Cathedrals of England Trivia Quiz

Salisbury Cathedral, located in Wiltshire, England, is a masterpiece of Early English Gothic architecture. It was built between 1220 and 1258.

Its most striking feature is the soaring 404-foot spire, the tallest in Britain, which was added in the 14th century. It also houses the world's oldest working mechanical clock, dating back to 1386, and has the largest cloister and cathedral close in the country.

It holds great historical significance, as it's home to one of the four surviving original copies of the Magna Carta, a document in the development of constitutional law. The cathedral's construction helped establish the modern city of Salisbury

Gloucester Cathedral, officially the Cathedral Church of St Peter and the Holy and Indivisible Trinity, was originally founded as an abbey in 678 AD. The current structure began in 1089 under Abbot Serlo. Its Norman nave, with massive pillars and preserved masons' marks, remains largely unchanged after 900 years.

The cathedral's east end and crypt are also Romanesque, while later additions, such as the fan-vaulted cloisters and tower, reflect the Perpendicular Gothic style.

It's also the burial site of King Edward II, whose tomb became a pilgrimage destination, and it played a role in royal history when Henry III was crowned there in 1216. Gloucester Cathedral's 14th-century Great East Window was once the largest in the world and remains a marvel of medieval stained glass.

Liverpool Cathedral is officially called the Cathedral Church of Christ in Liverpool. It's the largest cathedral in Britain and the fifth largest in the world. Designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, its construction began in 1904 and spanned over seven decades, finally completing in 1978.

It's an example of Gothic Revival architecture, with a monumental tower rising 331 feet (100.8 meters) and a nave stretching over 600 feet in length. Despite its traditional style, the building incorporates modernist elements, reflecting the evolving architectural tastes of the 20th century.

It was built to reflect Liverpool's growing prominence as a major port city and its newly established Anglican diocese in 1880. It survived two World Wars during its construction. Inside, visitors can admire the Lady Chapel, the Great West Window, and one of the heaviest and highest peals of bells in the world.

St Albans Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban, stands on the site of Britain's first Christian martyr's grave and is considered the oldest site of continuous Christian worship in the country. It was founded as a Benedictine monastery in 793 by King Offa of Mercia and has evolved over the centuries. The current structure dates back to 1077.

The cathedral's history is deeply tied to Saint Alban, whose shrine became a major pilgrimage destination. After the Norman Conquest, Abbot Paul of Caen oversaw significant rebuilding, and the cathedral was consecrated in 1115.

Its 11th-century bell tower is a rare surviving example of its kind, and the interior has medieval wall paintings and a beautifully restored shrine of Saint Alban from the 14th century.

Winchester Cathedral, in Hampshire, England, is one of the largest and most historically significant cathedrals in Europe. Originally founded in 1079, it was built on the site of an earlier church that dated back to 645 AD. It has a blend of architectural styles, from the massive Norman crypt to the soaring Perpendicular Gothic nave, the longest of any Gothic cathedral in Europe at 558 feet (170 meters).

Over the centuries, it was expanded and remodelled by successive bishops, resulting in a structure that reflects nearly a thousand years of English ecclesiastical design.

It was once the seat of royal power during the Anglo-Saxon and Norman periods and served as a major pilgrimage site. Notable figures such as Jane Austen are buried there, and the cathedral houses one of the world's most exquisite illuminated bibles.

St Paul's Cathedral in London is a masterpiece of English Baroque architecture. It was designed by Sir Christopher Wren and completed in 1710 after the Great Fire of London destroyed the previous medieval cathedral. Built on top of Ludgate Hill, the highest point in the City of London, it features a dramatic façade and a dome that rises 365 feet, making it one of the largest cathedral domes in the world.

The cathedral has played a central role in British history, hosting state funerals, royal jubilees, and national services of thanksgiving. Its interior includes the Whispering Gallery, the ornate choir, and the crypt where notable figures like Admiral Nelson and the Duke of Wellington are buried.

St Paul's also survived the Blitz during World War II, becoming a symbol of resilience. Today, it's a place of worship and a major cultural landmark, drawing visitors from around the globe.

Canterbury Cathedral, located in Kent, England, is one of the oldest and most famous Christian structures in the country. Founded in 597 AD by St Augustine, it became the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the spiritual leader of the Church of England.

The current building began in 1070 after the Norman Conquest, showing a blend of Romanesque and Gothic architecture. Its towering nave, intricate stained glass, and the 236-foot central tower reflect centuries of architectural evolution.

The cathedral is most renowned as the site of the 1170 murder of Archbishop Thomas Becket, an event that turned it into a major pilgrimage destination, immortalised in Chaucer's 'Canterbury Tales'. Visitors today can see Becket's shrine, the medieval crypt, and the stunning fan vaulting of the cloisters. It's a UNESCO World Heritage.

York Minster, officially the Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of Saint Peter in York, is one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Northern Europe. Its origins trace back to 627 AD, when a wooden church was built for the baptism of King Edwin of Northumbria. The current stone structure began in 1220 and was completed in 1472.

York Minster is famous for its medieval stained glass, including the Great East Window, the largest expanse of medieval glass in the world. It has served as the seat of the Archbishop of York, the second-highest office in the Church of England, and has played a central role in English religious and political history.

Beneath the cathedral lies a Roman-era crypt and remnants of earlier churches, revealing layers of York's spiritual heritage. Today, York Minster remains an active place of worship and a major cultural landmark.

Lincoln Cathedral, formally known as the Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Lincoln, was commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1072 and consecrated in 1092, it was rebuilt and expanded after a devastating fire and earthquake in the 12th century.

The cathedral's most notable feature was its central spire, completed in 1311, which reached an astonishing 160 meters (520 feet), making it the tallest building in the world at the time, surpassing even the Great Pyramid of Giza.

It has intricate stained glass windows like the Dean's Eye and Bishop's Eye. The cathedral also houses the tomb of Saint Hugh of Lincoln and has long been a centre of religious, cultural, and civic life in the region. Its elevated hilltop location makes it visible for miles.

Durham Cathedral, the Cathedral Church of Christ, Blessed Mary the Virgin and St Cuthbert of Durham, is one of the finest examples of Norman architecture in Europe. Construction began in 1093 to house the shrine of St Cuthbert, a revered Anglo-Saxon saint, and the building was largely completed within 40 years.

Its massive stone columns, rib-vaulted ceilings, and use of pointed arches marked a turning point in medieval architecture, influencing the development of the Gothic style across Europe.

Perched dramatically on a rocky promontory above the River Wear, the cathedral forms a UNESCO World Heritage Site alongside Durham Castle. It also houses the tomb of the Venerable Bede, an early English historian and monk. Despite centuries of change, Durham Cathedral has retained much of its original Norman character. Its grandeur even earned it a role as a filming location for the Harry Potter films.