TimeRef - History Timelines - Worcester Cathedral

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Official Site : Worcester Cathedral home page

The 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.

Mini Timeline

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	Sep 8	Wulfstan becomes bishop of Worcester
		A monk at Worcester from 1040, Wulfstan was recommended for the position of bishop by visiting papel legates.
1084		Worcester Cathedral building begins
		Building work starts on Worcester Cathedral. Orchestrated by Bishop Wulfstan. (More Information to follow)
1095		Wulfstan dies
		Wulfstan was bishop of Worcester. The location of his grave is not known.
1113	Jun	Worcester Cathedral damaged by fire
		The city of Worcester, its cathedral and castle were damaged by an accidental fire.
1120		Worcester Cathedral Chapter-house
		Work began on the chapter-house of Worcester Cathedral.
1158	Spring	Henry visits Wulfstan's Shrine
		At Easter Henry II and his wife Eleanor visited Worcester Cathedral and placed their crowns on the shrine of Wulfstan, vowing not to wear them again.
1375 - 1395		Worcester Cathedral major building work
		Work progressed on the vaults of the nave and crossing, the west front, north porch and east cloister. Until 1395.
1404 - 1432		Worcester Cathedral north and south cloisters
		Work began on the north and south cloisters of Worcester Cathedral. Until 1432.