The treasury has silver chalices and communion plate lent by Norfolk and Norwich parish churches and is housed in the reliquary arch, an area designed originally as a secure place for medieval treasures. The painted walls and ceiling are outstanding 14th-century work.
One of the most notable features of the Cathedral is the Saxon bishop's throne, brought from North Elmham Cathedral and placed by the Normans behind the high altar, where its stone fragments can be seen underneath the wooden throne. The placing of the throne, in an apse facing the people, follows the tradition established by early Christian worship in Roman basilicas, and Norwich Cathedral is unique in northern Europe to have retained the throne in this position throughout its history.
At the east end of the Cathedral there is a curved aisle with four chapels. The Jesus Chapel on the north side of the Cathedral has a rare example of a medieval mensa or altar slab. At the far end of the Cathedral is St Saviour's Chapel - the Regimental Chapel of the Royal Norfolk Regiment - which contains a group of painted medieval panels from the redundant church of St Michael at Plea. On the south side there is a carved stone effigy, which may be older than the Cathedral itself and probably represents St Felix, the 6th-century bishop who brought Chrstianity to East Anglia. The font of St Luke's Chapel is medieval seven sacrament font and originally came from the lost church of St Mary-in-the-Marsh, which once stood inside the Cathedral Close.
Also in St Luke's Chapel is the Despenser reredos, a medieval treasure which was painted in the 1380s, almost certainly in Norwich by a local artist. This was saved from destruction over the centuries, hidden until 1847 as the underside of a table.
Finally there is the Bauchun Lady Chapel, which has a fine modern stained glass window depicting members of the Benedictine Order , including Herbert de Losinga and Mother Julian of Norwich.
The Cathedral cloisters were designed for two purposes, as a covered walk between parts of the monastery and as a place where the monks could read, write, teach and perform other work. As well as opening from the nave, doors from the cloisters led into the chapter house, to the dormitory stairs, the warming house, the infirmary, the library, the refectory, the guest hall and the locutory, where monks could talk to visitors. Appropriately, this last room now houses the Cathedral shop. The visitors' centre is in the west upper storey of the cloisters, and can be reached from the Upper Close.
Find out more on the Norwich Cathedral website.
