This is the Bishop’s seat, or throne, of Newcastle Cathedral. It is called a ‘cathedra’, from the Greek word meaning ‘seat’. When our town was raised to city status in 1882 (and St.Nicholas’ Church was thus upgraded to a cathedral), local artist Ralph Hedley carved this fine piece of work … which extends upwards, in great ornamental fashion, to some six metres! It is pretty wide, too, in order to accommodate the bishop’s ceremonial robes.
The first bishop to park their backside hereabouts was one Ernest Wilberforce (1882-1896); and only the one woman, Christine Hardman (2015-21), has had the pleasure.
Note: In case you're wondering, yes, Ernest Wilberforce was related to the famous William Wilberforce (of slavery abolition fame), being the great man's grandson.
[article taken from Newcastle-upon-Tyne: Fragments of the Past, vol.2 (see left)]
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