Listed Building record TR 15 NE 125 - Canterbury Christ Church Cathedral

Summary

Christ Church Cathedral, Canterbury was founded in 598AD, and consecrated by St. Augustine in AD 602. There is some dispute as to whether it was originally a collegiate or monastic foundation. The original church on the site was one built for Roman Christians but the present building originates in the 11th century. The Cathedral has seen numerous additions since this time. On the east side some Romanesque arcading is visible though most of the stonework dates from 1175-84, or from the late 14th to mid 15th rebuilding. The south-west tower was built in 1424-34, the north-west tower is a replica of this built in 1832-41. The central "Bell Harry" tower of brick faced with stone was built between 1494 and 1503 and is one of the first brick structures. The seven bay Nave with clerestory, built between 1378-1410. Choir and Corona built by William of Sens and William the Englishman. Very fine early Romanesque crypt of 10 bays and Chapel of Our Lady of the Undercroft. Excavations in 1993 identified traces of Romano-British layers including a pebbled street running beneath the cathedral. Remains of the Anglo Saxon Cathedral were discovered below the 1786 floor as well as possible remains of the original church of St. Augustine (AD 597), the oratory of St. Mary and the possible site of a large ring crypt (housing the remains of St. Dunstan?). Summary from record TR 15 NE 678: Grade I listed building. Main construction periods 43 to 1841

Location

Grid reference TR 1508 5792 (point) FCE
Map sheet TR15NE
County KENT
District CANTERBURY, KENT
Civil Parish CANTERBURY, CANTERBURY, KENT

Map

Type and Period (3)

Full Description

<1> OS 1/2500 1957 (OS Card Reference). SKE48127.

<2> Med Rel Houses Eng & Wales 1953 61 (D Knowles & RN Hadcock) (OS Card Reference). SKE46782.

<3> VCH Kent 2 1926 113-121 (RC Fowler) (OS Card Reference). SKE50940.

<4> F1 CFW 05-FEB-65 (OS Card Reference). SKE42436.

<5> DOE (HHR) City of Canterbury Kent Sept 1973 61-63 73 75 76 (OS Card Reference). SKE40121.

<6> PSA 2nd Series 17 1897-9 445-6 plan (WH St John Hope) (OS Card Reference). SKE48817.

<7> Arch 10 1792 37-49 (S Penne) (OS Card Reference). SKE34365.

<8> Arch J 33 1876 1-14 (W J Loftie) (OS Card Reference). SKE36613.

<9> Arch J 32 1875 86-88 (G Gilbert Scott) (OS Card Reference). SKE36612.

<10> Arch J 54 1897 240-244 (JC Cox) (OS Card Reference). SKE36655.

<11> Arch J 53 189 1896 258-285 386-387 (WH St John Hope) (OS Card Reference). SKE36645.

<12> Arch J 4 1847 160-162 (R Willis) (OS Card Reference). SKE36627.

<13> Arch J 2 1846 274-283 (R Willis) (OS Card Reference). SKE36591.

<14> Arch J 68 1911 203 (C Lynam) (OS Card Reference). SKE36677.

<15> Grose's Antiquities 2 1774 1-2 61-69 73-77 129-30 137 141-2 (OS Card Reference). SKE43637.

<16> Arch Cant 18 1889 253 257-260 (WP Thornton) (OS Card Reference). SKE34771.

<17> Arch Cant 10 1876 93-98 (JC Robertson) (OS Card Reference). SKE34511.

<18> Arch Cant 13 1880 17-80 500-551 (OS Card Reference). SKE34688.

<19> Trans Durham & Northumb Arch & Archaeol Soc 2 1871 45(JF Hodgson) (OS Card Reference). SKE50647.

<20> Trans Durham & Northumb Arch & Archaeol Soc 1 1862 12-13 (GG Scott) (OS Card Reference). SKE50646.

<21> PSA 30 Series 2 1918 136-140 (W St John Hope) (OS Card Reference). SKE48831.

<22> Arch Cant 80 1965 292 (LRA Grove) (OS Card Reference). SKE35699.

