Exeter Cathedral is one of the most impressive Gothic buildings in England, dating back to the 12th century. It is famous for its stunning stained glass windows, intricate carvings, and magnificent vaulted ceiling. But there is also a hidden gem that many visitors might miss: a small hole at the bottom of a wooden door near the astronomical clock.
This hole was not part of the original design, but was added later in the 16th century by Bishop William Cotton, who served as the bishop of Exeter from 1598 to 1621. According to records, he paid eight pence to carpenters to cut a hole in the door for his cat. But why did he need a cat flap?
The answer lies behind the door, where there is a cavity that houses the mechanism of the clock. The clock itself is one of the oldest working clocks in the world, installed in 1376. It displays not only the time, but also the phases of the moon and the position of the sun and stars. To keep it running smoothly, it was lubricated with animal fat, which attracted rodents.
Bishop Cotton had a clever solution: he let his cat access the cavity through the hole in the door, so that it could catch rats and mice and protect the clock. The cat was not only doing a favor to the bishop, but also to the cathedral, as it was on its payroll. Records show that cats were paid 13 pence or 26 pence a quarter for their services.