PART 2

Why was the Durham Cathedral architecture heavily influenced ?

Because Edward the Confessor had spent half his childhood in Normandy, and when he rebuilt Westminister Abbey it followed Romanesque architecture so the architects of Durham followed a similar style,

Give examples of Romanesque features in Durham cathedral

Rounded arches, thick stone walls and massive columns and symmetry + order

What effect did the features of Romanesque Style have on the Cathedral?

It gave a sense of grandeur, strength and authority to show Norman control over England.

Who else was Durham Cathedral influenced by apart from the Normans and Religion

Those who had gone on the 1st crusades

Give an example of the Early Gothic Culture/ First Crusaders, architectural features

Flying buttresses, pointed arches and ribbed vaults

How did the Early Gothic Influence impact Durham Cathedral?

Showed technological innovation as it showed features many had never seen before e.g ribbed vaults which allowed for higher ceilings and strong support.

How did St Peter’s Basilicas in Rome impact the Durham Cathedral?

• The nave of Durham is almost identical to Basilicas

• The spiral columns closely match those around the shrine of St Peter

How did the Influence of St Peter’s Basilicas in Rome impact Durham?

The references to St Peter’s shrine provided a fitting place for the bodies of St Cuthbert and Bede

What impact craftsman from Normandy bring during the build of Durham Cathedral?

They brought their own style of Romanesque/Normandy architecture which the Saxon craftsmen learned from and copied or adapted .

What influence did the Normans have on the church altar ?

The church altar became a place where finely carved decorations could be found as Saxon craftsmen adapted to Norman styles to produce elaborate carvings.

What does the Green Man carving in Durham Cathedral show about the influences on Durham?

It showed even pagan beliefs before Christianity had an influence despite the Normans trying to spread Christianity and Norman control.

Who was Aethelwine?

The Bishop of Durham after Edward the Confessor and swore an oath of loyalty to William.

What role did Aethelwine have on the Cathedral?

He acted as a link between William and the King of Scotland , but later tried to escape Durham during the Northern Rebellion .

Who was William Walcher ?

The Bishop of Durham and the 1st Norman Bishop.

What role did Walcher have on the Cathedral?

Walcher began to change Monasteries so monks followed a stricter lifestyle e.g no marriage .

Why was Walcher Death significant?

His death in 1080 by rebels symbolised the instability in the North leading to the build of Durham Cathedral.

What role did William St Calais play in the Cathedral and its Governance?

Started changing the Durham Church by replacing the priests by Benedictine Monks, and then began the build of Durham cathedral wanting it to be spectacular and admired .

Give one way William the Conqueror used Durham to control the North economically ?

William put a lot of money into the build of Durham, to emphasise the wealth of the Normans to show God favoured the Norman rule and punished the Saxons. This suggested that to rebel against the Normans was rebelling againsr God.

How did William the Conqueror use Durham to control the north strategically?

The cathedral was built in the North, the main source of the rebellions and was built to look like a fortress to appear imposing to remind the North of the Norman rule and power.