<23> Arch Cant 45 1933 37-47 (C Eveleigh Woodruff) (OS Card Reference). SKE35161.

<24> JBAA 45 1889 82-3 (EPL Brock) 193 (CF Routledge) (OS Card Reference). SKE44986.

<25> Arch Cant 70 1956 262 (CW Walker) (OS Card Reference). SKE35473.

<26> BOE North East & East Kent 1983 170-229 (J Newman) (OS Card Reference). SKE38257.

<27> Arch Cant7 1868 1-206 (R Willis) (OS Card Reference). SKE36483.

<28> The Arts in Early England 2 1925 447 (G Baldwin Brown) (OS Card Reference). SKE50095.

<29> Arch Cant 43 1931 298-300 (OS Card Reference). SKE35122.

<30> Arch Cant 18 1889 169-173 (S Robertson) 174-6 (J Brigstocke Sheppard) (OS Card Reference). SKE34768.

<31> Arch Cant 86 1929 99-110 (WH Godfrey) (OS Card Reference). SKE35835.

<32> Arch Ael New Ser 18 1896 124-5 (JF Hodgson) (OS Card Reference). SKE34473.

<33> Cant Arch Trust Ann Rep 3 1978-9 11-12 19-20 (T Tatton Brown) (OS Card Reference). SKE38502.

<34> Cant Arch Trust Ann Rep 4 1979-80 18-20 (J Rady) 31 (T Tatton Brown) (OS Card Reference). SKE38504.

<35> Arch Cant 88 1973 23-50 (E Gilbert) (OS Card Reference). SKE35959.

<36> Arch Cant 94 1978 278 (T Tatton Brown) (OS Card Reference). SKE36196.

<37> CBA Arch in Britain 1978 67 (OS Card Reference). SKE38756.

<38> Anglo-Saxon Architecture 1978 1098 (HM Taylor) (OS Card Reference). SKE33086.

<39> Arch Cant 93 1977 217 (T Tatton Brown) (OS Card Reference). SKE36131.

<40> Post Med Arch 12 1978 109 (J Cherry) (OS Card Reference). SKE48541.

<41> Arch J 127 1970 196-201 (RDH Gem) 202-210 (EC Gilbert) (OS Card Reference). SKE36574.

<42> Med Brit from the Air 1984 168-169 photo (C Platt) (OS Card Reference). SKE46772.

<43> Arch Cant 92 1976 129-136 (C Hewett & T Tatton Brown) (OS Card Reference). SKE36076.

<44> Tenth Century Studies 1975 154-158 (D Parsons) (OS Card Reference). SKE49832.

<45> Hist of the Kings Works 6 1973 644-5 (JM Crook & MH Port) (OS Card Reference). SKE44045.

<46> Arch J 126 1969 244-247 (P Kidson & G Zarnecki) (OS Card Reference). SKE36552.

<47> Arch of Anglo-Saxon England 1976 157 (DM Wilson) (OS Card Reference). SKE36813.

<48> N Staffs Journal of Field Studies 9 1969 47 (HM Taylor) (OS Card Reference). SKE47503.

<49> Med Gardens 1981 64 (J Harvey) (OS Card Reference). SKE46773.

<50> K A S Newsletter 6 1984 4-5 (T Tatton Brown) (OS Card Reference). SKE45206.

<51> English Historic Carpentry 1980 197-201 (CA Hewett) (OS Card Reference). SKE41646.

<52> Arch Cant 98 1982 233 (J Rady) (OS Card Reference). SKE36315.

<53> Sub Brit 13 1981 16-17 (R le Gear) (OS Card Reference). SKE49715.

<54> Arch Cant 95 1979 276-8 (T Tatton Brown) (OS Card Reference). SKE36217.

<55> Tanner's "Notitia Monastica" 1787 Kent XII,1 (Naismith) (OS Card Reference). SKE49801.

<56> Abbeys:Intro to Rel Houses of Eng & Wales 1958 fig 24(i) (G Gilyard Been) (OS Card Reference). SKE32946.

<57> Country Life 82 1937 151 photos (OS Card Reference). SKE39454.

<58> Munimenta Antiqua 4 1805 206-9 (E King) (OS Card Reference). SKE47476.

