urham Cathedral is built on a peninsular carved out by the river Wear. The body of Cuthbert was brought to Durham in 995 a hundred years after being moved from Lindisfarne where it was in danger of destruction by the Danes. The Normans took control of the cathedral and a castle was built near by. The building work of the present cathedral was begun around 1093 and continued until 1133. It is the best example of Romanesque in Europe. When the Lady Chapel was added in the middle of the twelfth century its usual location at the east of the church was not suitable due to problems with the foundations. The chapel was built instead at the west end of the church and is known as the Galilee Chapel. At the east end of the cathedral is the chapel of the Nine Altars. This was built in the eleventh century and houses the shrine of St. Cuthbert. Cuthbert is still buried here.
Bishop Aldhun, the first Bishop of Durham, consecrated a cathedral at the location where the remains of St. Cuthbert had been relocated to. The remains were at Lindisfarne and were moved because of the danger of Viking raids.1
The Chapel of the Nine Altars in built on the east end of Durham Cathedral between 1242 and 1280.3
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