Tucked away, in the remaining warp and weft of the Medieval city, stands St Edward's church, midway betwixt St Benet and Great St Mary. From King's Parade you enter a narrow, atmospheric alley between shops - St Edward's Passage. In a short while you emerge in a small urban space, quite picturesque, almost village-y. Sadly that atmosphere is not maintained at the e end on Pease Hill, where the massive Guild Hall looms over all.
St Edward's, is itself a rather village-y affair, humble with an interesting mix of materials particularly the use of plaster, which here and elsewhere in se England suggests the 18th & early 19th century. There is a slim w tower, short nave (no clearstory), and chancel with two large chapels that were built to serve two of the University colleges - Trinity Hall on the N & Clare College on the S.* They were apparently constructed post 1446, though the s chapel, if I didn't know better, looks entirely Dec to me (Yes, I know the tracery is probably 19th century or later). It reminds me somehow of the s elevation of the chancel of St Benedict in Lincoln, although they are in fact completely different designs. I can't help feel the design would be improved by a high pitched roof. Wide, flat e end; e window by Sir George Gilbert Scott. The church has been rather harshly restored at some point in the 19th century, probably by Brandon. The west window and door are particularly regrettable. I think Sir Albert Richardson worked here in the 20th century.
* Reginald of Ely, the first master mason of King's College chapel, has been suggested as the designer of these chapels, but the evidence is flimsy. Firstly there is the question of the window in the s chapel. It is supposed to be like Ely's tracery at King's College Chapel, but I can't see it. Secondly, how can we trust the current tracery anyway? If it was Ely's work it would be incredibly anachronistic. Nearly a hundred years out of date.
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