As a major site of Christian worship since 685AD, one of the royal cities of Wessex and subsequently capital of England until William the Conqueror moved the capital to London, Winchester oozes history. The Old Minster was expanded over centuries, becoming a Benedictine Foundation in 971, before being demolished to make may for a Norman Cathedral amd Bendictine Foundation in 1079. The remains of Saxon Kings and Kings of the re-united England, translated from the Old Minster, occupy Mortuary Casks sitting on the Chancel screen. The sheer size of the Cathedral is breathtaking; at 551 feet long it is the longest of any Gothic cathedral and one of he largest cathedrals in Europe, befitting the Diocese' status as the second most wealthy in the Latin Church after Milan. Chantry Chapels and efigies of many of the great Bishops of Winchester, almost synonymous with the Lord Chancellor, betray the vast wealth of the diocese, much of it from highly dubious sources such as licensing the brothels of Southwark. The foundation, Winchester Priory, was surrendered to the King in 1539 with the new chapter of dean and Canons established in 1540. Updated march 2020
