This city in Hampshire was the capital of the kingdom of WessexWessex Kingdom of the West Saxons, established in the early 6th century and gradually extended by conquest to include much of southern England. The name was revived in the novels of Thomas Hardy. and the bodies of her kings now lie in the cathedralCathedral (Latin cathedra' throne') Church which contains the throne of the bishop and hence the mother church of the diocese. After the reign of King Alfred (d.900), who refounded what had been a Roman settlement, it effectively became the capital city of England until the Norman ConquestNorman Conquest The conquest of the English through the defeat of the Anglo-Saxon king Harold Godwinson by William Duke of Normandy at Hastings in October 1066. It was also an important religiousReligious 1. Concerned with religion, showing belief in God or a deity. 2. In regards to an individual, refers to a member of an order of monks, nuns or friars who follow a Rule of life centre. A church had been founded by Cenwealh of Wessex in 648 and from 660 it was the seat of a bishopricBishopric Another term for diocese, an area of ecclesiastical jurisdiction ruled by a bishop. The New MinsterMinster Originally a church with a group of clergy which served a large area. Later used to describe a church staffed by many priests or a monastic community and Nunnaminster were founded at the start of the 10th century and the Old Minster (now the cathedral) was reformed into a Benedictine monasteryMonastery The house of a religious community by St Ethelwold. WinchesterWinchester This city in Hampshire was the capital of the kingdom of Wessex and the bodies of her kings now lie in the cathedral. After the reign of King Alfred (d.900), who refounded what had been a Roman settlement, it effectively became the capital city of England until the Norman Conquest. It was also an important religious centre. A church had been founded by Cenwealh of Wessex in 648 and from 660 it was the seat of a bishopric. The New Minster and Nunnaminster were founded at the start of the 10th century and the Old Minster (now the cathedral) was reformed into a Benedictine monastery by St Ethelwold. Winchester's most important local saint was St Swithun, a 9th-century bishop.’s most important local saintSaint In the New Testament applied to all Christians. Later used of those who were martyred or showed exceptional holiness and whose status was confirmed by the church. The practice of venerating the saints and their relics and asking for their intercessions (prayers) can be observed from the second and third centuries onward and played a central role in popular medieval religion. was St Swithun, a 9th-century bishopBishop Bishops exercised pastoral care over a diocese and authority to confirm and ordain.