mean. I love the current one, but I do love gothic architecture too and Westminster Abbey is still my favourite, partly for that reason.
I always think about if the medieval old tudor London Bridge with the houses on top could have been recreated somehow, maybe where they built the Millenium Bridge. You could walk through the center of the bridge and the recreated tudor buildings could be shops, hotels and residences. Modern engineering would not need as many arches like the original that disrupted the flow of the Thames. Not sure, could come out looking something like DIsney though. Tower bridge looks great and authentic in gothic style even though was built in Victorian era.
The new Saint Paul's with it's majestic loofty dome is (in my humble opinion) far superior to old Saint Paul's which was definitely beautiful for it's time. But time waits for no man, woman, child nor edifice so out with the old and in with the spectacular new. Great video as always Madame.
We in the USA cannot fathom a building even 700 years old. The fact that the very real estate has held the same structure, albeit rebuilt is phenomenal.
What I find most disturbing is that the remaining artifacts that survived ended up getting desecrated anyway.I get this feeling that the old St.Pauls and old city of London was under a constant assault by nefarious actors. There were constant fires and shady characters who ended up in the Tower of London.
I'm a Coventry boy and even though the new is impressive, it's the situation that counts, and the old St Paul's in the Old London was imposing. Properly Christian!
I visited the “New” St. Paul’s in 1988, and although impressive and quite beautiful, I think I prefer the style of the “Old” St. Paul’s more. I am curious, though, about your thoughts on the Great Fire of 1666 being the primary reason that the Black Plague appeared to lessen within the greater London area. I apologize if you addressed this in another video that I’ve yet to discover. Thank you for your hard work and dedication to teaching us all!
I remember reading that theory and thinking it sounded good, but I've since read elsewhere that some historians don't think it had a material impact on the plague, so now I don't know what to think. :-(
As a side note about the name Inigo, it’s pronounced in the princess bride as eh-knee-go (I think that’s how you write that phonetically 😅) if you look up a clip of inigo montoya they say it
I have never heard the name "Inigo" relating to Inigo Jones pronounced in the UK by historians of art and architecture as anything other than an anglicised version of the name, having a stress on the first syllable: i.e. as if you were saying the colour "indigo" without the "d". He was English so.his name would have had an English pronunciation.
Since I never saw the old St Paul's, it is hard to say which I like best. The old version must have looked very similar to other crucifix shaped cathedrals that we still have, like Winchester or Westminster Abbey. It must have been very impressive. The description of the spire crashing down after the lightning strike immediately made me think of La Fleche on Notre Dame crashing through the roof. It must have been a defining moment just as it was in 2019. Great research again HC. Just as a suggestion for further videos, perhaps you could do something on the men and women who advised the Tudor kings and queens, like the best spymaster, or the one that made the most money, or even their chefs/cooks, or masters of horse. I am sure there must be more stories to uncover with the people who knew their royal masters/mistresses. 😀
Yes, I remember the spire coming down at Notre Dame. It was so sad. Some of the spymasters and masters of the horse (like Walsingham and Leicester) are very famous in their own rights, so they're on my list. It's just finding the time to do videos on them I'm afraid. Proper biography videos take a lot of effort and are very long, especially if the person lived a fairly long life.
it seems it was already beat up by storms and stripped of valuables by 2 different puritan attacks before the fire - I think a similar video of old St Peters would make a nice pair - maybe even Hagia Sophia before the crusaders stripped it - thanks again HC - 🛸✨
Hi, awesome live history video I enjoyed it. How are you doing? I'm doing well and so is my cat Benjamin. We have Thanksgiving in Ontario Canada. It's a hoilday today. In the next video in the future could you do Thomas Crammer. He was King Henry the eighth friend from the 16th century. Have a great day see you next video 😊
I am not religious but I do like churches the architecture and history fascinates me. I would have liked to have seen the original or next to the original church even in pictures.
Haha, no I don't think the original building could have supported the dome, but at least it had its tower and spire (for a while). Yes, the old palaces would be wonderful to see too.
@@HistoryCalling@HistoryCalling I am pretty sure I read somewhere that, prior to the Great Fire, Wren had a scheme to replace the central tower with a dome as part of the repairs to Old St Paul's. Placing a dome over the crossing in a medieval gothic cathedral had been done in Italy (Florence, Siena, Pisa). I have found this information in Wikipedia: before the fire, Wren wanted to add new features to Old St Paul's to complement Inigo Jones' classical portico: one of these was a dome which was intended to be supported from beneath by the existing tower.
I live and breathe history. I have been reaching the Great Fire of London on September 2nd, 1666, for the past couple of years now, and I still have yet to hit a bullseye! 🎯 For example, the name of the victims of the great fire of london and the names of those those who attended the Old St. Paul Cathedral their lives, their stories, what they may have looked like, how they may dressed, etc. Whether these victims may have had portraits of themselves and their families. @History Calling, could you please do a video of those victims? 🥺💕
There were very few named victims of the Fire (though possibly others died and were cremated who we don't know about) and I'm not aware of any known, detailed facts known about those who did die. I'm not sure there are any sources there to find which would answer your questions I'm afraid. The only thing I can sort of answer is how they dressed. That will just have been standard 17th century clothing which you should be able to Google images of. I'm sorry I can't be of more help. :-(
It's okay. I wanted to research the great fire of london for personal significance! Let's just say that not all is what it seems in the history books it never is it was all orchestrated by hierarchy, politicians, priests, and society in general. Throughout history, everyone, it was the baker and Robert Hubert they took the fall for something more sinister and nefarious! It was the priest of the church who orchestrated everything, which led those bombs to go off! Think about the exact locations as to how it was all set up by the priest in the nobles in favor of the priest. Why did the priest do it? Simple, he wanted his niece to marry a wealthy nobleman. However, he wasn't the least interested in her, and he had already found the love of his life, the priest... kept making idle threats to the couple and promised to go to King to court the young, wealthy debonair and his niece! The young, wealthy man refused and stood his ground and told the priest he wished to marry the young, beautiful woman. The young, beautiful, sensed dread something nefarious at play, and she was right. The priest signaled for the smoke powdered bombs to go off the young couple heard the bombs go off one by one from each town until it hit the church! The priest had escaped from the back door. There were cobblestone steps and cobblestone walls from what the young couple could see the priest's young, niece, or daughter was standing there in shock by everything! The