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'MyProject'  (add page) | Contact | About | Site Map | Guestbook  » Places » Canterbury Cathedral - [Cathedral] (TR 1510 5790) Cathedrals   Proximity Map     Official Site : Canterbury Cathedral home page Canterbury Cathedral was the location in 1170 where Archbishop Thomas Becket was murdered by four knights who mistook King Henry II's outburst at Becket's defiance against him as a request for the death of the Archbishop. The site for the cathedral was important as far back as AD 597 when the missionary St. Augustine converted the Pagan king Ethelbert to Christianity. Ethelbert gave Augustine an ancient building which had been a church belonging to earlier British Christians built by King Lucius. Augustine restored and rebuilt sections of the church and it became the centre of Christianity in Britain. After the Norman conquest the cathedral was completely rebuilt by Archbishop Lanfranc (1070) and his successor Anselm (1093) and all remnants of the Saxon church were removed. Anselm started the reconstruction of the choir and his successor Conrad completed the work which was celebrated by Kings Henry I of England and David I of Scotland in 1130. In 1174, shortly after the death of Becket, a fire started in buildings close to the Cathedral and embers set light to its roof. The damage was extensive and this presented the opportunity to do major redesign work. William of Sens was chosen as the architect and he chose the new Gothic style as the style to replace the older Norman building. William de Sens was injured in a fall during construction and his successor, William the Englishman, continued the work. In 1220 Becket's shrine was installed in the Cathedral. The shrine became a cult object attracting pilgrims along the Pilgrim's Way from London. This being the basis of the Canterbury Tales written by Chaucer. Further building work was performed by Henry Yeveley from around 1379 until 1405. Yeveley died in 1400 but the work was continued under his apprentice Stephen Lote. Mini Timeline 959 Beorhthelm becomes Archbishop of Canterbury Beorhthelm became Archbishop of Canterbury. Aefsige becomes Archbishop of Canterbury Aefsige became Archbishop of Canterbury. 960 Dunstan becomes Archbishop of Canterbury Dunstan became Archbishop of Canterbury. 988 Athelgar becomes Archbishop of Canterbury Athelgar became the Archbishop of Canterbury after the death of Dunstan. 990 Sigeric Serio becomes Archbishop of Canterbury Sigeric Serio becomes Archbishop of Canterbury. 1011 The Vikings murder Aelfheah The Vikings captured Canterbury and obtained a payment of £48,000. In a druken rage the Vikings murdered the Archbishop of Canterbury, Aelfheah. Aelfheah was the man that had baptised Olaf Trygvasson in the Winter of 994. Outraged by the actions of his fellow men Thorkell the Tall defected to the side of Athelred along with 45 Viking ships to help defend England from further Viking attacks. 1013 Lyfing becomes Archbishop of Canterbury Lyfing becomes Archbishop of Canterbury. 1020 Aethelnoth becomes Archbishop of Canterbury Aethelnoth became Archbishop of Canterbury. 1038 Eadsige becomes Archbishop of Canterbury Eadsige became Archbishop of Canterbury after the death of Aethelnoth. 1050 Robert of Jumieges becomes Archbishop of Canterbury Edward appointed the French abbot Robert of Jumieges to the post of Archbishop of Canterbury. 1052 Summer Stigand becomes Archbishop of Canterbury Stigand, Bishop of Winchester, mediated between the Godwines and Edward the Confessor. The Norman Archbishop of Canterbury, Robert of Jumieges, fled the country with other bishops who had been appointed by Edward. Stigand assumed the title of Archbishop of Canterbury. Robert appealed to Leo IX and Stigand was excommunicated (repeated by Victor II & Stephen IX, repealed by Benedict X, reintroduced by Nicholas II and Alexander II). 1070 Lanfranc becomes Archbishop of Canterbury William the Conqueror placed Lanfranc in the position of Archbishop of Canterbury a move designed to strengthen his hold on the English throne. Thomas of Bayeux, a pupil of Odo (William's brother), was put in the position of Archbishop of York after the death of Ealred who died on September 11, 1069. Archbishop Stigand was imprisoned in Winchester. 