Why did people travel to Canterbury in particalar?

Answer 1

Thomas Becket (also known as Saint Thomas of Canterbury, Thomas of London) was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 until his murder in 1170.After the murder of Archbishop Thomas Becket at the cathedral in 1170, Canterbury became one of the most notable towns in Europe, as pilgrims from all parts of Christendom came to visit his shrine.[12] This pilgrimage provided the framework for Geoffrey Chaucer's 14th-century collection of stories, The Canterbury Tales.

Answer 2

People traveled to Canterbury, primarily to visit the Canterbury Cathedral, a significant pilgrimage site in medieval times due to the presence of the shrine of Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury who was murdered in the cathedral in 1170. Pilgrims believed that visiting his shrine would bring spiritual benefits and healing. Canterbury also held political and religious significance as the religious center of England.

Answer 3

Canterbury Cathedral was the final resting place for Saint Thomas of Becket. Pilgrimages were made to various sites with varying degrees of religious significance. Canterbury Cathedral would be the starting point for Pilgrimages from Winchester or Rochester as well as well as the paths to Santiago De Compostela in Spain and the Via Francigena in Rome.

Answer 4

Christians pilgrimage to Canterbury in order to pay homage to the late Thomas Becket, whose murder in the Canterbury Cathedral in 1170 led to his long lasting martyrdom.

Prior to being appointed as Archbishop of Canterbury in 1162, Becket was a close friend of Henry II and served under him as Chancellor of England. During this era, tensions between the church and state were high in Great Britain as both fought to gain power; this was shown as criminals were tried in two separate courts: clergymen were tried in the ecclesiastical court while the rest were tried in the king's court.

In an attempt to solve this problem, Henry II appointed Becket as Archbishop of Canterbury. However, Becket embraced his new duties devoutly and gave his loyalty to the church, becoming a true man of God. When Henry II heard of this, he became enraged, issued the Constitutions of Claredon (which listed powers of the state over the church), and called Becket to trial in 1164. Becket then fled to France and remained in exile until 1170. Upon his return, he was murdered by four of Henry II's knights.

Becket's devotion to the court and the great price he paid for it is the reason for pilgrimages to Canterbury.

Answer 5

to Canterbury cathedral to pray because they believed they would be healed or forgiven for all there sins they believed this because after Thomas a Beckett died miracles were performed at the cathedral (St.Thomas a Beckett)

Answer 6

For most people in the Middle Ages, religion was the most important thing in life. Pilgrimage was practiced as part of the religion. People went on pilgrimage to venerate saints, to pray, to gain religious merit, and, frankly, to have a fun vacation.

Thomas Becket, as Archbishop of Canterbury, had stood up to his king and friend, Henry II, to protect the interests of the Church. As a result of this, he was assassinated in Canterbury Cathedral during a service there, making him a martyr. He was made a saint only three years later. The people of England had a focus, at Canterbury Cathedral, for the most important pilgrimage in their land.

Anyone interested in this really should read the Canterbury Tales, by Geoffrey Chaucer.

Answer 7

Thomas Becket died there.

That's where his grave is.

Answer 8

Why did so many people travel to canterbury on pilgrimages?