beautiful young woman reached out to the priest's young niece or daughter compassion and empathy. However, the priest's niece or young daughter grew envious and vengeful she left out of the open back door where the priest had escaped the beautiful young couple, trying to escape only to find the door was now locked! The fire broke out around the church around the roof, and the balanced beam had fallen on the beautiful young couple. Luckily, the beautiful young woman was able to escape only to suffer the mild burns from her legs she struggled to get the front door of the church open to her best friend and gentleman to assist the beautiful young couple! The beautiful young woman tried to get the balanced beam off of her partner she couldn't it was far too heavy for her to lift on her own she tried to save him, but he was only losing oxygen from the smoke of the fire, the balanced beam weighing on him, and the injuries from his burns. The beautiful young couples friends were able to help and find shelter, however... it was already too late. The love of her life had taken his last breath right in front of her she had no time to react or mourn him as she and her friends had to make their great escape. Almost every ship on fire, including the high seas, most of the man, woman, and children jumped to their death with the roaring fire of the ocean it's! Thankfully, young, beautiful woman's friends found a secure ship and made their escape away from the roaring fire as they looked back. They could see everything burned down all the crying and the screams! The beautiful young woman and her friends made it to America or Ireland, where she practiced medicine a cure for herself and those who survived and suffered from their injuries caused by the fire she tirelessly wondered streets to look for medicine doctors she trusted that she could work with. Her romantic life was never the same after her partner had tragically passed she dated around, but none of the men in her life were the man she had long for, the man she had tragically lost and most of the men that were in and out of her life had known that as they too had lost their loved ones from the fire as well! I apologize in advance if the story was too long. I had to get the story out. I really hope that it helps with your future journeys of historical research. 🥹🤗💕
I vaguely remember reading or hearing somewhere (possibly BBC radio 4) MANY years ago, about an annual ceremony in the old cathedral which involved leading a bull up to the high altar. At the time it sounded vaguely Mithraic, which intrigued me (though I don't think they sacrificed it, not inside anyway...) Back then I didn't bother making notes and it was way before the internet or iplayer or anything. Never found anything since, although I must admit that my research has been very slight..
6:15 or so: "... everything from murder to fornication..." I guess an incredible cathedral, 227 years in the making, didn't impress some of the "finer" strata of society. But seriously, every proper "medieval" cathedral I've visited has filled me with awe. Primarily because of the unbelievable construction.
Oh but it was too much really. I could have done another hour or more in WA, but had to get to St Paul's to meet a friend. Then St Paul's was closing and I didn't get to look around the grounds as much as I wanted to. I'm not sure I'd recommend doing them both on the same day.
When I visited St Paul's many years ago, I read that the dome is the second largest of its kind in the word and that Sir Christopher didn't want it to be as big or bigger than St Peter's in the Vatican City. The design and construction of the dome was complex as well as ingenious, and he consulted Isaac Newton amongst others to come up with an eventual solution to support the dome of his dreams. Inspired by Bernini and St Peter's dome, he came up with three structures to build the dome- the outer lead covering, the inner painted surface and in between a cone shaped structure made of brick which supports the Lantern. Sir Christopher used to be hosted up in a basket about 3 times a week to see how work was progressing. He was 76 years old when it was completed in 1708 and watched his son fixed the last stone in position on the Lantern at the top of the cupula. If I recall correctly Sir Christopher was the first person buried in the new cathedral. His epitaph is very fitting for one of the greatest if not the greatest of British architecture- "....if you seek his monument , look around". He was 90 years old. If anyone visits I suggest to go up to the Whispering Gallery ( the bottom rim of the dome) and if you feel brave enough take the 627steps to the very top.... The crypt plan is another fascinating design ....a story for another day. Warm regards from Australia🎉
I'm a classics major, but with all due respect to Wten, the hodgepodge of Old St Paul's with Saxon saints and Plantagenets and bits of Beckett and van Dyke plus the flying buttresses on a building that started on Romanesque foundations feels far more like London and Britain to me: lived in, adapting, incorporating invaders until they become ancient, a type of religion and culture based on semi-legendary precedents and customs ... like history itself, it's messy and complicated and is closely tied to the particular, ordinary people that used it or are connected with it. New St Paul's seems more abstract, expressing religious ideals and national aspirations.
Ah, but would doing that destroy the entire timeline, possibly leading to you never being born, which would in turn prevent you from ever going back in the first place? It's a head scratcher.
Which building do you prefer the look of, Old or New St Paul’s? Let me know below and remember you can also find me at:
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What about John Donne? English lit geeks love the story!
Ah, I didn't know about him, but you're quite right. He was buried there too. Good name drop :-)
The new St. Paul's although I am very sorry that the old St. Paul's was lost.
Everything medieval is preferable if compared with anything newer since it was more individual and local. The old St. Paul's had untypical for Europe but typical for England huge tower on the crosshair of nave and transept. All the more with high spire which is not typical for England, but extremely spectacular and shaping an individual silhouette of the city.
There is nothing more magnificent than early English and gothic ecclesiastical architecture. The old cathedral would have been an awesome sight, had it survived. The new cathedral, grand as it is, doesn’t have the same feeling of an ancient, towering, brooding megalith. Mostly, it doesn’t really feel like an English cathedral. It feels more like an Italian one.
While the “new “ St Paul’s is impressive I think I prefer the look of the older building - it seems somehow more historic to me. Thanks for a fascinating video.
I know what you mean. I like the 'new' version too, but still wish we had the old.
While it is a shame the original was destroyed, it is nice to see the two great cathedrals in different styles. Saint Paul's Cathedral in the English Baroque style and Westminster Abbey in the Gothic style.
@@countofdownable Westminster Abbey isn't a cathedral.
@@HistoryCalling technically, you do. I’m pretty sure that some of the remains of old St. Paul’s are underneath the current building. The bigger question is why no nobody in the government has been clever enough to replace some of the pavement with some sort of strong, but transparent replacement: it would be absolutely fantastic to be able to look down from the present day street into what must have been an impressive church.
PS - this would also be a good idea for what used to be Bermondsey Abbey, final home of Elizabeth Woodville, that, and whatever remains of Richmond Palace. Keep in mind they excavated the old medieval Louvre’s remains in the 1980s. People still flock to see it.
