St Rule's church proved too small as a cathedral, and about 1160 Bishop Arnold started work on an ambitious project to build a much grander and more appropriate building. However, this magnificent new cathedral was not to be completed for over a century.
By the late 1270's, in the time of William Wishart, who became bishop in 1271, much of the main building was nearing completion. Before it was finished, however, the west gable was blown down during a great storm. Wishart began rebuilding immediately, but he died soon after.
Eventually the cathedral was completed and consecrated by Bishop de Lamberton on 5 July 1318 - and what a day of rejoicing that was!
Sadly, the building was to suffer once more when it was damaged by fire in 1378.
Today is the 57th Anniversary of the Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Abbey.
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