The abbey church at Gloucester built by Abbot Serlo was dedicated by Samson the Bishop of Worcester, Gundulph the Bishop of Rochester and Harvey Bishop of Bangor.

William Rufus was buried under the tower of Winchester Cathedral. The tower fell down either in 1101 or 1107. The cause was blamed on the wickedness of the King's bones but was probably due to poor construction or uncertain foundations.

Henry I had no quarrels with Anselm, the exiled archbishop, and invited him to return from exile and take back his position at Canterbury.

Disagreements began to arise between Henry I and Archbishop Anselm over the appointment of bishops and abbots into important Church positions. Anselm believed that it was a matter for the Church to decide and should not be controlled by the King. No concession could be agreed upon and once again Anselm went into exile as the King confiscated the lands that the archbishop owned.

Under threat of excommunication Henry I met Archbishop Anselm at Laigle in Normandy to settle the disputes that had led to the Archbishop's exile from England. An agreement was reached and Aneslm returned to england in the following year.

In 1106 or 1107 at Ely Cathedral the remains of saint Etheldreda were moved into the newly built presbytery. This was done on the saint's day, October 17th.

Robert FitzHamon died of his injuries at Falaise in Normandy. His son-in-law Robert Fitzroy succeeded to the Manor of Tewkesbury and continued the building the Abbey at Tewkesbury.

At Llandaff in South Wales bishop Urban began the construction of a new church on the site of a much older religious site.

Turgot, a monk from Durham, was chosen as bishop for St. Andrews Cathedral. He was consecrated after some difficulty as the Archbishop of Canterbury had objections, but the Archbishop of York stepped in and performed the ceremony. Turgot was never happy with his position as bishop and had thoughts of going to Rome to get confirmation of his disputed consecration, but he died in 1115 before doing so.

Construction work began on the tower of Winchester Cathedral and building continued until 1120.

Work began on the nave and transepts of Southwell Cathedral and work continued until 1150.

Gundulf's thirty year career of magnificent castle and cathedral design and construction came to an end with his death. His plans for the reconstruction of Rochester Cathedral were left incomplete. It was not until 1115 that construction work was to resume under the direction of Ernulf.

The church at Ely became a Cathedral when it became the seat of the bishopric (or Diocese) of the area. Hervey who had been abbot at Ely was made its first Bishop by King Henry I.

Archbishop Anselm, the Archbishop of Canterbury, died.

Situated a few miles to the north east of Shrewsbury, an Augustinian priory called Haughmond Abbey was founded by William, a Lord of Clun.

Neath Abbey in south Wales was founded by Richard de Granville. Originally part of the Savigniac Order.

The second Norman bishop at Exeter, Warelwast started the construction of a new cathedral because he was not happy with the current building.

Bernard at the age of 22, his brothers and several Burgundian nobles reached the monastery at Citeaux. As there had not been any new novices for some years, Stephen Harding, the abbot, accepted them willingly. This could have been a year later in 1113.

A Papal Bull issued by Pope Paschal II (a formal proclamation issued by the pope) recognised and named the Knights Hospitallers of St. John of Jerusalem as an independent religious order.

The city of Worcester, its cathedral and castle were damaged by an accidental fire.

The Count of Champagne was preparing to travel to the Holy Land when he received a letter from the bishop of Chartres. The letter stated that the count was planning to join 'la milice du Christ' (the original name for the Templars ?). This seems to indicate that the order existed at this time, as the letter speaks of chastity, something not usually expected of a Crusader.

Chichester Cathedral suffered a disastrous fire in this year.

Matilda, the daughter of Henry I is married to Emperor Henry V.

The count of Champagne donated land to St. Bernard on which the abbey of Clairvaux was built.

The Cistercian abbey of Clairvaux was founded in 1115 by Bernard of Fontaines who became Clairvaux's abbot until his death in 1153.

Construction of Rochester Cathedral's nave commenced in 1115 and was finished in around 1130.

The church at St. Albans was consecrated.

An accidental fire destroys the abbey at Peterborough.

After the devastating fire of 1116 work began on rebuilding the abbey at Peterborough. The central area including choir and transept were begun first. Work continued until 1155.

After the death of Paschal II at the end of January, Giovanni Da Gaeta was unanimously chosen as the new Pope by the Cardinals of Rome.

With Maurice Bourdin in control of Rome, Gelasius decided to leave Italy and travel to France. He landed in Pisa where he consecrated the Cathedral.He travelled through France consecrating churches and ordinaing Bishops.

