Gloucester Cathedral
Gloucestershire, England (4 castles)
Excellent remains
Only open at certain times
William the Conqueror found the monastery in a state of decay and he appointed the first Norman abbot, Serlo, in 1072. Serlo started major rebuilding work in 1089 that lasted until he died in 1104. The abbey church he built was consecrated in 1100. When Serlo died, in 1104, he was succeeded by Prior Peter and during his reign, the abbey church was given many donations of land. One of these donations being from Robert Curthose, William the Conqueror's eldest son. An effigy of Robert can be seen in the Cathedral. The abbey also became an important Benedictine house in this century.
The present Cathedral church was used by the monks and was known as the Monastic Church os St. Peter. During this period of some five hundred years the monks prayed in the church, slept in the dormitory and worked in the cloister. This lasted until the reign of King Henry VIII when the monastery was dissolved and converted to a house of secular clergy, meaning the clergy living as priests rather than monks.
A disasterous fire did damage to the church in 1122 including the nave and it is possible that colouring of the columns is a result of that fire. Work began in 1330 at the south trancept in the new Perpendicular style. Normally cloisters are built to the south of the church but in this case they lie to the north. This may have been because of a lack of open space to the south. The cloisters may have been rebuilt between the middle and late 14th century and contain the first fan vaults to be seen in Britain. Fire played its part in the development of the abbey as the original Norman church had a wooden roof and was under constant threat. The abbey church was also under constant financial threats as the cost of maintaining and adding to the building was so high. In 1284, John de Gamages became the abbot at Gloucester and through his farming knowledge increased the stocks of sheep owned by the abbey and returned a profit. After de Gamages reign things again took a down turn, until then changing with the death of King Edward II after being murdered at Berkeley. The King was buried at Gloucester and the number of pilgrims that visited the abbey gave it a much needed boost in income.
In modern times, Gloucester Cathedral has been used as a location for Hogwarts in the Harry Potter film Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.
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Timeline
1048
...
Aldred, bishop of Worcester refounded a monastery at Gloucester. A monastery had already been founded at Gloucester in 681 by Ostric.
1058
Under the direction of Wulfstan, the future Bishop of Worcester, construction work began at Gloucester Cathedral. The new building was burnt down and rebuilt later by Abbot Serlo. [1]
1072
Serlo, William the Conqueror's chaplain, revived the floundering monastery at Gloucester and started major rebuilding work. Serlo died in 1104.
1089
Some seventeen years after taking his position at Gloucester, Serlo built the crypt.
1100
July 13
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.
1122
A fire that started in the town of Gloucester spread to the Cathedral destroying treasures and all but a few books. [1]
1134
Robert Curthose, William the Conqueror's eldest son, died in captivity in Cardiff Castle where he had been locked up since being defeated by his brother in 1106. Robert was buried in Gloucester Cathedral where there is an effigy of him still.
1170
A few years before 1170 or after it one of the towers of the west front collpased. It is probable to have been the southern tower of the two.
1216
October 28
King John's eldest son Henry was crowned King Henry III at the abbey church of Gloucester by Peter des Roches the Bishop of Winchester. The Earl of Pembroke, Earl Marshal of England (William Marshal), was declared Regent.
1232
King Henry III donated one hundred and ten oaks from the forest of Dean to help in repair work at Gloucester church.
1327
September
Edward was buried at the abbey church at Gloucester.
1377
Work on Perpendicular style choir and cloisters was begun at Gloucester Cathedral.
1378
October
King Richard II held a parliament at Gloucester Abbey from October to December. It put a large strain on the abbey due to the size of the crowds. [2]
1450
The central tower at the monastery of Gloucester was built at this time. [3]
1470
The present Lady Chapel at Gloucester Cathedral was built between 1470 and 1483. Lady Chapels at Canterbury Cathedral and Westminster Abbey were built around the same time in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary. [3]
1540
January
The monastery at Gloucester surrendered to King Henry VIII as part of the Dissolution of the Monasteries. [1]
1541
The abbey at Gloucester became a Cathedral at the centre of its own diocese. Previously it had been part of the Worcester diocese. John Wakeman was assigned as the first bishop. [1]
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