The Shrine of St Cuthbert

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The original building of Durham Cathedral (1093 – 1133) provided at one end a curved space that became the location of St Cuthbert’s shrine. In 1270 this was expanded into the Chapel of the Nine Altars which provided much more space close to the shrine.
The shape of the original Norman Cathedral is helpfully marked out by a semi-circular metal line set on the floor of the Feretory.
This shows us the original size and shape of the building ordered by William the Conqueror, and how much the cathedral has grown since.

The cathedral relied heavily on pilgrims coming to visit St Cuthbert’s shrine and making a donation. The ever-increasing number of pilgrims resulted in long queues which impacted the holy experience.
There was no choice but to expand. The new Chapel of the Nine Altars at the east end was designed to give more space for visitors to gather and pray.

To raise the money needed for this new extension the Bishop of Durham decided to give out favours or ‘indulgences’ to those able to make a substantial donation. An indulgence would excuse you from some of your sins, meaning you would get to heaven quicker when you died. The news spread and other Bishops who supported the extension joined in. For instance, the Bishop of Ely, Hugh Northwold, offered 30 days of forgiveness of sins to those who gave big donations.

Unfortunately, the ground space available for this expansion had already been rejected because the earth was unsteady. Fountains Abbey monastery in North Yorkshire inspired a new design.
To make an eastward extension practical, the new chapel was built three feet lower than the Quire. This benefitted the overall design by increasing the interior height of the new chapel.