Durham Cathedral Flashcards
What were the structural features of Durham Cathedral?
Symmetrical design, thick walls, round decorative arches, large towers.
Q: Where is Durham Cathedral located?
A: Durham Cathedral is built on a hill above the River Wear, providing a strategic and imposing position.
Q: Why was Durham Cathedral’s location strategically important?
A: It dominated the surrounding area and symbolized Norman rule, controlling the border with Scotland and defending against raids.
Q: What secular powers did the Bishop of Durham have?
A: The Bishop could raise an army, impose taxes, and govern as a feudal lord to control the northern border and maintain order.
Q: What was the role of Durham Cathedral in Norman political control?
A: It served as the power base for the Bishop of Durham, reinforcing Norman authority over the north of England.
Q: What was the religious function of Durham Cathedral?
A: Durham Cathedral was a Benedictine monastery and a pilgrimage site, housing relics of St. Cuthbert and St. Oswald.
Q: What role did Durham Cathedral play as a pilgrimage site?
A: It housed the bones of St. Cuthbert and the head of St. Oswald, attracting pilgrims for veneration.
Q: How did the cathedral contribute to the local economy?
A: Pilgrims visiting Durham Cathedral stimulated trade by requiring food, lodging, and supplies.
Q: Who was St. Cuthbert?
A: St. Cuthbert was a Northumbrian monk known for his holiness and miracles after his death.
Q: How did Durham Cathedral symbolize the power of God and the Normans?
A: Its grandeur and design reinforced Norman dominance and showed that God approved of William’s conquest.
Q: What architectural style is Durham Cathedral built in?
A: Durham Cathedral is built in Romanesque architecture, known for its clean lines, rounded arches, and vaulted ceilings.
Q: Why is the architecture of Durham Cathedral significant?
A: The Romanesque design was intended to impress both the local population and the Pope, symbolizing Norman power.
Q: What innovation was introduced in Durham Cathedral’s nave?
A: The use of a pointed arch, which allowed for greater height compared to traditional semi-circular arches.
Q: What historical event led to the construction of Durham Cathedral?
A: William the Conqueror ordered the construction of the cathedral and a castle in Durham to strengthen Norman control of the region.
Q: Who was Aethelwine?
A: Aethelwine was the last Anglo-Saxon Bishop of Durham, removed after 1066 during the Harrying of the North.
Q: Who replaced Aethelwine as Bishop of Durham?
A: William Walcher, a Norman priest, was appointed as Bishop of Durham and started constructing monastic buildings.
Q: Who was William St. Calais?
A: William St. Calais was a Norman bishop who initiated the construction of Durham Cathedral and reformed the local Benedictine monastery.
Q: What reforms did William St. Calais introduce?
A: He replaced local monks with Benedictine monks and established a library at Durham Cathedral.
Q: Who was Ranulf Flambard?
A: Ranulf Flambard was a bishop of Durham who paid for his position and accelerated the cathedral’s construction.
Q: How does Durham Cathedral link to wider changes in the English Church?
A: The cathedral’s construction and reforms reflect the broader Norman influence on church structure and discipline.
Q: What was the significance of the Romanesque style in Norman England?
A: The Romanesque style, fashionable across Europe, emphasized grandeur and reinforced the power of the Church and Norman rulers.
Q: What was the role of the Benedictine monastery at Durham Cathedral?
A: It was a centre of religious life and learning, with monks following the strict Rule of St. Benedict.
Q: What powers did the “Prince Bishop” of Durham hold?
A: The Prince Bishop had secular powers such as raising armies, collecting taxes, and minting coins, similar to the Welsh Marcher lords.
Q: What major rebellion affected Durham in 1069?
A: The rebellion of 1069, followed by the Harrying of the North, emphasized Durham’s strategic importance for controlling northern England.
Q: How did Durham Cathedral reflect Norman authority?
A: The cathedral’s imposing architecture and location reinforced the message that Norman rule was divinely sanctioned.
Q: What happened during the rebellion of 1088 regarding Bishop St. Calais?
A: Bishop William St. Calais was accused of treason for not providing troops to defend the king, leading to his trial and temporary banishment.
Q: How did the construction of Durham Cathedral influence Anglo-Saxon art?
A: The Romanesque design of Durham Cathedral hastened the shift from Anglo-Saxon artistic styles to European Romanesque influences.
Q: How did Durham Cathedral become a symbol of Norman power?
A: The cathedral’s grandeur, location, and religious significance helped solidify Norman authority in northern England.
Q: How did the construction of Durham Cathedral impact the English Church?
A: It was part of a broader shift in the Church to improve discipline, literacy, and education, in line with European reforms.
Q: What role did Durham Cathedral play in strengthening the Bishop’s power?
A: The cathedral served as the base for the Bishop of Durham, whose secular powers extended over a vast, wealthy region.
Q: How did the Bishop of Durham’s powers evolve in the 11th century?
A: In 1075, the Bishop of Durham was granted “Prince Bishop” status, giving him secular powers like raising armies and imposing taxes.
