The Crystal Cathedral

The alternative of this was the cathedral ruled by a secular chapter; the dignities of provost, dean, precentor, chancellor, treasurer, etc., came into being for the regulation and good order of the church and its services, while the non-residence of the canons, rather than their perpetual residence, became the rule, and led to their duties being performed by a body of "vicars", who officiated for them at the services of the church.
Reformation
Prior to the Reformation all cathedrals of Western Europe were of the Roman Catholic Church. In England, the entire structure of the monastic and cathedral system was reconstituted during the Reformation. Cathedrals which were once Roman Catholic came under the governance of the Church of England. All the English monastic cathedral chapters were dissolved by Henry VIII and, with two exceptions, were refounded by him as churches of secular chapters of canons, with a dean as the head and with subordinate officers as minor canons.