The history of #Herbert's# episcopate (1091-1119) is the history of the causes which effected the building of Norwich Cathedral, and, although given previously in the history of the fabric, must needs be briefly recapitulated here. Herbert, if not of Norman birth, had received his education in Normandy and was Prior of Fecamp--where he had first taken his vows--when offered by William Rufus the appointment of Abbot of Ramsey. The see of Thetford fell vacant, and Herbert procured his own appointment from the Red King in consideration of a sum of L1900 which he paid into the royal treasury. The remorse which followed on this sin of simony compelled him to go to Rome and seek the consolation and forgiveness of Pope Urban. This was in 1094. He returned, and as expiation for his sin founded the Priory of Norwich, the first stone of which was laid in 1096, the see being removed from Thetford in accordance with the decree of Lanfranc's Synod, held in 1075, that all bishops should fix their sees in the principal town in their dioceses. In cathedral monasteries the bishop, who was elected by the monks, appears to have represented the abbot and took precedence of the prior. Before Herbert's time, the chapter was composed of secular canons and not monks. Herbert, in 1101, placed sixty monks at Norwich, and it may be of interest to quote from Taylor's "_Index Monasticus_" the establishment of the monastery from Herbert's time up to the dissolution in 1538-- The Bishop representing the Chaplains. Abbot. Precentor or chanter. The Lord Prior. Sub-chanter. The Sub-Prior. Infirmarer. 60 Monks. Choristers. Sacrist. Keeper of the Shrines. Sub-sacrist. Lay Officers. Cellarer or bursar. Butlers. Camerarius or chamberlain. Granarii. Almoner. Hostilarii. Refectorer. Carcerarius or gaoler. Pittancier.