Gundulf of Rochester facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gundulf |
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|---|---|
| Bishop of Rochester | |
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| Appointed | 1075 |
| Reign ended | 7 March 1108 |
| Predecessor | Arnost |
| Successor | Ralph d'Escures |
| Other posts | monk of St. Etienne in Caen |
| Orders | |
| Consecration | 19 March 1077 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1024 |
| Died | 7 March 1108 |
| Denomination | Catholic |
Gundulf (around 1024 - 1108) was a Norman monk. He came to England after the Norman Conquest in 1066. He became the Bishop of Rochester and the head of the Cathedral Priory there.
Gundulf was a very skilled builder. He helped construct many important buildings. These include Rochester Castle, Colchester Castle, and the famous White Tower at the Tower of London. He also worked on the Priory and Cathedral Church of Rochester.
Contents
Gundulf's Early Life and Journey to England
Gundulf was a monk at Bec Abbey in Normandy, France. He was a good friend and student of Lanfranc. Lanfranc later became the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Gundulf also served as a monk at St. Etienne in Caen. In 1070, he moved to England. He was one of many church leaders chosen by Lanfranc. Lanfranc wanted to help King William I improve the way monasteries worked in England.
Becoming Bishop of Rochester
In 1075, King William I agreed to make Gundulf the Bishop of Rochester. Gundulf officially became bishop on March 19, 1077.
Before this, Archbishop Lanfranc got back many lands that belonged to the church in Rochester. These lands had been taken by the king's half-brother, Odo. When Gundulf became bishop, Lanfranc gave these lands back to the church. This extra income helped Gundulf begin rebuilding the old church in 1080. It was in very bad condition.
Gundulf the Master Builder
King William I quickly noticed Gundulf's amazing building skills. In 1078, the King asked Gundulf to help build the White Tower. This tower is a main part of the Tower of London. People said Gundulf was "skilled at building in stone." He was the main person in charge of the White Tower project.
Around 1080, Gundulf also started building Colchester Castle. This castle looks very similar to the White Tower. This is why many believe Gundulf designed it.
Other Important Buildings
In 1080, Gundulf was also responsible for St. Leonard's Tower. This tower became part of a monastery in West Malling. Around 1092, Gundulf founded a new abbey for nuns called St Mary's in West Malling, Kent.
He also started St. Bartholomew's Hospital, Rochester. The chapel of this hospital is still standing today.
Building Rochester Cathedral Priory
In 1083, the Cathedral Priory of St. Andrew the Apostle was founded in Rochester. Gundulf became its Prior, or head. He bought a lot of land for the Priory. The Norman kings also gave the Priory more property.
Gundulf and Archbishop Lanfranc started building the monastery buildings. They also continued working on the church. Gundulf later placed the bones of St. Paulinus, an earlier Bishop of Rochester, in a silver shrine at the church. By the time Gundulf died in 1108, the main part of the church (the nave) and its front had been finished.
Gundulf and the Royal Engineers
King William I recognized Bishop Gundulf's talent for building. He sent Gundulf to Rochester as bishop. Soon after, the King asked him to oversee the building of the White Tower in 1078.
Under King William Rufus, Gundulf also worked on Rochester Castle. He served three Kings of England and earned their respect. Because of his skills, Gundulf is known as the first "King's Engineer."
Father of the Royal Engineers
Bishop Gundulf is considered the "father of the Corps of Royal Engineers." These are the military engineers of the British Army. The Corps believes their line of "King's Engineers" goes all the way back to Gundulf.
A modern statue of Gundulf stands at the west door of Rochester Cathedral. The Royal School of Military Engineering is very close to the cathedral. This connection means the Corps of Royal Engineers and Rochester Cathedral still have strong ties today.
Gallery of Architectural Work
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White Tower, Tower of London
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White Tower, Tower of London, showing part of the chapel
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Chapel of St. John, White Tower, Tower of London
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Colchester Castle, showing part of the chapel. The top two floors were removed in the 1700s.
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What's left of Gundulf's work at Rochester Castle
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Rochester Cathedral
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Rochester Cathedral seen from the Castle
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St Leonard's Tower, West Malling
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