Rochester Cathedral

Rochester Cathedral is the second oldest in England after Canterbury, founded in 604 by Bishop Justus. Rochester lies on the direct route from London to Dover and overlooking the Cathedral is the mighty Norman keep of Rochester castle, besieged by King John in 1215. The present Knave dates from Norman times and is built of stone imported from Caen, the home of William the Conqueror in 1086.

Amung its many memorials is one to Charles Dickens who mentions the Cathedral in his writing, there is also Colonel John Chard VC Royal Engineers, hero of the battle of Rorkes drift in the Zulu wars.

The Cathedral plays a prominant role in the Tudor story, with not one but two of it's bishops becoming martyrs after being executed by the monarch. Bishop Fisher, stalwart defender of King Henry's first wife Catherine of Aragon, was beheaded 22 June 1535 on the orders of Henry VIII for refusing to acknowledge that the King was head of the Church in England. Bishop Fisher died as a catholic, curiously Bishop Ridley died as a Protestant, executed by Mary 20 years later 16 October 1555. Ridley was burnt at the stake during Bloody Mary's reign of terror against protestants and he had the double misfortune to have supported Lady Jane Grey during her 9 days as Queen.

Henry VIII first met Anne of Cleves here in the Bishops Palace within the precincts of the Cathedral, that meeting led to Henry saying "I like her not!" but was it him that said the she was the flanders mare? That line probably came much later on. (see our blog of 27 December). The Cathedral holds Tudor festivals with music and dancing from the period and of course Henry gets to meet with Anne again.

Tudor History Tours visits Rochester during the Elizabeth I tours on four occasions during this year. See our tour program on our website for further details.

www.tudorhistorytours.com