Lichfield has been a bishop’s see since Anglo-Saxon times, and among its earliest bishops was St. Chad, who advanced Christianity in England.  For a short period Lichfield boasted an archbishop, during the reign of Offa, king of Mercia, who persuaded the Pope to grant his kingdom this honour.  No trace of any Anglo-Saxon building is left, and of the Norman church that was next erected only the west part of the choir remains.  The present cathedral, built in the Early English style of Gothic, was commenced about 1200, and was not finished until 1325, builders being employed all the time.  Though numbered among the smaller cathedrals, Lichfield is very beautiful, possessing a great charm in the ruddiness of the stone used in its construction.  Its most striking features are the three graceful spires, the sculptured west front, and the large Lady Chapel.  Owing, unfortunately, to its being fortified, the cathedral suffered much damage when besieged by the Roundheads during the Civil War.  Windows and statues were broken, brass stripped from the tombs, registers burned, but the worst calamity was the destruction of the central tower.  After the Restoration the cathedral was carefully repaired, greatly due to the efforts of good Bishop Hacket, who spent his time and money upon the work.  The central spire was rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren.

[Illustration:  Photochrom Co., Ltd.

LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL.

Showing the richly-sculptured west front, and the central tower rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren.]

SHERBORNE AND ITS ABBEY CHURCH

=How to get there.=—­Train from Waterloo, via Salisbury.  L. and
  S.W.  Railway.
=Nearest Station.=—­Sherborne. =Distance from London.=—­118 miles. =Average Time.=—­Varies between 3-1/4 to 6 hours.

                     1st 2nd 3rd
=Fares.=—­Single 19s. 8d. 12s. 4d. 9s. 10d. 
          Return 34s. 6d. 21s. 6d. 19s. 8d.

=Accommodation Obtainable.=—­“Digby Hotel,” “Antelope,” “Half
  Moon,” etc.

Sherborne is full of archaeological interest, for besides its wonderful Abbey Church, it has the ruins of its castle on a rocky height at the east end of the town and a good number of ancient houses.  The town itself is situated on the side of a hill sloping down to the Yeo, and has a clean and quaint aspect.  About 705, it was chosen as the seat of a bishopric.  The see was removed to Old Sarum in 1078, but the castle continued to be used as an episcopal residence until it was besieged by Stephen, when it became Crown property.  The Abbey Church of St. Mary the Virgin is Norman in origin, but it has been so rebuilt and remodelled that it is now practically Perpendicular.  The whole church, with the exception of the Lady Chapel, was very carefully restored between 1848 and 1851.

Adjoining the Abbey Church, at the west end, are the remains of the parochial church of Alhalows, a three-aisled church in Decorated or Early Perpendicular style.  The monks and the parishioners had many quarrels, one resulting in a fire which destroyed much of the abbey.  The Abbey Church was granted by Henry VIII. to Sir John Horsley, who sold it to the parish for L250.  There being no further use for Alhalows Church, it was taken down.