1071 - 1077 Canterbury Cathedral rebuilt by Lanfranc Canterbury Cathedral was rebuilt at this time by Archbishop Lanfranc. The Cathedral was based on the design of his abbey in Caen. 1072 Feb Council of Winchester Lanfranc held a Church council at Winchester where the reoganisation of Bishops and Bishoprics war confirmed. Canterbury was also confirmed as the head of the English Church rather than York. 1089 Lanfranc dies After the death of Archbishop Lanfranc William Rufus held open the post of Archbishop of Canterbury for four years taking the revenues for his own purposes. 1093 Anselm Becomes Archbishop of Canterbury Anselm became Archbishop of Canterbury in 1093 succeeding Lanfranc. The post of Archbishop of Canterbury had been held open by William Rufus so that he could collect for himself the church's income. Anselm died in 1109. 1096 - 1107 Canterbury Choir, East Transepts and Crypt building work. Canterbury Choir, East Transepts and Crypt building work. 1109 Apr 21 Archbishop Anselm dies Death of the Archbishop of Canterbury. 1162 Thomas Becket becomes Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Becket becomes Archbishop of Canterbury. 1170 Dec 29 Thomas Becket is murdered When Henry II heard that Thomas Becket had returned to England and was threatening to excommunicate his opponents, his outrage was such that four knights overhearing the King travelled to England and killed Becket inside Canterbury Cathedral. 1173 Feb 21 Becket canonised Becket was canonised by Pope Alexander III. His shrine at Canterbury Cathedral became extemely wealthy due to the number of pilgrims visiting it and donating money. 1174 Canterbury Cathedral fire Canterbury Cathedral suffered another disastrous fire and was damaged so badly that it needed almost completely rebuilding. William of Sens was given the task of constructing a new Cathedral. William was injured by a fall from scaffolding and the work was continued by William the Englishman. 1175 - 1178 Canterbury Choir building work Canterbury Choir building work by William of Sens. 1179 - 1184 Canterbury Trinity Chapel and corona building work Canterbury Trinity Chapel and corona building work by William Englishman. 1193 Hubert Walter becomes Archbishop of Canterbury Hubert Walter follows Baldwin as Archbishop of Canterbury. 1205 Jul 13 Hubert Walter dies Hubert Walter the Archbishop of Canterbury and King John's most important advisor died. Dec John forces election of De Gray When Hubert Walter died in July a dispute began between King John and the monks of Canterbury over who should become the new Archbishop of Canterbury. King John wanted John de Grey, Bishop of Norwich, to have the position but the monks wanted their sub-prior, Reginald. The matter was delayed until December when a mission sent to Rome could consult the Pope. Reginald himself went as part of the mission and stated that he had been elected by the monks. When King John heard of this he demanded that De Gray should be elected and the monks dutifully did. 1207 Stephen Langton becomes Archbishop of Canterbury Stephen Langton was chosen as Archbishop of Canterbury by Pope Innocent III. 1215 Jun 17 John's Charter (the Magna Carta) A large number of barons, led by Stephen Langton the archbishop of Canterbury meet John in an island in the Thames at Runnymede. It was to limit the power of the monarchy. The barons insisted that the old feudal contract should be reinstated, and that the king should abide by the laws that the rest of the population did. The feudal contract allowed the barons to run their own lands, renting it from the king, but paid rent by supplying knights instead of money. This system had been set up by William the Conqueror. 1228 Stephen Langton dies On the death of Stephen Langton, the archbishop of Canterbury, the Pope, attempting to raise as much money from the clergy in England filled senior posts in the clergy with anyone who bidded the highest. 