The New Murrey and Blue blog

I have written before about the various medieval monarchs who visited Exeter, and about some of the sites and other goodies that can be seen there. (https://murreyandblue.org/2024/10/17/richard-iii-edward-iv-george-of-clarence-warwick-the-kingmaker-and-henrys-vi-and-vii-all-went-to-exeter-but-not-at-the-same-time/ and I mentioned the wax votive offerings and effigies discovered when wartime bombing at the cathedral affected the tomb of Bishop Edmund Lacy (circa 1370-1455). The unique wax effigies were found on top of it. (https://murreyandblue.org/2020/09/18/the-wax-votive-offerings-found-at-exeter-cathedral/)

The above photograph shows what happened when Exeter was bombed during World War II: “….In the early hours of 4 May 1942 Junker Ju 88 bombers crossed the English Channel and followed the river Exe from the coast until they reached Exeter, dropping hundreds of flares to illuminate the city. The first incendiaries fell at around 1.50am in the area known as Newtown, near the medieval suburb of St Sidwell….The Exeter Blitz lasted for 1 hour and 20 minutes, during the course of which 10,000 incendiaries and 75 tons of high explosive bombs were dropped on the undefended city….” 

Now there are other discoveries being made at the cathedral. In the summer of 2023 excavations made some exciting new finds, as you can read here https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/archaeologists-discover-900-year-old-english-cathedrals-hidden-medieval-crypt-180982648/, here https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/subterranean-crypt-with-empty-tombs-unearthed-at-medieval-cathedral-in-england, and here https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-66336019

Prior to this, even older discoveries dating to the Roman period were made during excavations at the cloister garden. See here https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-65124213.

But during last this summer, 2024, more discoveries were made. See here https://www.exeter-cathedral.org.uk/news-events/latest-news/further-evidence-of-exeters-norman-cathedral-uncovered-during-archaeological-investigations/.

At this link—https://www.exeter-cathedral.org.uk/news-events/latest-news/further-evidence-of-exeters-norman-cathedral-uncovered-during-archaeological-investigations/—you will find that this summer, August 2024: “….evidence of the cathedral’s Norman foundations including stonework forming the 12th century walls of a chapel which has never been recorded before. The discoveries also reveal further evidence of the east end of the Norman cathedral, adding to the evidence for the central apse that was uncovered last year during archaeological investigations in the quire area of the building….”

You can find more here https://www.englishcathedrals.co.uk/latest-news/exeter-uncovered-new-proof-of-its-origins/ and to learn about the history of the cathedral there is an excellent, well-sourced article here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exeter_Cathedral.