0:00 If I could go back in time, I'd give the Dean of St. Paul's the plans for a sprinkler system and a lightning rod
Haha, if only! :-)
The current domed St. Paul's is my favorite because the old building reminds me of the modern Parliament building with a big spire, which is common today in London. HOWEVER. I would love to walk into the old St. Paul's that housed the elaborate tomb of John of Gaunt and his beloved Blanche of Lancaster. Oh. My. Delicately carved, yet touching with their effigies together .. it would certainly be a popular stop had it survived.
Fascinating! You should get this broadcast on regular television! I had no idea about all the destruction that the cathedral went through prior to 1666. I can't imagine London without it and to know that it came so close so many times to total destruction is shockingly heartbreaking.
This was an excellent video, HC. Thank you for your hard work researching and putting it together! Such a fascinating part of our history! 😊
Thank you. Oh I'm sure there must be documentaries about it out there already. There's a documentary on nearly everything nowadays.
@@HistoryCalling But most docs on The History Channel are rubbish as it gave way to the reality craze long ago. PBS still has some good stuff but allows for more "modernism" in history programs for my liking. Other sources can be interested but are rather shallow and clearly geared for commercial value.
That's why I'm glad I finally started taking YT seriously for entertainment, informational videos and of course history.
This is one of those mind-reading weeks. Last night I watched a brief Amazon Prime documentary on Charles II (I'll skip the wig jokes, but just this once) and I wondered when History Calling would get around to Christopher Wren and the fire. Really interesting- I look forward to the day when old Londons of various eras are virtually re-created in the most detail possible. Los Angeles used to have a public television series called "Things That Aren't There Anymore"- the concept has always fascinated me.
(Of course, in Los Angeles we pined for lost places from the 1940s, 50s and 60s- The Brown Derby, Schwab's Drugs- that was old to us!)
Ah, now if it's Charles II you're in the mood for then (assuming I don't change the release order) you're going to like next week's video.
@History Calling ...you are so lucky to live in a country that is a walking history book ...if i lived there i would find an excuse to vist all the historical places starting with. The tower of London
Thank you!
Living here in London, I'm sure that I'm not the only englishman to wistfully gaze across the English Channel to the architectural splendours of Europe though, so it's good to be reminded of how lucky we are here.
Despite the best efforts of wartime aerial bombardment and their near equal in senseless destruction of the Sixties planners, there's still a wealth of history on the doorstep.
But you know how it is...
not only do you fail to appreciate what you grow up with as part of the everyday experience, it's quite likely that the adult world gets in the way of visiting such gems and the fateful phrase
There's always another day
rears it's ugly head.
I doubt that there'd be time to see all that's on offer, but you've relit my curiosity so thank you once again!
The History on the castles and churches is just as interesting as the monarchs if not more.
Thank you. I just wish others felt the same. I have a feeling this video isn't going to do terribly well (at least not by my standards).
I’d love to hear more about the closing of monasteries during the reformation if you could? Awesome video by the way. Thanks.
Hmm, maybe at some point (if there are enough sources for it) I could look at one specific monastery, if it was very famous. I fear looking at them in general would be too much for a single video, as there were so many of them.
@@HistoryCalling I feel you! I thought I’d ask in any case! I’ll keep an eye out anyway just in case 🙂
@@HistoryCalling, I’d like to see one on Cadfael’s monastery, in Shrewsbury. The monastery is gone, of course, but there’s a lot of lingering info, I think. The abbey itself is very well preserved.
I agree
St Paul's is one of my favourites to visit when I'm in London. I would love to go back and see the original!
Same here! :-)
There’s a fsmousbphotonofvit burning during the nlitz
St Paul's is such an iconic building I find it hard to think it ever looked any different
I know. The 'new' one is such a part of London now, it's hard to imagine the city without it.
New! 1600’s new, that is. 100 years before Captain Cook claimed us for England!
Soooo much history.
Wow!! The heat from the fires were so profound that it melted the church bells!! That had to have been sooo HOT. Those bells are absolutely massive!! 🔔😳🔥
A detail that I truly love and appreciate about this channel is how it features letters of the time frame on the subject matter of the video we are learning about today. It just adds extra insights to matters of the past which I always think is very interesting. And, as I said that little additional details that I hold in high regard.
I think about lost churches and palaces and their importance. So, tragic from a historical standpoint because we will never get to see truly see them in all their glory. Our discover what treasures they held or their deep secrets.
As always, fabulous video of great educational value and very fascinatingly entertaining. 🏰⛪️📖📚🕯
Thank you very much. Yes, I like to include the primary sources where possible. Nothing explains history as well as they do :-)
Bell metal is a type of bronze that's typically made up of 78% copper and 22% tin. The tin gives bell metal its distinctive sound quality. It melts between 840°C and 971°C (1,550°F and 1,780°F). So the fire was definitely VERY hot!
@@HistoryCalling Always a pleasure to visit and learn. I feel I can speak for everyone here that the fine details are much appreciated. I do so love learning something new. Even when I think I might already have a pretty good idea about a subject, this channel is a plethora of knowledgeable wealth. Thank you!! 🕯📚📖
@hectorpascal Wow!!! Now THAT'S HOT!!! I didn't realize the bell was made up of so many different components. Idk why I always thought they were always like straight bronze. Silly!! But they must have to add different metals to help with the molding and the endurance of the piece. Good grief!! Can't even imagine how heavy that was to boot!! And, this was all before modern equipment. Truly remarkable!!! 🔔
@@BeeKool__113 The secrets of mold-making and bell casting were very closely guarded - usually within a family - and other proprietary metal "ingredients" could be used to used improve "pourability". Nevertheless success was not always guaranteed, especially with the larger bells. And finally of course there was the problem of tuning them if they were to be hung with others... The subject fascinates me, as you might have guessed!
This was fascinating! I never knew that Old St. Paul's is not as old as it might have been. It's a shame that the older cathedral was lost with all of it's history. I appreciate the effort to salvage what they could and re-incorporate it in the new design. But I can't help feeling a sense of loyalty to the St. Paul's of today. It is one of those iconic (a word I hate but is properly used here) images that is so closely associated with London that it is instantly recognizable all over the world. So I vote for Mr. Wren's design. And I think I'm in good company. During the Blitz, Winston Churchill ordered that St. Paul's Cathedral should be defended AT ALL COSTS. For he felt that the destruction of St. Paul's would demoralize the populace to an intolerable degree and would damage the war effort as a whole.
Yes, I know what you mean about Wren's cathedral being an iconic part of the London skyline now and I think Churchill was correct about how terrible it would have been if it had been lost in WW2.
