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.Cathedral
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Worcester Cathedral
| County | Categories | ||
| Remains | Excellent remains | Access | Only open at certain times |
| Location | 52.18854,-2.220832 (Google Maps) ///future.agents.sculpture | Directions | Directions via Google Maps |
| County |
| Categories |
| Remains |
Excellent remains |
| Access |
Only open at certain times |
| Location |
| 52.18854,-2.220832 ///future.agents.sculpture |
| 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.Location
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Norman Conquest (click here)
Norman Conquest (click here)
Timeline
909
...
Athelm becomes Bishop of Wells
Athelm, later to be Archbishop of Canterbury was consecrated to the see of Wells, by Plegmund, Archbishop of Canterbury and Wereferth, Bishop of Worcester. Athelm started as a monk at Glastonbury Abbey and was the first Bishop of Wells. ¹
957
...
Dunstan returns from exile
Dunstan returned from exile when Eadwig's younger brother Edgar was appointed king of England north of the Thames. Eadwig was unpopular and the nobles chose Edgar as their leader. Edgar recalled Dunstan from exile and made him Bishop of Worcester and London. ¹
983
...
Monastery at Worcester
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 founds Monastery at Gloucester
Aldred, bishop of Worcester refounded a monastery at Gloucester. A monastery had already been founded at Gloucester in 681 by Ostric.
1062
September 8
Wulfstan becomes bishop of Worcester
Wulfstan, a monk at Worcester Cathedral from 1040, was recommended for the position of bishop by visiting papal legates.
1069
...
Construction of Worcester Castle
Land from the nearby Cathedral was used to build a new Norman motte and bailey castle on the bank of the River Severn.
1084
...
Worcester Cathedral building begins
Building work starts on Worcester Cathedral. Orchestrated by Bishop Wulfstan. (More Information to follow)
1113
June
Worcester Cathedral and Castle damaged by fire
The city of Worcester, its cathedral and castle were damaged by an accidental fire. ¹
1158
Spring
Henry visits Wulfstan's Shrine
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. ¹
1180
August
Baldwin becomes Bishop of Worcester
Baldwin became the Bishop of Worcester after the death of Roger.
1202
...
Worcester Cathedral fire
The devastating fire in this year caused so much damage to the cathedral that the building needed to be rebuilt. ¹
1207
Christmas
John at Worcester
King John visited Worcester and gave funds for the rebuilding of the Cathedral after the devastating fire. ¹
1216
October
King John buried at Worcester
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. ¹
1375
(to 1395)
Worcester Cathedral major building work
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. ¹
1404
(to 1432)
Worcester Cathedral north and south cloisters
Construction work began on the north and south cloisters of Worcester Cathedral and continued until 1432. ¹
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