The Knights Templars travelled to the Holy Lands twenty years after Jerusalem was captured by European powers.

Knights Templar order founded in Jerusalem, by Hughes de Payen.

Pope Gelasius died at the Abbey of Cluny in France and was buried there.

At Cluny, when Pope Gelasius realised that he was dying, he requested that the Archbishop of Vienne come to him. Gelasius died before the Archbishop arrived and it was decided by the Cardinals present that he should become the next Pope.

Work began on the chapter-house of Worcester Cathedral.

The church at Llandaff was dedicated by bishop Urban to St. Peter, St. Dubricius, St. Teilo and St. Oudoceus.

While his mother, Margaret, favoured the Benedictines, Alexander I of Scotland favoured the Augustinians and introduced them to Scone around this year.

Work on the nave and central tower at Norwich Cathedral was begun in 1121 after the choir and transept. Work finished in 1145.

Henry I founded the abbey at Reading. The Cluniac Order of monks populated the abbey. When he died, Henry's remains were buried at the Abbey.

Henry I married Adeliza of Louvain at Windsor Castle. Adeliza was his second wife. They did not have any children.

A priory of Austin Canons was founded in Kenilworth by Geoffrey de Clinton, the Chamberlain of King Henry I. The Priory was raised to the status of an abbey in the reign of Henry VI.

A fire that started in the town of Gloucester spread to the Cathedral destroying treasures and all but a few books.

Alexander I founded this abbey on an island in the middle of the Forth river in Scotland. The Scottish king took refuge on the island in a storm and rewarded the hermit who looked after him with the foundation of a church.

Five bishops took part in the consecration of Tewkesbury Abbey.

Founded by Stephen, the future King of England, Furness Abbey was built near Barrow in Furness. Initially the order was Savigniac but were later converted to Cistercians in 1147 when the orders were merged.

Was Antipope for just one or two days before resigning in favour of Honorius II.

Henry I brought his nephew, Henry of Blois, from Normandy to take the position of abbot at Glastonbury Abbey.

The abbey, a few miles to the north of Barrow-in-Furness, was founded by Stephen, the Count of Boulogne.

Hugh de Payens may have been granted the land for the first Temple Church in London at this time. Consisting of an orchard, a cemetery, a round church. The position was possibly at the end of Chancery Lane. The temple was moved in 1161.

Waverley Abbey, the first Cistercian abbey was founded.

Work on the nave vaulting at Durham Cathedral took place from 1128 until 1133.

Lichfield had lost the status to allow it a cathedral during the eleventh century, but in 1128 Lichfield was restored to its ancient status.

The construction of new church buildings was begun in 1128 at Dunfermline Abbey. The outline of this earlier church can be seen on the floor of the current nave.

The monastery of Holyrood was founded by King David I of Scotland. Tradition has it that the king was hunting in one of the royal forests around the city of Edinburgh when he came across an enraged stag which would have killed him and his horse. The king was some distance in front of his attendants who were unable to help. The king was saved when a cross of brilliant light appeared bewteen himself and animal which turned and fled. Later that night David vowed to build an abbey on the site of the event in thanks for his escape.

The Council of Troyes took place. Its aim was to consider the claim of the Knights Templars represented by Hughes de Payen and Andre de Montbard and was brought about by Bernard of Clairvaux. The Council provided papal approval for the Templars and resulted in many new recruits joining the order. The Order was provided it with its first rule, the Latin Rule.

On the same day that Henry I attended the consecration of Rochester Cathedral, a fire took hold in the city and damaged the newly finished building.

The construction of a new choir was started at Canterbury Cathedral in 1093 by Prior Ernulf and completed by Prior Conrad was dedicated in the presence of Henry I, David of Scotland and many English Earls.

When Pope Honorius died two successors were chosen. Sixteeen Cardinals chose Gregory, Cardinal of St. Angelo. But this election was seen as unlawful and another group chose Peter, Cardinal of St, Mary's. Both were consecrated on the same day, Gregory as Innocent II and Peter, as Anacletus II. Although the majority chose Anacletus, he is regarded as an Anit-pope while Innocent is regarded as a lawful Pope.

Henry spent Christmas at Woodstock.

A minor order of monks and nuns was founded in this year by St. Gilbert. Most of the foundations were set up in the east of England as Gilbert came from Lincolnshire.