I have to agree. Whilst the old St Paul's was much a victim of misfortune, abuse and neglect, Wren's building owes it's continued existence to nightly dedication, extraordinary bravery, and a good deal of luck. In a way it now embodies the cultural spirit of old London in its resistance to fire, an element which had always been the historical city's greatest threat.
Thank you for this, it is very well done and I did learn some new things !
I just want to say thank you so, so much for providing such fascinating and consistently high-quality content for us history nerds! I of course understand that there is a monetary component and therefore tailoring one's videos to the algorithm simply can't be helped, but videos like this are still such valuable resources, so I really do hope you can continue with them every so often, if that's viable. The algorithm is very capricious.
As a side note, have you ever thought about doing a video on the Catholic Monarchs? There's obviously tie-in points with Algorithm-friendly topics but also a lot of fascinating history otherwise.
Thank you for your information and research .
My pleasure :-)
Definitely worth a rewatch, HC! I'm enjoying it just as much on second viewing. In terms of the question, I'd admit to favoring the older design. I can imagine a British version of Quasimodo lurking in the tower. The newer version looks quite grand, of course. Great shots. Have a wonderful week. 🙏🏼
Thanks Stephen. Yes, I wish we had the older version too, much as I like Wren's design. Generally speaking, the older the better for me when it comes to historic buildings. Have a lovely week too.
Thank you so much for this video. Ever since I first learned about the old St Paul’s its history and the many important burials inside it have fascinated me. As much as I mourn the loss of such an important building, the loss of the people who were buried there makes me even sadder. I would’ve liked to have seen the tomb of John of Gaunt and Blanche of Lancaster. Considering how run down the cathedral became by the end of Elizabeth I’s reign and during the rise of the Puritans (those insufferable killjoys!) during the first half of the 17th century perhaps the Great Fire of 1666 was a blessing in disguise. While I prefer gothic architecture Wren’s architecture was perfect for its time and looked forward to the time when London would become the capitol of the greatest empire in history.
PS. Would you please consider doing more videos on cultural history? The art, music, dance, literature, theatre etc are an important part of every historical period. As a friend and professor of cultural history taught me the cultural aspects of history tell us not just WHAT happened but HOW and WHY things happened. History is best when it takes a broad view of the people and their culture(s) at any given time. I’ve always loved history, but after my friend taught me to look at the cultural aspects of a specific time period it has greatly enriched and enhanced my understanding of history.💜🙏
I like cultural history too, but it can be tricky to compress into a single video as you might have to look at (for example) dozens of theatre productions in order to be able to draw general conclusions about what the public liked to watch and what themes were most common to plays of the era. I'm not against looking at very specific cultural moments though, like an individual song or piece of artwork. I have an art history playlist for instance, if that helps?
The loss of the old is sad. However, new St Paul’s is pretty impressive. I enjoyed this change from the Tudors today, but then I enjoy everything you produce! ❤
I loved St Paul's...the acoustics are incredible and the view .....Beautful...but the size of the old St Paul's looked so beautiful...thanks @historycalling
Thanks Lisa. Yes, I like to step away from the Tudors sometimes, though sadly this one isn't doing as well as I'd hoped, but then again last week's Tudor video didn't either which I think goes to show that one just can't win sometimes.
You're very welcome :-)
❤❤❤❤ I really appreciate your videos on History.
Thanks Lynda. Enjoy :-)
This is really one of your best podcasts. Thank you🎉 You did Buckingham Palace as a stand alone podcast once which was very good. I wish you would do more like these including castles, abbeys, cathedrals, etc.
I have a soft spot for the new St Paul's just because I am a big fan of Sir Chirstopher Wren . And going up the whispering gallery was one of my first tastes of London as a tourist. Keep these podcasts coming, please🎉
Yes, the Buckingham Palace episode was the one that put this idea into my head, though this one isn't doing as well. I have a few other ideas for similar videos though.
I love the Tudors but I also enjoy it when you delve into the hitherto unknown details of some other period of history.
Thank you. Me too. I get tired of the Tudors sometimes and then sometimes the Tudor videos don't even do well (like last week) and I think 'what was even the point of making that one?'
I liked the one about the consorts! I totally agree that Philip was a bust as far as supporting his wife in her role as queen. A new Ferdinand and Isabella they were not.
Thanks HC. Top job, as always.
Thanks Chris :-)
I really enjoy these location-based history videos. Thank you!
Thank you. I just thought it would be something different :-)
Excellent 'tour' and lesson. Thank you!
It is sad when you think of all the merchants who never thought it would burn so they stored all their stuff in it. If it wasn’t for that scaffolding you never know, it might have held!
I know. I suppose though the scaffolding might be why it stayed up as long as it did. Maybe it was doomed either way?
A tidbit I discovered just recently about Æthelred the Unready (Æthelred II): His epithet comes from the Old English word unræd meaning "poorly advised"; it is a pun on his name, which means "well advised".
I didn't know that! Thank you :-)
@@HistoryCalling Me either. A friend told me last weekend.
it's odd, I just couldn't imagine London without Christopher Wren's St. Paul, along with Tower Bridge, The Tower, Houses of Parliament etc and even newer buildings such as the Gherkin it just inhabits almost the very foundations of London. But this is a fascinating insight into an alternate world and a what could have been and I'm sure there are many that don't even know of the Old St. Paul's. I'd love more videos on lost buildings such as Richmond palace.
Ah, but the Houses of Parliament building is a baby compared to the Tower, St Paul's, Westminster, Buckingham Palace etc. Maybe I'll do a video on the old version of it at some point, also lost to fire, this time in 1834. Richmond is an interesting idea too.
Tower Bridge is not as old as you may think
@@pedanticradiator1491 I know it was built during the Victorian era, it's just feels so iconic as to almost transcend time :).
I loved this video...i was at St Pauls in 2019 its beautiful and the acoustics...and the view ..incredible...but i saw the model of old St pauls would have loved to see it....really great to see the history love the besutiful cathedrals....thanks @historycalling....should of learned theyre lesson with wood!!!
Thank you. Yes, I love visiting the 'new' cathedral too. It's stunning as well.
⛪ 👍
I love architectural history
Thank you. I like to dip into it too sometimes. I have a few other ideas I might visit in the future too.
Thank you for this fascinating history! While all your videos are superb, this one captivated me. I prefer the old St Paul’s with the spire, but am likely to revise that decision after watching this video again.
