Historical Canterbury

England has a long history ... it is reflected well in a town such as Canterbury! After entering the massive town gate securing the city, the first view was the typical mall with ye olde shoppes of clothes, candy, utilities, souvenirs and so on.

Medieval houses were common in the town, and a good example of that was the public library ... you really felt as if you were in another time! The wooden structure reflects artful craftsmanship. Unfortunately, we could not enter it.

Behind the shops, you could get a sneak peek of the magnificent Gothic cathedral, founded in 597 and renovated in the 11th century. (No, Rohan is not from "The Lord of The Rings").

The famous saint Thomas Becket, archbishop of Canterbury, was murdered in this cathedral in 1170, after having litigated with Henry II. Some of the king's knights took the anger of the king seriously and killed the archbishop. This scene is narrated in epic verse by T.S. Eliot in his play "Murder in the Cathedral" (1935): Thomas Becket knows that conflict is coming, yet still he sticks to his values and his faith and does not fall for the temptation of security, power by alliance or vain martyrdom for the sake of glory. This heritage remains connected to this place and hopefully accompanies every visitor that enters the cathedral or reads the play.

After leaving town, we relaxed in the verdant English greens (very well-kept) and prepared for our next journey. You could see the steeple of the Cathedral from afar! And on we went to other historical places ... coming in my next posts!

Photo gallery