Proceedings at the Meeting of the Archaeological InstituteAnnual Meeting, 1855

Salisbury Cathedral was first built with a low, insubstantial stone lantern, perhaps with a timber superstructure, over the central crossing. In the fourteenth century the lantern became the foundation for the tower. Both it, and the steeple on top, were reinforced with networks of iron bars at their interface. There is also a complex iron framework in the lantern to prevent the collapse of its walls. The origin, purpose, and technology of iron reinforcement of medieval buildings is discussed. In time, because of corrosion, these reinforcements became less effective and even damaging to the fabric. Wren was the first of a succession of architects and engineers in the last 350 years who have initiated additional schemes of reinforcement at Salisbury.