This week in Christian history: Pope excommunicates Venice, Father Francis Duffy born
Construction of new Salisbury Cathedral begins – April 28, 1220
This week marks the anniversary of when construction began on the new Salisbury Cathedral, with local clergy having decided that the church needed to be moved to a different location.
The original cathedral had been located within a hillfort known as Old Sarum, with the church being constructed shortly after the Norman Conquest of 1066.
However, issues with local authorities and poor water access prompted local priests to successfully petition the pope to give permission to move the cathedral about 2 miles away.
“Work on the new Cathedral started straight away and the foundation stones were laid on April 28, 1220, by the bishop alongside local nobles including William and Ela Longespée, the Earl and Countess of Salisbury,” according to Salisbury Cathedral’s website.
“The ceremony was watched by a ‘great crowd of people who shouted and wept for joy.’ Houses for the priests were built on the land, called the Close, surrounding the Cathedral.”
About five years after work began, the portion of the cathedral known as Trinity Chapel was completed, and by 1258 the cathedral was effectively completed and consecrated.