<59> Eng Roman Arch before the Conquest 1930 85-87 (Clapham) (OS Card Reference). SKE41602.

<60> Eng Monasteries 1923 (AH Thompson) (OS Card Reference). SKE41595.

<61> Cath Churches of England 1925 (AH Thompson) (OS Card Reference). SKE38746.

<62> CANON G M LENETI (Collection). SKE6544.

<63> TURNER MANUSCRIPT (Collection). SKE6487.

<64> S A WARNER (Collection). SKE6545.

<65> [CRYPT TRACINGS] (Collection). SKE6489.

<66> "ANCIENT GLASS OF CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL" (Collection). SKE6490.

<67> "CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL" (Collection). SKE6501.

<68> Arch Cant. 1993, p.355. (OS Card Reference). SKE36458.

<69> Vernacular Architecture Group, ADS Dendrochronology Database, Vol. 41, Pg. 96 (Website). SKE17391.

<70> Vernacular Architecture Group, ADS Dendrochronology Database, Vol. 12, Pg. 39 (Website). SKE17391.

<71> Vernacular Architecture Group, ADS Dendrochronology Database, Vol. 19, Pg. 48 (Website). SKE17391.

<72> Kent Underground Research Group, 2008, Caves and Tunnels in South East England - Part 18 (Unpublished document). SKE25125.

<73> Weekes, J., 2012, Canterbury Archaeological Trust Interim Reports, Archaeologia Cantiana CXXXII 2012: 294-5 (Article in serial). SKE25119.

<74> English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

<75> CAPITAL Types: ARCHITECTURAL FRAGMENT (Photograph). SKE509.

<76> CLOSE-UP OF INSCRIPTION Types: ARCHITECTURAL FRAGMENT (Photograph). SKE511.

<77> INSCRIPTION - 'ROBERTUS' Types: ARCHITECTURAL FRAGMENT (Photograph). SKE510.

<78> CAPITAL Types: ARCHITECTURAL FRAGMENT (Photograph). SKE509.

<79> INSCRIPTION - 'ROBERTUS' Types: ARCHITECTURAL FRAGMENT (Photograph). SKE510.

<80> CLOSE-UP OF INSCRIPTION Types: ARCHITECTURAL FRAGMENT (Photograph). SKE511.

<81> Not Given (Collection). SKE6510.

<82> Not Given (Collection). SKE6510.

<83> Centre for Archaeology, 2017, Conserving Stained Glass Using Environmental Protective Glazing (Unpublished document). SKE54617.

<84> Historic England, Archive material associated with Canterbury Cathedral, Listed Building (Archive). SKE54621.

Sources/Archives (84)

