The Fratry Project, Carlisle Cathedral, Cumbria. Archaeological Evaluation

In October 2012, Oxford Archaeology North (OA North) undertook a trial-trench
evaluation to the north and east of the medieval Fratry at Carlisle Cathedral, in central
Carlisle, Cumbria (NY 399 559). This was once a priory of Augustinian canons, as
well as being the seat of the bishop, from 1133. The Fratry forms the southern part of
the medieval cloister, and, together with the land and buildings that now occupy the
Cathedral Precinct, is of enormous cultural heritage and religious significance, falling
within the jurisdiction of the Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England (CFCE), as
well as being a Scheduled Monument (SM 546). The works were commissioned by
the Carlisle Cathedral Development Trust, overseen by Dr Mike McCarthy, the
Cathedral Archaeologist, and were undertaken to help inform proposals for
improvements to visitor attractions and accessibility to the Fratry building, as well as
the installation of central-heating facilities that will serve the Cathedral Precinct as a
whole.