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Rochester Castle  Ruthin Castle
ochester was founded in around 604 by Ethelbert, King of Kent. After the Norman Conquest Gundulf, the first Norman, was chosen as Bishop. Gundulf of Bec was the chief castle builder for William the Conqueror and was responsible for the construction of the Tower of London. Gundulf rebuilt the Cathedral, improved the surrounding monastic buildings and replaced the secular canons with monks of the Benedictine Order. The nave and the restored west front are mainly twelfth century. In 1201 a pilgrim was murdered outside the cathedral and was raised to a Saint and known St. William of Perth. Pilgrims flocked to the cathedral and the increased income provided money to rebuild many parts including the presbytery, transepts and choir.


See Also
Mini Timeline
Romanesque / Norman Period 1066 (+/- 25yrs) 
1077    Rochester Cathedral building begins
   Work on Rochester Cathedral began. (More Information to follow) 
    Gundulf consecrated as Bishop of Rochester
   Gundulf became Bishop of Rochester, remaining there for thirty years and where he is buried. 
1100  Jul 13  Abbey Church at Gloucester dedicated
   The abbey church at Gloucester built by Abbot Serlo was dedicated by Samson the Bishop of Worcester, Gundulph the Bishop of Rochester and Harvey Bishop of Bangor. 
1108    Death of Gundulf
   Gundulf's thirty year career of magnificent castle and cathedral design and construction came to an end with his death. His plans for the reconstruction of Rochester Cathedral were left incomplete. It was not until 1115 that construction work was to resume under the direction of Ernulf.1 
1115 - 1130 Nave of Rochester Cathedral
  Construction of Rochester Cathedral's name commenced in 1115 and finished around 1130.2 
1130    Fire at Rochester
   On the same day that Henry I attended the consecration of Rochester Cathedral, a fire took hold in the city and damaged the newly finished building. 
1150    Rochester Cathedral West Front
   Work on the West front of Rochester Cathedral began in 1150.2 
1179    Rochester fire
   In 1177 or 1179 another fire took hold in the city of Rochester damaging the Cathedral. 
Early English Period 1190 (+/- 25yrs) 
1200 - 1227 Rochester Cathedral Presbytery and Choir
  Building work on eastern area of the Cathedral began in around 1200 and continued until 1227.2 
1240 - 1255 North Transept of Rochester Cathedral
  Work on the north transept between 1240 and 1255.2 
Decorated Gothic Period 1275 (+/- 25yrs) 
1280    South Transept at Rochester
   Work on the South Transept and nave commenced in 1280.2 
1343    Rochester Cathedral Tower
   Under the direction of Bishop Hamo de Hythe the construction of a new central tower was begun1 


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The map shows the location of this medieval building and other buildings close to it. Coastline and rivers nearby are also shown. Click on the icons to see more information about the medieval place.Select the 'Centre Map Here' option to move the selected place to the centre of the map. Zoom in and outusing the small portcullis icons at the top right of the map.

Other castles are shown as small square icons.
Nearby PlaceKm
Rochester Castle0.14
Leeds Castle17.82
Queenborough Castle17.37
Greenwich Palace36.31
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Selection of references used:

1. T. Francis Bumpus, The Cathedrals of England and Wales, 1934
2. John Harvey, English Cathedrals, 1961

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Medieval and Middle Ages History Timelines - Rochester Cathedral
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