Rochester Cathedral |
| Hob Uid: 416281 | |
Location :
Medway
Non Civil Parish
|
| Grid Ref : TQ7426068520 |
| Summary : Medieval Cathedral and Benedictine monastery from 1080-1540, and post-Medieval Cathedral. The present building dates from circa 1180 when Bishop Gundulf rebuilt the Saxon cathedral, (see TQ76 NW 280). The church was consecrated in 1130. In 1080, the secular canons were replaced by a priory of Benedictine monks. Building and rebuilding continued until the surrender of the monastery in 1540. In the following year, the cathedral was placed in the hands of a new secular body named the "Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary of Rochester", but all the monastic buildings were reserved to the king. The nave aisles, part of the crypt, and the formerly detached tower built to the North of the nave, by Gundulf survive. The West end was rebuilt in the mid 12th century. The east end was rebuilt circa 1210-40. Generally refenestrated in the 14th and 15th centuries. The Lady Chapel was bult in the early 16th century. Plan of aisled nave, transepts, Lady Chapel, central tower, transepts to choir, East presbytery, and Gundulf's tower incorporated in the North transept. Dependencies: Walton Priory (Felixstowe), Darenth, St Bartholomew's Hospital (Chatham), St Mary's Hospital (Strood). |
More information : [TQ 7426 6852] Cathedral. (1)
The Church of St. Andrew at Rochester was founded in 604 by Ethelbert, King of Kent. It was situated to the west of the present cathedral. [Sited on plan by Hope at TQ 7422 6855] Justus was consecrated first Bishop of Rochester by Augustine, and the church was placed in the hand of secular priests. In 1076-7, Gundulf, was appointed Bishop and built a new church which was consecrated in 1130. In 1080, the secular canons were replaced by a priory of Benedictine monks. Building and rebuilding continued until the surrender of the monastery in 1540. In the following year, the cathedral was placed in the hands of a new secular body named the "Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary of Rochester", but all the monastic buildings were reserved to the king.
[See plan AO/LP/64/75 & Map Diagram] (2-5)
St. Andrews Cathedral. In normal use. For details of remains of the Priory buildings see the map diagram and GP's AO/51/42/6, AO/51/43/2 and 3, AO/51/46/6 and AO/64/123/5. (6)
Cathedral Church of Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary, The Precinct. Founded by St. Augustine, consecrated 604 A.D. Cathedral first dedicated to St. Andrew. Circa 1080 addition of new building. (For full description see list) (7)
Additional bibliography. (8-17)
In the Autumn of the year 1888 the Dean and Chapter of Rochester decided to proceed at once with the underpinning of the west front of the cathedral church, preparatory to its restoration. In the course of the excavations some important discoveries were made. Running through and under the foundations of the Early Norman west front were discovered the foundations and portions of the walls of a building of far earlier date than the earliest of the Norman works. These earlier foundations doubtless form part of the Saxon church. The discoveries made indicate a building terminating towards the east in an apse, the width of the apse being almost as great as that of the building itself. (18)
Additional bibliography. (19-28)
Additional bibliography - not consulted. (29-39)
THE PRECINCT Cathedral church of Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary of Rochester (formerly Priory of St. Andrew was included). Cathedral Church. C7 origins (revealed in excavations) [Full architectural reference] LISTED GRADE I. (40)
At the invitation of the Dean and Chapter of Rochester cathedral the Canterbury Archaeological Trust undertook an excavation within the Lay Cemetery of the Cathedral during April and May 1990. This was undertaken prior to the underpinning of the foundations of a modern semi-basemented structure known as the `Chain Store' which lies in the angle between the west side of the north transept and the north side of the nave. Sixty three burials were recovered, covering a wide date range. The stratigraphic evidence and the dateable finds suggest that twenty five graves are medieval (six of them possibly Anglo Saxon); thirty five are post medieval three could be either late medieval or early post medieval. (41)
There are no surviving earthworks of the Saxon church. (42, 43)
Listed. (44)
Four major fragments of Saxon carved stonework have been found in or around the Cathedral:
Fragment of possible cross-shaft dated to the 9th century. Found in excavations on the site of the east wing of the bishop's palace in 1976 and now in the Guildhall Museum.
Fragment of 11th century grave cover found in 1888-9 under the nave, but now lost.
An 11th century grave-marker found in the south staircase turret circa 1984, and in the cathedral stone store.
A probably early 11th century decorative slab of unknown function found in a late Norman plinth in 1888-9 and in the cathedral treasury.
All are fully described. (45) |