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Durham Cathedral, Durham

Durham Cathedral. This image is copyright free

In early human civilisations spiritual shrines and defensive castles used similar architecture and shared similar sites. Circular earth banks and ditches formed prehistoric religious sites and defensive positions in Britain. This link between military and spiritual buildings continued, and is graphically demonstrated by Durham's remarkable cathedral. Durham's story begins in 875AD when monks from the tidal island of Lindisfarne off Northumberland decided to make a run for it after repeated Viking raids on their isolated and wealthy monastery. After wandering around the north east for a few years, the monks settled at Chester-le-Street, until more Viking attacks persuaded the monks to move on. They eventually decided to try and settle on a peninsula formed by a loop in the river Wear. This was clearly a good defensive position, although the monks tried to disguise such down to earth considerations with a spiritual smoke screen. They were carrying with them the remains of St Cuthburt, a much respected seventh century bishop of Lindisfarne. Reaching an excellent defensive position on the river Wear the weary monks found they couldn't drag St Cuthbert's coffin any further, so this must, apparently, be the place they were meant to stay. A building known as the White Church was then constructed, which was complete by 1018.

 

In 1066 the Normans invaded England, and reaching Durham they quickly appreciated the military advantages of the White Church. The Normans always linked religious and military power, with cathedrals and castles often being built by the same people. Bishop Gundulf built both Rochester Cathedral and Rochester Castle for example. The Normans quickly built a castle close to the cathedral. The defensive neck of the peninsula became a bailey, a fortified entrance leading towards the castle proper. This area is still known as the bailey today. And the castle itself was closely associated with the cathedral. William the Conqueror appointed William St Carilef as the first prince bishop, responsible for rebuilding the cathedral as an imposing Norman church. The castle served as the prince bishop's palace, the cathedral as his place of work. The Norman's instinctively knew that cathedrals were as significant as castles in controlling a potentially restive population. They knew that whoever controlled England's religious hierarchy controlled the country. It is no surprise that the Bishop of Durham to this day stands at the right hand of a monarch when he or she is crowned.

It is largely the Norman Cathedral rebuilt under the direction of William St Carilef, and his successor Ranulf Flambard, which we see today. Over the centuries the building has survived Henry VIII's Dissolution of the Monasteries - which saw the destruction of St Cuthbert's tomb - and use as a brutal prison for captured royalists during the English Civil War. The building also survived a period of neglect and unsympathetic restoration in the eighteenth century. Even after all this Durham Cathedral remains as one of the most remarkable surviving Norman buildings in England, and a memorial to the long relationship between mankind's desire to find physical security in its castles, and spiritual security in its churches. In 1986 Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle were classified as a World Heritage Site.

Durham Cathedral was used as a film location for the Harry Potter films, playing the part of Hogwarts School.

 

 

Opening Times: The cathedral is generally open every day from 7.45am. The cathedral closes at 6pm Monday to Saturday and 5.30pm on Sunday. Closures are possible for special events. If travelling some distance we advise you check first using contact details below.

Directions: Durham Cathedral is in the centre of Durham in north east England. Click here for an interactive map centred on Durham Cathedral.

Address: Durham Cathedral, Durham, DH1 3EH

Contact:

telephone: 0191 386 4266

fax: 0191 386 4267

e-mail: enquiries@durhamcathedral.co.uk