St. Paul's Cathedral, designed by architect Christopher Wren and built between 1675 and 1710, is the fourth church on this site overlooking London. The first wooden structure was built in 604 AD by Mellitus, Bishop of the East Saxons, burned in 675 and rebuilt ten years later (St. Paul's #2) only to be burned again in 962, by the Vikings. In 1016, Viking King Cnut took over the city of London. Later, French Normans took over the city and in 1240 began St. Paul's #3, which was completed in 1300. Restoration on this structure was begun in earnest by Inigo Jones in 1633; but the English Civil War and the (temporary) establishment of the republic in 1649 stopped that. Finally, twenty years after the monarchy was re-established, Wren was commissioned to build the building as it is today.
Excavations have been held during the various renovation projects, most recently by John Schofield at the Museum of London.
Excavations have been held during the various renovation projects, most recently by John Schofield at the Museum of London.
