Cathedrals of Great Britain

P.H. Ditchfield's The Cathedrals of Great Britain is a comprehensive illustrated guide to the cathedral churches of England, Wales, and Scotland. First published in 1902 and revised in subsequent editions (including additions for newly formed sees like Southwark, Birmingham, Chelmsford, Ipswich, and St. Albans by 1916), the book provides detailed architectural descriptions of each cathedral, tracing their evolution from early Christian foundations through Norman, Gothic, and later restorations. Ditchfield emphasizes the historical significance of these structures as symbols of ecclesiastical power, artistic achievement, and national heritage, while noting their roles in pivotal events like the Reformation and Civil War.