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anterbury Cathedral was the location in 1170 where Archbishop Thomas Becket was murdered by four knights who mistook King Henry II's outburst at Becket's defiance against him as a request for the death of the Archbishop. The site for the cathedral was important as far back as AD 597 when the missionary St. Augustine converted the Pagan king Ethelbert to Christianity. Ethelbert gave Augustine an ancient building which had been a church belonging to earlier British Christians built by King Lucius. Augustine restored and rebuilt sections of the church and it became the centre of Christianity in Britain. After the Norman conquest the cathedral was completely rebuilt by Archbishop Lanfranc (1070) and his successor Anselm (1093) and all remnants of the Saxon church were removed. Anselm started the reconstruction of the choir and his successor Conrad completed the work which was celebrated by Kings Henry I of England and David I of Scotland in 1130. In 1174, shortly after the death of Becket, a fire started in buildings close to the Cathedral and embers set light to its roof. The damage was extensive and this presented the opportunity to do major redesign work. William of Sens was chosen as the architect and he chose the new Gothic style as the style to replace the older Norman building. William de Sens was injured in a fall during construction and his successor, William the Englishman, continued the work. In 1220 Becket's shrine was installed in the Cathedral. The shrine became a cult object attracting pilgrims along the Pilgrim's Way from London. This being the basis of the Canterbury Tales written by Chaucer. Further building work was performed by Henry Yeveley from around 1379 until 1405. Yeveley died in 1400 but the work was continued under his apprentice Stephen Lote.

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Mini Timeline

959		Aefsige becomes Archbishop of Canterbury
		Aefsige became Archbishop of Canterbury.
		Beorhthelm becomes Archbishop of Canterbury
		Beorhthelm became Archbishop of Canterbury.
960		Dunstan becomes Archbishop of Canterbury
		Dunstan became Archbishop of Canterbury.
988		Athelgar becomes Archbishop of Canterbury
		Athelgar became the Archbishop of Canterbury after the death of Dunstan.
990		Sigeric Serio becomes Archbishop of Canterbury
		Sigeric Serio becomes Archbishop of Canterbury.
1011		The Vikings murder Aelfheah
		The Vikings captured Canterbury and obtained a payment of £48,000. In a drunken rage the Vikings murdered Aelfheah, the Archbishop of Canterbury. Aelfheah was the man that had baptised Olaf Trygvasson in the Winter of 994. Outraged by the actions of his fellow men Thorkell the Tall defected to the side of Aethelred along with 45 Viking ships to help defend England from further Viking attacks.¹
1013		Lyfing becomes Archbishop of Canterbury
		Lyfing becomes Archbishop of Canterbury.
1020		Aethelnoth becomes Archbishop of Canterbury
		Aethelnoth became Archbishop of Canterbury.
1038		Eadsige becomes Archbishop of Canterbury
		Eadsige became Archbishop of Canterbury after the death of Aethelnoth.
1050		Robert of Jumieges becomes Archbishop of Canterbury
		Edward appointed the French abbot Robert of Jumieges to the post of Archbishop of Canterbury.
1052	Summer	Stigand becomes Archbishop of Canterbury
		Stigand, Bishop of Winchester, mediated between the Godwines and Edward the Confessor. The Norman Archbishop of Canterbury, Robert of Jumieges, fled the country with other bishops who had been appointed by Edward. Stigand assumed the title of Archbishop of Canterbury. Robert appealed to Leo IX and Stigand was excommunicated (repeated by Victor II & Stephen IX, repealed by Benedict X, reintroduced by Nicholas II and Alexander II).
Romanesque / Norman Period 1066 (+/- 25yrs)
1070		Lanfranc becomes Archbishop of Canterbury
		William the Conqueror placed Lanfranc in the position of Archbishop of Canterbury a move designed to strengthen his hold on the English throne. Thomas of Bayeux, a pupil of Odo (William's brother), was put in the position of Archbishop of York after the death of Ealred who died on September 11, 1069. Archbishop Stigand was imprisoned in Winchester.
1071 - 1077		Canterbury Cathedral rebuilt by Lanfranc
		Canterbury Cathedral was rebuilt at this time by Archbishop Lanfranc. The Cathedral was based on the design of his abbey in Caen.
