Comments on: Inside The Model Of St Paul’s

By: Charles Hall

Charles Hall — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 12:17:29 +0000

Fascinating. I wondered if you’d come across Ned Ward’s account of walking through the cathedral while it was still built, published in his ‘London Spy’, 1698-1700: http://grubstreetproject.net/works/T119938?image=107&display=text#notes-1
The most nearly relevant part of his description is his amusement at the workmen who, he claimed, were spinning the work out quite unnecessarily – and his remarks about the way a small fire was interpreted by some as evidence of God’s attitude to the evils of church music. This hostility takes a slightly different form in this conversation with the son of a one-time Cromwellian (and I’m sorry this is so long…):
‘As we were thus gazing with great Satisfaction, at the Wondrous Effects of Humane Industry; raising our Thoughts by degrees, to the Marvelous Works of Omnipotence, from those of his Creatures, we Observ’d an Old Country Fellow leaning upon his Stick, and staring with great Amazement up towards Heaven, thro’ the Circle from whence the Arch is to be turn’d: Seeing him fix’d in such a ruminating Posture, I was desirous of knowing his Serious Thoughts, in order to discover which, I ask’d him his Opinion of this Noble Building; and how he lik’d the Church? Church! reply’d he, ’tis no more like a Church than I am. Ads-heart! Its more by half like a Goose Pye I have seen at my Landlords; and this Embroider’d hole in the middle of the Top, is like the Place in the upper Crust, where they put in the Butter. I could not forbear laughing at the odness of Slouch’s Notion; and hoping to hear something further from him that might give us a little Diversion, we continued his Company. Prithee, said I, honest Country-man, since thou do’st not believe it to be a Church, what place do’st thou take it to be? Why, says he, I’ll warrant you now thou think’st me to be such an Arrant Fool I can’t tell, but thou art mistaken; for my Vather was a Trooper to Oliver Cromwell, and I have heard him say many a time, he has set up his Horse here; and do you think the Lord will ever Dwell in a House made out of a Stable? That was done, said I, by a parcel of Rebelious People, who had got the upper-hand of the Government; and car’d not what Murder, Sacriledge, Treason, and Mischief they Committed: But it was a Church before it was converted to that Heathenish use, and so it is now. Why then, says Roger, I think in good Truth the Cavaliers are as much too blame in making a Church of a Stable, as the Roundheads were, in making a Stable of a Church; and there’s a Rowland for your Oliver; and so good-by to you. Away he trudg’d, like the true Off-spring of Schismatical and Rebellious Ancestors; expressing in his looks no little Malice and Contempt towards the Magnificency of the Building, which they have been always ready to deface, when they have had any opportunity.’

By: David Steers

David Steers — Mon, 14 Jan 2019 11:58:38 +0000

Excellent!

By: Sarah Johnson

Sarah Johnson — Sun, 13 Jan 2019 20:46:52 +0000

What an amazing experience you had … thanks for sharing the insights and the photos.

By: Geoff Nicholls

Geoff Nicholls — Sun, 13 Jan 2019 16:24:21 +0000

I think I heard, in a tv documentary, that Wren’s original design included the dome, but that feature was rejected. Wren was instructed to build it without a dome, but the contract allowed him to make any changes he thought necessary. So Wren just built it to his original spec, keeping the dome secret until it was obvious for all to see. By which time it was a fait accompli, and won the doubters over.
However, I may have mis-remembered this story, does anyone else know if it’s true or not?

By: Lynne Perrella

Lynne Perrella — Sun, 13 Jan 2019 13:57:13 +0000

You always take us to the MOST amazing places! The concept of the “giant face in the window”
just made me gleeful. Not only is this a stunning object — but the story-behind-the-model is full of fascination and historical nuance. In other words: Ve-ry Spitalfields Life! Thrilled to have the joy of discovery today, thanks to you.

You are a gem.

By: Laura Williamson

Laura Williamson — Sun, 13 Jan 2019 11:48:09 +0000

What a fascinating experience to have. I must say, the thought of the hulking (for the 17th century) 6 foot 2 Charles II, complete with heeled shoes and large wig, crawling in is a great image!

I wonder if it in any way reminded him of hiding in priest holes during his escape after the battle of Worcester…

By: saveHOVE

saveHOVE — Sun, 13 Jan 2019 11:23:14 +0000

Such a special post about such a special place: treasure

By: Jill Wilson

Jill Wilson — Sun, 13 Jan 2019 08:41:57 +0000

Oh Wow! Wow WOW!! That is amazing…

As a professional designer/model maker myself I am firm believer in how effective a 3D version of a proposed design can be as lots of people can’t read drawings and plans, and you can ‘travel’ around the model to see things from different angles. But to be able to actually get inside the scale model would be mind blowing!

How lucky are you to have shared Charles 11’s spellbinding experience…