1. AQA Historic Environment Study For Assessment in 2018 Durham Cathedral
Name:
Group:

2. What is the Historic Environment Study?
The historic environment is 10% of the overall course.
The study of the historic environment will focus on a particular site in its historical context and should examine the relationship between a specific place and associated historical events and developments.
Students will be expected to answer a question that draws on second order concepts of change, continuity, causation and/or consequence, and to explore them in the context of the specified site and wider events and developments of the period studied.
Students should be able to identify key features of the specified site and understand their connection to the wider historical context of the specific historical period. Sites will also illuminate how people lived at that time, how they were governed and their beliefs and values.
The following aspects of the site should be considered:
•• location
•• function
•• the structure
•• people connected with the site e.g. the designer, originator and occupants
•• design
•• how the design reflects the culture, values, fashions of the people at the time
•• how important events/developments from the depth study are connected to the site.
Students will be expected to understand the ways in which key features and other aspects of the site are representative of the period studied. In order to do this, students will also need to be aware of how the key features and other aspects of the site have changed from earlier periods.
Core Questions:
 What were the key features of a Norman church and cathedral?
 What was their role and function in Norman society?
 What were the differences between an Anglo-Saxon church and cathedral compared to a Norman one?
 What went on in churches and cathedrals?
 Where did their wealth come from?

3. Durham Cathedral
There had been a church an a monastery built on the site previously.
The current cathedral was started in It is regarded as one of the best surviving examples of Norman Romanesque architecture. There have been additions and alterations to the cathedral but most of the building is Norman.
The cathedral was built on the orders of William of St Calais. He was made Prince-Bishop by William I in This is a Norman role replacing Anglo-Saxon traditions.
The Normans wanted to build impressive churches and cathedrals as another symbol of their power. William of St Calais ordered that the cathedral should be on a ‘nobler and grander scale’ than what had been there before.
There was a monastery attached which shows the importance the Normans attached to reviving monasticism.
It was connected with Benedictine rule in 1083.
A deanery was added reflecting the re-organisation of the English Church hierarchy.
Durham Castle, home of the Bishop of Durham, was built facing the cathedral.
It was not uncommon to have castles and cathedrals built next to each other in Norman England i.e. Lincoln Castle and Cathedral.
Durham Cathedral contains the relics of St Cuthbert of Lindisfarne, the head of St Oswald and remains of the Venerable Bede – Anglo Saxon Chronicler. It therefore became an important site for pilgrimages in medieval times.
Durham was of strategic importance. The Bishop of Durham had more power than most bishops at the time. He was a Prince-Bishop. Durham was a border county so he had quite a lot of independence in how he ran the area. He had military power as well as power within the Church.
Durham represents how the church was used to support the military conquest of England.
The independence given to the Bishop of Durham demonstrates the vulnerability of Norman rule in border areas.
Ranulf Flambard one of the Kings closest allies and his former clerk, was appointed Bishop in This shows the close relationship between the kings’ court and the Church.

4. Task 1: Key Words Term Definition Monastery Norman Romanesque
Prince Bishop
Monasticism
Benedictine
Deanery
Kings Court
Flying Buttresses
Nave
Aisle
Columns
Semi Circular Arches
Crypt
Stone Ribbed Vault
Stained Glass Windows
Sculptures
Arcades
Masonry
Transect
Cruciform
High Altar
Tomb

5. Task 2: Important People Associated with Durham Cathedral
William of St Calais
William I
When were they associated with the Cathedral? Important facts about him: What was their association with the Cathedral? What is their importance in Norman England?
When were they associated with the Cathedral?
Important facts about him:
What was their association with the Cathedral?
What is their importance in Norman England?

6. Important People Associated with Durham Cathedral
St Cuthbert of Lindisfarne
Ranulf Flambard
When were they associated with the Cathedral? Important facts about him: What was their association with the Cathedral? What is their importance in Norman England?
When were they associated with the Cathedral?
Important facts about him:
What was their association with the Cathedral?
What is their importance in Norman England?

7. Important People Associated with Durham Cathedral
St Oswald
St Bede
When were they associated with the Cathedral? Important facts about him: What was their association with the Cathedral? What is their importance in Norman England?
When were they associated with the Cathedral?
Important facts about him:
What was their association with the Cathedral?
What is their importance in Norman England?

8. 1986
1895
1836
1832
1650
1591
1589
1565
1544
1539
1538
1133
1099
1093
1091
1083
1080
1072
1069
1038
1006
995
Task 3: Timeline of Durham Cathedral and associated events in Durham: Complete your timeline – Annotate the dates with the events. Use the websites in the back of the booklet to help.
Durham Cathedral became a World Heritage Site under UNESCO
The Chapter House was rebuilt and restored to its original style
Durham Cathedral is no longer ruled by a Bishop Prince
Durham Cathedral founded Durham University
Oliver Cromwell supressed the English Church and closed Durham Cathedral. He used it to imprison 3000 Scottish Soldiers.
The Rites of Durham published – accounting for the affect the Reformation had on Durham Cathedral
Plague Strikes Durham again
Durham gains a cooperation and a Mayor although the Bishop is still very much in power
Durham suffers an outbreak of Plague
The Monastery was surrendered to the Crown under the Dissolution of the Monasteries
The Kings men demolish the shrine of St Cuthbert
St Cuthbert is buried in Durham

