Cathedral Church

The Cathedral Church was originally built as the priory church for Austin Canons after the mid-12th century. The top stage and spire of the central tower were added in the early 13th century, followed by the mid-13th century construction of the Lady Chapel, which forms the north aisle of the presbytery. The north aisle's top stage features the early 14th century Latin Chapel. Around 1330, the chapel of St Lucy, located east of the south transept, was extended eastwards. The late 15th century saw the addition of a clerestory and a stone vault in the presbytery. Between 1524 and 1529, the west end was destroyed to accommodate Wolsey's college, and a wall was constructed between the fourth columns west of the crossing. The cathedral underwent refitting from 1629 to 1638 and was restored in 1856. A significant restoration led by Sir Gilbert Scott took place in 1870, which included the removal of the west wall, the addition of one bay to the nave, the replacement of the east window with a restoration, and the rebuilding of much of the south aisle of the presbytery. The cathedral houses many notable monuments, including an effigy of a knight.