Durham cathedral Flashcards
(8 cards)
Why did Norman’s build new cathedral at Durham?
Important religious site as Saxons had built shrine to St Cuthbert in 995
Shire called white church and contained tomb of St Cuthbert
Important Christian pilgrimage site
On 11th Sept 1092, William of st Calais began demolishing the church to replace with a cathedral
Built near Durham castle to suggest opposing Normans was opposing gods will
Used as defensive site against Viking + Scottish invasions
How was it designed?
Meant to impress- 3 levels
Romanesque style
Few windows
Monks had separate area called quire
Central area nave was enormous with a huge tower
What was architectural influence?
Influenced by what was seen in holy land in 1st crusade 1096-99 + had ribbed vaulted ceilings
Old St Peters Basicila in Rome as original length +nave almost indentical
Elaborate carvings
Stone ceiling for sense of awe
The bishops of Durham ?
In 1056, Aethelric forced to resign due to financial scandal
Replaced by brother Aethelwine
Upset priests who expected to be consulted 1st
They Joined rebellion against Tostig who was then exiled by Harold
He pledged alliance to William I
Aethelwine tried to escape to my sland if Lindisfarne after new earl of Northumbria Robert de Comines burned to death by Saxon rebels
He was caught , imprisoned +died winter 1071
Replaced by Norman William Walcher
Introduced many changes to Monks lives but killed in May 1080 at Gateshead when trying to calm dispute of local nobles
William of Dt Calais next bishop +decided to build cathedral
Created reforms for monks stopping unclean living
Church organisation and change
William wanted church to be method of control
Bishops+head of monasteries controlled lots of land which resulted in lots of income
William didn’t initially purge Saxon bishops but by 1087 only Wulfstan of Worcester left
Demolished old Saxon monasteries + rebuilt in Romanesque
Created bishoprics + relocated powerful bishops to growing urban areas
Church leadership
LanFranc appointed 1070+he was church reformer
Paid peters pence tax to Rome to stop authority of pope in England
Dispute between LanFranc + Thomas but pope told William he had final decision showing Norman power
Reform of the church
New cathedrals- York,Lincoln , Salisbury
Introduced Benedictine rules for monks
In 1066 four monastic cathedrals but by 1133 there was 10
Archdeacon put in charge of dioceses
Saxons had begun change e.g Aetheold opposed clerical marriage + removed priests from posts in 964
How did Norman’s affect artistic and intellectual life of church ?
Benedictine monasteries introduced to improve literacy levelS
Winchester cathedral first to becom Benedictine + very influential school
Emphasised Latin
Illuminating letters- emphasise educational power of Norman’s
