What is Southwark Cathedral?
[[File:Southwark Cathedral, 24th floor.jpg|thumb|right|230px|Southwark Cathedral]] [[File:southwark.cathedral.nave.london.arp.jpg|thumb|right|230px|The nave of Southwark Cathedral]] [[File:London Bridge (1616) by Claes Van Visscher.jpg|thumb|230px|A drawing showing Old London Bridge with Southwark Priory (the Cathedral) in 1616, in the foreground]] '''Southwark Cathedral''',<ref>The Cathedral and Collegiate Church of St Saviour and St Mary Overie</ref> in [[Southwark]], [[London]], lies on the south bank of the [[River Thames]] close to [[London Bridge]]. It is the mother church of the [[Anglican]] [[Diocese]] of Southwark. It has been a place of [[Christian]] worship for over 1,000 years, but a [[cathedral]] only since 1905. The present building is mainly [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]], from 1220 to 1420. The main [[railway]] line from [[London Bridge station]] to [[Cannon Street station]] passes close to the cathedral, blocking the view from the south side. Borough Market and the Hall of the Worshipful Company of Glaziers and Painters of Glass by the river are close by. == History == === Saxon and medieval === The earliest reference to the site was in the [[Domesday Book]] survey of 1086. The 'Minster' of Southwark seems to be under the control of Bishop [[Odo of Bayeux]] ([[William the Conqueror]]'s half-brother). Its early history is obscure. A Saxon minster (a teaching church) served a south Thames area. In 1106, [[Henry I of England|Henry I]]'s reign, the latter became an [[Augustinian]] [[Priory]]: [[Norman]] stonework can still be seen, and [[Thomas Becket]] preached here before departing to [[Canterbury]], days before his murder in 1170. === Architecture === The church is the oldest [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] church building in London, built from 1220 to 1420. It is one of the smallest cathedrals, which is because it was not built as a cathedral, but as a [[Priory]] [[chapel]]. === Choir === The cathedral has three choirs, The main Cathedral Choir is supported financially by the St Olave's