Thank you. I thought it would be something a little different 😊
I prefer the new. The exterior is handsome, but the grandeur of the interior with its classical proportions and elegant detailing, is truly awe-inspiring, a fine English couterpart to St. Peter's in Rome.
Both the gothic and classical are beautiful, I cannot prefer one over the other, although for my part I prefer classical to modern brutalism.
I absolutely love your videos. The information is great. I really appreciate that you readily admit when something is your opinion or if there is something you are not sure of. Also, your voice is very calming and the pacing is superb.
Thank you so much. I appreciate that :-)
The thing that struck me most when viewing the oldest and worn churches in Germany was I could almost believe I could turn a corner and bump into God. The newer churches never gave me that feeling.
I knew about the fire of St. Paul’s Cathedral, just a little though. Wow, that must’ve been traumatic to watch. The picture of the Charles of Faith reminded me of the Starks family home from Game of Thrones. Maybe my mind is playing tricks on me. I can’t travel due to health issues, I enjoyed your video with the sketches of the old Cathedral and pictures of the modern Cathedral. I Learned something new. Thank you.
Thanks Leticia. Yes, it must have been awful to see it burn down like that, especially if you'd just put all your belongings into its crypt for safe-keeping!
Great video as always! Would love to see a video on St Patrick’s in Dublin!
I think I might tend towards Christ Church before St Patrick's, but I don't know that I'll do either. This video doesn't look like it's doing as well as I'd hoped unfortunately and if people won't watch one on the super famous St Paul's, I don't think they'd click on one on an Irish cathedral (which would be their loss of course).
That is sad. I'd certainly watch either. I find that these days, I'd rather watch building history rather than people history. We don't have much here in the US. When I was stationed in Germany, a village next to Bamberg, Poudeldorf (sp?) was celebrating it's 900th Anniversary! It was so intersting!
Thanks!
Oh wow! Thank you so much for another incredibly generous donation Theresa. I'm glad you enjoyed hearing about old St Paul's. It's just a shame we can't see it for real.
@@HistoryCalling for sure!
Thank you for this informative video with lovely narration. I learned much. Only four churches in Britain had spires over 400 feet. St. Paul's spire was the world's tallest when completed, although it is possible that Malmesbury Abbey at 427 feet, was completed earlier, relegated to second and third places when Lincoln Cathedral added another 100 feet for the record. Salisbury, added a century later at 404 feet, was the only one to survive. These spires were daring feats of engineering but sadly vulnerable to storm and lightning. Malmesbury fell first, followed by St. Paul's and then Lincoln. What a sight they must have been. I have never liked the brutal masculinity of the old St. Paul's aesthetic, but the portico looks gorgeous
I prefer the old design - much more classical. And another wonderful video! Your pacing and amount of information shared makes the time fly!
Awesome! Thank you! :-)
I've thoroughly enjoyed this my first visit to your channel and thank you for it.
I wonder if the origin of the image of Old St. Paul's in its decrepit state at 29:40 could be made known, please.
It's the first time that I have seen it, let alone known of its existence and fired up with enthusiasm from this enthralling video, I paused it to go find the original. Unfortunately it seems to me to be hidden from the (nearly) all-encompassing power of the internet.
Whilst pleased to have beaten it, I bemoan the resultant inability to examine the map in its entirety.
Any help would be most appreciated and thank you once again for your engagingly entertaining production.
I personally would have loved to see the original cathedral in the hieght of its glory. Its a shame that it was allowed to fall into disrepair for so long. Had it been maintained it probably would have withstood the fire better if only the original stonework syrvived. Sadly I live in the staes and have never seen the indide of Europe's many grand medieval churches and cathedrals in person. I bet they are magnificent to see in person. You can help but wonder if the walls could talk what stories could they tell us, aside from what is already known. Would they tell us of some family coming to pray for theur family. Would they tell us of some mischievous child getting away from his or her parents during services? Would they tell us of a nervous bride about to be married? Did she fret herself silly? Was it a happy or sad occasion for her? Little things that we ourselves in this day and age to help is relate back to our ancestors. As always thanks for the video. This was a very fascinating look at St. Pual's cathedral and history.
Yes, same here and I love all your ideas about the stories that the walls could tell. Of course some walls could also tell very violent stories (I'm thinking of Thomas Becket being murdered in Canterbury Cathedral).
Great stuff! Thanks :)
Not quite old enough to remember the 'old' St Paul's but here's a tip for all you wannabe and burgeoning visitors to London. Take the tube out to Tower Hill and walk (yes, walk) from Tower Bridge all the way down The Strand and end upin Trafalgar Square. There's a great 3 miles of Tudor History and more (on and off the beaten track) to see right there. Including St Paul's, if you take the right route. 😊
I'll second that. That area of London is a fascinating walk.
@@HistoryCalling Or roller blades - if you're in a hurry. 🤣
Very true. Just don't crash into anyone (or fall in the Thames)!
@@HistoryCalling😂👍
Yep. As an instructor for HMCE I walked from the Tower, Custom House Lower Thames Street now sold 🤬, everywhere. Other offices, roleplay scenarios for Training ALL over the place and of course, off duty desperately searching for Sherry or two 🤣. Biggest hint to visitors…..The Globe Theatre. Fabulous.
I actually prefer the new St Paul's, it's more distinctive. Whereas the old one (if the drawings are accurate) looked like several other buildings, including Winchester Cathedral.
I must actually visit it one day. It's on my list.
Yes, it's true that for London and for that time period, it was pretty distinctive. Other later buildings have copied the basic design though (I'm thinking of the US Capitol and even Belfast City Hall). No one does it quite like St Paul's though and of course even it's borrowed some architecture ideas from Rome.
I lived in Washington DC for quite a number of years. Most of the older buildings have the same look.
It's pretty common to see that style here, especially in courthouse and other showier official buildings; but no city I've seen matches the sheer number of them I've seen in DC.
I've never been to London so all I have are pictures to go on, though, so bear that in mind when reading my comment.
I remember reading that someone once described the Brighton Pavilion as, “It looks like St Paul’s came down & pupped!” (Or similar)
Thanks
Thank you so much for such a generous donation. I hope you enjoyed the little trip back to old London to see the former St Paul's. It's such a shame we don't have it anymore. :(
How wonderful that that old book had been published before the 1666 fire.
Oh BOY I am hype for this one.
