William Wynford

William Wynford

William Wynford, also known as William of Wynford, was an important English master mason. He lived between 1360 and 1405 and was one of the best builders of his time. He helped build many famous buildings in England.

Wynford worked in a style called Perpendicular Gothic. This style is known for its tall, elegant windows and detailed stonework. Many people liked this style, and you can still see it in historic places today.

One of his most famous works was at St. George's Chapel in Windsor. He served as the master mason there. His skills and creativity had a big impact on English architecture. People still study his buildings hundreds of years later.

Life and career

William Wynford was a master mason who worked on many important buildings in England in the 14th century. He began his career at Windsor Castle and later became the master mason at Wells Cathedral, where he likely met William of Wykeham. He worked at several royal sites, including Corfe Castle and Southampton.

Wynford helped design famous schools and colleges such as New College, Oxford and Winchester College. He also worked on castles like Wardour Castle and repaired Winchester Castle. His most famous work was remodeling the nave of Winchester Cathedral in the Perpendicular Gothic style.

Features of Wynford's works

William Wynford designed buildings in a special way. He placed the chapel and great hall end to end. This design was used at Windsor Castle, Winchester College, and New College. These colleges also have cloisters next to the main buildings. This creates a separate courtyard with the great hall, chapel, entrance gate, rooms for scholars, a library, and spaces for the Warden.

These were the first educational buildings in England designed as a complete group. They influenced later colleges like King's College, Cambridge, Eton College, and Magdalen College, Oxford.

Appearance

There is a portrait of Wynford in the east window of Winchester College. The picture shows an old man with thinning hair, a long nose, and a forked beard. Below the portrait are the words "Willms Wynfort lathomus."

Works

William Wynford was a skilled English master mason who worked in the 14th century. He helped build many important buildings. These include New College, Oxford in Oxfordshire. He may have also worked on Old Wardour Castle in Wiltshire. Other buildings he helped with are the south-west tower of Wells Cathedral in Somerset, the nave at Winchester Cathedral in Hampshire, Winchester College in Hampshire, and parts of the royal lodgings at Windsor Castle in Berkshire.

Gallery of architectural work

William Wynford helped build many important places. His famous works include the chapel and cloisters at New College, Oxford, the gateway and chapel at Winchester College, and buildings at Wells Cathedral and Winchester Cathedral. You can also see his designs at Wardour Castle. These buildings show the Perpendicular Gothic style, which was popular when he worked.