The North Welsh Cistercian Abbey was colonised by monks from the Norman house called Savigny and was possibly founded by the Earl of Chester at the time, Ranulf de Gernon.

The Cistercian abbey of Rievaulx was founded by Walter Espee who invited monks sent by St. Bernard from the abbey at Clairvaux. This was the earliest Cistercian abbey in Yorkshire.

The second Cistercian abbey in Britain and the first in Wales was founded by the Lord of Chepstow, Walter de Clare. The buildings were constructed on the Welsh side of the Wye River that forms part of the border between England and Wales.

A Group of monks from St. Mary's in York Arrive at Ripon. They go on to found Fountains Abbey as well.

A Cistercian abbey founded by monks from Waverley Abbey.

Construction of the Chapter house at Durham Cathedral was begun in 1133 and continued until 1140.

Ranulf, the Earl of Chester witnessed the foundation of the new Savigny abbey in the Midlands.

A small priory was built by Augustinian monks within the confines of Portchester Castle.

Fountains abbey was founded.

Colonising a new abbey at Calder was first attempted by monks from the Savigny order, but they were driven out by the Scots a few years later.

Buildwas Abbey was founded 1135 by Roger de Clinton. It was populated by monks from Furness Abbey.

The site of an early Benedictine abbey was taken over by the Cistercians with the permission of King Stephen. Monks from Savigny colonised the abbey.

Initially Forde Abbey was situated at Brightly in Devon, but the site proved too difficult and in 1141 it was moved to its current location 4 miles south east of Chard in Somerset. The founding Cistercian monks came from Waverly Abbey in Surrey.

Reconstruction work on the Cathedral at St. Paul's had been going on since the last major fire of 1087, and this fire again did much damage to the building.

Stephen visits Hereford Cathedral for his royal proclamation on Whitsunday. The chair reputed to have been used by Stephen still exists at Hereford.

A fire badly damages the church at Bath Abbey.

York Minster was partially damaged by fire in this year that destroyed a large part of the city. The near-by church of St. Mary's and some other 37 churches were also damaged.

Theobald is elected as Archbishop of Canterbury.

Waleran, the earl of Worcester founds a new Cistercian abbey with help from monks from Garendon.

Monks of the Savigny order were attacked by the Scots under the control of David I, and were forced to return to Furness Abbey.

When Anacletus, the Antipope died, the another Anti-pope was chosen as his replacement. He took the name Victor IV. But the reign of Victor was very short as he had decided to resign the position by the summer of 1138 and accept Innocent II as the lawful Pope, A different person was elected Anti-pope in 1159 and reused the same name of Victor IV.

A Papal Bull issued by Pope Innocent II, a former Cistercian monk and protégé of St. Bernard of Clairvaux, stated that the Knight Templars should owe allegiance to no one other than the Pope himself. This meant that the Templars answered to no one not even Kings or other political or religious authorities.

A Cistercian abbey was founded by monks from Tintern Abbey. The location of the abbey altered several times in the first few years, but finally settled at Kingswood in Gloucestershire. A sixteenth-century gatehouse is all that remains.

A daughter house of Fountains Abbey. The initial location of the abbey proved unsuitable and the a new site was chosen near Horncastle in Lincolnshire.

The construction of the abbey church of St Denis in Paris, the first Gothic Cathedral was begun in around 1140. Combining stained glass windows, flying buttresses, choir vaulting and rib vaults, it was a daring innovation in architecture. The specifications were set by the abbot of St Denis, Suger.

Robert Fitzharding founded a monastery of Augustinian canons in Bristol.

Building of original Bristol church.

King Stephen and Matilda his wife founded Coggeshall Abbey. This was to be the last of the Savigny abbeys to be founded before the order merged with the Cistercians in 1147.

This Cistercian abbey in Wales was colonised by monks from Clairvaux.

Benedictines founded Alcester Abbey several miles to the west of Stratford-upon-Avon. In around 1465 it became of priory cell and dependent upon Evesham Abbey.

The roof of the Cathedral burnt down. Bishop Alexander the Magnificent started rebuilding work. This event may have been the earlier 1123 fire.

The Savigny order of monks colonised the a new abbey at Calder in this year. The earlier attempt at colonising the location had failed after being attacked by the Scots.

David I, King of the Scots may have been involved in the foundation of this Cistercian abbey in Scotland. The founding monks probably came from Rievaulx.