Thank you. I hope you 'lost your mind' for it (just a little play on your username there). 😊
Thank you dear HC 👍. You are a wonderful presenter. I love all historical places. I always think that back in the day buildings were build for centuries, without all the technology and yet some of them are still here with us to enjoy. Buildings nowadays need reparing after a few years with all technology 🫣. St. Paul's is beautiful, I've visited several times. I prefer the "newer" version of it, but the old one was also beautiful. Thank you very much.
I completely agree. We don't have as good quality in so many things now, from buildings, to clothes, to even washing machines! Back in the day things were made to last and people appreciated the work that went into them so much more.
@@HistoryCalling agreed, it's unfortunately quantity over quality 😒
Loved this! Thank you!
You're welcome. Glad you enjoyed it :-)
Ah, History calling has something new! ❤
What a lovely way of speaking you have, posh Ulster I imagine.
Many thanks for this video. Never knew any of this, so it has filled a gap perfectly. Thank you, regards, John.
PS: prefer the first St Paul's.
You're very welcome. Glad I was able to share something new with you 😊
Wow what a history! Thank you so much for such a long and interesting vid! ♥️♥️♥️♥️
You're welcome. It was interesting to resaerch as I knew so little about Old St Paul's as well.
Thank you.
Thanks Anna. Hope you enjoy it :-)
I'm reading Deborah Harkness's All Souls Trilogy. In the 2nd book, the main characters travel back in time to Elizabethan London & Old St Paul's is mentioned quite frequently in the book. I think it would be cool to see what London would have looked like back then.
Thank you HC. This was a very interesting look at an important building during early London. It appears to have had a bit of bad luck on several occasions. Not sure whether the devil had a part in it, or just nature and a serious bit of carelessness. I think I prefer the older one. Not sure why, I guess it’s the age it would have been today and the stories it would still be telling. Have a great week!
Just bad luck I think. I suppose it did last 100s of years, despite the fact that it existed before modern fire-fighting techniques had been invented and wasn't very well cared for. Most medieval buildings can't say the same.
The way you pronounce figures is so cool with your accent. Sadly in America many catholic churches are closing. It's very weird. I believe in God. Love your chan. New style looks good
Thank you. Not everyone appreciates the accent (I literally had some pig call it a speech impediment a couple of weeks ago), so I'll take the compliments where I can get them :-)
@@HistoryCalling My pleasure
Nice - gives a fresh overview of the old church up close instead of glancing peripheral views on panoromas
The reason that books were in St. Faith's and that wagons, etc. went through St. Paul's is that the wall of the Cathedral were used to prop up book and print shops in the Church Yard. Holler seems not to have drawn them, but there were records of the shops after the fire as a result of a request for compensation by the Stationers' Company. See Peter W. Blaney, _The Bookshops of Old St. Paul's Cross Churchyard_ Occ. Papers of the Bib. Soc. Nov. 1990.
That's so interesting. Thank you very much :-)
Thank you 😊 great video
Best wishes from Manchester Old England 😎 Cheers ❤❤❤
Thank you. I've only been to Manchester once (if we exclude the airport), but I enjoyed it. Good shops!
Commenting to boost the engagement algorithm since I've already posted as jldisme. ❤
You're the best! :-)
I've been to lots of cathedrals in Europe including many gothic ones. The first time I saw one as a kid I was pretty awed. But I've been in so many, and not just in Europe, that I've gotten used to them. To be honest, I feel like, if you've seen one gothic cathedral, you've seen 'em all. My favorite European cathedral of any era is Speyer Cathedral. It is in the Romanesque style, of which there are many fewer examples extant. I just think it's a lot cooler than any gothic church.
You speak of the fire at Notre-Dame in Paris being the closest modern analogue to the loss of St Paul's in 1666. Within recent memory, I suppose so. I would suggest that the almost complete destruction of St Michael's Cathedral in Coventry as a result of bombing in WWII is a better analogue: Notre-Dame was damaged, but most of the medieval structure survived. Coventry, like St Paul's, was rendered unusable by fire, with only the walls and tower surviving. Both destroyed English cathedrals were replaced in short order (and thus in a single architectural style) , by Sir Christopher Wren, and in the twentieth century by Sir Basil Spence.
The New St Pauls , a beautiful building .
History calling, my friend was going to go on tour through Ireland and I was thinking if you wanted to see Ireland, then you should look up history calling. She’s the Empress of Ireland.
Haha, thank you. :-)
Good evening to history calling from Bea 🇬🇧
Hi Bea. Enjoy the video :-)
New St Paul’s is an incredible, awe inspiring building, but I’d have loved to see the older one. Old St Paul’s was taller, wider and about 1/2 as long again as the current building. Maybe with the surrounding chapter house & other buildings/land, it would still retain more of its impact. The current building seems too closed in by the surrounding city.
I personally prefer the new St Paul’s as I am a fan of classical architecture. I also think the dome is fascinating 💕💕💕
Oh, it is too hard to choose between two such distinctive buildings. Since we are fortunate to still have many medieval churches, I suppose I would vote for Wren's St. Paul's because I cannot think of another church from that particular time period that compares in size and magnificence to the new St. Paul's.
Very sound logic. 😊
Of course I have only seen the "new" St. Paul's which was built as a homogenous whole instead of the old building which was built over many centuries in various styles. The former steeple of the old cathedral was taller than the present Salisbury Cathedral. During the blitz in WW2, incendiary bombs were extinguished by brave and dedicated fire wardens on the roof of St.Paul's. Thank you for this very interesting account.
Interesting use of Caen Stone, the area has similar sized Abbeys, but they are in sheltered hollows, rather than on the tall hill, while many churches maybe on the higher (natural or made up) ground others are not. Lincoln Cathedral being similar atop the high point, which often have old spirtual significance. However placing things so high would invite lightening strikes, and indeed the bulk and mass of the building would influence the weather, disturbing the normal westerly winds
@9:20 "with their hands joined". Did your source make clear whether John of Gaunt and Blanche were holding each other's hands, or simply shown with their own hands "joined in prayer" - as actually shown in the picture? The latter was quite common on tomb effigies at the time (and later). Nice bit of research, nevertheless!
Although I have been to St. Paul"s several times with the kids climbing all the way to the top and enjoying the whispering gallery, I really like the Old St.Paul's with its rose window and flying buttresses very reminiscent of Notre Dame.
Yes, I know what you mean. I love the current one, but I do love gothic architecture too and Westminster Abbey is still my favourite, partly for that reason.
