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This is Kent ARCHAEOLOGISTS working on the restoration of Canterbury Cathedral have had wooden beams in its roof dated to the time of William the Conqueror and the Domesday Book. 
Experts have confirmed the oak rafters of Anselm's Tower in the cathedral's south east transept are from trees cut down in the late 11th century around the time the Domesday Book was written and possibly during Lanfranc's tenure as Archbishop of Canterbury.Rupert Austin, Canterbury Archaeological Trust's senior building recording officer, is leading the project. He said: "We have known for some time that this was one of the oldest parts of the cathedral and that we have this great Medieval spire up there. But until the lead roof came off to be replaced we weren't able to have a proper look and do the tests. "The vast majority of the cathedral roof has been destroyed and rebuilt over the years through various mishaps, mainly fires, so there are very few sections of Medieval roof that remain." Mr Austin said it was likely the tree was chopped down in a forest near to Canterbury. The condition of the 11th century wood will now be fully investigated but much of it is thought to have survived well enough to be repaired rather than replaced, meaning the timbers are likely to stay in place well past their 1,000th anniversary. Cathedral craftsmen will be working on Anselm's Tower throughout the next year. Matthew Butler, chief executive of the Canterbury Cathedral Appeal said: "It is amazing to discover yet another part of the Cathedral that takes us back to the Normans. "We need many millions of pounds to conserve Canterbury Cathedral for future generations £90,000 for Anselm's Tower alone." It costs more than £14,500 a day to run the cathedral. A Save Canterbury Cathedral Appeal was set up to raise £50 million. It hit the £9 million mark in November last year.
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