The first Cistercians arrived in Ireland invited by St. Malachy. Their Abbey of Mellifont was the first of many.

Cistercians found Whitland Abbey.

A new Cistercian abbey at Revesby was founded by monks from Rievaulx in this year. The abbey was founded by William de Roumare I, earl of Lincoln and the first abbot was Ailred, who moved back to Rievaulx in 1146 to become the head of that abbey.

Boxley Abbey, run by Cistercians was founded in 1143 or 1146 by William of Ypres and was colonised by monks from Clairvaux. The Abbey is situated near Maidstone in Kent.

Gerard Caccianemici (Caccianemicus) was elected Pope taking the name Lucius II after the death of Celestine II.

A colony of monks from Fountains Abbey move to set up a new Cistercian abbey at Woburn.

Initially a Savignic foundation, the abbey was taken over by the Cistercian order and responsibility for it was taken by Byland.

The first formal Papal Bull of Crusade or 'Bulla cruciata' calling on France to restore the Holy Land to Christendom was issued by Pope Eugenius III, together with 'Quantum praedecessors' which was reissued on the 1st of March 1146.

The Knights Templars adopted cross pattee; a splayed red cross.

St. Bernard's sermon at Vézelay so moved Eleanor of Aquitaine that she vowed to go on Crusade.

At the Diet of Speyer; the emperor Conrad III took the cross and secured the election of his son Henry as his successor in Germany. He was persuaded to take part in the crusade by the the Abbot of Clairvaux, St. Bernard.

Biddlesden Abbey, a new Cistercian abbey was founded in 1147 by Ernald de Bosco with monks from Garendon.

A Cistercian abbey in Lincolnshire founded by Nicholas Basset and colonised by monks from Waverley.

The order of Savigny became part of the larger Cistercian movement in this year. The Savigny order was having trouble running its abbeys and it was decided that a merger with the more prosperous Cistercian order was advantageous for both sides.

The Cistercian abbey of Dore, south-west of Hereford was founded in 1147 by monks from Morimond

Alnwick Abbey was founded by Eustace fitz John, the owner of Alnwick Castle.

The crusaders left Regensburg to march across land to Constantinople.

King Louis VII of France and his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine began their Crusade. They declared Abbot Suger regent of France,

The Augustinian Abbey at Bristol founded by Robert Fitzharding was consecrated on Easter day in the presence of the Bishops of Worcester, Exeter, St. Asaph and Llandaff.

The Augustinian Lilleshall Abbey was founded in around 1148 by Richard de Belmeis.

Work began on rebuilding the cloisters at Fountains Abbey.

Work on the West front of Rochester Cathedral began in 1150.

This Cistercian abbey in the Midlands was founded by Richard de Camville and was a daughter house of Waverley in the south.

Another Cistercian abbey helped by David I, King of the Scots. The first monks came from Melrose. The abbey is now in a ruined state. The layout of the cloister has been uncovered but little above ground exists apart from the south trancept with vaulted chamber and an arched entrance on the south side of the cloister. Some of the abbot's house also survives.

Located in the Forest of Dean, in Gloucestershire, the remains of this Cistercian abbey are in the grounds of a private house. The abbey's benefactor was Roger, Earl of Hereford and it was populated by monks from Bordesley Abbey.

A daughter house of Fountains Abbey, the abbey at Kirkstall was first located at Barnoldswick, but was moved a few years later to its current location near Leeds in West Yorkshire. It was founded by Henry de Lacy, a nobleman who donated land to the monks seeking a peaceful retreat. Today the abbey is located in a public park and its impressive ruins remain largely intact providing a striking example of medieval monastic architecture.

The General Chapter of the Cistercian Order decided that the size of the organisation had reached its limits and no new foundations should be created.

Only two months after Eleanor of Aquitaine's marriage to Louis VII, king of France was annulled, she married Henry of Anjou - the future king of England - Henry II.

Bernard, the abbot of Clairvaux, the post he had held since 1115, and one of the most important religious people in the Middle Ages died at the age of sixty-three.

Building of the Chapter House at Bristol started in 1154 and continued until 1164.

Under the direction of Archbishop Roger of York, Ripon Cathedral was rebuilt. Building work continued until 1180.

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicles are a series of historical timelines originally compiled on the orders of King Alfred the Great. The chronicles were maintained and added to by generations of anonymous scribes until the last entry was made in 1154.

After the death of Pope Eugenius III, Nicholas Breakspear was chosen as the new Pope and chose the name Adrian.

