St Peter And St Pauls Church |
| Hob Uid: 464611 | |
Location :
Kent
Canterbury
Non Civil Parish
|
| Grid Ref : TR1545057750 |
| Summary : The Abbey church of St Peter and St Paul was founded by King Ethelbert sometime during the period from 597 to 619. Its form is known from excavations carried out in the early years of the 20th century. It is also known from the remarkable account of the demolition of the building made in the late 11th century by the writer Goscelin. The surviving lower courses of the walls are constructed re-using Roman bricks and are covered on both sides with a thin plaster. Known from documentary sources and confirmed by excavation to have had an important funerary function. Indeed, the tombs discovered represent the earliest identified church burials in England. Demolished during the late 11th century. |
More information : (TR 15455775) Church of St Peter and St Paul. Ground plan survives
(see illustration card). Built by King Ethelbert C7. Later joined
with the chapel of St Mary (TR 15 NE 267) into a single enlarged
abbey church by Abbot Wulfric. (1)
Plan. (2)
The foundations of the E apse were uncovered beneath Wulfric's
octagon (TR 15 NE 266) during excavations c1915. (3-4)
The church was begun in 598 but not completed until 613. It consisted of a nave with a porticus or chapel on either side - that on the N for the tombs of the Archbishops and that on the S for the royal burial place. There may have been an apse at the E end and possibly another at the W end.
In 978 the church was enlarged and dedicated to SS Peter and Paul.
The whole of the N porticus or aisle was revealed during excavations
in 1913 by RU Potts. (5)
Additional reference. (6)
A large part of the floor of the original Saxon church was exposed
during excavations in the nave of the Abbey Church by RU Potts, 1922.
(7)
Additional references. (8-11)
An E. cross wall of the church was revealed during excavations in
1957 and 1958 by A Saunders (see illustration card for plan). (12)
Additional references. (13-14)
Demolished c1073 - c1091 for construction of the Romanesque Church
(TR 15 NE 350). (15)
Additional reference. (16)
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