Bells Cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of Durham | Page 6

in architectural style, he was able to carry out a great deal
of beautiful work.
He began to build a Lady Chapel at the east end of the choir, but
although he had made careful preparations, and engaged skilled
architects and workmen, great cracks appeared in the walls before the
work had proceeded far, and the building was stopped. Bishop Pudsey,
taking this as a divine revelation that the work was not pleasing to God,
and the patron S. Cuthbert, abandoned it and commenced another
chapel at the west end of the church, using in its erection the Purbeck
marble bases and columns which he had had prepared for his eastern

chapel. This second attempt was successful and remains to us in that
beautiful and unique specimen of Transitional work, the Galilee Chapel.
Its date may be taken, says Canon Greenwell, "as about the year 1175."
Besides this work Pudsey built the hall and solar now called (at the top)
the "Norman Gallery" of Durham Castle.
Little or nothing further seems to have been done until the translation
of Bishop Poore from the see of Sarum to Durham in 1229. The name
of Bishop Poore is inseparably connected with the building of the
present Salisbury Cathedral, and after his removal to Durham he
conceived the idea of, and made preparations for, commencing the
eastern transept of the Cathedral, which is a special feature of Durham,
now known as the Chapel of the Nine Altars. He was not, however,
destined to live to see his idea carried out.
The eastern termination of Carileph's choir had been apsidal; it was
found to be in a very unsafe condition, cracks and fissures appearing in
the walls. Various bishops and priors sent aid towards "the new work,"
but actual building did not commence until after the death of Bishop
Poore in 1237. The erection was commenced by Prior Melsanby and, of
course, necessitated the taking down of Carileph's apses. The revaulting
of the choir was undertaken at this time, doubtless, for artistic reasons,
to bring the new work into harmony with the old. The Chapel of the
Nine Altars is a rare and valuable specimen of Early English Gothic
architecture of remarkable and graceful design. Below each of its nine
lancet windows was originally an altar, dedicated to different saints. Its
great height was obtained by lowering the floor, so that the unity of the
whole exterior should not be destroyed. Prior Melsanby is also said to
have put a new roof on the church.
Prior Hugh de Derlington, who was at the head of affairs from 1258 to
1272, and later from 1285 to 1289, added a belfry to the central tower.
John Fossor, made prior of Durham in 1342, inserted the large window
in the north transept and the west windows of the nave.
Bishop Thomas de Hatfield (1346 to 1381) seems to have done no
architectural work beyond the erection of his own throne and tomb (in

which he was afterwards buried) on the south side of the choir. This is
an elaborate and sumptuous piece of work, and shows remains of rich
colouring and gilding. About this time, also, the beautiful altar screen
known as the Neville screen was erected. Its cost was principally borne
by Lord John Neville, though the Priors Fossor and Berrington and the
subordinate cells of Jarrow and Monkwearmouth were also contributors.
The screen is of stone--very light and graceful, and originally contained
in the niches 107 figures, which have unfortunately been destroyed.
Bishop Walter de Skirlaw, who occupied the episcopal throne from
1388 to 1405, was a great builder. To him mainly we owe the present
cloisters, though they were completed by his successor, Cardinal
Langley, in 1418.
The monks' dormitory on the western side of the cloister is also of this
time. On the southern side was the refectory. This portion was rebuilt
by Dean Sudbury between 1661 and 1684 and converted into a library,
and such it remains to-day.
Near the refectory is the kitchen, built by Prior Fossor. It is octagonal
in plan, and possesses a fine groined roof. It is now attached to the
deanery, and known as the dean's kitchen.
We must now turn our attention to the erection of the present central
tower. The belfry added by Hugh de Derlington was in 1429 struck by
lightning and set on fire. It must after this have been repaired in some
way, but in 1456 it was in a very unsafe and dangerous condition, as
the following letter written by the prior, William Ebchester, to Bishop
Neville testifies:--
"The Belfry of your church, both in its masonry and timber, in
consequence of winds and storms is so enfeebled and shaken, that
doubts are entertained of its standing for any length of time. We