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 nave was completed in the nave area by 1405, the south aisle and the southwest transept; south west tower and porch were built in the early 15th century.

Monument Types

• CATHEDRAL (Medieval - 1377 AD to 1405 AD)

Full description

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

In 1376, the year the Black Prince died, the cathedral was in financial straits and no major building work had taken place at the cathdral for nearly two centuries. The cathedral nave was probably still largely the structure built for Archbishop Lanfranc exactly three centuries earlier in the 1070's. Compared to most other English cathedrals the nave, of eight bays, with one slightly larger western tower bay, was very small. In the winter of 1376, after the funeral of the Prince, a decision was taken to demolish as soon as possible the whole of the eight bays between the western transepts and the western towers, and this was duly carried out during 1377 at the expense of Archbishop Simon of Sudbury.

It seems that the work on building the new outer walls of the nave and the new piers and arcades, in Perpendicular style, was carried on vigorously for about five years, in 1382 a large earthquake struck south-east England, this badly damaged parts of the cloister and chapter house, as well as the infirmary chapel and the free standing bell-tower, which saw a temporary halt in the rebuilding of the nave, whilst repairs were carried out on the other buildings. However work continued shortly afterwards and was virtually completed in the nave area by 1405, the south aisle and the southwest transept; south west tower and porch were built in the early 15th century.

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

Sources and further reading