Norwich Cathedral

When

Key dates in the history of Norwich Cathedral: 

• 1096 The Cathedral was founded by Bishop Herbert de Losinga
• 1096 - 1538 The Cathedral was home to a Benedictine Priory
• 1145 The Cathedral completed by Bishop Eborardus de Montgomery
• 1272 A riot between the Cathedral monks and the citizens of Norwich.  The Cathedral Cloister was destroyed by fire ,and the citizens were forced to pay for the Cloister we see today
• 1381 Bishop Henry Despenser donated a fine reredos (altar piece) which still survives in St. Lukes Chapel and is one of the finest examples of English medieval art to survive the reformation and civil war
• 1463 Fire destroys the wooden spire and vault in the Nave. Bishop Walter Lyhart constructs the new stone spire and stone vault in the Nave which can still be seen today
• 1538 Norwich is the first of the major Priories to be dissolved by King Henry VIII. The Prior and his monks are replaced by the Dean and Chapter
• 1643 The Cathedral is ransacked during the English civil war by Puritans demanding further reform of the English Church. All stained glass windows and statues are smashed. The citizens removed all the vestments and books from the Cathedral and burnt them on the market place. A musket ball from this riot still survives in the tomb of Bishop Goldwell
• 1830's The South Transept and Pulpitum screen are restored by the architect Anthony Salvin
• 1938 The organ burns down during Evensong
• World War II The Cathedral suffers little damage during the Norwich Blitz but the remains of the Monastic dormitories and infirmary are destroyed
• 1996 The Cathedral celebrates its 900th birthday
• 2004 The new Refectory (restaurant) opens on the site of the medieval refectory