1072	Feb	Council of Winchester
		Lanfranc held a Church council at Winchester where the reorganisation of Bishops and Bishoprics war confirmed. Canterbury was also confirmed as the head of the English Church rather than York.
1089	May 24	Lanfranc dies
		After the death of Archbishop Lanfranc William Rufus held open the post of Archbishop of Canterbury for four years taking the revenues for his own purposes.
1093		Anselm Becomes Archbishop of Canterbury
		Anselm became Archbishop of Canterbury in 1093 succeeding Lanfranc. The post of Archbishop of Canterbury had been held open by William Rufus so that he could collect for himself the church's income. Anselm died in 1109.
1096 - 1107		Canterbury Choir, East Transepts and Crypt building work.
		Canterbury Choir, East Transepts and Crypt building work.²
1097		Anselm goes into exile
		Conflicts between Archbishop Anselm and William Rufus resulted in the Archbishop leaving England and heading for Rome. William confiscated Anselm's land.
1100	Qtr 3	Anselm recalled from exile
		Henry I had no quarrels with the exiled archbishop and invited Anselm to return from exile and take back his position at Canterbury.
1103		Conflicts between Church and State
		Disagreements began to arise between Henry I and Archbishop Anselm over the appointment of bishops and abbots into important Church positions. Anselm believed that it was a matter for the Church to decide and should not be controlled by the King. No concession could be agreed upon and once again Anselm went into exile as the King confiscated the lands that the archbishop owned.
1109	Apr 21	Archbishop Anselm dies
		Death of the Archbishop of Canterbury.³
1130		Canterbury choir dedication
		A new choir started at Canterbury Cathedral in 1093 by Prior Ernulf and completed by Prior Conrad was dedicated in the presence of Henry I, David of Scotland and many English Earls.⁴
1162		Thomas Becket becomes Archbishop of Canterbury
		Thomas Becket becomes Archbishop of Canterbury.
1170	Dec 29	Thomas Becket is murdered
		When Henry II heard that Thomas Becket had returned to England and was threatening to excommunicate his opponents, his outrage was such that four knights overhearing the King travelled to England and killed Becket inside Canterbury Cathedral.
1173	Feb 21	Becket canonised
		Becket was canonized by Pope Alexander III. His shrine at Canterbury Cathedral became extremely wealthy due to the number of pilgrims visiting it and donating money.⁵
1174		Canterbury Cathedral fire
		Canterbury Cathedral suffered another disastrous fire and was damaged so badly that it needed almost completely rebuilding. William of Sens was given the task of constructing a new Cathedral. William was injured by a fall from scaffolding and the work was continued by William the Englishman.
	Jul 7	Whipping of Henry II
		Henry II accepted his part, even though indirect, in the killing of Thomas Becket. He was whipped by the monks of Canterbury as punishment.
1175 - 1178		Canterbury Choir building work
		Canterbury Choir building work by William of Sens.²
1179 - 1184		Canterbury Trinity Chapel and corona building work
		Canterbury Trinity Chapel and corona building work by William Englishman.²
Early English Period 1190 (+/- 25yrs)
1193		Hubert Walter becomes Archbishop of Canterbury
		Hubert Walter follows Baldwin as Archbishop of Canterbury.
