From the end of January, work will begin on the most comprehensive condition survey of the Cathedral’s medieval encaustic tiles to date.
The Retrochoir tile pavement at Winchester Cathedral is among the most significant collections of in-situ medieval tiles in Europe. Dating largely from the 13th century, the pavement includes important examples of ‘Wessex’ designs and is recognised as being of exceptional national and international value.
Previous conservation work helped to preserve and stabilise the tiles in the short to medium-term. Yet the condition of many tiles has declined rapidly in recent decades. Tiles have become worn and broken over time – an inevitable consequence of maintaining footfall and public access to the area.
Now, in a survey covering much of the Retrochoir, our Cathedral Archaeologist, Chiz Harward, will use a series of attributes to assess the condition of each tile. This assessment will allow us to develop a detailed understanding of the tiles in their current state and the extent of any damage to them.
The last major comparable survey of the tiles was completed in the 1990s, as part of a wider programme of conservation. In analysing data we have from this time, we can evaluate rates of deterioration across the past 30 years. However, the 1990s survey covered the southern aisle only and did not extend to the central and northern areas of the Retrochoir. Our present survey will go further, incorporating areas which may not have been studied since the mid-20th century.
With the findings from the survey, the Cathedral will be better-placed to make decisions about interventive measures which could be applied to conserve the tiles and protect them for future generations.
