Norman Times - A.D 1066 to 12th Century (1066 -1215)

Throughout the Norman times there was continued development in the city. Worcester saw the newly appointed Sheriff (Urse d'Abitot) build a motte and bailey near the present Cathedrals location. This would later become upgraded from it's wooden foundations to something more permanent. This proved highly unpopular with the local monk's as it encroached into the sacred grounds of the present religious site, the graveyard to be precise!

Also during this time one of the most significant developments in Worcester's history, that being the Cathedral. The Cathedral replaced the Benedictine Monastery of St Mary's which was founded by St. Oswald in 961, but was later left to partial ruin by Danish invaders in 1041.

Wulfstan, distressed by the destruction of this sacred building took it on himself to build the first Cathedral. The present Cathedral bears little of the original architecture first designed and built by Wulfstan, in fact the Crypt represents most of that which remains. Wulfstan, (Later canonised as St Wulfstan) was a Saxon bishop, who remained in office through the Norman invasion. He was respected greatly by both Saxon and Norman. Between the years of 1084 and 1089 Worcester's Cathedral was built. It was Romanesque and was built mainly of Cotswold limestone, this would have provided quite a spectacle to the onlooker. Take a look at the section on Worcester Cathedral for more information.

It was Wulfstan's efforts and works at this time until his death in 1095, that helped to make Worcester one of the most important place of religious interest throughout its history, until the present day.