Exeter Cathedral

Exeter cathedral was founded in the 11th century and completed in the 15th century. The ‘image screen’ addition to the west front was created between c.1340 and c.1470.

The design of the west front involved more than one master mason and a significant major decision which resulted in a very decorative façade being superimposed on a very much plainer original lower level.

This very decorative façade known as the ‘image screen’ includes a considerable number of sculpted figures set in niches. Originally there were only two tiers. In the fifteenth century a third tier was added. This meant that the total screen now covered the lowest section of the large west window and mostly hid the two windows either side.

Except for erosion, repairs and some changes to the figures this is what is seen today.