The rich history of Ripon Cathedral: A journey through time with St Wilfrid

Ripon Cathedral in North Yorkshire stands as an important historical and religious site in England, its origins dating back to the Anglo-Saxon era. St Wilfrid (c. AD 633-~710) played a significant role in the foundation of what was to become Ripon Cathedral. The church he constructed in the 660s-670s, dedicated to St Peter, was one of the first stone buildings erected in Northumbria since the Roman legions left Britain more than two centuries earlier. While much of that structure has been rebuilt many times over the centuries, ultimately becoming Ripon Cathedral, the stone crypt from Wilfrid's church remains to this day - more on that later.

 

The hagiographical Vita Sancti Wilfrithi, written by Stephen of Ripon and Bede's Ecclesiastical History of the English People (Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum), both near-contemporary, are the main sources for Wilfrid's life and activities.

Stephen's account stresses the impressiveness of Wilfrid's church at Ripon, which was almost certainly built with reclaimed stone from older Romano-British buildings in the area. He writes, "In Ripon Wilfrid built a church of dressed stones, supported by various columns and side chambers..."

The accounts reveal that Wilfrid, who had been educated at Lindisfarne and in Rome, was given an abbey by the son of a Northumbrian king. He subsequently refounded what had been a Celtic monastery in the Benedictine tradition.

"Alfrid, having been instructed in Christianity by Wilfrid, a most learned man, who had first gone to Rome to learn the ecclesiastical doctrine, and spent much time at Lyons with Dalfin, archbishop of France, from whom also he had received the ecclesiastical tonsure, rightly thought this man's doctrine ought to be preferred before all the traditions of the Scots. For this reason he had also given him a monastery of forty families, at a place called Rhypum; which place, not long before, he had given to those that followed the system of the Scots for a monastery; but forasmuch as they afterwards, being left to their choice, prepared to quit the place rather than alter their opinion, he gave the place to him, whose life and doctrine were worthy of it." From Bede's Ecclesiastical History of the English People via Internet History Sourcebooks

As this suggests Wilfrid's involvement in the region is associated with his efforts to establish monastic communities and promote the Roman style of Christianity over the more established Celtic or Irish monastic tradition. 

Wilfrid is generally depicted as a charismatic and influential figure in the early English Church, playing a key role in the Synod of Whitby in 664, where the issue of calculating the date of Easter was discussed and ultimately resolved in favor of the Roman method. With his local patron supporting the imposition of Roman customs in the region, it's no surprise that Wilfrid became Bishop of York.

Writings about Wilfrid generally praise his efforts in spreading Christianity and his contributions to the organizational structure of the Church in what was to become England. His conflicts with other ecclesiastical and political figures are also mentioned, particularly his disputes with other bishops and his struggles for control over various dioceses. Indeed he was banished from his bishopric on more than one occasion, travelling to other regions in interim periods on missionary work. Among his important local contemporaries at a crucial time for strengthening Christianity in early England were Hilda of Whitby and St Cuthbert.

Crypt

The stone crypt built for the church at Wilfrid's abbey still survives today even as the building above was rebuilt over the centuries. It dates to c. AD 672, making it not just the oldest part of Ripon cathedral but the oldest built structure in any English cathedral. The crypt was used for worship and displaying relics. It was possibly the original resting place for Wilfrid after his death (his remains were later moved from Ripon).

Quire

Another notable feature of the cathedral is the quire, where daily prayer and evensong take place. Here on the underside of the 15th century wooden seats are a series of misericords, little ledges to rest against when the seats are up. The curious scenes depicting animals and fantastical creatures are said to have influenced the imagination of Lewis Carroll and the writing of Alice in Wonderland. Lewis Carroll's father Charles Dodgson Sr was a canon at Ripon Cathedral and Carroll is known to have spent time there.

Misericord takes its name from the Latin word 'misericordia', meaning mercy. These ledges were designed to be a rest during long periods of standing while at prayer.

Don't miss the museum collection upstairs, with items including 9th century coinage and, above, the stunning Ripon Cathedral.

While the historic crypt alone makes Ripon Cathedral a destination worth exploring, it offers a myriad of other features for visitors to immerse themselves in, as well as giving us a glimpse of the legacy of one of England's early saints.