This is a replica of the Sanctuary
Knocker which adorned the North Door of Durham Cathedral for
centuries. It takes its name from the fact that, in the Middle
Ages, people who had committed a great offence could touch the
knocker and would be granted sanctuary for 37 days, during
which time the person had to choose between trial and
voluntary exile. The hideousness of the monster's features was
designed to ward off evil from the place of sanctuary at
Durham Cathedral.
St Cuthbert (who
is buried in the cathedral)
Looking toward the east end from the west end
St Aidan embarks
on his mission from Iona.
St Aidan is received at Bamburgh Castle
by King Oswald
St Aidan
St Cuthbert preaches in a mountain village.
St Cuthbert
The Norman pillars are enormous!
The Venerable Bede
(buried at the cathedral) instructing his disciples.
The Venerable Bede
The Tomb of the Venerable Bede
This magnificent organ case was built in the 1680s by Bernard
Schmidt, known as 'Father Smith'.
This case sat above the entrance to the Quire until 1847, when
it was moved. Although spectacular to look at, the case is no
longer in use.
The Cloister
This part of the cloister was used in one of the "Harry
Potter" movies.
Another view of the cloister
The Chapter House
The Medieval Clock
The Bishop's Throne. Legend has it that Bishop Hatfield had it
built one inch higher than the throne of the Pope!!
The High Altar (not as high as the bishop's throne though!)
The Quire
The Transfiguration Window was installed in 2010.
The Shrine of St Cuthbert
The windows on the wall of the east end
The Nativity
The Pulpit
The three photos
above show details of the pulpit.
The Rose Window depicts Christ seated in glory (centre), the
the twelve disciples, then the 24 elders (as described in
Revelation 4:4).
This building is the 14th century monks' dormitory. The roof
is orginal. It is now used as the Cathedral Museum.
The Neasham Cross - 13th century
Neasham, County Durham Sandstone
This carved cross is believed to have come from Neasham
Priory, a Benedictine house founded in about 1150 for a
community of nuns. One side of the cross shows the Crucifixion
of Jesus Christ, with the Virgin Mary and St John.
The other side shows Christ seated on a throne in Heaven, his
hand raised in blessing. He is surrounded by three of the four
traditional symbols for the Evangelists: a winged lion, a
winged ox and a winged man. The symbol of St John, an eagle,
is missing from the top.
This is the original doorknocker which used to be on the
northern door of the cathedral.
The ceiling of the kitchen from the monastery.
St Cuthbert's comb was buried with him when he died in 687.
Hidden in his robes and undisturbed for over 1,100 years, this
beautiful
'pectoral' (worn on the chest) cross is the earliest item
found in St Cuthbert's coffin. It is made of gold, set with
small pieces of garnet and shell. It shows signs of wear, with
old repairs - one garnet has been lost and replaced with a
piece of red glass - and Cuthbert may have worn it during his
lifetime as an episcopal (Bishops') cross. It was either
buried with him when he died in 687 or placed in the coffin in
698 when Cuthbert's sainthood was recognised.
This is the coffin in which St Cuthbert was placed in 698,
eleven years after his death, when his body was discovered to
be incorrupt and his sainthood recognised. The fragments were
recovered from his tomb when it was opened in 1827.
Detail of above
We left the cathedral about lunchtime and headed
towards Beamish. You can find out about our adventures there by
clicking on the "Forward" button below.