10 Interesting Facts about Canterbury Cathedral


Do you know Facts about Canterbury Cathedral? 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.Canterbury Cathedral is the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion and seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Cathedral is both a holy place and part of a World Heritage Site. Let us know all about Canterbury Cathedral with the help of AWKNG School of Theology professors.

Facts about Canterbury Cathedral 1:History

Founded in 597, the cathedral was completely rebuilt between 1070 and 1077. The east end was greatly enlarged at the beginning of the 12th century, and largely rebuilt in the Gothic style.

Facts about Canterbury Cathedral 2: Augustine of Canterbury

 

          Augustine of Canterbury

 

Augustine of Canterbury (born first third of the 6th century – died probably 26 May 604) was a Benedictine monk who became the first Archbishop of Canterbury in the year 597. He is considered the “Apostle to the English” and a founder of the English Church

Facts about Canterbury Cathedral 3:Martyrdom of Thomas Becket

In an effort to gain control over the powerful and wealthy Church, King Henry II appointed one of his most loyal friends, Thomas Becket, as Archbishop of Canterbury.Thomas became a strong defender of the Church’s independence, and years of arguments and even exile followed, then four knights came to Canterbury and killed Thomas on this spot on 29th December, 1170.

Facts about Canterbury Cathedral 4:Trinity Chapel

                     Trinity Chapel

 

Completed in 1184, the Trinity Chapel was built to house the new shrine of Thomas Becket. The relics of St Thomas were moved from the Crypt in a grand ‘Translation’ ceremony on 7 July 1220.

Facts about Canterbury Cathedral 5: Corona Chapel

The Corona is a unique structure that is almost perfectly circular. It was built by the monks of the Christchurch Priory in the 12th century and was meant to be one of the most sacred parts of the church.

Facts about Canterbury Cathedral 6:Finance

Around £18,000 is spent each day (2017) on running costs.[61] In order to meet these costs the cathedral has to rely on income from entry fees paid by visitors and a number of commercial operations such as property rental, the Cathedral Shop, as well as the Cathedral Lodge Hotel and Conference Centre.

Facts about Canterbury Cathedral 7:Bell Harry Tower

The present central tower was designed by the architect John Wastell and completed in 1498. It is known as Bell Harry by virtue of the original bell given in 1288 by Prior Henry of Eastry, to be hung on the roof of the tower as it then stood.

 

Facts about Canterbury Cathedral 8: Christ Church Gate

            Christ Church Gate

 

The main visitor entrance to Canterbury Cathedral precinct is through this highly decorated gateway, which was originally built to celebrate the marriage of Arthur, Prince of Wales, to Catherine of Aragon in 1502.

 

Facts about Canterbury Cathedral 9:Dissolution of the Monasteries

The Dissolution of the Monasteries, was the set of administrative and legal processes between 1536 and 1541 by which Henry VIII disbanded monasteries, priories, convents and friaries in England, Wales and Ireland, appropriated their income, disposed of their assets, and provided for their former personnel and functions.

 

Facts about Canterbury Cathedral 10:Choir House

              Boy Choristers Canterbury

 

The Choir House (or 18 The Precincts) is a 16th century flint building on a site which which once served as dining hall to the Infirmary but today provides accommodation for about 30 boy choristers.

What do you about these 10 interesting Facts about Canterbury Cathedral?


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