Winchester Cathedral in Winchester, Hampshire is one of the largest cathedrals in England. The earliest part of the present cathedral building is the crypt, which dates from the early 12th century. The squat, square central tower was begun in 1202, and has an indisputably Norman look to it. Work continued on the cathedral during the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries, and restoration work was carried out by T.G. Jackson during the years 1905-1912. The cathedral is dedicated to the Holy Trinity, Saint Peter and Saint Paul.
It is part of a former monastic settlement, originally founded in 642. The Benedictine foundation was dissolved in 1539.
William II of England (son of William I, "the Conqueror") was buried in the Catheral on August 11, 1100, when he was killed in a hunting accident in nearby New Forest.
Nowadays the cathedral draws many tourists as a result of its association with Jane Austen, who died in the city and is buried in the cathedral's north aisle of the nave. The original Eighteenth Century marker gave reluctant praise for her writing ability. Much later a more descriptive marker about Miss Austen's talent was placed on a nearby wall.
Boxes said to contain the remains of Saxon kings, and dating (allegedly) from before the founding of the cathedral, have been housed in the cathedral for centuries.
Winchester Cathedral is possibly the only cathedral to have had a popular song written about it. Winchester Cathedral was a UK top ten hit for the New Vaudeville Band in 1966.
The crypt, which frequent floods, features a statue by Anthony Gormley, called Sound II, installed in 1986.
Important events which took place at Winchester Cathedral:
- Coronation of Edward the Confessor (1043)
- Marriage of Edward the Confessor and Edith (1045)
- Coronation of Matilda of Flanders as queen consort (1068)
- Coronation of Henry the Young King and his queen, Marguerite (1172)
- Second coronation of Richard I of England (1194)
- Marriage of King Henry IV of England and Joanna of Navarre (1403)
- Marriage of Queen Mary I of England and King Philip II of Spain (1554)
