Effigies of Saint Thomas Becket, Henry II and his wife Queen Eleanor will be the centrepiece of Canterbury’s medieval pageant on Saturday.Saint Thomas was murdered in the Kent city’s cathedral in 1170, by four knights who believed they were acting on the orders of the king.The 2024 pageant marks the 850th anniversary of Henry’s visit to Canterbury, when he marched barefoot through the city to the saint’s tomb in penance for his role in the killing.The pageant will start at Westgate Towers, march to the Buttermarket and finish at the cathedral grounds.
As part of the ceremony, the effigy of the king will make an official apology in the cathedral precints.The parade is now in its ninth year.
Who was Thomas Becket and why did he clash with the king?BBC History - Thomas BecketThe cathedral grounds will be open between 09:00 BST and 21:00.Free events include crown and mitre making and a carving competition between two of the cathedral’s stone masons.
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This is the best summary I could come up with:
Effigies of Saint Thomas Becket, Henry II and his wife Queen Eleanor will be the centrepiece of Canterbury’s medieval pageant on Saturday.Saint Thomas was murdered in the Kent city’s cathedral in 1170, by four knights who believed they were acting on the orders of the king.The 2024 pageant marks the 850th anniversary of Henry’s visit to Canterbury, when he marched barefoot through the city to the saint’s tomb in penance for his role in the killing.The pageant will start at Westgate Towers, march to the Buttermarket and finish at the cathedral grounds.
As part of the ceremony, the effigy of the king will make an official apology in the cathedral precints.The parade is now in its ninth year.
Who was Thomas Becket and why did he clash with the king?BBC History - Thomas BecketThe cathedral grounds will be open between 09:00 BST and 21:00.Free events include crown and mitre making and a carving competition between two of the cathedral’s stone masons.
Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram.
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