Being the superintendents of the Masons, the Knights Templars build their Temple in Fleet Street in London.

A plan to conquer Ireland was approved by Pope Adrian IV in a Papal Bull (a formal proclamation issued by the Pope) called Laudabiliter.

The nave of Peterborough Cathedral was the next phase of rebuilding work after the choir and transept. Work continued until 1175.

The king spent the festive period at Westminster Palace. Repairs must have been completed if the royal court spent time there.

It is possible that King King Henry II held his Christmas court at Bordeaux in this year.

Henry held court at Lincoln in this year. It is thought St Mary's Guildhall was constructed for the purpose of the crown-wearing ceremonies held at Christmas.

Monks from Combermere founded Dieulacres Abbey in 1158 at Poulton in Cheshire, but it would later be moved.

At Easter King Henry II, and his wife Eleanor, visited Worcester Cathedral and placed their crowns on the shrine of Wulfstan, vowing not to wear them again.

Birth of Geoffrey Plantagenet.

The king held court at Cherbourg this year.

Alexander III was elected to the position of Pope after the death of Adrian IV. Alexander was supported by the English and the French, but the Germans supported and elected a second Pope known as Octavian.

A double election took place after the death of Pope Adrian IV. In February 1160, the council of Pavia choose Victor IV, but by the summer of 1160 the English, Norman and French churches had chosen Cardinal Roland Bandinelli.

The royal court spent Christrmas at Falaise this year.

Under the direction of the new Bishop of Paris, Maurice de Sulley, a new church was planned for Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. The major construction work would last until around 1235 while minor construction would continue for another 100 years after that. The existing church was pulled down and construction work began in 1163.

Christmas festivities were held at Le Mans.

This Scottish Cistercian abbey was founded by Malcolm IV, King of Scotland. The monks that colonised it came from the abbey at Melrose.

Theobald of Bec, archbishop of Canterbury, died after an illness. King Henry II was informed and he expressed the wish to have his friend Thomas Becket elected as archbishop.

Eleanor of Aquitaine gave birth to a daughter at Rouen. The girl was named Eleanor after he mother.

Thomas Becket was consecrated as Archbishop of Canterbury on June 3rd. He accepted the pallium sent by the Pope on August 10th. A pallium is a piece of clothe sent by the Pope and is woven from white lamb's wool. It is draped around the neck.

Bishop Maurice de Sulley united the two Cathedrals of Paris, St. Stephen's and the Blessed Virgin with the construction of Notre Dame Cathedral and laid the foundations of the new building that was designed by Eudes de Montreuil.

The council held at the Royal Palace of Woodstock near Oxford was the scene for a clash between King Henry II and Thomas Becket over the control of payments to Sheriffs. Becket opposed the plan and was going to oppose more of Henry's reforms in the near future.

King Henry II put his plans before the Council of Westminster to reform the judicial system allowing the courts power over members of the Church which had the luxury of their own courts. Thomas Becket stood against the plans starting a rift between him and Henry that would led to Becket's death.

The body of Edward the Confessor was moved to a more fitting location within the Abbey. The ceremony was attended by King Henry II and Thomas Becket.

This Cistercian abbey was founded by Robert fitz Stephen, a Norman. Monks were sent from the Cistercian abbey at Whitland to populate the new monastery.

The Constitutions of Clarendon were series of statements laid down by King Henry II regarding the relationship between the church and the state. One statement was the cause for the rift between Henry and Thomas Becket, that said that a member of the church who committed a crime should be available to be tried in a state court and not just a church one. Clarendon is near Salisbury.

William of Paitin, Henry II's brother, died at Rouen.

Thomas Becket consecrated the abbey at Reading on its completion in this year.

At the Council of Northampton the Welsh rebellion and the Constitution of Clarendon were discussed. The Council tried Thomas Becket and found him guilty of perjury for failure to appear at Council and heresy. Becket was sentenced to forfeiture of his possessions. The sentence was quashed by Pope Alexander III and Becket fled to Lincoln on the 14th and then France in early November.

Thomas Becket fled to France and sought the protection of Pope Alexander III, who himself was in exile.

The Assize of Clarendon was a series of legislative statements made by King Henry II with the aim of improving the justice process, including the jury system.

Richard de Lucy, joint Chief Justiciar in England, excommunicated by Thomas Becket.

