Canterbury Cathedral, England.

 Altar at Canterbury Cathedral, England


 

This evening, I am focusing on Canterbury Cathedral, the centre of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

 As a place of Christian worship the site dates from AD 597 when the king of Kent was converted to Christianity and Augustine consecrated as Archbishop. Since that time the Cathedral has been the seats of successive Archbishops of Canterbury.

The Cathedral incorporates various architectural styles including Norman, Perpendicular Gothic and Romanesque. The building dates from the post conquest 11th century. Key aspects of the Cathedral are:

  • The Nave. Here can be found the marble font dating from 1639 and the West Window which contains one of the oldest pieces of stained glass in Britain, dating from c 1176.
  • Compass Rose: Situated close to the pulpit is a brass artwork representing the symbol of world-wide Anglican Communion.
  • Place of Martyrdom: Here Thomas Becket was murdered in 1170 by knights acting for Henry II.
  • The Eastern Crypt which contained the original site of Becket’s Tomb from 1170 to 1220.
  • The Jesus Chapel with rich early stained glass windows.
  • St. Gabriel’s Chapel with 12th century wall paintings and 11th century scuplture.
  • Chapel of Our Lady Undercroft wherein are screens of carved and painted stone from the 14th century.
  • Bell Harry Tower: From here can be viewed the Great Window above the South Door with 12th century glass.
  • The Quire and Trinity Chapel: Here is the High Altar with steps to St.Augustine’s Chair.
  • Bible Windows dating from around AD 1180.
  • Trinity Chapel with Italian-style marble mosaic.
  • Corona Chapel which was built to house the scalp of St. Thomas when he was martyred.
  • The Black Prince’s Tomb,  a fine example of a medieval tomb. Dates from the 14th century.
  • St. Anselm’s Chapel: A Romanesque building dating from c 1130.
  • South East Transept: Here can be found windows and stained glass dating from the 20th century.
  • South West Transept: Here is the ship’s bell of HMS Canterbury which rings to signal prayers commemorating the dead of both World Wars. 

Nave

 Exterior carvings

 

Stained Glass



 Artist's impression of Thomas a Becket's Tomb in medieval times.

Ancient Burial

Exterior


More information on Canterbury can be found here.


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