Our Travel with Rick Steves Tours
CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL…
Canterbury Cathedral was one of the most important centers of pilgrimage in Medieval England. The earliest cathedral was possibly an existing church building, rehallowed by Augustine in 602, and dedicated to Christ Jesus the Savior. The Archbishop of Canterbury was considered the most senior religious figure in the land.
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Today, Canterbury Cathedral is respected as the mother church of the Anglican Communion, where worship has continued daily for over 1400 years. It is one of the great architectural wonders of Britain.
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Some of our group attended Evensong in the Cathedral.
Canterbury Gate
Inside the Cathedral grounds we visited the shop where artisans work at restoring and protecting the stained glass panels. Our presenter had a college degree in Art History, plus training in restoring stained glass. We were introduced to the process of building a stained glass window. The artist showed us several window sections from the 1200s they were restoring.
repairing the leading
the artist and craftsman
Brooke, Jerry and group
at Canterbury Cathedral, their specialty is Stained Glass Conservation, Restoration, and Design
candle marks where Thomas Becket's shrine lay in the Trinity Chapel from 1220 until its destruction was ordered by Henry VIII in 1538.
Cathedral grounds
some of the beautiful stained glass windows
the quire
the gilded copper effigy by John Orchard (1376) of Edward, the Black Prince
the quire