Lichfield was the site of a cathedral from AD 670, founded by the missionary St Chad. When William the Conqueror decreed that cathedrals should be sited in major centres of population the see moved to Chester and then to Coventry but the church retained its status.
The current building dates from about AD1200 to AD 1400. The shrine to St Chad was destroyed by Henry Viii.
The Cathedral was the site of a siege during the Civil Was, the Dean and Chapter having declared for the King while the townsfolk supported the Parliamentarians. The church was desecrated and badly damaged when the Parliamnetarians won, only for Prince Rupert to retake it and further ravage it. After the final defeat of Charles the Cathedral was persistently savaged, including stripping the lead roof, until by the time of the Restoration it was considered to be beyond repair.