On December 2, 1220, Pope Honorious III announced the construction of one of the largest cathedrals in the Christian world. He entrusted the Bishop of Metz with raising funds. During the Middle Ages, cathedrals were often built thanks to the canons. Their wealth resulted from the exploitation of vast lands. Sometimes the bishop also invested his personal property to finance the work. In 1462, the canons refused to pay for the construction of ramparts and went on strike for five years, interrupting the cathedral's work.