he history of Worcester goes back a long way. In 672, a council of the English Church was held, Worcester became the centre of five new dioceses formed. In the ninth century invasions from the Danes brought fighting to England, but Worcester being on the edge of the conflict escaped without much damage. In 983, Oswald founded a monastery at Worcester under the Benedictine rule, dedicated to St. Mary the Virgin. Wulfstan, in 1040 became a monk at Worcester and made such an impression, he became Bishop of Worcester in 1062. Wulfstan was the only Anglo-Saxon bishop to remain at his post after the Norman Conquest of 1066. In 1084, Wulfstan began rebuilding Worcester Cathedral, starting with the crypt, some of which still survives. He was canonised in 1203. Building work continued for some time, including rebuilding the two western bays of the nave in 1170 and around 1202 the central tower collapsed and there was a serious fire. In 1216, King John was buried at Worcester and he seems to have a devotion to St. Wulfstan. In 1224, Bishop William de Blois built the Lady Chapel, where he was buried when he died in 1236. In the fourteenth century the nave was completely rebuilt apart from the western bays. The central tower and the cloisters were completed built by 1374.Location
Location
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Worcester Cathedral
| County | Categories | ||
| Remains | Excellent remains | Access | Only open at certain times |
| Location | 52.18854,-2.220832 (Google Maps) | Directions | Directions via Google Maps |
| County |
| Categories |
| Remains |
Excellent remains |
| Access |
Only open at certain times |
| Location |
| 52.18854,-2.220832 |
| Directions |
| Directions via Google Maps |
he history of Worcester goes back a long way. In 672, a council of the English Church was held, Worcester became the centre of five new dioceses formed. In the ninth century invasions from the Danes brought fighting to England, but Worcester being on the edge of the conflict escaped without much damage. In 983, Oswald founded a monastery at Worcester under the Benedictine rule, dedicated to St. Mary the Virgin. Wulfstan, in 1040 became a monk at Worcester and made such an impression, he became Bishop of Worcester in 1062. Wulfstan was the only Anglo-Saxon bishop to remain at his post after the Norman Conquest of 1066. In 1084, Wulfstan began rebuilding Worcester Cathedral, starting with the crypt, some of which still survives. He was canonised in 1203. Building work continued for some time, including rebuilding the two western bays of the nave in 1170 and around 1202 the central tower collapsed and there was a serious fire. In 1216, King John was buried at Worcester and he seems to have a devotion to St. Wulfstan. In 1224, Bishop William de Blois built the Lady Chapel, where he was buried when he died in 1236. In the fourteenth century the nave was completely rebuilt apart from the western bays. The central tower and the cloisters were completed built by 1374.Related Episodes
Norman Conquest (click here)
Norman Conquest (click here)
Location Map (click to explore)
Timeline
983
Oswald founded a Benedictine monastery at Worcester dedicated to St. Mary the Virgin. Oswald became bishop of Worcester upon the recommendation of Dunstan.
1048
Aldred, bishop of Worcester refounded a monastery at Gloucester. A monastery had already been founded at Gloucester in 681 by Ostric.
1062
Wulfstan, a monk at Worcester Cathedral from 1040, was recommended for the position of bishop by visiting papal legates.
1069
Land from the nearby Cathedral was used to build a new Norman motte and bailey castle on the bank of the River Severn.
1084
Building work starts on Worcester Cathedral. Orchestrated by Bishop Wulfstan. (More Information to follow)
1095
Wulfstan was bishop of Worcester. The location of his grave is not known.
1113
The city of Worcester, its cathedral and castle were damaged by an accidental fire.
1120
Work began on the chapter-house of Worcester Cathedral.
1158
At Easter King Henry II, and his wife Eleanor, visited Worcester Cathedral and placed their crowns on the shrine of Wulfstan, vowing not to wear them again.
1202
The devastating fire in this year caused so much damage to the cathedral that the building needed to be rebuilt.
1207
Christmas
King John visited Worcester and gave funds for the rebuilding of the Cathedral after the devastating fire.
1216
King John's wishes were to be buried at the church at Worcester.This was done and King John's body was placed in a tomb at the centre of the Cathedral.
1375
At Worcester Cathedral work progressed on the vaults of the nave and crossing, the west front, north porch and east cloister until 1395. The work was desiged by the master mason John Clyve.
1404
Construction work began on the north and south cloisters of Worcester Cathedral and continued until 1432.
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