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The Cathedral as it stands today was begun by Norman Bishop Peter de Leia in 1181, and, adds twelfth-century author Gerald of Wales, was home to some friendly jackdaws. The central tower collapsed twice over the next century.
In 1123, Pope Calixtus II granted Bishop Bernard's request to bestow a papal privilege upon St Davids, making it a centre of pilgrimage for the Western world; the Pope decreed that "Two pilgrimages to St Davids is equal to one to Rome, and three pilgrimages to one to Jerusalem". [2]
The site of St Davids Cathedral has been an active place of worship since the sixth century. Explore the history of St David, or Dewi Sant, the community he founded here and the role he continues to play in Wales today.
In the 12th century the Pope recognised St Davids as a place of pilgrimage. The monastery here, known as Menevia, was attacked many times. In 1089 thieves stole precious metals from St David’s shrine. The present cathedral building mostly dates from the 13th century. The tower collapsed in 1220.
The construction of the new church began around 1180 – 1182, under the patronage of Peter de Leia, the Norman bishop of St Davids. At that time, a Romanesque nave was built, and in the next century a chancel, the transept and a tower at the crossing were added.
As Saint David’s reputation spread, his monastery grew and a community developed. Unfortunately it also drew the attention of the Vikings, who plundered it many times over the next few centuries. The Normans eventually took over the monastery and began building the current cathedral in 1181.
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St Davids Cathedral is found in the small city of St Davids in Pembrokeshire. Pilgrims travel to visit the Cathedral of the Patron Saint of Wales – Dewi Sant, or Saint David. St David was...
