Durham Cathederal
 Cathedrals |
Durham Cathedral would not exist today were it not for Cuthbert, the most famous and best-loved saint of north-east England, and one of the principal founders of Christianity in northern England. St Cuthbert spent his life as a monk and bishop on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne until his death in 687; however, because of the continued threat from Viking raiders, who eventually drove the holy order from the island, Cuthbert's remains were not laid to rest until 995. In order to shelter the saint's shrine a building was erected for this purpose in the 11 th century; it was also to house the community of Benedictine monks who cared for the holy shrine. The site chosen by the monks for the safe keeping of St Cuthbert's body was a rocky outcrop above the River Wear, and here they built a simple wooden church to shelter their saint's coffin and church treasures. An early pilgrim to the shrine was King Canute (1017-35) who granted further tracts of land and privileges to the community. A stone church soon followed eventually to be replaced by England 's noblest piece of Norman architecture, Durham Cathedral, the construction of which was begun in 1093 under the second Bishop, William of St Carileph.
Throughout the Middle Ages, pilgrims visited the shrine, seeking the saint's prayers and healing powers. In 1539, at the time of the Reformation, the richly ornamented medieval shrine was destroyed, and Cuthbert's coffin was subsequently buried in a secret vault; today, all that can be seen of his shrine is a plain marble slab. The reputation of the cathedral was further enhanced when the remains of the Venerable Bede, the father of English history, were also laid to rest here.
Despite later additions and alterations, the building's character has remained essentially and indomitably Norman, and the vision of these mighty grey towers rising up from amid the surrounding trees, visible for miles around in all directions, is quiteawe inspiring.The strength and sheer height of the Cathedral is emphasised by the massive pillars in the nave, alternating between cylindrical columns with distinctive zig-zag chevrons and massive piers, each linked by ornate semi-circular arches. Furthermore, the nave boasts the first rib-vaulted roof in the world; built entirely of stone, this was the very first major building daring to span such wide spaces with anything but timber. This 12 th century ribbed vaulting is very distinctive and exemplifies the transition of styles from Romanesque to Gothic. The Galilee Chapel, wherein is the simple tomb-chest of the Venerable Bede (died AD735), is situated at the west end of the cathedral, and its lightness contrasts markedly with the nave from which it is entered. The slenderness of the marble pillars was even more pronounced before the 15 th century when they were reinforced with sandstone pillars. The late 12 th century wall painting of St Cuthbert in the Galilee Chapel is considered one of the finest of its period in Europe . In the choir the skeletal reredos of the 14 th century Neville Screen is a magnificent visual focus behind the high altar. The tall delicate Perpendicular tracery shuts off the choir from the tomb of St Cuthbert behind, and this stone geometry is echoed in the tall canopies of the 17 th century wooden choir stalls. Also in the choir is the Bishop's throne, said to be ‘the highest in Christendom'; both the throne and altar tomb beneath were designed by Bishop Hatfield for himself.
One of the most unusual features in the cathedral is an extravagantly decorated clock with four faces that give information about the moon and stars, as well as telling the time. The north door was originally the entrance to the cathedral for criminals seeking the right of sanctuary, and was marked by its medieval sanctuary knocker in the shape of a powerfully grotesque monster; a replica of the 12 th century original now greets visitors. Entries in the Sanctuary Book reveal that 331 fugitives, including 283 murderers, were admitted between 1464 and 1525. During the Civil War, Puritans used the cathedral as a prison for 4000 Scots captured at the Battle of Dunbar.
Attached to the cathedral is the monk's dormitory (built between 1298 and 1404), originally providing accommodation for up to 100 monks; today the former dormitory houses the cathedral's priceless 8 th century illuminated manuscripts in temperature controlled vaults. There are also some 30,000 books and a collection of stone carvings. It is worth climbing the cathedral tower, which soars some 218ft in height, for the panoramic views from the top. A permanent exhibition in the Treasury displays valuables such as St Cuthbert's coffin and pectoral cross, embroidered vestments given to his shrine, illuminated manuscripts, seals and relics of bishops and kings, and the original 12 th century sanctuary knocker from the north door.