The Anglo-saxon Cathedral can be divided into four main structural phases.

The first phase c. late 6th to early 7th century saw a structure built, on a slightly higher ridge of land, re-using Roman building materials which at that time were abundant in Canterbury. This first Anglo-Saxon Cathedral, cut into dark earth post-Roman deposits, comprised of a nave with narthex to the west and porticus to the north and presumably to the south.

The second phase saw the demolition of the early cathedral building and the construction of a much larger, basilican-style building, during the early 9th century(?) This required the building up of the area of land to the west to bring the site up to a constant level. This second Anglo-saxon Cathedral had anave with flanking aisles, squared western annex, a possible central tower and an integral burial in the north aisle foundation. To the south-east was an opus-signinum type lined structure (possibly a mausoleum), with the floor set 1.2m below ground surface.

The third phase of building took place during the 10th century, where a programme of re-building of at least part of the Cathedral.

By the early 11th century (?) A western structure was added to the Cathedral, and comprised a deep apse with flanking hexangonal stair-turret (s). A porticus was added to the south-east corner in this phase as were a pair of side towers; the south one being St. Gregory's Tower; and the north one St. Martin's Tower.

The Anglo-Saxon Cathedral at this time is considered to have been some 300 feet (95m) in length and 100 feet (31m) in width. Sadly the old cathedral was exstensively destroyed by fire on the 6th December 1067. A new cathedral was built by the first Norman Archbishop Lanfanc between 1071-77 following the demolition of the old fire-damaged remains of the Anglo-Saxon predessesor.

Part of the north-west tower of the Saxon cathedral was identified in 2003 when an evaluation trench was excavated at the Cellerar's Lodging. It was later truncated, perhaps at the time that the cathedral was re-built in 1070-71. (1)

The 2003 evaluation revealed evidence for a wall built during the late Anglo-Saxon period upon the surviving crest of a Roman wall at the site. The structure was comprised of roughy coursed rubble walling and is thought to potentially post-date the Viking sacking of 1011. It may have been constructed by either Archbishop Lyfing or Aethelnoth (between 1013-1038 AD). (2)

Collinson, P., Ramsey, N. & Sparks, M., 1995, A History of Canterbury Cathedral (Monograph). SKE30201.

Blockley, K., Sparks, M. & Tatton-Brown, T., 1997, Canterbury Cathedral Nave, Archaeology, History and Architecture (Monograph). SKE29723.

<1> Canterbury Archaeological Trust Ltd, 2009, South Precincts, Canterbury Cathedral, Desk-Based assessment (Unpublished document). SKE52968.

<2> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 2004, Archaeological evaluation at the southern end of the Cellarer's Lodgings, Christ Church Priory, Canterbury: Interim Report (Unpublished document). SKE56121.