Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Chester Cathedral
Hob Uid: 69130
Location : Cheshire West and Chester Non Civil Parish
Grid Ref : SJ4060066460
Summary : Originally a college of secular priests, established circa 907 AD until 1093 AD when a Benedictine monastery was founded, dissolved in 1539. Most of the medieval monastery buildings have survived, including the cloisters, Norman undercroft, refectory,parlour and chapter house. The church became a cathedral after dissolution in 1541. The cathedral shows all styles from Norman to late Perpendicular and is perhaps chiefly noted for its fine 14th century choir stalls. Restoration was carried out in the later 19th century by Sir George Gilbert Scott. Dedicated to St Werburgh and built of sandstone.Dependencies: Hilbre, and Saighton Grange.
More information : [SJ 4060 6646] St.Werburgh's Abbey [GT] Cathedral [TC] [SJ 4057 6651] Refectory [GT] [SJ 4050 6648] Abbey Gate [GT] (1) The Cathedral Church of Christ and the Blessed Virgin, formerly the Abbey Church of St. Werburgh, is said to stand upon the site of an early church dedicated to S.S Peter & Paul. The place of this was taken by the church of S.S Werburgh and Oswald possibly when the remains of St Werburgh (d.c. 700) were taken to Chester from Hanbury in Staffordshire (2). The abbey replaced the collegiate foundation of 875, (4) was founded in 1093 and continued under the Benedictine Order until the Dissolution when it became the cathedral church of the newly created diocese of Chester. The present building contains many styles from Norman onwards. The refectory is Early English and the Abbey Gateway, Decorated (3). Secular college dates from before 940 to 1093. Abbey founded 1093. Dissolved 1539. Cathedral established 1541 (4) Abbey Gateway - Scheduled. (5) (2-5) The Cathedral is in normal use. The Refectory and the Abbey Gate have been restored and are well preserved. See G.P. AO/64/226/7 (6) No change since report of 28 7 64. (7) Abbey Gateway, Grade 1 (8)

Sources :

Source Number : 1
Source :
Source details : OS 1:1250 1959
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Source Number : 2
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Page(s) : 308-10
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Vol(s) : 94 (1937)

Source Number : 3
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Source details : Old Cheshire Churches 1947 93-101 plan photos (R. Richards)
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Source Number : 4
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Source details : 1953
Page(s) : 62,423,470
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Source Number : 5
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Source details : List of the Ancient Monuments of England & Wales 1961 (M.O.W.)
Page(s) : 22
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Source Number : 6
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Source details : F1 TPW 28-JUL-64
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Source Number : 7
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Source details : F2 DJC 25-FEB-76
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Source Number : 8
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Source details : City of Chester, Cheshire (10.1.72 105)
Page(s) : 105
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Vol(s) : 595

Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Early Medieval
Display Date : Between 907-1093
Monument End Date : 1093
Monument Start Date : 907
Monument Type : College Of Secular Priests, Collegiate Church
Evidence : Extant Building

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : Function change between 1093-1539
Monument End Date : 1539
Monument Start Date : 1093
Monument Type : Benedictine Monastery, Church, Cloister, Refectory, Chapter House, Undercroft, Abbey
Evidence : Extant Building, Subterranean Feature

Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : Function change in 1536
Monument End Date : 1536
Monument Start Date : 1536
Monument Type : Cathedral
Evidence : Extant Building

Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : Restored in the later C19
Monument End Date : 1900
Monument Start Date : 1867
Monument Type : Cathedral
Evidence : Extant Building

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : NBR Index Number
External Cross Reference Number : 96660
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : Listed Building List Entry Legacy Uid
External Cross Reference Number : 54902
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : Unified Designation System UID
External Cross Reference Number : 1376398
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : SJ 46 NW 43
External Cross Reference Notes :

Related Warden Records :

Associated Monuments :
Relationship type : General association

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1964-07-28
End Date : 1964-07-28

Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1976-02-25
End Date : 1976-02-25

Associated Activities :
Activity type : DESK BASED ASSESSMENT
Start Date : 1995-01-01
End Date : 1995-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY
Start Date : 1995-11-14
End Date : 1995-11-14

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EVALUATION
Start Date : 1996-01-01
End Date : 1996-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1996-01-01
End Date : 1997-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY
Start Date : 1998-01-01
End Date : 1998-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY
Start Date : 1999-01-01
End Date : 1999-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EVALUATION
Start Date : 2000-01-01
End Date : 2000-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY
Start Date : 2001-01-01
End Date : 2001-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 2002-01-01
End Date : 2002-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EVALUATION
Start Date : 2010-01-01
End Date : 2011-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : WATCHING BRIEF
Start Date : 2012-01-01
End Date : 2013-12-31

Historic England Research Records

Chester Cathedral