Winchester Cathedral

Bishop's see since 662. Norman cathedral begun 1079 by Bishop Walkelin. St Swithun's shrine destroyed 1538. William Walker saved the sinking cathedral 1906-1911.

Winchester was one of Anglo-Saxon England's most important cities, its bishop one of the kingdom's most powerful churchmen. The see was established by 662, and St Swithun served as bishop from around 852 until his death in 862. He asked to be buried outside the church where rain could fall on him. In 971, his remains were translated inside. According to legend, it rained for 40 days, giving rise to the July 15 superstition. After the Norman Conquest, William the Conqueror installed his kinsman Walkelin as bishop. In 1079, Walkelin began a vast new cathedral just south of the Old Minster. By 1093, the building was ready for consecration; the Old Minster was immediately demolished. St Swithun's remains were transferred to the new building, and pilgrimage resumed. The shrine became one of medieval England's most visited. But the cathedral's most dramatic chapter came in the 20th century. The waterlogged chalk foundations were sinking. Pumping out water caused further instability. The building seemed doomed. Then diver William Walker began working underwater in the flooded trenches around the foundations. For six years, up to six hours a day, he placed bags of concrete—over 25,000 in total. He saved the cathedral, and his statue stands as testimony.