Durham Cathedral

Question 1

What were the structural features of Durham Cathedral?

Answer 1

Symmetrical design, thick walls, round decorative arches, large towers.

Question 2

Q: Where is Durham Cathedral located?

Answer 2

A: Durham Cathedral is built on a hill above the River Wear, providing a strategic and imposing position.

Question 3

Q: Why was Durham Cathedral’s location strategically important?

Answer 3

A: It dominated the surrounding area and symbolized Norman rule, controlling the border with Scotland and defending against raids.

Question 4

Q: What secular powers did the Bishop of Durham have?

Answer 4

A: The Bishop could raise an army, impose taxes, and govern as a feudal lord to control the northern border and maintain order.

Question 5

Q: What was the role of Durham Cathedral in Norman political control?

Answer 5

A: It served as the power base for the Bishop of Durham, reinforcing Norman authority over the north of England.

Question 6

Q: What was the religious function of Durham Cathedral?

Answer 6

A: Durham Cathedral was a Benedictine monastery and a pilgrimage site, housing relics of St. Cuthbert and St. Oswald.

Question 7

Q: What role did Durham Cathedral play as a pilgrimage site?

Answer 7

A: It housed the bones of St. Cuthbert and the head of St. Oswald, attracting pilgrims for veneration.

Question 8

Q: How did the cathedral contribute to the local economy?

Answer 8

A: Pilgrims visiting Durham Cathedral stimulated trade by requiring food, lodging, and supplies.

Question 9

Q: Who was St. Cuthbert?

Answer 9

A: St. Cuthbert was a Northumbrian monk known for his holiness and miracles after his death.

Question 10

Q: How did Durham Cathedral symbolize the power of God and the Normans?

Answer 10

A: Its grandeur and design reinforced Norman dominance and showed that God approved of William’s conquest.

Question 11

Q: What architectural style is Durham Cathedral built in?

Answer 11

A: Durham Cathedral is built in Romanesque architecture, known for its clean lines, rounded arches, and vaulted ceilings.

Question 12

Q: Why is the architecture of Durham Cathedral significant?

Answer 12

A: The Romanesque design was intended to impress both the local population and the Pope, symbolizing Norman power.

Question 13

Q: What innovation was introduced in Durham Cathedral’s nave?

Answer 13

A: The use of a pointed arch, which allowed for greater height compared to traditional semi-circular arches.

Question 14

Q: What historical event led to the construction of Durham Cathedral?

Answer 14

A: William the Conqueror ordered the construction of the cathedral and a castle in Durham to strengthen Norman control of the region.

Question 15

Q: Who was Aethelwine?

Answer 15

A: Aethelwine was the last Anglo-Saxon Bishop of Durham, removed after 1066 during the Harrying of the North.

Question 16

Q: Who replaced Aethelwine as Bishop of Durham?

Answer 16

A: William Walcher, a Norman priest, was appointed as Bishop of Durham and started constructing monastic buildings.

Question 17

Q: Who was William St. Calais?

Answer 17

A: William St. Calais was a Norman bishop who initiated the construction of Durham Cathedral and reformed the local Benedictine monastery.

Question 18

Q: What reforms did William St. Calais introduce?

Answer 18

A: He replaced local monks with Benedictine monks and established a library at Durham Cathedral.

Question 19

Q: Who was Ranulf Flambard?

Answer 19

A: Ranulf Flambard was a bishop of Durham who paid for his position and accelerated the cathedral’s construction.

Question 20

Q: How does Durham Cathedral link to wider changes in the English Church?

Answer 20

A: The cathedral’s construction and reforms reflect the broader Norman influence on church structure and discipline.

Question 21

Q: What was the significance of the Romanesque style in Norman England?

Answer 21

A: The Romanesque style, fashionable across Europe, emphasized grandeur and reinforced the power of the Church and Norman rulers.

Question 22

Q: What was the role of the Benedictine monastery at Durham Cathedral?

Answer 22

A: It was a centre of religious life and learning, with monks following the strict Rule of St. Benedict.

Question 23

Q: What powers did the “Prince Bishop” of Durham hold?

Answer 23

A: The Prince Bishop had secular powers such as raising armies, collecting taxes, and minting coins, similar to the Welsh Marcher lords.

Question 24

Q: What major rebellion affected Durham in 1069?

Answer 24

A: The rebellion of 1069, followed by the Harrying of the North, emphasized Durham’s strategic importance for controlling northern England.

Question 25

Q: How did Durham Cathedral reflect Norman authority?

Answer 25

A: The cathedral’s imposing architecture and location reinforced the message that Norman rule was divinely sanctioned.

Question 26

Q: What happened during the rebellion of 1088 regarding Bishop St. Calais?

Answer 26

A: Bishop William St. Calais was accused of treason for not providing troops to defend the king, leading to his trial and temporary banishment.

Question 27

Q: How did the construction of Durham Cathedral influence Anglo-Saxon art?

Answer 27

A: The Romanesque design of Durham Cathedral hastened the shift from Anglo-Saxon artistic styles to European Romanesque influences.

Question 28

Q: How did Durham Cathedral become a symbol of Norman power?

Answer 28

A: The cathedral’s grandeur, location, and religious significance helped solidify Norman authority in northern England.

Question 29

Q: How did the construction of Durham Cathedral impact the English Church?

Answer 29

A: It was part of a broader shift in the Church to improve discipline, literacy, and education, in line with European reforms.

Question 30

Q: What role did Durham Cathedral play in strengthening the Bishop’s power?

Answer 30

A: The cathedral served as the base for the Bishop of Durham, whose secular powers extended over a vast, wealthy region.

Question 31

Q: How did the Bishop of Durham’s powers evolve in the 11th century?

Answer 31

A: In 1075, the Bishop of Durham was granted “Prince Bishop” status, giving him secular powers like raising armies and imposing taxes.