Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

The original choir in Lanfranc's Norman cathedral was shortlived, for under his successor Anselm, a new monk's choir took its place, stupendously increased in size with a second pair of transpets and three chapels all raised upon a crypt, this practically doubled the size of the cathedral.

Monument Types

• CATHEDRAL (Now, Medieval to Unknown - 1096 AD)

Full description

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The original choir in Lanfranc's Norman cathedral was shortlived, for under his successor Anselm, a new monk's choir took its place, stupendously increased in size with a second pair of transepts and three chapels all raised upon a crypt, this practically doubled the size of the cathedral. It contained seven new altars and was sumptuously decorated and had large aisle windows filling three bays which lit up the east end completely, a rariety in the twelfth century. Prior Ernulf 1096-1107, began the work Anselm financed it for the first seven years, from 1096. The choir was completed under Ernulf's successor, Conrad and was consecrated in 1130. The Choir screens, of stone, in Decorated style were erected under Prior Eastry in 1304-5, and they enclose the choir on three sides.

The plan of Ernulf's choir is strangely complicated. The choir aisles ran from the crossing for three bays, before a second pair of transepts opens out, deeper than the west transepts, so that each has two east apses and projecting west stairs. The choir aisles continue east of the transepts for one more bay, and then the curvature of the apse begins. As it does so, a square chapel with an east apse and a west stair turret projects, masking the curve. The north chapel is dedicated to St. Andrew, the south to St. Anselm. The turrets aligned with the aisle walls, stand askew to the chapels, which hug the curve, the chapels are apsed. This arrangement allows the chapels altars to face due east. All of these crescences ten to mask the great length of the choir, which is believed to have been nine bays long with an apse and ambulatory. The east chapel was removed in 1180.

The fire of 1174 gutted the choir but left the outer walls standing, thus the present choir and east transepts are but the shell of Anselm's choir. Externally they were heightened by William of Sens the great French Mason, but little little modified. The interior of the choir was rebuilt in 1175-78 by William of Sens and extended eastwards by William the Englishman in 1179-84, to house the shrine of St. Thomas Becket.

Iron Gate-Pulpitum. This second screen, far more bulky and inpenetrable than Prior Eastry's, was set up in Prior Chillendens time (1390-1411) in Perpendicular style. Within are six sculptures of Kings, on the left are Ethelbert; Edward the Confessor; and the others are Richard II; Henry IV; V; and VI. They represent major surviving examples of 15th century sculpture in England. Seating for 140 monks was arranged in double rows of 35.

John Newman, 1969, The Buildings of England: North East and East Kent (Monograph). SKE7874.

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.

Sources and further reading