Unique in its possession of a chained library and of the Mappa Mundi, Hereford Cathedral is remarkable for its architecture, its long history and its musical tradition. "Hereford Cathedral" is the definitive account of its history from Anglo-Saxon times to the present, and of its architecture, fittings, musical tradition, archives and library. Substantial parts of the structure date from Norman times, but the building has been modified in many ways over the years. In the middle ages Hereford was the centre of pilgrimage to the shrine of St. Thomas Cantilupe, bishop of Hereford (d.1282). It survived the Reformation relatively intact, but was damaged during the Civil War. Its west end collapsed disastrously in 1786, leading to the renewal and reworking of the exterior by James Wyatt. Little was changed in the interior until the striking Victorian rationalisation by George Gilbert Scott.

This is the first book in the UK to be devoted to historic floors. It introduces an important and largely neglected subject and considers conservation methods in a European context. It traces the history of some of the great floors of Europe from the fourth century B.C. and outlines the development of mosaic, tiles, marble and parquetry floors in secular buildings. The early Christian pavements in basilicas, temples and cathedrals, the creation of medieval tiles, ledger stones and monumental brasses, their destruction by iconoclasts and re-creation during the Gothic Revival, are also discussed. Leading authorities, archaeologists, architects and archivists consider the latest methods of recording and repairing cathedral floors, including those of cathedrals, country houses, the monumental tiled pavements of the Palace of Westminster and other public buildings. Management policies to protect outstanding floors in over-visited sites are considered and historic features particularly at risk, are identified. Urgent action is recommended to contain the damage caused by the dramatic increase in tourism throughout Europe.