Norwich Cathedral

Who

Herbert de Losinga (? - 1119)

Born in Flanders, Herbert paid King William Rufus to become Bishop of East Anglia in 1094. This is a sin called simony, and the Pope instructed Herbert to build a new Cathedral to atone for this. His Cathedral is the one we see today. Bishop Herbert's tomb is in front of the High Altar; he is also depicted in twelfth century wall paintings which survive in the south nave aisle.

Henry Despenser (Bishop of Norwich 1370-1407)

Bishop Henry was a warrior Bishop who led an invasion of Flanders and was also a military leader during the peasants'  revolt of 1381. Bishop Despencer  gave the reredos seen in St Luke's Chapel which is one of the finest survivals of English medieval art; it survived the reformation by being turned upside down and use as a plumber's worktable until rediscovery in 1884.

Edith Cavell (1865 - 1915)

Norfolk heroine Edith Cavell was born in Swardeston, south of Norwich. As a hospital matron in Brussels, Belgium, she spent much time away from home. However, after her father died she often returned to visit her mother in Norwich.

During the First World War Edith worked at a training school in Brussels, and assisted the escape of many British soldiers to neutral territory in Holland. When two of her escapees were captured, she was arrested and imprisoned - accused of helping hundreds of allied soldiers to escape.

Edith did not deny these claims and was executed by firing squad. Hailed as a martyr, prepared to die for her country, the Allies used Edith's actions to gain support for the war effort. Within a few weeks, recruitment to the British Army had doubled.

Edith Cavell's body was buried in Belgium, but was later exhumed and reburied at Norwich Cathedral. There is a graveside service here once a year. Edith is remembered not only for her heroism but also for her advances in nursing practice.