in the Galilee Chapel 73
Detail of the Galilee Chapel 75
The Font and Cover 80
The Crypt 85
Stone Coffin Lid 88
The Chapter Library 99
The Chapel or Crypt, Durham Castle 103
Staircase in the Castle 107
The Cathedral and Castle, from the North 113

PLAN AND DIMENSIONS 118

* * * * *

[Illustration: The Exterior, from the College.]

DURHAM CATHEDRAL

CHAPTER I

THE BUILDING OF THE CHURCH

The traveller northward by the East Coast Route cannot fail to be struck
by the beauty of the city of Durham, with its red-roofed houses nestling
beneath the majestic site of the cathedral and castle. For splendid
position the Cathedral of Durham stands unequalled in this country; on
the Continent, perhaps that of Albi can alone be compared with it in
this respect. The cathedral and Norman Castle are upon the summit of a
lofty tongue of land which is almost surrounded by the River Wear. In
parts the banks are rocky and steep, in others thickly wooded. The river
itself is spanned here and there by fine and historic bridges.

The early history of Durham is obscure. There are many vague legends in
existence, a natural consequence, perhaps, when we remember the various
and often speedy changes of ownership to which that part of the country
was for centuries subjected.

To lead up clearly to the founding of the Cathedral of Durham, it will
be necessary to describe briefly the earliest introduction of
Christianity into the north of England. That Christianity was known in
this country during the time of the Romans there is sufficient evidence
to prove. There is, however, little to show that it existed in the north
to any appreciable extent. All or nearly all the carved stones, altars,
etc., disinterred in that part of the country have been of undoubted
Pagan origin.

The ancient kingdom of Northumbria comprised the present counties of
Durham, Northumberland, and Yorkshire, and a part of the south-east of
Scotland as far north as the Firth of Forth. This kingdom was
sub-divided into two portions. The Southern, or Deir