Durham Cathedral

Durham Cathedral

Durham Cathedral is one of the oldest examples of Romanesque architecture present in England today. Although the cathedral was completed in the early 12th century there are signs of Gothic architecture present due to the close relation of Romanesque and Gothic styles. In Robert Scott's book The Gothic Enterprise he discusses how the early Gothic style pulled heavily from the Romanesque style of architecture and built upon it's basic themes. Durham Cathedral's extensive history shows how the church's style of architecture remains mainly Romanesque, but has impressions of other styles due to renovations in different eras.

Durham Cathedral has been described as one of the great architectural

experiences of Europe. Construction was begun in 1093 and largely completed within 40

years. It is the only cathedral in England to retain almost all of its Norman craftsmanship,

and one of few to preserve the unity and integrity of its original design. The Cathedral

was built as a place of worship, specifically to house the shrine of the North's best-loved

saint, Cuthbert, in whose honour pilgrims came to Durham from all over England. It was

also the home of a Benedictine monastic community. The Cathedral also served a

political and military function by reinforcing the authority of the prince-bishops over

England's northern border.

The Cathedral is built on a peninsula of land created by a loop in the River Wear

and the west end towers over a precipitous gorge. The northern front of the Cathedral

faces onto Palace green and here the full 496 foot length from west to east can be seen.

The nave, quire and transepts are all Norman, at the west end is the twelth century late

Norman style Galilee Chapel and at the east end the 13th century Chapel of the Nine

Altars is in the Gothic style. The western towers date from the 12th and 13th

centuries and the great central tower is the most recent addition, it dates from the 15th

century and displays perpendicular Gothic detailing. The original medieval sanctuary

knocker can be seen in the Treasures of St Cuthbert a replica hangs at the north porch

door.

The Cloister, on the south side of the Cathedral, was begun at the same time as the

Cathedral but contains much work from the 15th century or later. The College, the name

given in Durham to the Cathedral Close, is a quiet area on the south side of the Cathedral.

It is the home of the Cathedral clergy and others associated with its life, and of the

Chorister School, a co-educational school where the Cathedral choir boys are educated.

Many of the buildings surrounding the Green originated in the Middle Ages, and entry is

gained via the medieval gate house which is still locked every night.

The Reformation was a watershed in the Cathedral's history as it brought the

dissolution of the Priory and its monastic community. The monastery was surrendered to

the Crown in December 1540, thus ending hundreds of years of monastic life at the

Cathedral. In January 1541 the Cathedral was refounded, the last Prior became the first

Dean, and twelve

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