Durham Cathedral AKA Cathedral Church Of Christ And Blessed Mary The Virgin, and formerly Priory Of St Cuthberth
Durham Cathedral from the west. 1998
Durham Cathedral © DCC 2007
Durham Cathedral © DCC 2007
Originally the church of the Benedictine Priory, refounded in 1541 as a secular cathedral. Main body 1093-1130; Galilee chapel built in 1189. West tower tops, east bay and chapel of nine altars, 1242-1280. 1464-88 tower top stage. Restorations of late 18th, early and mid-19th century. The body of St Cuthbert was removed in 995 from Chester-le-Street to the `white church at Dunholme', which was built to receive the body. The church was served by secular clergy, possibly implying that it acted as a minster. In 1080, Bishop William found the clergy to be degenerate, and ousted them to pave the way for a new Benedictine foundation. Dependencies: Farne Island, Finchale, Lindisfarne, Lytham, Monkwearmouth, Stamford, and Warkworth. It also owned the hospitals of St Mary Magdalene (Durham), and St Mary's and St Peter's Hospitals in Witton Gilbert.
In 1093, on 11th August, the foundations of the present cathedral were laid by Bishop William St Calais. By 1096 the east bays of the choir aisles had been finished. By 1099 the choir and the crossing were completed. In 1104, the south and north transepts were finished. By 1133, the cathedral which William de St Calais had planned was completed. Great periods of building alternated with periods of neglect. The worst destruction of the cathedral came after the Reformation. In 1620 the Laudian reaction had set in and the Cathedral began to be beautified again. In 1650, after the battle of Dunbar, Cromwell took 10,000 scots prisoner and shut them up in the Cathedral. The prisoners broke up all the woodwork and used it for their fires. By the 18th century work on restoring the Cathedral was underway. In the 19th century the aim seems to have been to remove all later additions to the Norman cathedral. The 20th century renovations and additions have been more discreet. It was made part of a UNESCO world heritage site in 1986.
In 1093, on 11th August, the foundations of the present cathedral were laid by Bishop William St Calais. By 1096 the east bays of the choir aisles had been finished. By 1099 the choir and the crossing were completed. In 1104, the south and north transepts were finished. By 1133, the cathedral which William de St Calais had planned was completed. Great periods of building alternated with periods of neglect. The worst destruction of the cathedral came after the Reformation. In 1620 the Laudian reaction had set in and the Cathedral began to be beautified again. In 1650, after the battle of Dunbar, Cromwell took 10,000 scots prisoner and shut them up in the Cathedral. The prisoners broke up all the woodwork and used it for their fires. By the 18th century work on restoring the Cathedral was underway. In the 19th century the aim seems to have been to remove all later additions to the Norman cathedral. The 20th century renovations and additions have been more discreet. It was made part of a UNESCO world heritage site in 1986.
D5561
Listed Building
• National Heritage List for England Entry Number: 1161023
World Heritage Site
• National Heritage List for England Entry Number: 1000089
• National Heritage List for England Entry Number: 1161023
World Heritage Site
• National Heritage List for England Entry Number: 1000089
Geophysical Survey at Cloister Green, Durham Cathedral 2007; Archaeological Services Durham University doi:10.5284/1000704
Monitoring at Durham Cathedral North Door 1991 - 1992
Dendrochronological Survey, Refectory and Librarian's loft, Durham Cathedral 2007; Nottingham Tree-Ring Dating Laboratory
Excavations at Durham Cathedral Chapter House 1874; Private Individual
Excavations at Durham Cathedral Cloister, 1902; Private Individual
Excavations at the West Range Undercroft, Durham Cathedral 1977; Private Individual
Excavation at the Old Blacksmith's Shop, Cathedral Precinct 1977; Department of Archaeology Excavation Committee
Archaeological work at Deanery Gardens, Durham Cathedral Precinct 1985; University of Durham Department of Archaeology
Excavation in the monks garden/Reredorter area of Durham Cathedral, 1977 - 1978; Private Individual
Salvage Recording at Prior's Hall Undercroft, Durham Cathedral 1983; Private Individual
Excavations at the east end of Durham Cathedral 1895
Excavations at North Cloister Walk, Durham Cathedral 1908; Private Individual
Excavations at South Range, Chapter Library and refectory at Durham Cathedral 1960 - 1961; Private Individual
Dendrochronological Survey at the North Transept of Durham Cathedral, Durham City 1990; Nottingham University Tree-Ring Dating Laboratory
Refurbishment Works at Durham Cathedral 2014; Archaeological Services Durham University
Excavation at Paradise, Durham City 1984; University of Durham
Excavation at Galilee Well, Durham Cathedral 1896
PREBENDAL HOUSE, 14 THE COLLEGE; Nottingham Tree-Ring Dating Laboratory
Dendrochronological survey of the Central Tower of Durham Cathedral, Durham City 2018 - 2019; Historic England doi:10.5284/1082547
Monitoring at Durham Cathedral North Door 1991 - 1992
Dendrochronological Survey, Refectory and Librarian's loft, Durham Cathedral 2007; Nottingham Tree-Ring Dating Laboratory
Excavations at Durham Cathedral Chapter House 1874; Private Individual
Excavations at Durham Cathedral Cloister, 1902; Private Individual
Excavations at the West Range Undercroft, Durham Cathedral 1977; Private Individual
Excavation at the Old Blacksmith's Shop, Cathedral Precinct 1977; Department of Archaeology Excavation Committee
Archaeological work at Deanery Gardens, Durham Cathedral Precinct 1985; University of Durham Department of Archaeology
Excavation in the monks garden/Reredorter area of Durham Cathedral, 1977 - 1978; Private Individual
Salvage Recording at Prior's Hall Undercroft, Durham Cathedral 1983; Private Individual
Excavations at the east end of Durham Cathedral 1895
Excavations at North Cloister Walk, Durham Cathedral 1908; Private Individual
Excavations at South Range, Chapter Library and refectory at Durham Cathedral 1960 - 1961; Private Individual
Dendrochronological Survey at the North Transept of Durham Cathedral, Durham City 1990; Nottingham University Tree-Ring Dating Laboratory
Refurbishment Works at Durham Cathedral 2014; Archaeological Services Durham University
Excavation at Paradise, Durham City 1984; University of Durham
Excavation at Galilee Well, Durham Cathedral 1896
PREBENDAL HOUSE, 14 THE COLLEGE; Nottingham Tree-Ring Dating Laboratory
Dendrochronological survey of the Central Tower of Durham Cathedral, Durham City 2018 - 2019; Historic England doi:10.5284/1082547
Disclaimer -
Please note that this information has been compiled from a number of different sources. Durham County Council and Northumberland County Council can accept no responsibility for any inaccuracy contained therein. If you wish to use/copy any of the images, please ensure that you read the Copyright information provided.