Canterbury Cathedral is one of
the greatest medieval buildings in
the world. It is the place where St
Augustine brought Christianity
back to south-eastern England in
597.
St Thomas a Becket became
Archbishop of Canterbury in
1162, during the reign of Henry ll.
St Thomas was murdered, and
buried in the cathedral in 1170. His tomb became the greatest
shrine in Europe after St Peter’s in Rome. Christians who prayed
at his tomb claimed that miracle cures took place and prayers
were answered. St Augustine is also buried in the cathedral.
Canterbury Cathedral is the spiritual “Mother Church” of the
Anglican Church across the world. Every ten years, the Lambeth
Conference of bishops from across the world meets in
Canterbury. The Archbishop of Canterbury (head of the Church of
England) has his seat in the cathedral.
Christians still make pilgrimages to Canterbury Cathedral.
This cross marks the place where
St Thomas a becket died
MagMaxMonthly for children! December 2016
Special Places—the Shrine of St Thomas a
Becket, Canterbury
Thomas Becket was born in London in 1118.
He went to work in the house of the
Archbishop of Canterbury and studied to
become a priest. He became a great friend
of King Henry II. When Thomas was 36 King
Henry made him his chancellor. Thomas had
a large household and lived in grand style.
Yet he was also very good to the poor.
Although Thomas was proud and
quick-tempered, he did many hidden acts of
penance. He prayed long hours, often until
late at night. When the Archbishop of
Canterbury died, the king wanted the pope to give Thomas this
position. But Thomas said that he did not want to be the archbishop
of Canterbury. Thomas knew that, as archbishop, he would have to
defend the Church from the king and that would mean trouble. "Your
affection for me would turn into hatred," he warned Henry.
The king paid no attention and Thomas was made a priest and a
bishop in 1162. At first, things were fine. But soon, the king began to
demand money from the Church, which Thomas felt was not right.
The king grew more and more angry with his friend. Finally, he began
to treat Thomas very unkindly. For a while, Thomas was tempted to
give in to the king. Then he began to realize just how much Henry
hoped to control the Church. Thomas was very sorry that he had
even thought of giving in to the king. He did penance for his
weakness, and ever after held firm and only did what was right.
One day, the king was very angry. "Will no one rid me of this
archbishop?" he shouted. Some of his knights took him seriously and
went off to murder the archbishop.
They attacked him in his own cathedral. Thomas died, saying, "For the
name of Jesus and in defence of the Church, I am willing to die." It
was December 29, 1170.
The entire Christian world was horrified at such a crime. Pope
Alexander III held the king personally responsible for the murder.
Soon miracles began to happen at Thomas' tomb and he was made a
saint by the same pope in 1173.
The Canterbury Tales
Towards the end of the fourteenth century, Geoffrey Chaucer
wrote the Canterbury Tales about a group of pilgrims who
travelled together on their way to the Shrine of Thomas a Becket
in Canterbury Cathedral. The pilgrims pass the time on their
journey by telling stories to each other.
A popular tale is that of Chanticleer and the
Fox, told by the Nun’s priest. King of the
barnyard, Chanticleer the rooster struts about
all day. When a fox bursts into his domain,
dupes him into crowing, and then grabs him in
a vicelike grip, Chanticleer must do
some quick thinking to save himself and his
barnyard kingdom. Chanticleer manages to
escape into a tree.
If you were going on a pilgrimage, what stories would you tell?
We are on a journey
Travelling to see
All that God was in the past
And evermore shall be.
Amen
Make a sword and mitre biscuit
You will need

180g butter

240g caster sugar

4 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

600g plain flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

White icing
Cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the
eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking powder and salt. Cover
and chill the dough for about an hour. Preheat the oven to 200C
(400F). Roll out the dough on a floured surface until about 1cm
thick. Cut out the shapes with biscuit cutters or make shapes
from card and cut around them. Place the biscuits on a baking
tray. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes. Cool the biscuits then decorate and
assemble.
Enjoy!
Produced by the Diocesan Children and Families Adviser