CATHEDRAL

(Gk. cathedra, chair), church containing a bp.’s throne. The c. is under the control of the dean (q.v.) and a chapter of canons or prebendaries; by them, after the i ue of a congé d’élire from the Crown, the bp. is chosen. The bp. is visitor of the c., of which there are forty in England and Wales. In medigeval documents the c. is translated ecclesia episcopal is; the generic name for a church, dom us det, contracted to dom, (still Ger. name for c.), became for a time special name for a c.