By Eric Malo

The Canterbury Cathedral isthe mother church of theAnglican Communion and seatof the Archbishop ofCanterbury, leader of theChurch of England.

The historic cathedral wasimmortalized in GeoffreyChaucer's "The CanterburyTales," about the pilgrims whoflocked to the church afterthe murder of ArchbishopThomas Becket in 1170.

The church is one of England'smost famous historicallandmarks and is open daily tovisitors. Services are still heldin the cathedral

597St Augustine arrived in Kent and soon established the first Cathedral

1070-1077Cathedral rebuilt by Archbishop Lanfranc

1098-1130New Quire built over a Crypt (present Western Crypt)

1170Thomas Becket murdered in the Cathedral

1175-1184Quire rebuilt. Eastern Crypt, Trinity and Corona Chapels added (all as seen today)

1220Becket's body placed in new Shrine in Trinity Chapel

1377-1405Lanfranc Nave demolished and rebuilt as seen today; Cloister vaulting inserted

c1450 Pulpitum Screen constructed

1498Bell Harry Tower extended and the Cathedral largely complete as seen today

1538Becket's Shrine destroyed by Henry VIII

1540Monastery dissolved by royal command

1541New Foundation of Dean and Chapter established

1660-1704Repair and refurbishing after Puritan damage

1834 North West tower rebuilt

1954Library rebuilt, repairing War damage

1986altar of the Sword's Point (Martyrdom) restored

1988 Compass Rose placed in the Nave

2000International Study Centre opened in the Precincts