Faded watercolour image of a large building on the right, with portruding tower, backed by a blue sky and billowing clouds. Small trees on the left with feed and fence in the foreground. Two small figures walk next to the fence.

NEW Medieval Exeter and Devon

Study Tours

Dr Tom Nickson

Tuesday 30 June – Thursday 2 July 2026

拢495

Tour Description

The Baedecker raids of 1942 destroyed much of Exeter鈥檚 medieval heritage, but ironically led to extended archaeological campaigns that mean we know more about the city鈥檚 medieval past than that of almost any other place in England. 听In this short study trip we will explore medieval Exeter, from its walls, bridges and underground water conduits, to its splendid cathedral, much of it rebuilt in the fourteenth century with unusually rich and complex sculpture. The cathedral鈥檚 surviving fabric accounts offer unparalleled opportunities to understand processes of construction in the early fourteenth century, while the long completion of its west fa莽ade has invited significant discussion of the effects of the Black Death on artistic production in England. We will also have the opportunity to examine medieval items in the city鈥檚 libraries and archives, and to see some of the many fascinating archaeological finds from Exeter in the wonderful Royal Albert Memorial Museum. On the second day we take a minibus to explore some of Devon鈥檚 parish churches: the magnificent screen at Cheriton Bishop, wonderful reliefs of seafaring at Tiverton, an angel roof at Collumpton, and bishop Grandisson鈥檚 foundation at Ottery St Mary, one of the most ambitious parish churches in medieval England.

Lecturer's Biography

Dr Tom Nickson听is a Reader in Medieval Art and Architecture at the 麻豆视频 Institute of Art.听 He has taught on diverse aspects of English medieval art and architecture, but is a particular fan of the exuberant 鈥楧ecorated鈥 architecture and sculpture found in Exeter.

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