Canterbury Cathedral - Pilgrimage site

Canterbury was, in the mediaeval era, the most visited site of Pilgrimage in England and so there are a few interesting sites to see there for anyone interested in Pilgrimage.

The Cathedral

This tunnel was constructed in the mid 15th century for Pilgrims going to see where Becket had been matryed - it meant that Pilgrims were kept separate from the Priory monks

Becket wasn't killed in front of the main alter as I had thought but in a Chapel off to one side

The steps used by Pilgrims to go to Becket's shrine

The Trinity Chapel was completed in 1184 were created by William the Englishman to be arresting place for Saint Thomas a Becket - the candle burns where the shrine stood (directly above his original resting place in the crypt) from 1220-1538 when it was destroyed by order of King Henry VIII (Henry summoned the dead Saint to court to face charges of treason but Becket, obviously, did not come and so was found guilty in his absence and the treasures of his shrine were confiscated and carried away in two coffers and twenty-six carts). The coffin was said to be a wooden chest laid over in gold and this held an iron-bound box holding Becket's remains - this was concealed by a wooden cover, which was raised by ropes when a crowd of pilgrims had gathered. The money raised from Pilgrims visiting Becket's shrine (which was held to be a place of healing) paid for the Cathedral's rebuilding.

Outside the Cathedral is the zero marker for the via Francigena (which does not have a zero on it anywhere!)

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Route Napoleon closures: November-March

For anyone thinking of setting off on the Camino anytime soon just a reminder that the Navarrese Govenmnet closes the Route Napoleon over the Pyrenees from November 1st - March 31st each year (and longer if need be). Roncenvalles in the snow The official notification for this (from last year) is below.

The Camino Primitivo

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Pilgrim Prayer - Columba

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On the Camino

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