Canterbury Cathedral in Canterbury, England is the Mother Church of the world-wide Anglican Communion and seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Cathedral, dating back to 597, is both a holy place and part of a World Heritage Site. It is the home of a community of people who seek to make the Cathedral a place of welcome, beauty and holiness. Visit the Cathedral web site for further information on the history and current activities of the Cathedral.
Through the Centuries
| 597 | St Augustine arrived in Kent and soon established the first Cathedral |
| 1070-1077 | Cathedral rebuilt by Archbishop Lanfranc |
| 1098-1130 | New Quire built over a Crypt (present Western Crypt) |
| 1170 | Thomas Becket murdered in the Cathedral |
| 1175-1184 | Quire rebuilt. Eastern Crypt, Trinity and Corona Chapels added (all as seen today) |
| 1220 | Becket’s body placed in new Shrine in Trinity Chapel |
| 1377-1405 | Lanfranc Nave demolished and rebuilt as seen today; Cloister vaulting inserted |
| c1450 | Pulpitum Screen constructed |
| 1498 | Bell Harry Tower extended and the Cathedral largely complete as seen today |
| 1538 | Becket’s Shrine destroyed by Henry VIII |
| 1540 | Monastery dissolved by royal command |
| 1541 | New Foundation of Dean and Chapter established |
| 1660-1704 | Repair and refurbishing after Puritan damage |
| 1834 | North West tower rebuilt |
| 1954 | Library rebuilt, repairing War damage |
| 1986 | altar of the Sword’s Point (Martyrdom) restored |
| 1988 | Compass Rose placed in the Nave |
| 2000 | International Study Centre opened in the Precincts |
Source: Cathedral web site
Images of Canterbury Cathedral
The Cathedral is a breathtaking experience – I needed to spend more time than I had to get even the most cursory sense of its history, not only the somewhat contorted history of the church and the state in Britain, but also its history as a place of worship. The cathedral and its related buildings illustrate the power and grandeur of organised religion but there is nonetheless an air of reverence and devotion which emanates from centuries of prayer.
The images displayed here are a sample of the shoot. They can be seen in the Gallery and in the display section.