King Henry II of England, Louis VII of France and Thomas Becket met at Montmirail to hold peace talks. Becket submitted to Henry excepting only on one point, and the negotiations failed. A second meeting took place at St. Leger-en-Yvelines, and a papal ultimatum was served on Henry.

The Galilee porch on the West front of Durham Cathedral was built between 1170 and 1175.

The Gloucestershire abbey was moved back to Kingswood and populated by monks from Tintern.

King Henry II and Thomas Becket met near Freteval in France where they came to an agreement to end their differences. This resulted in Becket's partial restoration.

King Henry II sent word to England saying that the conflict with Thomas Becket was at an end and his lands should be restored. Hearing this Becket returned to England landing on the south coast at Sandwich.

On Christmas Day Thomas Becket took to the pulpit at Canterbury Cathedral and gave his sermon. At the end of the sermon he excommunicated several of his enemies who had taken part in his earlier troubles with the King.

When King Henry II heard that Thomas Becket had returned to England and was threatening to excommunicate his opponents, his outrage was such that four knights overhearing the King travelled to England and killed Becket inside Canterbury Cathedral.

A group of Cistercian monks from Forde Abbey colonised a new abbey at Bindon near Wareham on the south coast of England.

At Norwich Cathedral repair work was carried out after a major fire. The works were carried out by Bishop John de Oxford and were completed by 1197.

Archbishop Roger began reconstruction work of a new church after the previous one had been destroyed by fire.

King Henry II was told of the murder of Thomas Becket.

King Henry II returned to England and visited Henry of Blois, the bishop of Winchester who was dying. He also met with Lord Rhys, the important prince of south Wales. A series of meetings took place during 1171 and 1172 where an agreement was reached whereby Lord Rhys could keep his land and was given the title justiciar of south Wales.

Henry of Blois died.

The Compromise of Avranches. Even though King Henry II was cleared of involvement in Thomas Becket's murder, he did penance before the Cathedral at Avranches in Normandy. The compromise was a deal struck between Henry and the church over the matter of Becket's death.

At a ceremony at Winchester Cathedral Henry, the Young King, and his wife Margaret were both crowned.

Thomas Becket was canonized by Pope Alexander III. His shrine at Canterbury Cathedral became extremely wealthy due to the number of pilgrims visiting it and donating money.

Pope Alexander III consecrated Roger of Dover as the Archbishop of Canterbury and gave him the pallium.

King Henry II accepted his part, even though indirect, in the killing of Thomas Becket. He was whipped by the monks of Canterbury as punishment.

Canterbury Cathedral suffered another disastrous fire and was damaged so badly that it needed almost completely rebuilding. William of Sens was given the task of constructing a new Cathedral. William was injured by a fall from scaffolding and the work was continued by William the Englishman.

Canterbury Choir building work by William of Sens.

The abbey was founded in 1147 by Robert fitzHarold of Ewyas, the Lord of Ewyas Harold, possibly on the site of earlier wooden monastic buildings of which no traces remain. The abbey is located close to the River Dore. It was formed as a daughter house of the Cistercian abbey at Morimond in France, perhaps after Lord Robert had met the Abbot of Morimond on the Second Crusade. Construction of buildings in local sandstone began around 1175, and continued through the time of the first three abbots, Adam (1186-c.1216), Adam II (c.1216–1236), and Stephen of Worcester (1236–1257). The design of the church was modelled on that of Morimond, with a presbytery, two chapels, two transepts, a crossing and a nave.

Monks from the Savigniac abbey Aulnay-sur-Odon in Normandy found a new abbey in England.

Cistercian monks from Whitland founded the Welsh abbey of Cwmhir in this year.

After several years of moving the location of this abbey, the Cistercian monks finally settled at Byland in North Yorkshire.

Because of complaints about the abbess and nuns, King Henry II removed them from Amesbury Abbey and replaced them nuns from the abbey of Fontevrault in France making it an alien priory. The abbey was originally founded with Benedictine nuns in 979 by Alfrida.

As part of his penance for his involvement in the death of Archbishop Thomas Becket, King Henry II of England founded the first of the small number of Carthusian houses that were created in England. Witham Priory also known as Witham Charterhouse was built in Somerset and populated by monks from Grande Chartreuse the mother monastery of the Carthusian religious order.

Canterbury Trinity Chapel and corona building work by William Englishman.

In 1177 or 1179 another fire took hold in the city of Rochester damaging the Cathedral.

