Trinity Chapel at Canterbury Cathedral, Canterbury
Trinity Chapel is located at the east end of Canterbury Cathedral. It was completed in 1184 as a shrine for Saint Thomas Becket's relics. This site became a popular pilgrimage site.
The chapel replaces a smaller chapel that burned down in 1174. Thomas Becket had celebrated his first mass as Archbishop of Canterbury in the smaller chapel. After the archbishop of York crowned Henry the Young King, Becket excommunicated the archbishop of York and two other church leaders. Henry expressed his displeasure, and knights killed Thomas Becket in the Canterbury Cathedral.
The popularity of the pilgrimage site inspired Geoffrey Chaucer to write Canterbury Tales in 1387. In 1540, King Henry VIII had Becket's shrine and bones destroyed. Today, visitors will find a lighted candle marking the former site of Becket's shrine.
Edward Plantagenet, the Black Prince, is entombed in this chapel. King Henry IV and his consort, Joan of Navarre, are buried in Trinity Chapel. While most kings are buried in Westminster Abbey, King Henry IV wanted to be connected with Thomas Becket. There are alabaster effigies of the King and Queen on top of the tomb.
The Corona Tower is at the east end of Trinity Chapel. Also called Becket's Crown, this area housed some of Becket's relics. It also housed Saint Odo's and Saint Wilfred's shrines.
The chapel replaces a smaller chapel that burned down in 1174. Thomas Becket had celebrated his first mass as Archbishop of Canterbury in the smaller chapel. After the archbishop of York crowned Henry the Young King, Becket excommunicated the archbishop of York and two other church leaders. Henry expressed his displeasure, and knights killed Thomas Becket in the Canterbury Cathedral.
The popularity of the pilgrimage site inspired Geoffrey Chaucer to write Canterbury Tales in 1387. In 1540, King Henry VIII had Becket's shrine and bones destroyed. Today, visitors will find a lighted candle marking the former site of Becket's shrine.
Edward Plantagenet, the Black Prince, is entombed in this chapel. King Henry IV and his consort, Joan of Navarre, are buried in Trinity Chapel. While most kings are buried in Westminster Abbey, King Henry IV wanted to be connected with Thomas Becket. There are alabaster effigies of the King and Queen on top of the tomb.
The Corona Tower is at the east end of Trinity Chapel. Also called Becket's Crown, this area housed some of Becket's relics. It also housed Saint Odo's and Saint Wilfred's shrines.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Canterbury. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Trinity Chapel at Canterbury Cathedral on Map
Sight Name: Trinity Chapel at Canterbury Cathedral
Sight Location: Canterbury, England (See walking tours in Canterbury)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Canterbury, England (See walking tours in Canterbury)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Canterbury, England
Create Your Own Walk in Canterbury
Creating your own self-guided walk in Canterbury is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Canterbury Introduction Walking Tour
Canterbury is a UNESCO World Heritage City and one of the most visited cities in England. Canterbury has a long history and has been occupied since Paleolithic times. It was the capital of the Celtic Cantiaci, Romans settled the area for centuries, and the site was the capital of the Kingdom of Kent.
Saint Augustine arrived in Canterbury in 597 to convert the Anglo-Saxons to Christianity. The... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Saint Augustine arrived in Canterbury in 597 to convert the Anglo-Saxons to Christianity. The... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Canterbury Cathedral and Grounds
Canterbury Cathedral, one of the oldest churches that played a crucial role in English Christianity, stands within its own walled area, surrounded by Medieval buildings and ruins.
At the heart of this ensemble rises the cathedral itself, a magnificent example of medieval architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As you enter, you'll pass through the imposing Christ Church Gate, a... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.8 Km or 0.5 Miles
At the heart of this ensemble rises the cathedral itself, a magnificent example of medieval architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As you enter, you'll pass through the imposing Christ Church Gate, a... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.8 Km or 0.5 Miles