THREADS OF TIME
Kent Life|April 2020
A key part of the 2020 commemorations marking the murder of Thomas Becket will be the unveiling of 12 new festal vestments at special services held at Canterbury Cathedral
THREADS OF TIME

This year marks an important dual anniversary for the martyr Thomas Becket. It will be 850 years since his dramatic murder on 29 December 1170 in Canterbury Cathedral, and 800 years since his body was moved on 7 July 1220 from a tomb in the crypt of the cathedral to a new gold-plated and bejewelled shrine behind the high altar in the Trinity Chapel.

The events of 1220 were orchestrated to relaunch the cult of Becket, and ensured that Canterbury became the principal pilgrimage destination in England and one of the major pilgrimage sites within Europe.

Despite the shrine being destroyed in 1538 by Henry VIII during the Reformation, visitors from all over the world still flock to the site, where today a single candle burns in tribute.

No doubt their numbers will be even greater this year as the cathedral hosts a series of events to mark the anniversaries, including a major church service on 5 July, jointly held by Catholics and Anglicans.

I am in Canterbury with the cathedral’s Precentor, the Revd Max Kramer, to learn about the results of an ambitious fundraising campaign that will be unveiled during 2020.

Last March the Dean, the Very Reverend Dr Robert Willis, launched ‘Copes for Canterbury’ to raise money for 12 bespoke sets of festal vestments in honour of the Becket commemorations.

The Friends of Canterbury Cathedral stepped up to the challenge magnificently and raised more than £40,000, some donating the entire cost of a cope (£3,000) others clubbing together to sponsor one between them.

This story is from the April 2020 edition of Kent Life.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the April 2020 edition of Kent Life.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM KENT LIFEView All
The choice of leaders
Kent Life

The choice of leaders

It’s a small, scenic Kentish market town on the border with Surrey, famous for not one but two great leaders. We take a look around Westerham

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2020
The eco-warriors
Kent Life

The eco-warriors

Awarded a Queen’s Anniversary Prize in 2019 in recognition of its research in global nature conservation, the role of Kent-based DICE has never been more relevant

time-read
7 mins  |
November 2020
Kent's most CURIOUS MONUMENTS
Kent Life

Kent's most CURIOUS MONUMENTS

Our county can boast some of the most celebrated and downright unusual protected mouments in the country

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2020
Ghosts of a river's life
Kent Life

Ghosts of a river's life

Kent Life discovers an an other-worldliness about the marshes, creeks, and saltings of the lower reaches of the river Medway

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2020
The return of the son
Kent Life

The return of the son

The Unknown Warrior’s journey from the World War One battlefields via Dover to his resting place in Westminster Abbey is 100 years old this month

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2020
We will remember
Kent Life

We will remember

In a year when we got an inkling of what living through a war means, we remember the 75th anniversary of the end of the Great War

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2020
Age-old advice
Kent Life

Age-old advice

Just become a grandparent for the first time? Perhaps you need a little guidance, so here are some top tips about how to embrace your new family role

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2020
10 GOOD REASONS TO VISIT Medway Towns
Kent Life

10 GOOD REASONS TO VISIT Medway Towns

A vast Dockyard, a Napoleonic fort and a JCB diggers theme park - let’s visit Chatham and Medway

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2020
KENT'S CREEPIEST- GHOST STORIES
Kent Life

KENT'S CREEPIEST- GHOST STORIES

Here are 10 tales to make you shiver as we celebrate All Hallows’ Eve

time-read
7 mins  |
October 2020
Joking apart
Kent Life

Joking apart

From his home in Broadstairs, Royston Robertson comes up with satirical, topical and sometimes just plain silly cartoons

time-read
5 mins  |
October 2020