hester Cathedral has suffered decay over the years due partly to the use of the soft red sandstone in its construction leading to its restoration in Victorian times. It was not until Henry VIII that the church was raised to its cathedral status. A church on the site dates back to Saxon times when a shrine was built to dedicate to a saint. The saint was Werburgh, the daughter of the King of Mercia and her shrine can be found in the Lady chapel. The Benedictines took over the running of the church in the late eleventh century and lasted there until 1540. The north transept, north tower and parts of the cloister are all that remain of the early Norman church. The transepts are very different in age and size, the north transept is Norman and quite small while the south transept is dated around 1340 and much too big compared with the size of the nave. The chapter-house is rectangular with its original vaulted ceiling and dates to before 1250.