1205	Jul 13	Hubert Walter dies
		Hubert Walter the Archbishop of Canterbury and King John's most important advisor died.⁶
	Dec	John forces election of De Gray
		When Hubert Walter died a dispute began between King John and the monks of Canterbury over who should become the new Archbishop of Canterbury. King John wanted John de Grey, Bishop of Norwich, to have the position but the monks wanted their sub-prior, Reginald. The matter was delayed until December when a mission sent to Rome could consult the Pope. Reginald himself went as part of the mission and stated that he had been elected by the monks. When King John heard of this he demanded that De Gray should be elected and the monks dutifully did.⁶
1207		Stephen Langton becomes Archbishop of Canterbury
		Stephen Langton was chosen as Archbishop of Canterbury by Pope Innocent III.⁷
1215	Jun 15	John's Great Charter (the Magna Carta)
		A large number of barons, led by Stephen Langton the archbishop of Canterbury, meet King John on an island in the Thames at Runnymede. They forced the king to sign the 'Great Charter' or Magna Carta that would limit the power of the monarchy. The barons insisted that the old feudal contract should be reinstated and that the king should abide by the laws that the rest of the population did. The feudal contract allowed the barons to run their own lands, renting it from the king but paying rent by supplying knights rather than money. This feudal system had been set up by William the Conqueror.⁸
1228		Stephen Langton dies
		On the death of Stephen Langton, the archbishop of Canterbury, the Pope, attempting to raise as much money from the clergy in England filled senior posts in the clergy with anyone who bidded the highest.⁸
1236 - 1238		Canterbury Cloister building work
		Canterbury Cloister building work.²
1254		Edward marries
		Edward (I) at the age of fifteen travels from Portsmouth with his mother and the Archbishop of Canterbury to marry Eleanor of Castile the half-sister of the King Alfonso X of Castile. Both Edward and Eleanor are descended from Henry II.⁹
Decorated Gothic Period 1275 (+/- 25yrs)
1304 - 1320		Canterbury Screen of choir and chapter house building work
		Canterbury Screen of choir and chapter house building work.²
1340	Nov	Edward dismisses his Chancellor
		Edward travelled back to England and came ashore at the Tower of London. He was horrified to find the castle unguarded. His anger did not stop with those in charge at the Tower. Edward sacked many of his advisors including the Chancellor, John Stratford, the Archbishop of Canterbury.¹⁰
Perpendicular Gothic Period 1350 (+/- 25yrs)
1363		Construction of the Chantry Chapel at Canterbury
		The Black Prince organised the construction of the Chantry Chapel at Canterbury Cathedral and he expressed the wish to be buried there.
		Canterbury Black Prince chantry in crypt built
		The Black Prince chantry in the crypt of Canterbury cathedral built by John Box.²
1372 - 1377		Canterbury Crypt Lady Chapel building work
		Canterbury Crypt Lady Chapel building work by John Box.²
1378		Canterbury Cathedral rebuilding work
		Work on rebuilding the nave and transepts of Canterbury Cathedral was started. The designer was Henry Yeveley one of the greatest architects in the late medieval period.
1379 - 1414		Canterbury Cloisters
		Canterbury Cloisters built by Henry Yevele.²
1381	Jun 10	William Courtenay becomes Archbishop of Canterbury
		William Courtenay became the Archbishop of Canterbury.
	Jun 10	Peasant's Revolt reaches Canterbury
		William Courtenay was elected the new archbishop of Canterbury by the Kentish rebels who crowded into the church. The previous archbishop was in London with the king and was to be beheaded by the rebels. The Essex section of the revolt burnt and sacked a Hospitaller commandery that had previously belonged to the Templars called Cressing Temple.¹¹
1387		The Canterbury Tales
		Geoffrey Chaucer begins the Canterbury Tales.
1397		Wilton Diptych painted
		A series of miniature images painted on the side of the Black Prince's tomb in Canterbury Cathedral.
		Thomas Arundel exiled
		Shortly after becoming Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Arundel was exiled by Richard II because of his support for the lords appellant who opposed the King's misrule of the country.
1400		Henry Yeveley dies.
		Henry Yeveley, one of the greatest late medieval architects died in 1400. His work on Canterbury Cathedral was continued by his pupil Stephen Lote.
1400 - 1412		Chapter House at Canterbury building work
		Chapter House at Canterbury building work by Stephen Lote.¹²
1423 - 1434		Canterbury South West Tower building work
		Canterbury South West Tower building work by Thomas Mapilton.²
1468		Canterbury Lady Chapel Vault
		Canterbury Lady Chapel Vault built.²
1493 - 1497		Canterbury central tower building work
		Canterbury central tower building work undertaken including strainer arches in the crossing.²
Early Modern Period (1500-1800) - Under Construction
1503		William Wareham becomes Archbishop of Canterbury
		William Wareham is elected to the post of Archbishop of Canterbury by Julius II.
1538		Destruction of Thomas Becket's Relics
		Henry VIII ordered the destruction of the shrine of Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral and the removal of all the offerings that had been made over the centuries. The bones were supposed to have been burned but may have been reburied sparking a mystery over the location of the remains today.⁴
1642		Canterbury Cathedral vandalised
		Parliamentarian troops broke into Canterbury Cathedral and damaged the interior including the organ and choir.