Mine would medieval London Bridge. Love to see Nonsuch House and the church in the middle. (How sad am I?😂)
Not sad at all. I'd love to see those places too 😊
I always think about if the medieval old tudor London Bridge with the houses on top could have been recreated somehow, maybe where they built the Millenium Bridge. You could walk through the center of the bridge and the recreated tudor buildings could be shops, hotels and residences. Modern engineering would not need as many arches like the original that disrupted the flow of the Thames. Not sure, could come out looking something like DIsney though. Tower bridge looks great and authentic in gothic style even though was built in Victorian era.
The new Saint Paul's with it's majestic loofty dome is (in my humble opinion) far superior to old Saint Paul's which was definitely beautiful for it's time. But time waits for no man, woman, child nor edifice so out with the old and in with the spectacular new. Great video as always Madame.
Thank you kindly Your Majesty (just a little play on your username if I may). 🤣
@@HistoryCalling I really appreciate that 🤣
It would be interesting to see the design, however speculative, of the earlier iterations of the cathedral.
We in the USA cannot fathom a building even 700 years old. The fact that the very real estate has held the same structure, albeit rebuilt is phenomenal.
You have us beat when it comes to stunning landscapes though. The Grand Canyon springs to mind.
What I find most disturbing is that the remaining artifacts that survived ended up getting desecrated anyway.I get this feeling that the old St.Pauls and old city of London was under a constant assault by nefarious actors.
There were constant fires and shady characters who ended up in the Tower of London.
I'm a Coventry boy and even though the new is impressive, it's the situation that counts, and the old St Paul's in the Old London was imposing. Properly Christian!
I visited the “New” St. Paul’s in 1988, and although impressive and quite beautiful, I think I prefer the style of the “Old” St. Paul’s more.
I am curious, though, about your thoughts on the Great Fire of 1666 being the primary reason that the Black Plague appeared to lessen within the greater London area. I apologize if you addressed this in another video that I’ve yet to discover.
Thank you for your hard work and dedication to teaching us all!
I remember reading that theory and thinking it sounded good, but I've since read elsewhere that some historians don't think it had a material impact on the plague, so now I don't know what to think. :-(
@@HistoryCallingmight be an interesting future video. Not that you already have a topics.
As a side note about the name Inigo, it’s pronounced in the princess bride as eh-knee-go (I think that’s how you write that phonetically 😅) if you look up a clip of inigo montoya they say it
Love love love that film 💜
I have never heard the name "Inigo" relating to Inigo Jones pronounced in the UK by historians of art and architecture as anything other than an anglicised version of the name, having a stress on the first syllable: i.e. as if you were saying the colour "indigo" without the "d". He was English so.his name would have had an English pronunciation.
There is an interesting historical romance called "Old St. Paul's", written by W. Harrison Ainsworth, and published in 1841.
Since I never saw the old St Paul's, it is hard to say which I like best. The old version must have looked very similar to other crucifix shaped cathedrals that we still have, like Winchester or Westminster Abbey. It must have been very impressive. The description of the spire crashing down after the lightning strike immediately made me think of La Fleche on Notre Dame crashing through the roof. It must have been a defining moment just as it was in 2019. Great research again HC. Just as a suggestion for further videos, perhaps you could do something on the men and women who advised the Tudor kings and queens, like the best spymaster, or the one that made the most money, or even their chefs/cooks, or masters of horse. I am sure there must be more stories to uncover with the people who knew their royal masters/mistresses. 😀
Yes, I remember the spire coming down at Notre Dame. It was so sad. Some of the spymasters and masters of the horse (like Walsingham and Leicester) are very famous in their own rights, so they're on my list. It's just finding the time to do videos on them I'm afraid. Proper biography videos take a lot of effort and are very long, especially if the person lived a fairly long life.
@@HistoryCalling yes, I just thought they might be another string to your bow. Some of them had considerable impact on history. 😄
it seems it was already beat up by storms and stripped of valuables by 2 different puritan attacks before the fire - I think a similar video of old St Peters would make a nice pair - maybe even Hagia Sophia before the crusaders stripped it - thanks again HC - 🛸✨
Yeah, it wasn't in the best shape by the 1660s, that's for sure, but I still wish we had it :-(
@@HistoryCalling - visiting the Abbey and then Old St Pauls would make for a amazing day in London - if only
Hi, awesome live history video I enjoyed it. How are you doing? I'm doing well and so is my cat Benjamin. We have Thanksgiving in Ontario Canada. It's a hoilday today. In the next video in the future could you do Thomas Crammer. He was King Henry the eighth friend from the 16th century. Have a great day see you next video 😊
Hi Michelle. Happy Thanksgiving. Yes, Cranmer is on my list. There are just so many Tudor-era figures to get to 😊
Good stuff
Glad you enjoyed it :-)
Sir Francis Walsingham, Elizabeth's Principal secretary and spymaster, was also buried there. Alas, nothing remains of his tomb.
Maybe just as well because he would not have approved of the "new" cathedral with its semi Catholic basilica like design
Yes, it's such a shame we've lost so many famous tombs.
I am not religious but I do like churches the architecture and history fascinates me. I would have liked to have seen the original or next to the original church even in pictures.
Yes, I would love to have seen it too. *sigh* If only we could invent safe time travel! :-)
Is having the dome on the old building an option? 😂
I'd really like to go back and see Richmond Palace
Haha, no I don't think the original building could have supported the dome, but at least it had its tower and spire (for a while). Yes, the old palaces would be wonderful to see too.
@@HistoryCalling@HistoryCalling I am pretty sure I read somewhere that, prior to the Great Fire, Wren had a scheme to replace the central tower with a dome as part of the repairs to Old St Paul's. Placing a dome over the crossing in a medieval gothic cathedral had been done in Italy (Florence, Siena, Pisa).
I have found this information in Wikipedia: before the fire, Wren wanted to add new features to Old St Paul's to complement Inigo Jones' classical portico: one of these was a dome which was intended to be supported from beneath by the existing tower.
