[Illustration: ST. MARTIN'S CHURCH (SOUTH SIDE). _Photochrom Co. Ltd., Photo._] THE CHURCH OF ST. MARTIN CANTERBURY AN ILLUSTRATED ACCOUNT OF ITS HISTORY AND FABRIC BY THE REV. C. F. ROUTLEDGE, M.A., F.S.A. HON. CANON OF CANTERBURY [Illustration: Arms of the See] LONDON GEORGE BELL & SONS 1898 W. H. WHITE AND CO. LTD. RIVERSIDE PRESS, EDINBURGH PREFACE The associations connected with St. Martin's Church are manifold, and of universal interest. During recent explorations so much fresh matter has been brought to light that it has become almost necessary to re-write the structural description of the building, and to re-consider the date of its foundation. We have endeavoured to lay before our readers a plain summary of the discoveries that have been made, and to elucidate them, as far as possible, from the pages of history--for (in the words of a sound antiquary) "It is every day more true that people _want_ history in guide-books. The tourist is a much better informed person than he used to be, and desires to be still more so." Charles F. Routledge. CANTERBURY, _May 1898_. CONTENTS PAGE CHAPTER I.--Introduction 3 Early Christianity in Britain 6 CHAPTER II.--History of the Church 14 Roman Canterbury 15 The Saxon Invasion 21 The Mission of St. Augustine 24 Baptism of Ethelbert 31 Bishops of St. Martin's 34 CHAPTER III.-- Description of the Church--Exterior 41 Dedication 41 Walls 45 Buttresses 48 Doorways 51 Description--Interior 62 Font 67 West Wall of Nave 71 Norman Piscina 74 Chancel 76 Chrismatory 83 APPENDIX A: List of Rectors 93 B: Date of Church 94 C: Eastern Apse, etc. 99 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS PAGE