Starter quiz
- Which word describes the long central part of a church, often with aisles on both sides?
- 'nave' ✓
- Which word describes arches that support a ceiling or room?
- 'vaulting' ✓
- When did William St Calais order the construction of a new cathedral on the site of the Anglo-Saxon building which housed St Cuthbert’s relics?
- 1066
- 1069
- 1087
- 1093 ✓
-
- Which of the following are examples of Durham Cathedral's Romanesque design?
- thick wooden walls
- thick stone walls ✓
- square central towers ✓
- rounded central towers
- huge stone columns ✓
-
- How was Durham Cathedral built?
- using the forced labour of English peasants ✓
- by a team of English masons and carpenters
- by a team of Norman masons and carpenters ✓
- using the forced labour of Norman peasants
-
- Which pattern was frequently used by the Normans?
- gingham
- batik
- paisley
- chevron ✓
-
Exit quiz
- Which word describes a Christian priest with special duties in a cathedral?
- 'canon' ✓
- Which word describes a stone screen which divides the nave and the quire in a cathedral?
- 'pulpitum' ✓
- How did the Norman reforms affect the daily life of monks at Durham Cathedral?
- Monks were integrated with the local aristocracy and could own personal property
- Monks were required to live in complete separation from lay people ✓
- Monks were given greater freedom to interact with pilgrims and visitors
- Monks were required to follow a strict schedule of prayer ✓
-
- What was one of the main goals of the Norman reformers in relation to Anglo-Saxon cathedrals and monasteries?
- To integrate local aristocratic families into the Church leadership
- To increase the number of Anglo-Saxon clergy in monasteries
- To allow bishops to have secular roles and engage in political activities
- To replace unsuitable Anglo-Saxon prelates with European reformers ✓
-
- Whose relics were housed in the feretory of Durham Cathedral during the Norman period?
- Saint Cuthbert ✓
- Saint Michael
- the Venerable Bede ✓
- Edward the Confessor
-
- Arrange the steps in the order that a pilgrim would experience when visiting the feretory of Durham Cathedral, starting with the earliest.
- 1⇔The doors to the cathedral were opened whilst bells rung
- 2⇔The pilgrims were guided through the cathedral by attendants
- 3⇔The pilgrim entered through the now unlocked entrance gate
- 4⇔The pilgrim's donation would be accepted by cathedral staff
- 5⇔The pilgrim would be assisted with their prayers
- 6⇔The pilgrim would be guided out through the exit gate
Worksheet
Loading worksheet ...
Presentation
Loading presentation ...
Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- The Normans replaced unsuitable Anglo-Saxon prelates with reformers from Normandy or elsewhere.
- The canon of the cathedral chapter was replaced with monks who adopted a stricter Benedictine monasticism.
- Durham Cathedral was transformed into a centre of monastic life.
- Durham Cathedral functioned as a pilgrimage site for St Cuthbert and the Venerable Bede.
- The architectural design accommodated the flow of pilgrims.
Common misconception
The Anglo-Saxon clergy were not religious.
While the Norman reformers viewed many Anglo-Saxon clergy as unsuitable due to their secular lifestyles, this does not mean all were irreligious.
Keywords
Canon - a Christian priest with special duties in a cathedral
Pulpitum - a stone screen which divides the nave and the quire in a cathedral
Cloister - a covered walkway enclosing a large open courtyard, found in a religious building
Feretory - the chapel in which a shrine is located
+