Description
Building of the wooden structure began in about 1038 on land given by Sigtryggr Silkenbeard, King of Dublin. It remained under the See of Canterbury until 1152 when it became independent. In around 1163 it was transferred to the Canons Regular of St. Augustine.
The building of a new cathedral began about 10 years later. The crypt of this church, which is still well preserved below the present structure, is the only one of this period in England or Ireland which stretches under the whole length of the building. The crypt contains many 12th and 13th century architectural fragments which formed part of the church, and also statues of Charles I and II made in 1684 for the Tholsel which no longer exists.
Otherwise the only parts of the original 12th century church which survive are the north and south transepts which are constructed in the best Romanesque style with three sets of windows, one above the other. Some of the capitals might be later, including one capital with figures at the corner of the nave and north transept; the use of such figures shows English influence in the building of the church.
The present nave was probably built by Archbishop John Comyn in around 1212, but the western bay was added after 1234, and in its lower portions it has been considerably restored in the last century. A new belfry was erected in 1330 to replace an earlier one which had been blown down.
The choir was rebuilt soon after 1250, but its present form is due largely to Street's reconstruction of 1871-8, during which very considerable parts of the Cathedral, as it now stands, were rebuilt. The entire building was restored in the 1980s. To the north-east of the choir is the chapel of St. Mary the Great (not normally accessible) which was rebuilt in the second half of the thirteenth century.
The effigy of an armoured knight, now under one of the south bays of the nave, is traditionally thought to represent Strongbow, but it really dates to around 1340. In the choir of the cathedral some other tombstones are preserved including one of a 12th or 13th century bishop. Remains of the 13th century Chapter House of the Augustinians can be seen to the south of the south transept; originally it fronted on to a cloister to the south of the nave which has long since disappeared.
The priory was suppressed in 1539 and given over to the Dean and Chapter. In 1562 the roof and the south wall of the nave fell, and the tower was replaced in 1608.