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| Canterbury Cathedral |
This is our last day in the UK and we are spending it in Canterbury
to tour the cathedral. The Canterbury Cathedral is the oldest (founded in 597
but rebuilt in the 1070s) and most famous Christian structures in England. It is
best known at the site of the murder of Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of
Canterbury who was killed in the cathedral in 1170. Becket was originally
friends with King Henry II but over the years a riff developed between the two
and grew over a seven year period until Henry II is reported to have said "Will
no one rid me of this turbulent priest?" Upon hearing this utterance, four
knights took it upon themselves to ride to Canterbury and killed the archbishop
in a very brutal way.
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| Canterbury Cathedral (interior) |
Following the murder, a kind of cult following grew from
the murder and Becket was canonized and a shrine with his remains was placed in
the cathedral, where it stayed for hundreds of years until King Henry VIII
ordered it destroyed as part of his split from the Catholic Church. Many pilgrims went from London to see the
shrine and this is documented by Geoffrey Chaucer in his most famous text, The Canterbury Tales. There is an attraction
in Canterbury dedicated to The Canterbury Tales recounting some of the more famous
tales and of course we had to do that. I think it might be a bit dated, but it
was interesting enough.
By the way, it was in the mid-70s today and easily the
best weather we have seen on the whole trip. It was a day for short-sleeves and
no need for a jacket.
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