Why is Canterbury Cathedral so important today?

Canterbury Cathedral in Canterbury, Kent, is one of the oldest and most famous Christian structures in England. It forms part of a World Heritage Site. It is the cathedral of the Archbishop of Canterbury, currently Justin Welby, leader of the Church of England and symbolic leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

Why is the Canterbury important?

Canterbury has been a European pilgrimage site of major importance for over 800 years since the assassination of Archbishop Thomas Becket in 1170. The pilgrims in the Canterbury Tales followed the Pilgrims Way to Canterbury, to worship and make penance at the tomb of the murdered Archbishop, Thomas Becket.

Why is Canterbury so important to the pilgrims?

Soon after the death of Thomas Becket, Pope Alexander canonised him and the murdered priest was elevated to sainthood. Becket’s shrine at Canterbury now became the most important place in the country for pilgrims to visit. The monks were afraid that Becket’s body might be stolen. …

Why did the cathedral become an important place for pilgrims?

Becket was declared a martyr after his death, and people began visiting his tomb. These reports of miracles and the fact that Becket was later declared a saint made Canterbury Cathedral an important place for pilgrims to visit. Many people visited his tomb in the hope of getting miraculous cures for various ailments.

What is Canterbury Cathedral and why is it important?

Canterbury Cathedral was one of the most important centres of pilgrimage in Medieval England. While the cathedral had huge significance at both a religious and political level in medieval times, its importance as a centre of pilgrimage greatly increased after the murder of Thomas Becket there in 1170.

What is the oldest cathedral in the world?

According to the Catholic Encyclopedia the Cenacle (the site of the Last Supper) in Jerusalem was the “first Christian church.” The Dura-Europos church in Syria is the oldest surviving church building in the world, while the archaeological remains of both the Aqaba Church and the Megiddo church have been considered to …

How safe is Canterbury?

Crime in Canterbury Canterbury is consistently renowned for being one of the safest university cities in England. But like many cities, Canterbury does have its not so safe areas. As seen in the graph below, here’s a record of crime in Canterbury from November 2015 – October 2016.

What three reasons is The Canterbury Tales considered a masterpiece?

The Canterbury Tales is considered Chaucer’s masterpiece and is among the most important works of medieval literature for many reasons besides its poetic power and entertainment value, notably its depiction of the different social classes of the 14th century CE as well as clothing worn, pastimes enjoyed, and language/ …

Is Canterbury a nice place to live?

Canterbury is by and large considered a safe place to live, with incidents of crime generally below the national average. In 2019, Canterbury was voted Kent’s 3rd happiest place.

What is so special about Canterbury in the Canterbury Tales?

What are some interesting facts about Canterbury Cathedral?

Here are some interesting facts about Canterbury Cathedral below: Archbishop of Canterbury is considered as the symbolic leader of the Anglican Communion in the world. He also led the Church of England. Therefore, this cathedral is the house of the Archbishop. Check Anglicanism facts here. Let’s find out the foundation of Canterbury Cathedral.

Who was the most famous Archbishop of Canterbury?

Thomas Becket. Canterbury’s role as one of the world’s most important pilgrimage centres in Europe is inextricably linked to the murder of its most famous Archbishop, Thomas Becket, in 1170.

Which is the oldest cathedral in the UK?

It is considered as the oldest one in England. There is no need to wonder that this cathedral is included as a part of World heritage Site. If you are interested to visit the cathedral, you can go to Canterbury, Kent. Here are some interesting facts about Canterbury Cathedral below:

What did the pilgrims buy at Canterbury Cathedral?

At Canterbury, pilgrims could purchase pewter flasks of holy water mixed with the blood of Thomas Becket, collected from his wound as he lay dying. Pilgrim badges were also popular and most cathedrals boasted a thriving tourist industry.