From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Lichfield Cathedral Close with its many fine buildings, is one of the most unspoilt in England

A Cathedral Close is an architectural term referring to the series of buildings that serve as appendages to a cathedral. These may include buildings housing diocesan offices, schools, free-standing chapels associated with the Cathedral, and the houses of the bishop and other clergy associated with the cathedral. They sometimes, although not necessarily, are arranged in a sort of square around a courtyard forming a close. This map^[1] of the close at Salisbury Cathedral shows a typical arrangement.

In Literature and Art

The Barchester novels (Chronicles of Barsetshire) of Anthony Trollope are set largely in the Cathedral close of the fictional town of Barchester.

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