1236 - 1238 Canterbury Cloister building work Canterbury Cloister building work. 1254 Edward marries Edward (I) at the age of fifteen travels from Portsmouth with his mother and the Archbishop of Canterbury to marry Eleanor of Castile the half-sister of the King Alfonso X of Castile. Both Edward and Eleanor are descended from Henry II. 1304 - 1320 Canterbury Screen of choir and chapter house building work Canterbury Screen of choir and chapter house building work. 1340 Nov Edward dismisses his Chancellor Edward travelled back to England and came ashore at the Tower of London. He was horrified to find the castle unguarded. His anger did not stop with those in charge at the Tower. Edward sacked many of his advisors including the Chancellor, John Stratford, the Archbishop of Canterbury. 1363 Canterbury Black Prince chantry in crypt built The Black Prince chantry in the crypt of Canterbury cathedral built by John Box. Construction of the Chantry Chapel at Canterbury The Black Prince organised the construction of the Chantry Chapel at Canterbury Cathedral and he expressed the wish to be buried there. 1372 - 1377 Canterbury Crypt Lady Chapel building work Canterbury Crypt Lady Chapel building work by John Box. 1378 Canterbury Cathedral rebuilding work Work on rebuilding the nave and transepts of Canterbury Cathedral was started. The designer was Henry Yeveley one of the greatest architects in the late medieval period. 1379 - 1414 Canterbury Cloisters Canterbury Cloisters built by Henry Yevele. 1381 Jun 10 Peasant's Revolt reaches Canterbury William Courtenay was elected the new archbishop of Canterbury by the Kentish rebels who crowded into the church. The previous archbishop was in London with the king and was to be beheaded by the rebels. The Essex section of the revolt burnt and sacked a Hospitaller commandery that had previously belonged to the Templars called Cressing Temple. Jun 10 William Courtenay becomes Archbishop of Canterbury William Courtenay became the Archbishop of Canterbury. 1387 The Canterbury Tales Geoffrey Chaucer begins the Canterbury Tales. 1397 Wilton Diptych painted A series of minature images painted on the side of the Black Prince's tomb in Canterbury Cathedral. 1400 - 1412 Chapter House at Canterbury building work Chapter House at Canterbury building work by Stephen Lote. Henry Yeveley dies. Henry Yeveley, one of the greatest late medieval architects died in 1400. His work on Canterbury Cathedral was continued by his pupil Stephen Lote. 1423 - 1434 Canterbury South West Tower building work Canterbury South West Tower building work by Thomas Mapilton. 1468 Canterbury Lady Chapel Vault Canterbury Lady Chapel Vault built. 1493 - 1497 Canterbury central tower building work Canterbury central tower building work undertaken including strainer arches in the crossing. 1503 William Wareham becomes Archbishop of Canterbury William Wareham is elected to the post of Archbishop of Canterbury by Julius II. See Also   Walter, Hubert   Theobald (of Bec, Archbishop of Canterbury)   Arundel, Thomas   Lanfranc (Archbishop of Canterbury 1070-89)   Anselm (Archbishop of Canterbury 1093-1109)   Becket, Thomas (St)   Langton, Stephen   Wareham, William (Archbishop of Canterbury) Have you visited this place? Rate it now 54321 5 = Excellent, 3 = Good, 1 = Poor Related information   Google Earth Placemarks   Timeline of abbey foundations   The origin of monasteries   The Cisterian order of monks Feedback   Answer Questionnaire   Questionnaire results Selection of references used: Magnus Magnusson,Vikings!, John Harvey,English Cathedrals,1961 Peter Potter,Data Donation, John Timbs & Alexander Gunn,Abbeys, Castles and Ancient Halls of England & Wales (North),1872 Maurice Ashley,The Life and Times of King John, Richard Barber,The Devil's Crown, Elizabeth Luckock and Caroline Gundy,Simon de Montfort,1969 John Chancellor,The Life and Times of Edward I,1981 Hubert Cole,The Black Prince,1976 John J. Robinson,Born in Blood, Jasper Ridley,The History of England,1981 Top of Page Bookmark this page with: StumbleUpon TimeRef Home Page     Episodes of Medieval History     Key Dates in Medieval History People     Places     3D Buildings     Maps Glossary of Terms     Architecture     Links