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The great fire of 1116 was long been understood as the moment that set the rebuilding of Peterborough Cathedral in motion, marking a clear starting point for the extraordinary Romanesque church we see today. But what if parts of the cathedral project were already underway before the flames?Drawing on research presented in An Architectural History of Peterborough Cathedral, this talk revisits the traditional narrative and explores the possibility that construction began prior to the fire. By looking closely at the building’s fabric, design choices, and historical context, the lecture will show how architectural evidence can complicate written sources and invite us to rethink moments of apparent rupture as periods of continuity and adaptation.
This talk argues that the evidence points clearly toward construction beginning before the fire of 1116. By bringing together architectural analysis and historical context, it shows that the cathedral was not conceived solely as a response to disaster but as part of a longer, more deliberate building campaign already in progress. Rethinking the fire in this way allows us to see Peterborough Cathedral not as a sudden new beginning, but as a monument shaped by continuity, ambition, and long-term planning in the early twelfth century.
Lisa Reilly is Commonwealth Professor of Architectural History at the University of Virginia. She received her PhD in art history from the Institute of Fine Arts, New York University, following graduate study in medieval studies at the University of York. Her research focuses on medieval architecture and visual culture, particularly in England and the Norman world. She is the author of several books including An Architectural History of Peterborough Cathedral (Oxford University Press, 1997) and The Invention of Norman Visual Culture: Art, Politics, and Dynastic Ambition (Cambridge University Press, 2020). Her work combines close visual analysis with historical context to reconsider how medieval visual culture was conceived, constructed, and understood.
This event is being organised and promoted as a fundraiser in support of Peterborough Cathedral. All proceeds from ticket sales and associated event income will contribute directly to the Cathedral’s charitable work, including the preservation of the historic building, the continuation of worship and music and the delivery of education and community programmes. By attending, you are taking part in a dedicated fundraising event that helps ensure the Cathedral remains open, vibrant and accessible for present and future generations. Thank you for your support.
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Event Venue
Minster Precincts, PE1 1XS Peterborough, United Kingdom, Peterborough, United Kingdom
Tickets
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