1096 – 1538
The Benedictine life was brought to Norwich by the first Bishop of Norwich, Herbert de Losinga. A monk from Fécamp Abbey in Normandy he founded his Cathedral as a Priory, to be cared for by a resident community living under the Holy Rule of St Benedict. Benedict’s Rule was written for the monks of a community he established at Monte Cassino in Italy around 530AD and gives detailed and very humane instructions for the ordering of monastic life. His advice continues to inspire and shed light on dilemmas facing today’s world and an excerpt from Rule of St. Benedict is read at Evensong in Norwich Cathedral each day.
The monks and lay brothers lived and worked in buildings stretching around today’s Close and worshipped night and day in the Cathedral Church. They offered hospitality to pilgrims and those seeking help and advice, and were men of learning, using their knowledge and skills to serve the wider community.
The Reformation
Although the Priory was dissolved at the Reformation in 1538, the last Prior became the first Dean of the re-founded Cathedral, and some of the monks became Residentiary Canons. The Prior’s lodging became the Deanery and Carnary College, a school within the monastery precinct, was re-founded and continued in the Close in the shape of Norwich School. The tradition of stable community life, rooted in daily public worship and issuing especially in the work of learning and hospitality, continued unbroken.
Today
The plan of the old monastic buildings illustrates how closely today’s Cathedral fits within the footprint of Herbert de Losinga’s original vision. The Cathedral’s Mission Statement ensures that the founder’s Benedictine principles of worship, hospitality and learning govern all that we do today and inspire our plans for the future.
Worship continues every day in formal services and the prayers of individual visitors. Our ability to welcome all has been boosted by building the award-winning Refectory Restaurant and Coffee Shop on the site of the original monastic dining hall. We offer a wide range of opportunities for learning ranging from schools programmes to activities in the community to training musicians to offering work experience.
Tomorrow
We have just opened a new Hostry Visitor and Education Centre on the site of the original Hostry guest hall. This will enhance our ability to provide hospitality and learning.
It is because of our concern that Norwich Cathedral should continue this unbroken tradition that we have decided not to charge for admission. It costs over £3,700 a day to maintain the Cathedral and its mission and we receive no state grants. We rely on the generosity of our visitors. When you enjoy a meal in the Refectory, buy a guidebook or make a donation you are helping to maintain the Cathedral for future generations.