Canterbury Cathedral, the home of Anglicanism (really!)

Ok, so I'm a little lousy at updating this blog in a timely fashion.  Sorry guys.  If I keep in chronological order, then the next place I visited was Canterbury Cathedral.  So, here are my pics from the visit:

The Cathedral's exterior, with some conservation going on.

A tree on the grounds with my classmate Bonnie standing by so you can tell just how BIG the thing is.

More exterior. 

Ruins of some of the ancient outbuildings.

The Cathedral through the ruins.

Ruins

Anything seem out of place here?

The Cathedral's tower.

A beautiful old ruin in the Cathedral close.

Roofway covering the oldest part of the Cathedral....

the exact same steps that pilgrims would have climbed 1500 years ago.

So, my classmate Bonnie was actually attending the Canterbury Scholars program at the same time that I was here in London.  Luckily, my Continuing Indaba boss was going to make a presentation to the scholars and I got to tag along.  Not only did I get to see Canterbury, but I got to hang out with one of my wonderful classmates too!

Here are my interior shots:

My favorite shot of the interior, ostensibly the rood screen of the high altar.

THE Compass Rose, the father of the well-known logo of the Anglican Communion.

Pulpit of Canterbury

Several effigies of previous bishops and lords.

The font's cover suspended on a chain above the font.

The Font (probably 4½ feet tall.)

More effigies, sorry I didn't catch who these bishops were.

The amazing underside of the tower right at the crossing.

sides of the "rood screen" up close.

a dark photo, but it show the stained glass well

Impressive detailed stonework

Facing the opposite way from the "rood screen"

Beautiful stained glass of Thomas á Beckett

Burial place of King Henry IV and Joan of Navarre

The site of Thomas á Beckett's martyrdom.

The Archbishop of Canterbury's official "throne" (cathedra).

The Shrine of Thomas á Beckett

The interior of the Chapterhouse, where the monks would meet before the 16th C.

The ceiling of the Chapterhouse.  Amazing wood-work!

Those are the pictures from my visit to Canterbury. It was really amazing!  I also got to tour other parts of the Cathedral close, such as the new buildings where retreats and meetings take place and the guesthouses for such meetings.

Please comment so I know you're looking and feel free to ask questions.  I'm sure there are things that I have forgotten to include in these posts.  That's all for Canterbury Cathedral.  More soon!!