Day 3 - Exploring Canterbury & Opening Reception

The doorway under the word 'London'
is the entrance to our flat above.

Hi all! Thanks for taking the time to follow along.  It's great to read your comments so I hope you'll keep them coming!

Today, believe it or not, I slept in until 7:48 a.m.  Unheard of for me!  The conference didn't officially begin until the evening reception so we had the day to explore Canterbury on our own.  We gathered up our maps, walking tour instructions, and struck out to experience this historic town without being rushed. Our first goal was to explore the Cathedral grounds in the early morning as the sun was shining!

Bell Tower Barely Visible in Background

We arrived before most of the tourists and were able to wander the extensive and awe-inspiring grounds. The Cathedral was completely rebuilt from 1070 to 1077 and the east end, destroyed by fire in 1174, was rebuilt at the beginning of the 12th century in the Gothic style. It has long been a pilgrimage site, primarily due to the murder of Thomas Becket, during the reign of Henry II, and canonized as St. Thomas in 1173.  His shrine at the Cathedral is the starting point of pilgrimages to Santiago de Compostela. The reason the conference is being held here is that the Black Prince founded a Chantry here in 1463 and was entombed here at his death in 1346. More about that later.

Cloister/Garden Arches

Monastery Ruins

Cathedral Tunnel/Arches

After our Cathedral grounds walkabout, we took to the streets of Canterbury starting at the East Gate. For the most part, the streets within the Roman Walls are pedestrian only, at least from about 9 am - 7 pm which makes walking and shopping hassle-free.

Stour River View

We meandered along the cobblestone streets and alleys and found ourselves at Rosemary Lane!  As we progressed around town, we opted to take a punt tour on the River Stour which runs through Canterbury to the North Sea at Pegway Bay about 16 miles away.

 After a brief rest and glass of wine at the flat, we headed off to the conference's opening events. Mary opted to take the tour of the Cathedral Library Archives and I attended a lecture at the Black Prince's Chantry, founded in 1363.  As a condition of the Pope granting the needed dispensations for cousins Joan of Kent and Edward of Woodstock to marry, and BTW they needed four separate dispensations, Edward was required to found a church chantry.  He chose to do so at Canterbury as he had a religious affinity with St. Thomas Becket and the Holy Trinity. 

It's difficult to get pictures of the Chantry but I did my best. Our tour included the west crypt and the tour was led with the lights off, adding to the atmosphere and it enabled me to envision what the cathedral would have been like in the 14th century lit only by candles.  

Chantry Door from Crypt

Chantry Vaults

Chantry w/Vaults

Black Prince's Coat of Arms w/ Joan