West Front Exeter Cathedral at Sunset

The West Front Image Screen of Exeter Cathedral is recognised as one of the great architectural features of Medieval England.

The fabric of the Cathedral is Norman dating from 1130's, but the Image Screen was added around 1340 and marked the completion the re‑building of the cathedral in the Decorated Gothic style. Work continued on the screen with the additional top tier completed about 1470.

The screen is covered in carving, dominated by three rows of statues in niches. At the bottom are angels appearing to support all the figures above. Most of the figures of the middle row represent Kings of Judah.

In the upper row, to right of centre, is a representation of God. On His right hand would have been a seated figure of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Her image was destroyed in the Reformation and, later, replaced by King Richard II. Also in the upper row are figures of the Apostles, the Evangelists and Old Testament Prophets.

Dozens of figures also peer out from the battlements above and the whole screen is decorated with plants and animals.

Originally, the image screen was entirely coloured and must have made an amazing sight - a vision of heaven for believers.