| Summary : An ancient church of Roman work was restored by St Augustine with the aid of King Ethelbert. This was perhaps a collegiate foundation, although Gervase of Canterbury maintained that it was monastic, becoming collegiate under Ceolnoth, a dean who resigned in 833 to become archbishop. Its religious are referred to as `monachi' in 832. There were 60 monks circa 1080, 100 circa 1146, and 80 before 1349. In 1534 two of the monks were executed with the Maid of Kent, and in that year, the prior and 69 monks subscribed to the Act of Supremacy. After the suppression in 1540, a collegiate chapter was constituted for a dean and 12 prebendaries. (See TR15NE125 for Christ Church Cathedral and related records). |