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  1. Home
  2. Medieval Places
  3. Rochester Cathedral
Cathedral
Cathedral
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Rochester Cathedral

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 County

Kent (13 castles) 

 Categories

 Remains

Excellent remains

 Access

Only open at certain times

 Location51.38877,0.503685 (Google Maps) DirectionsDirections via Google Maps
 County

Kent (13 castles) 

 Categories

 Remains

Excellent remains

 Access

Only open at certain times

 Location
51.38877,0.503685
 Directions
Directions via Google Maps
ochester was founded in around 604 by Ethelbert, King of Kent. After the Norman Conquest Gundulf, the first Norman, was chosen as Bishop. Gundulf of Bec was the chief castle builder for William the Conqueror and was responsible for the construction of the Tower of London. Gundulf first built a tall tower on the site, possibly for protection while he worked on rebuilding the rest of the cathedral, improving the surrounding monastic buildings and replacing the secular canons with monks of the Benedictine Order. The nave and the restored west front are mainly twelfth century. In 1201 a pilgrim was murdered outside the cathedral and was raised to a Saint and known St. William of Perth. Pilgrims flocked to the cathedral and the increased income provided money to rebuild many parts including the presbytery, transepts and choir. The original tower that Gundulf constructed was in poor condition and reduced in height.

Location

See Also

People

  • Gundulf
  • A .. Z List of Medieval People

Places

  • Rochester Castle
  • A .. Z List of Medieval Buildings

Related Information

  • Timeline of abbey foundations
  • The origin of monasteries
  • The Cistercian order of monks

Related Maps

  • Map of Cathedrals

Location Map (click to explore)

Dimensions of main church

Dimensions: GeneralFeetInches
Total Length3060
Length of nave1260
Height of nave550
Width of nave650
Transept width1250
Length of choir1470
Area23300 sq.feet
Source: Medieval Monasteries and Minsters:Roberts;

Timeline

1077

...

Rochester Cathedral building work begins

Gundulf, the Norman monk responsible for the design and construction of the Tower of London, was given the see of Rochester. He started the construction of a tower at Rochester that formed part of the church and is its oldest above-ground part,

1077

...

Gundulf consecrated as Bishop of Rochester

Gundulf became Bishop of Rochester, remaining there for thirty years and where he is buried.

1100

July 13

Abbey Church at Gloucester dedicated

The abbey church at Gloucester built by Abbot Serlo was dedicated by Samson the Bishop of Worcester, Gundulph the Bishop of Rochester and Harvey Bishop of Bangor.

1108

March 7

Death of Gundulf

Gundulf's thirty year career of magnificent castle and cathedral design and construction came to an end with his death. His plans for the reconstruction of Rochester Cathedral were left incomplete. It was not until 1115 that construction work was to resume under the direction of Ernulf. ¹

1115

(to 1130)

Nave of Rochester Cathedral

Construction of Rochester Cathedral's nave commenced in 1115 and was finished in around 1130. ¹

1130

...

Fire at Rochester

On the same day that Henry I attended the consecration of Rochester Cathedral, a fire took hold in the city and damaged the newly finished building.

1137

...

Fire at Rochester

Only seven years after another serious occurrence, fire again broke out in Rochester and damaged the Cathedral.

1150

...

Rochester Cathedral West Front

Work on the West front of Rochester Cathedral began in 1150. ¹

1179

...

City of Rochester fire

In 1177 or 1179 another fire took hold in the city of Rochester damaging the Cathedral.

1200

(to 1227)

Rochester Cathedral Presbytery and Choir

Building work on eastern area of the Cathedral at Rochester began in around 1200 and continued until 1227. ¹

1240

(to 1255)

North Transept of Rochester Cathedral

Work on the north transept of Rochester Cathedral took place between 1240 and 1255. ¹

1280

...

South Transept at Rochester Cathedral

Rebuilding work on the South Transept and nave of Rochester Cathedral commenced in 1280. ¹

1343

...

Rochester Cathedral Tower

Under the direction of Bishop Hamo de Hythe the construction of a new central tower was begun ¹

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Selection of references used:

  • 1. T. Francis Bumpus, The Cathedrals of England and Wales, 1934
  • 2. John Harvey, English Cathedrals, 1961

    Location

    See Also

    People

    • Gundulf
    • A .. Z List of Medieval People

    Places

    • Rochester Castle
    • A .. Z List of Medieval Buildings

    Related Information

    • Timeline of abbey foundations
    • The origin of monasteries
    • The Cistercian order of monks

    Related Maps

    • Map of Cathedrals
    3D/VR

    Virtual Buildings

    Transport yourself back up to a thousand years and explore historical buildings as they may have appeared in the past.

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