(Not the same as Pope Innocent III)

Following the Capetian tradition of the French Kings, King Louis VII of France had his eldest son Philip crowned at Reims Cathedral. Philip then became joint ruler of France.

The high altar was complete enough at Notre Dame in Paris for its dedication ceremony lead by the Papal Legate Henry and Heraclius, the patriarch of Jerusalem.

A serious fire damaged the abbey at Glastonbury resulting in the need for major rebuilding work.

Earth tremors damaged the Cathedral at Lincoln beyond repair. The earthquake must have been very powerful as it was said that it was felt throughout the country. Only the West front survived in good shape and rest of the building had to be demolished.

A Cistercian Abbey was founded by monks from Strata Florida in Wales in Conwy.

Plans for a Cistercian abbey in Somerset were put forward around about this time.

Archbishop Baldwin preached the Crusade, the spot being marked with a cross that was restored in 1897.

Chichester Cathedral suffered another disastrous fire.

The Christian Army of Jerusalem was beaten by Turkish forces at the Battle of Hattin. Guy of Lusignan was King of Jerusalem at this time. All Knights Templars and Hospitallers who survived the battle were executed afterwards. The Archbishop of Tyre, a man called Josias, was dispatched from the city to Europe to inform the Pope and European leaders of the disaster that had taken place and to ask for help.

Jerusalem fell to the Muslims and the al-Asqu mosque was returned to Islam. The Muslims allowed four Christian Priests to hold services in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. This was in contrast to the first Crusaders who since they first captured the city in 1099 had treated Jerusalem as theirs alone. The Muslim leader was Al-Malik al-Nasir Salad ed-Din Yusuf also known as Saladin.

When Josias, the Archbishop of Tyre, reached Rome and the Papal Court he informed Pope Urban III of the disaster at Hattin. The Pope was is poor health and the news was too much for him to bare and he died. Gregory VIII was elected as the new Pope but his reign only lasted two months. Gregory died on 17th of December at Pisa.

King Richard took the Cross. Before going on a Crusade a vow was taken and the person was given a piece of cloth in the shape of a cross to be sown onto the surcoat. To go on a Crusade meant a person was granted a plenary indulgence which freed them from the terrors of purgatory and hell if they killed the enemy and gave them the promise of eternal life in heaven.

The Order of the Teutonic Knights established at Acre.

John 'Lackland' married Isabella of Gloucester.

Foundation of a Cistercian abbey in south-west Scotland by the lords of Galloway.

With the death of Pope Clement III, Celestine III was elected to succeed him. He was consecated on Easter Day, 14th of April.

After the damaging earth tremors of 1185 Bishop Hugh of Lincoln started rebuilding work on the Cathedral at Lincoln. His new scheme was followed even after his death apart from minor alterations up to the completion of the Angel Choir in 1280.

Work on the choir and east transept at Lincoln Cathedral progressed between 1192 and 1200.

The churches of Scotland had been under the control of York. In this year Pope Celestine III transferred the jurisdiction of Scottish churches directly to Rome.

Hubert Walter follows Baldwin as Archbishop of Canterbury.

The West front of Peterborough Cathedral was constructed between the years 1193 and 1230.

Bishop Herbert Poore presented plans to move the cathedral at Old Sarum to a new site nearer the river to be called New Sarum, or now Salisbury. Richard I approved the plan.

The Crown Wearing. Richard took part in a precession to Winchester Cathedral. The king wore a golden crown and was followed by notables from the Church and State. The previous Crown Wearing was in 1158.

Modifications to the west end of the church were undertaken under the direction of the abbot John de Cella. The plan was to add an extra three bays to the existing structure. Progress was slow due to mismanagement of the funds and when John de Cella died not much progress had been achieved. The work was completed under the direction of the next abbot, William of Trumpington.

In Paris, Maurice de Sulley died in 1196 but the building work at Notre Dame Cathedral continued under the direction of his successor Eudes de Sulley.

Monks from Revesby in Lincolnshire moved to Somerset and colonised the new abbey at Cleeve.

This Cistercian abbey in north-west Wales was colonised by monks from Cwmhir.

The Order of the Teutonic Knights is approved by Pope Innocent III.

King John had been married to Isabella of Gloucester for several years but they had no children. When John became king he quickly obtained a divorce leaving himself free to arrange a marriage that would give him political gain. Within the year he would marry Isabella of Angouleme, the daughter of an important baron in Aquitaine.