The Cathedral City of Canterbury is the backdrop for the conflict between King Henry ll and Archbishop Thomas Becket. Becket’s murder in the 12th century sparked pilgrimages to his shrine in Canterbury from all over Europe, but getting there wasn’t easy. Life in the 14th century was dangerous and a thriving travel business developed offering safe pilgrimage tours. Pilgrims, such as Chaucer’s colourful characters, travelled in large numbers and would have passed over the oldest river crossing in England, where the strategic placement of a ducking stool kept traders honest and flushed out witches. For more information check out Journeys through the British Isles, episode #10.
About Anne Martin
Since the mid 1970s, producer/host, Anne Martin, has been bringing stories to life through the medium of television. She thrives on tracking down the unusual and her work has encompassed history, geology, heritage and a positive outlook on the world around us. Read more about Anne Martin.