Thomas Becket

We are staying near Canterbury on a visit to the grandchildren et al. So a visit to the cathedral seemed appropriate. The candle marks the place where Thomas Becket's shrine was located until Henry VIII had it removed. It has never been found. At the time of the dissolution of the monasteries Henry did not want the pilgrimages to have a focus.

The cathedral is most impressive. The stone originally came from Caen in France and still does. It's built on three levels with a huge crypt. There is a funeral statue of the Black Prince in full armour. I've always wondered why he was called such. One of the volunteers said that at the time all the armour the nobility wore was black. So you would have the Black Captain, Black General etc and Black Prince of course. Not sure if this holds water!