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Canterbury Cathedral
Location:
Canterbury, Kent, EnglandTime Frame:
597Building Style:
GothicArtist/Builder:
William of SensHenry Yevele
John Wastell
Information:
Canterbury Cathedralis is one of the most respected churches of the gothic style. Here, the Church of England holds it's administrative center and the archbishop holds the title of Primate of All England. The cathedral has been the site of the archbishopic since the day it was built where Saint Augustine was named the first archbisop. Canterbury Cathedral has been one of the central churches of the pilgrimage during the middle ages. The shrine of Saint Thomas à Becket lies in Canterbury Cathedral and leads up to an interesting tale. Saint Thomas à Becket was the chancellor of England and archbishop of Canterbury. in 1067, the cathedral was destroyed by a massive fire, but was reconstructed in a romanesque style. In 1170, Henry II, King of England, ordered four knights to murder of Saint Thomas à Becket and on the same spot that he was killed lies a plaque marking his death. Henry VIII ordered the destruction of the shrine. The Gothic style of the chior, asp, and the exterior flying buttresses was developed by William of Sens in 1174. In turn, Henry Yevele designed the nave in 1374. In the 15th century, John Wastell built the large bell tower known as the Bell Harry Tower Huguenots utilized the chapel and crypt for hiding to avoid French Catholic persecution in the 16th century. From 1178 to 1200, the stained glass that hang in th clerestory, just above the choir, show the genealogy of Christ. Several tombs are located through the cathedral. In the Trinity Chapel, located on the southside of the cathedral, lies the tomb of Edward, the Black Prince, the tombs of Henry IV and his queen, and Joan of Navarre are located on the north side of the cathedral. Other buildings that are located on the northside of the cathedral consist of the cloisters, a chapter house, a baptistery, a library, and the King's School. The Canterbury tales by Geoffrey Chaucer help depict the pigrimage to Canterbury Cathedral. Canterbury was actually found to be a monastary of the Saint Benedictine order, until 1540 when the monastary was dissolved. Canterbury Cathedral was the site of many respectable and noteworthy people, such as Augustine, Theodore, Odo, Dunstan, Alphege, Anselm, Thomas and Edmund (all siants of Canterbury).
Canterbury Cathedral
Reflections
Augustine Chapel
Becket's Monument
Cranmer Window
Queen Berthasm