• Maritime History
• Manx Monarchs
• Sites
• Ancient Burial Sites
• Castles
• Peel Castle
• The Armoury
• The Bowling Green
• St German's Cathedral
• St Patrick's Chapel
• St Patrick's Church
• The Gatehouse
• The Guard House
• The Half Moon Battery
• The Hall
• A Kitchen
• The Lord's House
• The Magazine
• The Moddey Dhoo
• The New Battery
• The Pagan Lady
• The People of St Patrick's Isle
• The Postern Gate
• The Round Battery
• The Round Tower
• Toilet
• The Wall
• The Warwick Tower
• Ceremonial Sites
• Churches and Monasteries
• Forts
• Keeills
• Stone Crosses
• Stone Circles
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Peel Castle - St German's Cathedral

The Cathedral was named after one of the early missionaries from Ireland and Iona. The crypt created to contain the relics of St. German was found, during excavation work, nine feet below the 13th. Century floor level.The Cathedral was built in three stages.

The first stage is thought to have started following the appointment of Bishop Reginald, after 1154. The building followed the cruciform plan of short nave, and eastern arm of the same width. No trace of this eastern arm can be found today.

The second stage was probably begun by Bishop Reginald and completed by Bishop Simon. The Chronicles of Man attribute the building of the Cathedral to Bishop Simon.

The third stage was a reconstruction and fortification after the Anglo-Scottish struggle for possession of Man in the 14th. Century had resulted in its partial destruction.

The tomb of Samuel Rutter, Lord Bishop of Sodor and Mann

The inscription reads -

In this house which I share with my brothers the worms, in the hope of the resurrection to life lie I SAM by divine grace Bishop of this Island. Stay reader, look and laugh at the bishop's palace.

He died the 30th May, Anno 1662

Samuel Rutter, Lord Bishop of Sodor and Mann

A narrow passage leads down eighteen steps to the crypt which was used as the Bishop's prison. It is barrel-roofed, with thirteen pointed ribs springing from short pilasters on each side. The only light is from a six inch wide loophole. Water drips from the roof onto the rough sloping floor.

 

It was in constant use for centuries for offenders against the moral code of the Church, such as witchcraft, Sabbath breaking and non-attendance at Church. Many Quakers were imprisoned there between 1656 and 1685.

The Crypt was last used as a prison in 1780 and remains today as a reminder of the often harsh past.

	In the olden days sick people weren't allowed into church. They could watch the service through a hole in the wall like this one. This was known as a Leper's hole.
	These were the gate pillars in the wall that once went around the Cathedral. Long ago people who broke the law could hide, or take sanctuary in the Cathedral. Once inside the gate they were safe and could not be arrested. Hence the name "Sanctuary Pillars".