Cathedral through times

We were greeted by a light drizzle when we reached the celebrated Canterbury Cathedral in Kent. Once inside, we were enveloped by the cosy and awe-inspiring interiors of this oldest-functioning cathedral in England, established in 597 AD by St Augustine who was specially sent by Pope Gregory to preach Christianity in England.

Over the centuries, this place of pilgrimage and worship has been witness to several historical events. One is invariably reminded of Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales and the Martyrdom of Thomas Becket. In recent times, the saint’s story is made famous in the film Becket.

One of the interesting features is a flight of steps used by millions of pilgrims who visited the cathedral over the centuries. These stone steps are well worn out by visitors’ footfalls. The cathedral’s fame spread far and wide after the martyrdom of the 40th Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket, in 1170 AD, on a famously misunderstood comment by King Henry II — “Who will rid me of this turbulent priest?”

The spot where four knights attacked and murdered Becket is known as the Sword’s Point. Replicas of the weapons used to kill Becket are on display here.

A repentant Henry II used to have himself whipped at this spot on the anniversary of Becket’s martyrdom as penitence. Thomas Becket was canonised and declared a saint in 1173. His shrine in Canterbury Cathedral became an important destination for Christian pilgrims. The upsurge in pilgrims’ visit improved the income that in turn was used to expand and improve this cathedral.

During the Medieval times, Canterbury was the starting point for pilgrims from England who undertook the long and arduous journey to the Vatican. The ancient cobbled road that started from Canterbury continued in France and the rest of Europe, and finally culminated in Rome. There are stretches of this road known as Via Francigena in many parts of Europe still.

As we moved along this cathedral embellished with spectacular stained glass paintings, we saw tombs of many historical notables. Amongst them were the sepulchers of the Black Prince and that of Henry IV. The crypt of Thomas Becket is also in this cathedral.

It was during the reign of Henry VIII that most of the catholic churches in England were vandalised as a result of Anglican Church breaking away from the authority of the Pope. In 1538, on orders from Henry VIII, the shrine of Thomas Becket was destroyed. However, the position of Archbishop of Canterbury stayed on. Ever since the Reformation, the Archbishop of Canterbury heads the Church of England, and it is independent of the Vatican.

Another important historical element in the Cathedral is the Chair of St Augustine, made of Purbeck Marble. It was first made in 1174 and later in 1201 when the original was almost destroyed in a fire. This chair, or throne, is where the enthronement of the Archbishops of Canterbury takes place. The present Archbishop, Reverend Justin Welby, the 105th since St Augustine, was ceremonially ‘enthroned’ in 2013, seated on this eight-century-old throne.

We stepped out of the Cathedral with a sense of having experienced English history through the Medieval Ages, the Age of Reformation, and the Modern times.