The religious function of Durham Cathedral
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the religious function of Durham Cathedral.
Key learning points
- The Normans replaced unsuitable Anglo-Saxon prelates with reformers from Normandy or elsewhere.
- The canon of the cathedral chapter was replaced with monks who adopted a stricter Benedictine monasticism.
- Durham Cathedral was transformed into a centre of monastic life.
- Durham Cathedral functioned as a pilgrimage site for St Cuthbert and the Venerable Bede.
- The architectural design accommodated the flow of pilgrims.
Keywords
Canon - a Christian priest with special duties in a cathedral
Pulpitum - a stone screen which divides the nave and the quire in a cathedral
Cloister - a covered walkway enclosing a large open courtyard, found in a religious building
Feretory - the chapel in which a shrine is located
Common misconception
The Anglo-Saxon clergy were not religious.
While the Norman reformers viewed many Anglo-Saxon clergy as unsuitable due to their secular lifestyles, this does not mean all were irreligious.
Teacher tip
Play recordings of Gregorian chants or other examples of liturgical recitatives. Discuss how the acoustics of Durham Cathedral were designed to amplify the monks' prayers and chants, and the impact on pilgrims.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which word describes the long central part of a church, often with aisles on both sides?
Q2.Which word describes arches that support a ceiling or room?
Q3.When did William St Calais order the construction of a new cathedral on the site of the Anglo-Saxon building which housed St Cuthbert’s relics?
Q4.Which of the following are examples of Durham Cathedral's Romanesque design?
Q5.How was Durham Cathedral built?
Q6.Which pattern was frequently used by the Normans?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which word describes a Christian priest with special duties in a cathedral?
Q2.Which word describes a stone screen which divides the nave and the quire in a cathedral?
Q3.How did the Norman reforms affect the daily life of monks at Durham Cathedral?
Q4.What was one of the main goals of the Norman reformers in relation to Anglo-Saxon cathedrals and monasteries?
Q5.Whose relics were housed in the feretory of Durham Cathedral during the Norman period?
Q6.Arrange the steps in the order that a pilgrim would experience when visiting the feretory of Durham Cathedral, starting with the earliest.
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: The religious function of Durham Cathedral, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: The religious function of Durham Cathedral, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 history lessons from the Durham Cathedral unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.