  • <1> OS Card Reference: OS 1/2500 1957.
  • <2> OS Card Reference: Med Rel Houses Eng & Wales 1953 61 (D Knowles & RN Hadcock).
  • <3> OS Card Reference: VCH Kent 2 1926 113-121 (RC Fowler).
  • <4> OS Card Reference: F1 CFW 05-FEB-65.
  • <5> OS Card Reference: DOE (HHR) City of Canterbury Kent Sept 1973 61-63 73 75 76.
  • <6> OS Card Reference: PSA 2nd Series 17 1897-9 445-6 plan (WH St John Hope).
  • <7> OS Card Reference: Arch 10 1792 37-49 (S Penne).
  • <8> OS Card Reference: Arch J 33 1876 1-14 (W J Loftie).
  • <9> OS Card Reference: Arch J 32 1875 86-88 (G Gilbert Scott).
  • <10> OS Card Reference: Arch J 54 1897 240-244 (JC Cox).
  • <11> OS Card Reference: Arch J 53 189 1896 258-285 386-387 (WH St John Hope).
  • <12> OS Card Reference: Arch J 4 1847 160-162 (R Willis).
  • <13> OS Card Reference: Arch J 2 1846 274-283 (R Willis).
  • <14> OS Card Reference: Arch J 68 1911 203 (C Lynam).
  • <15> OS Card Reference: Grose's Antiquities 2 1774 1-2 61-69 73-77 129-30 137 141-2.
  • <16> OS Card Reference: Arch Cant 18 1889 253 257-260 (WP Thornton).
  • <17> OS Card Reference: Arch Cant 10 1876 93-98 (JC Robertson).
  • <18> OS Card Reference: Arch Cant 13 1880 17-80 500-551.
  • <19> OS Card Reference: Trans Durham & Northumb Arch & Archaeol Soc 2 1871 45(JF Hodgson).
  • <20> OS Card Reference: Trans Durham & Northumb Arch & Archaeol Soc 1 1862 12-13 (GG Scott).
  • <21> OS Card Reference: PSA 30 Series 2 1918 136-140 (W St John Hope).
  • <22> OS Card Reference: Arch Cant 80 1965 292 (LRA Grove).
  • <23> OS Card Reference: Arch Cant 45 1933 37-47 (C Eveleigh Woodruff).
  • <24> OS Card Reference: JBAA 45 1889 82-3 (EPL Brock) 193 (CF Routledge).
  • <25> OS Card Reference: Arch Cant 70 1956 262 (CW Walker).
  • <26> OS Card Reference: BOE North East & East Kent 1983 170-229 (J Newman).
  • <27> OS Card Reference: Arch Cant7 1868 1-206 (R Willis).
  • <28> OS Card Reference: The Arts in Early England 2 1925 447 (G Baldwin Brown).
  • <29> OS Card Reference: Arch Cant 43 1931 298-300.
  • <30> OS Card Reference: Arch Cant 18 1889 169-173 (S Robertson) 174-6 (J Brigstocke Sheppard).
  • <31> OS Card Reference: Arch Cant 86 1929 99-110 (WH Godfrey).
  • <32> OS Card Reference: Arch Ael New Ser 18 1896 124-5 (JF Hodgson).
  • <33> OS Card Reference: Cant Arch Trust Ann Rep 3 1978-9 11-12 19-20 (T Tatton Brown).
  • <34> OS Card Reference: Cant Arch Trust Ann Rep 4 1979-80 18-20 (J Rady) 31 (T Tatton Brown).
  • <35> OS Card Reference: Arch Cant 88 1973 23-50 (E Gilbert).
  • <36> OS Card Reference: Arch Cant 94 1978 278 (T Tatton Brown).
  • <37> OS Card Reference: CBA Arch in Britain 1978 67.
  • <38> OS Card Reference: Anglo-Saxon Architecture 1978 1098 (HM Taylor).
  • <39> OS Card Reference: Arch Cant 93 1977 217 (T Tatton Brown).
  • <40> OS Card Reference: Post Med Arch 12 1978 109 (J Cherry).
  • <41> OS Card Reference: Arch J 127 1970 196-201 (RDH Gem) 202-210 (EC Gilbert).
  • <42> OS Card Reference: Med Brit from the Air 1984 168-169 photo (C Platt).
  • <43> OS Card Reference: Arch Cant 92 1976 129-136 (C Hewett & T Tatton Brown).
  • <44> OS Card Reference: Tenth Century Studies 1975 154-158 (D Parsons).
  • <45> OS Card Reference: Hist of the Kings Works 6 1973 644-5 (JM Crook & MH Port).
