“Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?”
So said King Henry II in December 1170, and few words have proved more fateful. Prompted by the King’s fury, four knights set out for Kent to assassinate the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket. Stabbed to death in his own cathedral, Becket was canonized by the Pope just two years later, and Canterbury became one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the whole world.
Dating back to 1070, the Cathedral itself is a marvel of Gothic architecture, towering over the city. Even today the Cathedral is awe-inspiring, so it’s hard to imagine what it would’ve been like for a medieval pilgrim to see this massive stone structure looming over Canterbury’s narrow streets. No wonder it’s been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, welcoming nearly one million visitors a year.
This design features one of the most iconic Canterbury scenes: the view of the Cathedral’s central tower at the end of Butchery Lane, a picturesque little alley just off the bustling High Street. The perfect gift for all your Cantabrian friends!
