St Peter's Cathedral, Lendert

Saint Peter's Cathedral
The Cathedral Priory of Saint Peter and Saint Blaise at Lendert
Location	Lendert-with-Cadell
Country	Great Nortend
Denomination	Church of Nortend
History
Dedication	St Peter, St Blaise
Consecrated	August 1st, 1284
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Style	Gothic
Years built	1111–1322
Administration
Diocese	Lendert and Cadell
Province	Limmes
Clergy
Lord Bishop of Lendert	Cardinal Alan Gough
Bishop of Cadell	Walter Fitzcolling
Prior of Lendert	Henry Finchen
Precentor	Matthew Reedman

St. Peter's Cathedral is a cathedral of the Church of Nortend in the capital city of Lendert-with-Cadell. It is the see of the Lord Bishop of Lendert, in the Diocese of Lendert and Cadell, as well as the church of the Benedictine Priory of Lendert. The Cathedral is formally titled the Cathedral Priory of St. Peter and St. Blaise at Lendert, dedicated to St Peter the Apostle and St Blaise. As a monastic cathedral, the conventual chapter serves as the cathedral chapter, whilst the Bishop of Lendert is also lawfully the Abbot of Lendert. As such, he appoints the Prior, who serves as a Dean of the cathedral chapter.

History

Abbey

The Cathedral was originally a Benedictine abbey, founded in 800 by Æthelfrey after the death of his father, Hartmold the Great, who was the first Christian king of Nortend. Originally a small house, by 977, records shew that there were fifty monks at the abbey, which had its own daughter priory at Galwick. This necessitated expansion and rebuilding, which had already begun in 922 under the abbot Geselwin, although building only started in 930 after funds were secured from the increasing number of pilgrims to the shrine of St. Blaise, whose relics had passed into the abbey's possession.

With the new buildings yet unfinished, in 1094, Lendert was besieged by invading forces from Lorecia which severely damaged the abbey buildings and destroyed the nearly completed nave, though the monk's quire and chancel remained mostly intact. The rebuilding of Lendert and Cadell brought skilled stonemasons to the city, who practised in the new Gothic style. Subsequently, when the entire abbey church was rebuilt beginning in 1111, it was mostly in this new Gothic style.

Cathedral Priory

With the increasing wealth and population of Lendert, the Royal Court settled down permanently in Lendert in the early 13th century. Desiring a cathedral in his capital, Eltbold appointed the abbot, Edward de Groive, as bishop in 1284, elevating the abbey into a bishopric by his charter. It is said that the Bishop of Lendert is also the Abbot of the Lendert. Indeed, Edward de Groive and the several bishops after him considered themselves the head of the priory and used the title of abbot in that capacity. However, by the time of the Bishop Thomas de Darton in 1402 at the latest, it had become usual for the prior to take the place as head of the priory, rather than merely the bishop-abbot's deputy. The change meant that the monks voted for their desired candidate for prior, who was presented to the abbot for appointment. However, at their installation, the Bishops of Lendert are still enthroned in the Chapter House as Abbot of Lendert by the Prior.

Architecture

Chapels

Masses and Offices of the Lady are sung daily in the Lady Chapel.

The Carolian Lady Chapel was completed in 1433 as the bequest of Charles I as an enlargement of the earlier lady chapel, situated at the eastern end of the chancel, behind the reredos of the High Altar. Six boys and four monks weekly are assigned to sing on rotation from the main choir at the Lady Chapel. Daily masses in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary are offered in the Lady Chapel, as well as the Offices of the Lady.

Location on the southern side of the chancel is the chapel and shrine of St. Blaise where relics of the 4th century saint were deposited during the rebuilding of the Abbey. There are also chapels dedicated to the Holy Trinity, St. Paul, St. John the Baptist, St. Michael, St. Andrew, St. Lawrence, St. Lucy, St. Benedict, and St. Silvester.

Establishment

The Cathedral Priory is a Benedictine religious house consisting of the Prior and the Convent of up to fifty monks and brothers. In 2020, there were 33 monks and 12 brothers. Additionally, there are eighteen boys in the choir, who attend the Cathedral Priory School, and a number of singing clerks.

Governance

The Cathedral is legally a distinct entity from the Priory. The Cathedral is the see of the Bishop, and is governed by the Provost and Chapter. The Priory is governed by the Prior and Convent. The Prior is also ex officio the Dean of the Cathedral Chapter, whilst the monks of the Convent are members of the Chapter.