Lichfield Cathedral

Lichfield Cathedral is situated in Lichfield, Staffordshire, England.

Early History

The present building was started in 1195, and completed by the building of the Lady Chapel in the 1330s. It replaced a Norman building begun in 1085 which had replaced one, or possibly two, Saxon buildings from the seventh century. The original Cathedral (this is the third building on the site) was dedicated on Christmas Day in the year AD 700 to house the remains of St Chad, Bishop of the Mercians, who died in 672. Chad moved the centre of his See to Lichfield from Repton, possibly because this was already a holy site, as the scene of martyrdoms during the Roman period. Starting in 1085 and continuing through the 12th century this Saxon church was replaced by a Norman cathedral, and this in turn by the Gothic Cathedral begun in 1195. 1300 years ago it stood at the centre of the Kingdom of Mercia. The Choir dates from 1200, the Transepts from 1220 to 1240 and theNave was started in 1260. The octagonal Chapter House, which was completed in 1249 and is one of the most beautiful parts of the Cathedral with some charming stone carvings, houses an exhibition of the Cathedral's greatest treasure, the Lichfield Gospels, an 8th century illuminated manuscript.

Related Topics:
Norman - St Chad - Roman - 1085 - 12th century - Saxon - Church - Gothic - Mercia - 1200 - 1220 - 1240 - Nave - 1260 - 1249 - 8th century

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