  • <46> OS Card Reference: Arch J 126 1969 244-247 (P Kidson & G Zarnecki).
  • <47> OS Card Reference: Arch of Anglo-Saxon England 1976 157 (DM Wilson).
  • <48> OS Card Reference: N Staffs Journal of Field Studies 9 1969 47 (HM Taylor).
  • <49> OS Card Reference: Med Gardens 1981 64 (J Harvey).
  • <50> OS Card Reference: K A S Newsletter 6 1984 4-5 (T Tatton Brown).
  • <51> OS Card Reference: English Historic Carpentry 1980 197-201 (CA Hewett).
  • <52> OS Card Reference: Arch Cant 98 1982 233 (J Rady).
  • <53> OS Card Reference: Sub Brit 13 1981 16-17 (R le Gear).
  • <54> OS Card Reference: Arch Cant 95 1979 276-8 (T Tatton Brown).
  • <55> OS Card Reference: Tanner's "Notitia Monastica" 1787 Kent XII,1 (Naismith).
  • <56> OS Card Reference: Abbeys:Intro to Rel Houses of Eng & Wales 1958 fig 24(i) (G Gilyard Been).
  • <57> OS Card Reference: Country Life 82 1937 151 photos.
  • <58> OS Card Reference: Munimenta Antiqua 4 1805 206-9 (E King).
  • <59> OS Card Reference: Eng Roman Arch before the Conquest 1930 85-87 (Clapham).
  • <60> OS Card Reference: Eng Monasteries 1923 (AH Thompson).
  • <61> OS Card Reference: Cath Churches of England 1925 (AH Thompson).
  • <62> Collection: CANON G M LENETI.
  • <63> Collection: TURNER MANUSCRIPT.
  • <64> Collection: S A WARNER.
  • <65> Collection: [CRYPT TRACINGS].
  • <66> Collection: "ANCIENT GLASS OF CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL".
  • <67> Collection: "CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL".
  • <68> OS Card Reference: Arch Cant. 1993, p.355..
  • <69> Website: Vernacular Architecture Group. ADS Dendrochronology Database. Vol. 41, Pg. 96.
  • <70> Website: Vernacular Architecture Group. ADS Dendrochronology Database. Vol. 12, Pg. 39.
  • <71> Website: Vernacular Architecture Group. ADS Dendrochronology Database. Vol. 19, Pg. 48.
  • <72> Unpublished document: Kent Underground Research Group. 2008. Caves and Tunnels in South East England - Part 18.
  • <73> Article in serial: Weekes, J.. 2012. Canterbury Archaeological Trust Interim Reports. Arch Cant CXXXII: 291-305. Archaeologia Cantiana CXXXII 2012: 294-5.
  • <74>XY Map: English Heritage. List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest. [Mapped feature: #43455 Cathedral, ]
  • <75> Photograph: CAPITAL Types: ARCHITECTURAL FRAGMENT. P29050. Black and White. Print.
  • <76> Photograph: CLOSE-UP OF INSCRIPTION Types: ARCHITECTURAL FRAGMENT. P29052. Black and White. Print.
  • <77> Photograph: INSCRIPTION - 'ROBERTUS' Types: ARCHITECTURAL FRAGMENT. P29051. Black and White. Print.
  • <78> Photograph: CAPITAL Types: ARCHITECTURAL FRAGMENT. P29050. Black and White. Print.
  • <79> Photograph: INSCRIPTION - 'ROBERTUS' Types: ARCHITECTURAL FRAGMENT. P29051. Black and White. Print.
  • <80> Photograph: CLOSE-UP OF INSCRIPTION Types: ARCHITECTURAL FRAGMENT. P29052. Black and White. Print.
  • <81> Collection: Not Given.
  • <82> Collection: Not Given.
  • <83> Unpublished document: Centre for Archaeology. 2017. Conserving Stained Glass Using Environmental Protective Glazing.
  • <84> Archive: Historic England. Archive material associated with Canterbury Cathedral, Listed Building.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