9. Task 4: Exploring the History of Durham Cathedral – Use the introduction text and your own research to answer the questions.
When was Durham Cathedral built and when was it finished?
Start: Finished: 1133
To what saint was Durham Cathedral built in the honour of and to house his shrine?
St Cuthbert
Why was it important for William to build a cathedral in Durham?
Near Scotland and in Northumberland – 2 areas that are particularly rebellious or threat of invasion from.
Why did Durham Cathedral become a site for pilgrimages?
Relics of St Cuthbert – Lindisfarne, St Bede and St Oswald.
What do we mean by the Romanesque style?
Style of Medieval architecture – links back to Roman times. Lots of rounded arches.
Which monastic order lived in the monastery at the Cathedral?
Benedictine
Describe the aspects of the monastic order that occupied the Cathedral.
Type of monk and religious order. Cathedral was converted to this in prayer services a day. Wore habits. Vegetarian. Cared for the sick and travellers. Bald spot shaved on top of head.

10. Why was a monastery attached to Durham Cathedral
Why was a monastery attached to Durham Cathedral? What does this tell you about the importance of reviving Monasticism in Norman England?
William wanted to revive monasticism – so put it in an important place
Why does adding a deanery reflect changes in the reorganisation of the English Church Hierarchy?
Reflects the reorganisation of the church Hierarchy – as Deans were new under the Normans. Dean was in charge of the Monastery.
Why did Durham Cathedral become of military importance?
Bishop of Durham was on the border with Scotland. Scotland threatened to invade England often.
Why was a castle built next to the Cathedral and is this common in Norman England – give examples?
To put a garrison on the English/Scottish border
Lincoln and York
Why did the Bishop Prince have more independence in Durham than other Bishops across the country?
Vulnerability of Durham on the border with Scotland
What does the appointment of Ranulf Flambard to Bishop Prince show about the relationship between the King and church and what happened to Flambard? Closest ally, high respect, shows a close relationship between the king and church – God proves his legitimacy in being King.

11. Task 5: Durham Cathedral built in the same layout to those in Normandy (France)
Lessay Abbey Normandy

12. Use the floor plans and independent research to answer the following questions:
Describe the layout of Durham Cathedral
Cruciform layout
2) How were the Cathedrals similar to those in France where William came from?
Lessay Abbey Normandy – same layout!
3) Compare Durham Cathedral to other Cathedrals built during the Norman Period i.e. Lincoln Cathedral. What is similar about how Norman Cathedrals were built?
All cruciform in shape, they all have the same features i.e. Nave. All have the same type of architecture =Romanesque
‘Nobler and grander scale’ – how does the architecture of Durham Cathedral prove this statement?
Bigger the better – large and impressive
Tall vaults – to look up to god
Sign of power and dominance over Anglo-Saxons
Sign that God is on the Normans side

13. Why is Durham Cathedral Architecturally Important?
Durham Cathedral's importance as a piece of architecture is thanks to a number of innovations which revolutionised church-building across Europe.
1. The Earliest Surviving Stone Vault of such Scale in the World
The nave vault of Durham Cathedral is the most significant architectural element of the Durham World Heritage Site because it marks a turning point in the history of architecture. The pointed arch was successfully used as a structural element for the first time here in this building. Semi-circular arches were the type used prior to the adoption of the structural pointed arch — the limitations of which is that their height must be proportionate to their width.
The nave vault and arches of Durham Cathedral. Pointed arches (indicated by the grey arrow) replaced semi-circular arches (indicated by the yellow arrow), allowing for greater height and width.
2. Use of Stone Ribbed Vaulting Forming Pointed Arches
The use of stone ‘ribs’ forming pointed arches to support the ceiling of the nave was an important achievement, and Durham Cathedral is the earliest known example.
What are the advantages of stone ribs and pointed arches?
Pointed arches overcome the difficulties created by the rigid geometry of semi-circular arches by enabling arches of different spans to rise to the same height.
Stone ribs provide additional support to the vault at critical points, allowing the filling to be thinner and therefore lighter. The ribs also help transfer the weight of the ceiling downwards towards to the walls, preventing structural problems.
Thirdly, ribs are aesthetically pleasing to the eye – they become the object of the viewer’s focus, making the roof they support look light and graceful rather than massive and solid.
The two sketches above show the difference between a rib vault and a groin vault. The shaded areas of the rib vault are the key structural elements, while the unshaded areas are fillers. The combination of the pointed arches and the ribs enable greater height to be achieved than in a groin vault of roughly the same size.

