Way back in 597 AD Pope Gregory the Great sent one of his monks, a fellow named Augustine, to England as a missionary. Monk Augustine established his seat (Cathedra) and monastery in Canterbury and became England's first Archbishop. Much later in 1170 Archbishop Thomas Becket was murdered in the Cathedral and , when soon afterwards miracles were said to take place, the Cathedral became one of Europe's most important pilgrimage centres. I had been here often over the years, having been born at the old Canterbury hospital, but was eager to show Marie this still working and living church that had stood here for more than 1400 years. It was a grey, blustery day with periods of sudden heavy rain as we walked through the cloisters and past the ruins of the ancient infirmary, a reminder of the Cathedral's monastic past. The grounds though were still alive with tourists and pilgrims from all over the world who had come to see the Martyrdom where Becket was killed over 800 years ago on orders of the King, Henry II.
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Work was being done on some of the stained glass windows but there were still many beautiful and detailed examples all around us to marvel at. The choir was just finishing when we arrived but we were able to enjoy a few minutes of their marvelously uplifting voices rising up to the have. We stopped by the royal tombs of King Henry IV and Edward, Prince of Wales, known as the 'Black Prince' before picking up a few souvenirs in the gift shop on our way out. I said goodbye again to this great church within the old city walls and silently wondered if it was for the last time....The next post will be from Chartham Hatch. Happy St George's.....
gws
