14th Century Door At Exeter Cathedral: World’s Oldest Cat Flap

This 14th century door in Exeter Cathedral is likely the oldest cat flap in the world.

The hole was cut as part of a refurbishment attempt in the 16th Century to keep rodents under control.

In the financial records of Exeter Cathedral, it is documented that during the 15th century, they had a resident cat designated for mouse control.

The cat (well, more likely its owner) earned approximately one penny per week, which is equivalent to thirteen pennies every quarter.

It’s unclear how the cats received their wages, but the idea of a feline friend being sent off with a sack of pennies for its services is a darling vision for the mind’s eye!

Notably, between 1363 and 1366, the quarterly payment for this feline doubled to twenty-six pence.

This indicated the possibility that the cathedral temporarily bolstered its mousing efforts by employing a second cat.

In the Middle Ages, cats were commonly kept in European churches, to keep them free from rats.

In fact, cats played a crucial role in controlling the population of mice and rats.

During this period, people lived in close proximity to their animals, and stored grain and food supplies in barns and granaries.

This created ideal conditions for rodents to thrive, posing a significant threat to food stores and leading to the spread of diseases.

Cats were valued for their ability to hunt and catch mice, making them important companions for households, farms, and even monasteries.

The presence of cats helped to control the rodent population and protect stored food.

Cats were especially useful in urban areas where crowded living conditions and the storage of goods provided ample opportunities for mice and rats to multiply.

The association between cats and controlling pests was recognized in medieval times, and cats were often kept as working animals rather than solely as pets.

In some cases, cats were even protected by laws that imposed penalties on anyone harming them.

The effectiveness of cats as mouse hunters contributed to their widespread presence in medieval society, and their role in pest control was appreciated by both commoners and the elite.

The importance of cats in managing rodent populations persisted throughout the medieval period and beyond.

They were extremely valuable companions in an era where pest control was essential for preserving food supplies and preventing the spread of diseases.

A long-held rumour alleges that Sir Isaac Newton created doors for a cat and kitten in his rooms at the University of Cambridge, where he attended school and later worked.

The story is told by mathematician John M. F. Wright in his 1827 memoir about his time at Cambridge, a century after the death of Newton.

The myth has persisted, though even Wright admits that its accuracy is questionable. 

If you’d like to see this door in-person, Exeter Cathedral offer guided tours.

The tours are excellent, the cathedral is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture anywhere: inside you’ll find a building which has lived through war, political unreset, the Exeter Blitz and much more.

If you’d like to visit, the address is: 1 The Cloisters, Exeter EX1 1HS.

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