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.
There were many pilgrims who travelled to Durham. Some would be rich and would donate money to the cathedral. Far more would be poor, and some very ill. The monks at the cathedral would be responsible for ensuring that these poor and needy pilgrims were fed and looked after. The monks and priests of Durham spent a great deal of time in study. They would write out sacred texts on beautiful illuminated manuscripts. Durham’s collection of manuscripts, known as the Manuscript Treasures is considered one of the finest collections of medieval texts in England. This is a testament to the work of the priests and monks of the period. The church at Durham Cathedral was mainly used to hold trials against monks and priests who stood accused of breaking their codes of behaviour. It was, however, also used to try lay people (non-religious) who opposed the as to oppose the prince-bishop meant that you were opposing the lord of the land, as well as a servant of God. Question: ‘The main change the Normans made to the churches was the introduction of Romanesque architecture.’ How far does a study of Durham Cathedral support this statement? (16 marks) Top tips 16 marks so spend 20 minutes. This type of question begins with a statement that contains a judgement, and it asks you to explain the extent to which you agree with the statement. In this case, the judgement is about whether or not it was the new style of architecture that was the main change made by the Normans: remember this as you work through the question. Start by analysing the statement provided. It says Romanesque architecture was the main change to the churches. So firstly, do you agree? You might choose to argue that, overall, Romanesque architecture was not the main change made to the churches. Remember that the question is asking you whether the changed architecture was the main change. The word ‘main’ qualifies the question and makes it more complex. It implies that other things were changed too. So what other changes can you think of? A good way to conclude is to pick out the strongest piece of evidence that convinces you that the statement is correct or not. “In conclusion, the fact that--------- is the most persuasive piece of evidence that the statement is overall an accurate one.”