I live and breathe history. I have been reaching the Great Fire of London on September 2nd, 1666, for the past couple of years now, and I still have yet to hit a bullseye! 🎯 For example, the name of the victims of the great fire of london and the names of those those who attended the Old St. Paul Cathedral their lives, their stories, what they may have looked like, how they may dressed, etc. Whether these victims may have had portraits of themselves and their families. @History Calling, could you please do a video of those victims? 🥺💕
There were very few named victims of the Fire (though possibly others died and were cremated who we don't know about) and I'm not aware of any known, detailed facts known about those who did die. I'm not sure there are any sources there to find which would answer your questions I'm afraid. The only thing I can sort of answer is how they dressed. That will just have been standard 17th century clothing which you should be able to Google images of. I'm sorry I can't be of more help. :-(
It's okay. I wanted to research the great fire of london for personal significance! Let's just say that not all is what it seems in the history books it never is it was all orchestrated by hierarchy, politicians, priests, and society in general. Throughout history, everyone, it was the baker and Robert Hubert they took the fall for something more sinister and nefarious! It was the priest of the church who orchestrated everything, which led those bombs to go off! Think about the exact locations as to how it was all set up by the priest in the nobles in favor of the priest. Why did the priest do it? Simple, he wanted his niece to marry a wealthy nobleman. However, he wasn't the least interested in her, and he had already found the love of his life, the priest... kept making idle threats to the couple and promised to go to King to court the young, wealthy debonair and his niece! The young, wealthy man refused and stood his ground and told the priest he wished to marry the young, beautiful woman. The young, beautiful, sensed dread something nefarious at play, and she was right. The priest signaled for the smoke powdered bombs to go off the young couple heard the bombs go off one by one from each town until it hit the church! The priest had escaped from the back door. There were cobblestone steps and cobblestone walls from what the young couple could see the priest's young, niece, or daughter was standing there in shock by everything! The beautiful young woman reached out to the priest's young niece or daughter compassion and empathy. However, the priest's niece or young daughter grew envious and vengeful she left out of the open back door where the priest had escaped the beautiful young couple, trying to escape only to find the door was now locked! The fire broke out around the church around the roof, and the balanced beam had fallen on the beautiful young couple. Luckily, the beautiful young woman was able to escape only to suffer the mild burns from her legs she struggled to get the front door of the church open to her best friend and gentleman to assist the beautiful young couple! The beautiful young woman tried to get the balanced beam off of her partner she couldn't it was far too heavy for her to lift on her own she tried to save him, but he was only losing oxygen from the smoke of the fire, the balanced beam weighing on him, and the injuries from his burns. The beautiful young couples friends were able to help and find shelter, however... it was already too late. The love of her life had taken his last breath right in front of her she had no time to react or mourn him as she and her friends had to make their great escape. Almost every ship on fire, including the high seas, most of the man, woman, and children jumped to their death with the roaring fire of the ocean it's! Thankfully, young, beautiful woman's friends found a secure ship and made their escape away from the roaring fire as they looked back. They could see everything burned down all the crying and the screams! The beautiful young woman and her friends made it to America or Ireland, where she practiced medicine a cure for herself and those who survived and suffered from their injuries caused by the fire she tirelessly wondered streets to look for medicine doctors she trusted that she could work with. Her romantic life was never the same after her partner had tragically passed she dated around, but none of the men in her life were the man she had long for, the man she had tragically lost and most of the men that were in and out of her life had known that as they too had lost their loved ones from the fire as well! I apologize in advance if the story was too long. I had to get the story out. I really hope that it helps with your future journeys of historical research. 🥹🤗💕
I vaguely remember reading or hearing somewhere (possibly BBC radio 4) MANY years ago, about an annual ceremony in the old cathedral which involved leading a bull up to the high altar. At the time it sounded vaguely Mithraic, which intrigued me (though I don't think they sacrificed it, not inside anyway...) Back then I didn't bother making notes and it was way before the internet or iplayer or anything. Never found anything since, although I must admit that my research has been very slight..
I would love to have seen the old St Paul's - it would have been breathtaking but then I do have a bit of a thing about Cathedrals.
I have a soft for them (and abbeys and minsters) too. Of course I'm a terrible snob who judges them on how famous their dead people are! 😂
6:15 or so: "... everything from murder to fornication..." I guess an incredible cathedral, 227 years in the making, didn't impress some of the "finer" strata of society. But seriously, every proper "medieval" cathedral I've visited has filled me with awe. Primarily because of the unbelievable construction.
I know. I couldn't believe what people got up to there either when I read about it.
My Goodness- I have historical jealousy now- a visit to Westminster Abbey and St Paul's on the same day.....warm regards from The Antipodes🎉
Oh but it was too much really. I could have done another hour or more in WA, but had to get to St Paul's to meet a friend. Then St Paul's was closing and I didn't get to look around the grounds as much as I wanted to. I'm not sure I'd recommend doing them both on the same day.
Another interesting fact about St Paul's was how Christopher Wren decided on the size of the cupula....
Do share with the class 😊
When I visited St Paul's many years ago, I read that the dome is the second largest of its kind in the word and that Sir Christopher didn't want it to be as big or bigger than St Peter's in the Vatican City. The design and construction of the dome was complex as well as ingenious, and he consulted Isaac Newton amongst others to come up with an eventual solution to support the dome of his dreams. Inspired by Bernini and St Peter's dome, he came up with three structures to build the dome- the outer lead covering, the inner painted surface and in between a cone shaped structure made of brick which supports the Lantern. Sir Christopher used to be hosted up in a basket about 3 times a week to see how work was progressing. He was 76 years old when it was completed in 1708 and watched his son fixed the last stone in position on the Lantern at the top of the cupula. If I recall correctly Sir Christopher was the first person buried in the new cathedral. His epitaph is very fitting for one of the greatest if not the greatest of British architecture- "....if you seek his monument , look around". He was 90 years old. If anyone visits I suggest to go up to the Whispering Gallery ( the bottom rim of the dome) and if you feel brave enough take the 627steps to the very top....
The crypt plan is another fascinating design ....a story for another day. Warm regards from Australia🎉
I'm a classics major, but with all due respect to Wten, the hodgepodge of Old St Paul's with Saxon saints and Plantagenets and bits of Beckett and van Dyke plus the flying buttresses on a building that started on Romanesque foundations feels far more like London and Britain to me: lived in, adapting, incorporating invaders until they become ancient, a type of religion and culture based on semi-legendary precedents and customs ... like history itself, it's messy and complicated and is closely tied to the particular, ordinary people that used it or are connected with it. New St Paul's seems more abstract, expressing religious ideals and national aspirations.
Hearing the "not to do" lists from Mary I then Elizabeth I my mouth dropped open. 😂
If I could go back in time, I would rescue the two princes in the tower.
Ah, but would doing that destroy the entire timeline, possibly leading to you never being born, which would in turn prevent you from ever going back in the first place? It's a head scratcher.