Exploring Kent's Past

It should not be assumed that this site is publicly accessible and it may be on private property. Do not trespass.

Monument details

Summary

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 poticus to the north and presumably to the south.

Monument Types

• CHURCH (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon to Medieval - 580 AD? to 1067 AD)

Full description

If you do not understand anything on this page please contact us.

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)

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.

Sources and further reading