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On Thursday 9 February, Year 7 travelled to Canterbury Cathedral as part of a joint History and Religious Studies trip. The aim was to examine in detail the circumstances surrounding the death of Archbishop Thomas Becket in 1170. It was also to familiarise the children with the Cathedrals history, atmosphere and religious importance as the centre of the Anglican Church.
The day was busy, filled with a variety of activities. The children undertook tours of this fascinating building, with so many links to important events in our countrys history and culture. During this time, it was noticeable how the children were able to reflect upon the grandeur and beauty of the building that surrounded them. Highlights included seeing the shrine to Thomas Becket, looking upwards to the amazing belltower, and climbing, as pilgrims did, to the site of Beckets original medieval shrine.
The children examined historical documents in a visit to the archive, including a document detailing the gift of 100 tuns of wine per annum (1,600 gallons a year), and an early Anglo-Saxon legal document concerning property. The children tested the toughness of parchment by seeing if they could rip it (they could not). In between times, they were able to investigate the Cathedral more widely, noticing particularly the stunning stained glass and the phenomenal architecture.
The children all came away with a strong impression of the history and religious importance of the building, but also its awe-inspiring atmosphere. As one of the children put it I will mainly remember the Cathedral for its size and holiness. I felt I was in a very holy place, where people have a lot of respect.
