The cathedral was as part of Lanfranc’s reforms, and construction began in 1080. It was built to replace an earlier, less grand, Anglo-Saxon cathedral. The design of the cathedral was unique in England at that time. Its Romanesque semi-circular arches and massive carved columns are Norman design rather than English. Its ribbed vaulted ceiling was the largest in the Europe at that time. This grandness could be seen as a testament to how important Christianity was to the Normans. William made William Walcher, a French priest, his first Bishop of Durham. Walcher was known for being a very devout and holy man. William’s second Bishop of Durham, William of St. Calais, was a Benedictine monk. The cathedral included a monks’ dormitory, where Benedictine monks would live. These monks originally came from Normandy (though, in later centuries, English Benedictines would have also resided there). Benedictine monks had to live very strict and holy lives. Those who broke the Benedictine code/rules would be tried by the church court, and receive punishment in the dungeon (both of which can be seen at the cathedral). Durham was a pilgrimage site even before the Normans, as pilgrims would come to visit the relics of the bones of St. Cuthbert. In many places Lanfranc had relics removed, but not at Durham. The bones of St. Cuthbert were considered so holy that they were placed at the centre of the new Norman cathedral. Durham cathedral became one of the most important pilgrimage sites in England in the medieval period. Society The big picture: Under the Normans the Church began playing a larger social function in medieval society. As well as being places of worship, the Church was supposed to provide for the poor and needy in society. Churches and monasteries were also some of the few places where there would be people who had some education, including the ability to read and write. The Church also had greater influence over justice and lay people could be tried in church courts for religious and moral crimes. Does Durham Cathedral reflect these changes? As well as a place of worship, Durham Cathedral also owned a number of almshouses where the poor could receive charity.
The cathedral was as part of Lanfranc’s reforms, and construction began in 1080. It was built to replace an earlier, less grand, Anglo-Saxon cathedral. The design of the cathedral was unique in England at that time. Its Romanesque semi-circular arches and massive carved columns are Norman design rather than English. Its ribbed vaulted ceiling was the largest in the Europe at that time. This grandness could be seen as a testament to how important Christianity was to the Normans. William made William Walcher, a French priest, his first Bishop of Durham. Walcher was known for being a very devout and holy man. William’s second Bishop of Durham, William of St. Calais, was a Benedictine monk. The cathedral included a monks’ dormitory, where Benedictine monks would live. These monks originally came from Normandy (though, in later centuries, English Benedictines would have also resided there). Benedictine monks had to live very strict and holy lives. Those who broke the Benedictine code/rules would be tried by the church court, and receive punishment in the dungeon (both of which can be seen at the cathedral). Durham was a pilgrimage site even before the Normans, as pilgrims would come to visit the relics of the bones of St. Cuthbert. In many places Lanfranc had relics removed, but not at Durham. The bones of St. Cuthbert were considered so holy that they were placed at the centre of the new Norman cathedral. Durham cathedral became one of the most important pilgrimage sites in England in the medieval period. Society The big picture: Under the Normans the Church began playing a larger social function in medieval society. As well as being places of worship, the Church was supposed to provide for the poor and needy in society. Churches and monasteries were also some of the few places where there would be people who had some education, including the ability to read and write. The Church also had greater influence over justice and lay people could be tried in church courts for religious and moral crimes. Does Durham Cathedral reflect these changes? As well as a place of worship, Durham Cathedral also owned a number of almshouses where the poor could receive charity.
normans-3-church-and-monasticism.docx