An Episode of Cathedral History
The story revolves around a young man who visits an old friend at his country home. The friend shows him a medieval cathedral and its history. However, the young man becomes increasingly uneasy due to the eerie atmosphere of the place. He starts to experience strange visions and eventually discovers that he is being haunted by the ghost of a former monk who was wrongly accused of murder.
By M.R. James · First published 1910 · Genre: Gothic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mystery · 8,974 words
First lines
There was once a learned gentleman who was deputed to examine and report upon the archives of the Cathedral of Southminster. The examination of these records demanded a very considerable expenditure of time: hence it became advisable for him to engage lodgings in the city: for though the Cathedral body were profuse in their offers of hospitality, Mr. Lake felt that he would prefer to be master of his day. This was recognized as reasonable. The Dean eventually wrote advising Mr. Lake, if he were not already suited, to communicate with Mr. Worby, the principal Verger, who occupied a house convenient to the church and was prepared to take in a quiet lodger for three or four weeks. Such an arrangement was precisely what Mr. Lake desired. Terms were easily agreed upon, and early in December, like another Mr. Datchery (as he remarked to himself), the investigator found himself in the occupation of a very comfortable room in an ancient and "cathedraly" house.
What this Textopian page supports
An Episode of Cathedral History is listed on Textopian as a short story by M.R. James, dated 1910 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: M.R. James
- Date: 1910 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Gothic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Horror, Literary Fiction
- Length: 8,974 words
- Structure: 1 section, 49 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for An Episode of Cathedral History by M.R. James
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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- Where does Gothic Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Martins Close by M. R. James
- The Residence At Whitminster by M. R. James
- Mr Humphreys And His Inheritance by M. R. James
- A View From A Hill by M. R. James
- The Treasure Of Abbot Thomas by M. R. James
- An Account Of Some Strange Disturbances In Aungier Street by J. Sheridan Le Fanu
Genres
- Gothic Fiction — The story incorporates elements of the supernatural, eerie settings, and a sense of dread, typical of Gothic literature.
- Historical Fiction — The narrative is set in a historical context, focusing on the restoration of a cathedral and its implications on the community.
- Mystery — The plot revolves around uncovering the secrets of a tomb and the strange occurrences associated with it.
- Horror — The story evokes fear through its unsettling atmosphere and the presence of a mysterious entity.
Tags
Gothic Fiction · Supernatural Horror · Catholicism · Medieval Setting · Historical Fiction · Mystery · Ghost Story · Atmosphere of Dread · Sense of Foreboding · Isolated Location · Small Town Life · Local Legend