14. Why was the introduction of the ribbed vaults at Durham Cathedral significant?
Because ribbed vaults enabled masons to achieve greater height.
This was important because one of the aspirations of cathedral builders was to build monumental buildings that would reflect the glory of God. Height was one of the most desirable ways of doing so – to build a cathedral that would soar into the sky, visible from a long way off, was the cathedral builder’s ideal.
Any technological advance that would enable the construction of a grander – yet solid – building was an important breakthrough.
What was the impact of the ribbed vaults that first appear at Durham Cathedral?
The architectural technology that makes its first appearance at Durham Cathedral was to affect the course of European religious architecture for at least four centuries:
The stone ribs became extremely important structural elements that evolved to form even more strongly-pointed arches. These enabled cathedrals to soar even higher – creating the Gothic style that was to flourish between the 12th and 16th centuries.
From walls with windows to windows with walls
As builders became more experienced, the ribs themselves became one of the main supporting structural elements of the ceiling (it had previously been the walls). With the walls less important as structural elements, it became possible to create much larger windows. This led to the evolution of cathedrals from dark, massive buildings with small windows, to light, airy buildings with more windows than walls.
Was the Durham vault a perfect success?
Yes and No.
Yes, in terms of being the architectural solution to an old problem. It showed the way forward, and much of the vault has stood intact for 900 years.
No, because like all pioneering breakthroughs, it needed perfection in part. Some sections of the earliest sections of the vault collapsed and had to be rebuilt. Others needed strengthening, but overall, the solution was there.

15. Carvings and sculptures
Task 6: Features of Norman Cathedrals: Describe what they are using the images and your visit to Durham. Make sure you state where you saw them
Flying Butresses
Vaults
Arches
Aisles
Arched Windows
Carvings and sculptures
Stained Glass

16. Task 6: Describe the architecture of Durham Cathedral
Why is it called Romanesque?
What features are Romanesque?
What else have you found out from your visit?
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17. Task 7: In what ways is Durham Cathedral a typical Norman Cathedral?
Aspect:
Record features of Durham Cathedral in the table
Design/Layout
Cruciform layout
Uses
Vault storage, Used as part of the military defence against Scotland, Worship, Education, monastery attached - home
Quarters
Large living quarters for the monastery – Dean lived
Decorations
Romanesque style, flying buttresses, stained glass windows – usually depicting saints. St Cuthbert, St Bede and St Oswald. Animal stone carvings, stone carvings of saints and religious stories.
Dedications
St Oswald, St Bede and St Cuthbert
Location
Durham, near water on raised land – closer to God and psychological message of power and control
Windows
Stained glass – religious stories and saints that the Cathedral is dedicated to

18. Task 8: Investigating Durham Cathedral
What are the differences between Norman Cathedrals and Anglo-Saxon churches?
Norman Cathedrals were Benedictine
There were more cathedrals built
Cathedrals are much larger and more dominant
Different style of architecture
Cathedrals were Romanesque
Cathedrals were grander and on a much larger scale
Why did the Normans want to build such big impressive structures?
Wanted to show the importance of God, that God was on the Normans side which legitimised their take over. To show that they were in charge. Intimated the English. Provided a base of education.
Use the maps to explain the location of Norman Cathedrals. What is similar different to the location of the A/S ones? Why are the Norman ones where they are/
Both located near the main cities and towns that developed i.e. York and Lincoln.
Much more Norman Cathedrals and churches built than Anglo-Saxons.
Anglo-Saxon
Norman

19. Why were the Normans building to emulate the Romans
Why were the Normans building to emulate the Romans? What does this tell us about their society, culture and values?
Romans were great – massive impressive powerful empire! Massive control over English.
What role did Durham Cathedral play in its local area?
Monastery and it provided the education of the area.
Role in protecting the North from the Scots – the Price Bishop of Durham had more power because of this.
How does Durham Cathedral reflect the changes and reforms made to the church under the Normans?
Role of the church and education
The role of monasteries
Role of a Prince Bishop having a military role and power
Dean was in charge of the Monastery – as per– under his hierarchical changes
Lanfrancs reforms
How does Durham Cathedral reflect Norman scoeity?
Rich and powerful – oppressive of the English!

20. Task 9: Possible Exam Questions
The main change that the Normans brought about was that they increased the influence of the Kings over the church. How far does a study of Durham Cathedral support this statement?
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21. The Normans wanted to build impressive cathedrals as a symbol of their power. How far does a study of Durham Cathedral support this statement?
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22. The Normans wanted to revive Monasticism
The Normans wanted to revive Monasticism. How far does a study of Durham Cathedral support this view?
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23. Mark Scheme Level/Mark Description Level 4 13-16m
Complex explanation of changes leading to a sustained judgement
Answer demonstrates a range of accurate and detailed knowledge and understanding that is relevant to the question.
Level m
Developed explanation of changes
Answer demonstrates a range of accurate knowledge and understanding that is relevant to the question.
Level 2 5-8m
Simple explanation of change(s)
Answer demonstrates specific knowledge and understanding that is relevant to the question.
Level 1 1-4m
Basic explanation of change(s)
Answer demonstrates basic knowledge and understanding that is relevant to the question.

24. Notes Page

25. Research Websites https://www.durhamworldheritagesite.com/history
Video on Romanesque Architecture