St. Augustine arrived in England in 597AD to convert the pagan population to Christianity. He chose the center of his work as Canterbury in South Central Kent. It has since been the center of worship in all of England. His original cathedral was destroyed in 1067, when construction of the present cathedral was started. Like almost all of the historic cathedrals in England, the cathedral was built onto and renovated over the years. Fires and additions, including damage during World War II, changed the cathedral over many years.
In 1170, Archbishop Thomas Becket, was murdered in the cathedral. Then King Henry II is said to have exclaimed, "Who will rid me of this turbulent priest." Four of his knights took him very serious and rode to Canterbury and assassinated Becket. It is said to be the most notorious murder in English history. Becket was canonized as a saint 3 years later, an unprecedented short time. His burial site in the cathedral made Canterbury a point of pilgrimage for the English. (Chaucer's Canterbury Tales is a collection of stories told by pilgrims on the road to Canterbury.)
This is the modern shrine at the site of the Becket Martyrdom - notice the four swords representing the four murderous knights - notice also the reverence of people for this site.
This is a large and beautiful cathedral in a beautiful city. The cathedral grounds were cared for by monks who had a granary, bakery, brewery, infirmaries, dormitories and a water tower. They had gardens where plants were grown for medicine, dye and ink making and to freshen the air.
These are scenes in Canterbury around the cathedral grounds.
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