Related Monuments/Buildings (31)

Related Events/Activities (39)

  • Intrusive Event: Archaeological evaluation at 5 The Forrens, Cathedral Precincts, Canterbury, 2009 (Ref: Project Code: TFC-EV-09) (EKE21250)
  • Intrusive Event: Archaeological evaluation at Luxmoore House, Canterbury (Ref: Site code: LHC 00) (EKE13704)
  • Non-Intrusive Event: Canterbury Cathedral (Ref: CAT: 312) (EKE13489)
  • Non-Intrusive Event: Canterbury Cathedral (Ref: CAT: 312) (EKE13490)
  • Non-Intrusive Event: Canterbury Cathedral (Ref: CAT: 312) (EKE13491)
  • Non-Intrusive Event: Canterbury Cathedral (The Altar of the Sword Point) (Ref: CAT: 118) (EKE13485)
  • Intrusive Event: Canterbury Cathedral Crypt (Ref: CAT: 118) (EKE13476)
  • Non-Intrusive Event: Canterbury Cathedral, Trinity Chapel and Corona (Ref: CAT: 224) (EKE13483)
  • Non-Intrusive Event: Cathedral Nave (Ref: CAT: 118) (EKE13487)
  • Non-Intrusive Event: Cathedral Treasury (Ref: CAT: 312) (EKE13495)
  • Intrusive Event: Christ Church Cathedral (Christmas Tree) (Ref: CAT: 118) (EKE13486)
  • Intrusive Event: CHRIST CHURCH PRIORY: AULA NOVA SITE (Ref: EI 15520) (EKE4333)
  • Intrusive Event: CHRIST CHURCH PRIORY:ALMONRY CHAPEL SITE (Ref: EI 15516) (EKE4329)
  • Intrusive Event: CHRIST CHURCH PRIORY:ALMONRY CHAPEL SITE (Ref: EI 15518) (EKE4331)
  • Intrusive Event: CHRIST CHURCH: CRYPT (Ref: EI 15523) (EKE4769)
  • Intrusive Event: CHRIST CHURCH: NE TRANSEPT (ADJACENT TO) (Ref: EI 15529) (EKE4339)
  • Intrusive Event: CHRIST CHURCH: NEAR ST GABRIEL'S CHAPEL (Ref: EI 36450) (EKE4603)
  • Intrusive Event: CHRIST CHURCH: SW TRANSEPT/NAVE (Ref: EI 15526) (EKE4337)
  • Intrusive Event: CHRIST CHURCH:ST GABRIEL'S CHAPEL (Ref: EI 15528) (EKE4770)
  • Intrusive Event: CHRIST CHURCH:ST MICHAEL'S CHAPEL (Ref: EI 15525) (EKE4336)
  • Non-Intrusive Event: Conservation of the Stained Glass at Canterbury Cathedral Using Environmental Protective Glazing (EKE21247)
  • Intrusive Event: Dendrochronology dating of the Bell Harry Tower, Canterbury Cathedral (EKE11711)
  • Intrusive Event: Dendrochronology of a door in Canterbury Cathedral (EKE11671)
  • Intrusive Event: Dendrochronology of the roof of the 'bakehouse' in St Anselm's Tower, Canterbury Cathedral (EKE11699)
  • Intrusive Event: Dendrochronology of the SE transept spirelet (EKE11669)
  • Intrusive Event: Excavation adjacent to the south west transept, Canterbury Cathedral (EKE13120)
  • Non-Intrusive Event: NE transept of Canterbury Cathedral (Ref: CAT: 312) (EKE13494)
  • Non-Intrusive Event: North Quire Clerestory, Canterbury Cathedral (Ref: CAT: 312) (EKE13493)
  • Intrusive Event: SE Transept, Canterbury Cathedral (Ref: CAT: 118) (EKE13481)
  • Non-Intrusive Event: South West Porch, Canterbury Cathedral (Ref: CAT: 312) (EKE13497)
  • Non-Intrusive Event: St Andrew's Chapel, Canterbury Cathedral (Ref: CAT: 312) (EKE13496)
  • Intrusive Event: St Gabriel's Chapel, Canterbury Cathedral (Ref: CAT: 118) (EKE13484)
  • Non-Intrusive Event: Survey of the Great Drain, Canterbury Cathedral (EKE13138)
  • Intrusive Event: SW Transept, Canterbury Cathedral (Ref: CAT: 118) (EKE13478)
  • Intrusive Event: THE ALTAR OF THE SWORDPOINT,CATHEDRAL (Ref: EI 36403) (EKE4587)
  • Intrusive Event: Tomb of Henry IV, Canterbury Cathedral (Ref: CAT: 118) (EKE13475)
  • Non-Intrusive Event: Treasury Undercroft, Canterbury Cathedral (Ref: CAT: 292) (EKE13488)
  • Non-Intrusive Event: West Clerestorey and North East Transept Canterbury Cathedral (Ref: CAT: 312) (EKE13492)
  • Intrusive Event: Western Crypt, Canterbury Cathedral (Ref: CAT: 118) (EKE13482)

Related Thematic Articles (1)

Record last edited

Nov 20 2023 1:20PM